[Gomez]

ping

[martin_fierro]

[B Knotts]

Dell doesn’t offer much selection in their Ubuntu-preloaded systems. Looks like they’re currently offering a grand total of two systems, both laptops.

[softwarecreator]

For many years my biggest complaint against Linux was the ability to "plug and play" 3rd party applications such as Photoshop. Using "Wine loader" has changed all that and I am now a semi-converted Ubuntu user.

Actually, my favorite distro is "Mint". Mint is easy to install and has some great out-of-the-box software ready to run.

I still think that about 50% of the Windows users out there are still not ready for Linux though, as it has a bit of a ways to go yet.  This is quite an improvement because 3 years ago I thought 90% could not possibly make the transition.

If it weren't for the the fact that my business requires asp.net and SQL server, I would probably use windows only on rare occasions.

[ShadowAce]

[CA Conservative]

First a disclaimer: I am a computer security professional, and have been in the computer industry for 15 years.

The argument Dell is making is both true and, for most home users, immaterial. It is true that Windows has by far the most malware written for it. Microsoft has a reputation for leaving holes in the OS as they rush to market. (Windows 7 has been a pleasant exception to that rule - the vast majority of the critical security updates for Windows 7 since its release have been for IE8, not for the OS itself.) Windows also controls about 90% of the PC market, so anyone writing malware gets more bang for their buck by attacking the Windows platform.

It is immaterial because most users are still going to want a Windows PC because that is the platform they want in order to run the apps they like. Most users just want to turn on the PC and go - they don't want to learn command line utilities, or learn how to compile and install apps from source.

I like Linux, especially Ubuntu. I use a lot of Linux utilities when doing forensic exams, etc, and I even like it as a desktop OS. But I am a bit of a geek, and I enjoy the intricacies of Linux and the wide variety of open source software. But I represent the market that Linux appeals to - technically advanced users who enjoy tweaking and tuning their systems, who like to develop apps or use the advanced features of the system. Until Linux can match Windows for the type an quality of apps offered by Windows, it will not be a mainstream OS.

Sorry, but that is my professional opinion. Flame away. (Asbestos suit on.)

[marktwain]

I purchased a Dell laptop with Ubuntu over a year ago, and I love it. I only need it for a little word processing and net surfing.

Of course, if it gets too popular, many of the advantages will be reduced.

[TimothyIan]

Having ‘grown up’ using UNIX PWB 7 on a PDP 11/45 back in 1979, one can just imagine the frabjous joy when Linux came out. A true multi-user operating system, one where the individual (a truly hated term at Microsoft) can control his/her own security and, here’s the best part, it’s FREE!!!!

In addition:

Apache Web Server - FREE
Open Office - FREE
Firefox - FREE
Firewalls - FREE
Windows-like User Interface Option - FREE

Incredible! Just like software used to be before BillCo started charging ever increasing amounts for a seriously flawed, vulnerable Operating System.

[Nateman]

I just got a Dell 15N. I'm little peeved at Dell because the Windows version was put on sale but the Linux version was not. I bought the Windows one because it was 100$ cheaper and installed Ubuntu on it, which I'm now using with Chrome.(Chrome finally has a stable Linux version!)

For anybody doing likewise the automatic dual boot option leaves a tiny half a gig of the drive for Ubuntu. I have since changed that to 60 Gigs without any problems with the Windows part.

By the way I made the above graphic with a Linux program called Gimp. One of the many FREE programs Linux offers. (I'm not worried about the Flash 10 security problem because they still don't have a 64bit version that works for Linux!)

[jonno]

...Ubuntu is safer than Microsoft Windows: The vast majority of viruses and spyware written by hackers are not designed to target and attack Linux.

I'm pretty sure my house is less secure than one in any neighborhood in Detroit.

It's a good bet though that its safer...

[Tribune7]

I'm mostly a Mac user but I got my Dad a Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop with Ubuntu a year ago and have been providing the tech support.

There is obviously a learning curve, and Linux is definitely not as consumer friendly as Mac (or MSFT I imagine) but I'm very happy with it and I think he has come to like it.

And I paid $349 new for it which is over $2,000 less than what my MacBook Pro cost -- granted the screen size is 15 inch vs 17 inch for my Mac.

If you have the money go for the Mac. If you don't, you probably would be pleasantly surprised by the Linux.

[Sudetenland]

Writing this in Ubuntu 10.04. I like it! Just a couple of complaints now. First my much preferred music software, MediaMonkey Gold is not ported to Linux and Wine operation is spotty despite the best efforts of a lot of volunteers. Second, my super realistic screensaver, MarineAquarium 3 is also unlikely to ever be ported.

Still in all, I like it. Only time will tell if I will switch.