XP, Vista, Linux or None? - dmxdimension forums

rkl · 11-04-2008, 10:58 AM

It seems that when you go into Dell's "Customise" section for any normal desktop or laptop they sell, the only choices - if you're lucky - are between versions of Windows (yes, I know that they do sell Linux desktops, but they're deliberately well off the beaten path with - ludicrously - completely separately model numbers and specs to make it hard to compare).

What I'd like to see Dell do is the following:

1. Scrap separate Linux models and offer Linux simply as an option on their "normal" desktops/laptops. Yes, this would mean having to source "Linux-friendly" hardware (or commission Linux drivers for currently "Linux-hostile" hardware), but it can't be that difficult because their "N" Linux models prove it can be done.

2. Have a radio button to choose between:
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Linux
- No OS

Clearly there may be multiple XP, Vista and even Linux options for Home/Pro/Premium/Ultimate/etc. Cheapest option should be No OS as you'd expect. Linux could have a small charge I guess, but some people might expect it to be "free".

Note here - if an OS is selected, the rest of the options should auto-adjust as necessary. For example, Windows software options would disappear if Linux is selected (maybe replaced by Linux software equivs to buy or have pre-installed for a nominal charge?). If there is no pre-installed Linux support for a piece of hardware (e.g. a printer) that would normally be offered with the Windows, then put a big warning against it that it's unsupported on Linux (or even disable it from being purchasable to play it safe).

3. Have a radio button to choose the bitness of the OS (32-bit or 64-bit). Point out that if you buy 4GB RAM or more, you will need a 64-bit OS to use all the RAM.

4. Pre-install the most popular Open Source software (Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice.org, GIMP etc. etc.) - point out that no direct support is offered by Dell for that software, but ensure that the users know where to turn to for community support. I have a feeling that MS really would *hate* OpenOffice.org pre-installed on all Dell PCs, because it would kill the cash cow that is MS Office...

5. Always provide the option to buy a desktop without a monitor - it's basically pot luck as to whether the monitor is forced on you or not. Not all of us are first-time PC buyers and many of us with monitors already don't need to buy one with the new PC (e.g. we're either disposing of the old PC or can use a KVM switch between the new and old one).

11-04-2008, 10:58 AM	#3
rkl Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Why can't they provide a simple radio button to choose? It seems that when you go into Dell's "Customise" section for any normal desktop or laptop they sell, the only choices - if you're lucky - are between versions of Windows (yes, I know that they do sell Linux desktops, but they're deliberately well off the beaten path with - ludicrously - completely separately model numbers and specs to make it hard to compare). What I'd like to see Dell do is the following: 1. Scrap separate Linux models and offer Linux simply as an option on their "normal" desktops/laptops. Yes, this would mean having to source "Linux-friendly" hardware (or commission Linux drivers for currently "Linux-hostile" hardware), but it can't be that difficult because their "N" Linux models prove it can be done. 2. Have a radio button to choose between: - Windows XP - Windows Vista - Linux - No OS Clearly there may be multiple XP, Vista and even Linux options for Home/Pro/Premium/Ultimate/etc. Cheapest option should be No OS as you'd expect. Linux could have a small charge I guess, but some people might expect it to be "free". Note here - if an OS is selected, the rest of the options should auto-adjust as necessary. For example, Windows software options would disappear if Linux is selected (maybe replaced by Linux software equivs to buy or have pre-installed for a nominal charge?). If there is no pre-installed Linux support for a piece of hardware (e.g. a printer) that would normally be offered with the Windows, then put a big warning against it that it's unsupported on Linux (or even disable it from being purchasable to play it safe). 3. Have a radio button to choose the bitness of the OS (32-bit or 64-bit). Point out that if you buy 4GB RAM or more, you will need a 64-bit OS to use all the RAM. 4. Pre-install the most popular Open Source software (Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice.org, GIMP etc. etc.) - point out that no direct support is offered by Dell for that software, but ensure that the users know where to turn to for community support. I have a feeling that MS really would hate OpenOffice.org pre-installed on all Dell PCs, because it would kill the cash cow that is MS Office... 5. Always provide the option to buy a desktop without a monitor - it's basically pot luck as to whether the monitor is forced on you or not. Not all of us are first-time PC buyers and many of us with monitors already don't need to buy one with the new PC (e.g. we're either disposing of the old PC or can use a KVM switch between the new and old one).