Ubuntu from Dell, first impressions
I order a new computer for Meg as her IDE controller appears to be flaking out. I decided to order one of the new Dells with Ubuntu pre-installed. On first boot up, I was asked to agree to the Terms and Conditions. This was before even the OS loaded, must be a BIOS thing. Once though this screen, Ubuntu 7.04 booted up, I created a user account for Meg and myself and we were up and running. I did an synaptic update and started to explore the system. Everything but my printer just worked. USB drives, Sound, flash installed right into firefox, no extra fiddling needed.
Extra work with the printer was to be expected and I was able to easily get it running with the lexmark driver and the directions from ubuntu forums. Dell did a good job on their blog explaining that they are only going to recommend certain printers. One odd thing was that the sales page for the linux systems didn't let me select a printer at all. I guess they are still ramping up the system and determining which printers would be best to offer.
It was pretty neat to unpack a new Dell PC and only have this one CD in the box:
I'm going to let Meg play with Ubuntu a bit, but I think we may end up switching back to Kubuntu, as that's what she's more familiar with. I do have an XP CD sitting here as a backup in case she decides Open Office can't handle her powerpoint needs or something else. I might try the Qemu > rdesktop trick if she decides this is needed.
Woohoo! Thanks for the positive post and really glad to see you like the Ubuntu-based system so far. Longer term, we’re looking to implement drivers at the kernel level. When we get there, it means you can choose your own favorite Linux distribution. We’re working to get there.
Thanks again for the support, and if you have other friends/ colleagues that might be interested in Linux, please let them know about this. Offering Ubuntu wasn’t just to say we listened to customers who wanted it. We also hope to raise awareness both inside the Linux community and out—there’s a broader opportunity to educate more people out there about the benefits of Linux. Can’t think of a better way than through customers like yourself.
Sincerely,
Lionel Menchaca
Digital Media Manager, Direct2Dell
Comment by Lionel@Dell — 6/9/2007 @ 6:54 am
Woohoo! Thanks for the positive post and really glad to see you like the Ubuntu-based system so far. Longer term, we’re looking to implement drivers at the kernel level. When we get there, it means you can choose your own favorite Linux distribution. We’re working to get there.
Thanks again for the support, and if you have other friends/ colleagues that might be interested in Linux, please let them know about this. Offering Ubuntu wasn’t just to say we listened to customers who wanted it. We also hope to raise awareness both inside the Linux community and out—there’s a broader opportunity to educate more people out there about the benefits of Linux. Can’t think of a better way than through customers like yourself.
Sincerely,
Lionel Menchaca
Digital Media Manager, Direct2Dell
Comment by Lionel@Dell — 6/11/2007 @ 10:11 pm
[…] mentioned earlier, Meg’s new computer is a Dell with Ubuntu Linux pre-installed. Overall, we’re still happy with the […]
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