Dell Quietly Releases Another Ubuntu Machine in the UK

After the original releases of three Ubuntu machines last year, Dell has quietly been adding to its repository of Linux-powered machines. The newest is a UK-based Inspiron Mini 9, reported by TheRegister.

At first, the netbook seems like a great deal. Dell loves Ubuntu, Ubuntu loves netbooks, and Dell loves netbooks. Perfect triangle, right? Unfortunately, TheRegister has a few problems with the deal. The main is "the lack of configuration options" available for the Mini 9. Right now, the Linux-based version has to have a 0.3MP webcam, an 8.9" screen, 1GB of memory, an 8GB SSD, integrated graphics card, wifi, and Bluetooth. The only customizable option is a choice between a one year and two year warranty, a surprising step for a company that usually lets customers make the system fit them.

The Windows machine is equally uncustomizable. However, it's has very different specs from the £30 less Ubuntu sibling. It has a beautiful 1.3MP webcam and a 16GB SSD. Either of those by themselves would make up the price difference, not to mention the addition of Windows. What's up with that?

TheRegister hits the nail on the head.

Either Dell's SSD suppliers aren't charging much for that extra 8GB, or Microsoft has cut the PC giant a very good XP licensing deal.

Since I haven't heard anything about SSDs going dramatically down, I can only guess it's the latter option. And if you think about it, it makes sense. The US-based Inspiron Mini 9 also opened to much criticism. However, as Ubuntucat points out, the Windows-version also has the advantage of being subsidized, not just by Microsoft, but also by companies like AOL and McAfee which pre-install all that crapware on most Windows machines. Ubuntucat also points out that Dell still has to pay for all the patented codecs like the DVD codec.

So what should Canonical do about this? Right now, if I were buying a Mini 9 in the UK, I'd simply buy the Windows version and put Ubuntu on it. However, there are ways to fix this problem. One way is to allow crapware. But we all know what will happen if Dell even tries that. There will be a massive outcry, a huge Dell boycott, and nothing will get fixed. Another option is to have Canonical and other Linux companies subsidize Dell. That might work, but Dell would first have to convince Shuttleworth and the other execs that it's in their best interest to do so. Shuttleworth really hasn't done anything like this before. I see no reason why he'd do it now. Finally, we can just leave it as it is. That is, without a doubt, not a good thing to do. Dell will simply keep on seeing sales of Ubuntu-based machines slip. One day, they'll announce the closure of the product line. It'll be 2001 all over again.

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