In a brief but bold statement, Dell’s U.S. website suggests that Ubuntu is safer than Microsoft Windows, especially for customers looking to avoid viruses. The statement, spotted by TheVARguy.com, also suggests that Dell will begin shipping Ubuntu 10.04 on selected U.S. systems sometime in mid-2010. Here’s an update.
Loyal WorksWithU readers know that Dell has a mixed history with Ubuntu. On the one hand, Dell is the only major PC maker to openly endorse Ubuntu from time to time for desktop, mobile and netbook systems. But on the other hand, Dell’s U.S. website has offered a very limited selection of Ubuntu systems. In fact, the number of Ubuntu options from Dell seems to have fallen since 2007.
Even so, Dell’s web site (www.dell.com/ubuntu) now includes a top 10 list that describes why Ubuntu may appeal to customers. Among the reasons listed: Ubuntu, Dell says, is a safer choice than Windows because so many viruses are written to target Windows, notes The VAR Guy blog. Dell also hints that Ubuntu 10.04 preloads could arrive on Dell U.S. systems in mid-2010. That certainly represents some progress for Dell, which typically sticks with older Ubuntu releases as its preload options.
But back the story at hand: Is Dell’s statement — suggesting Ubuntu is safer than Windows — really news? Perhaps not. But it does take guts for a major PC vendor to endorse Ubuntu at a time when Microsoft is aggressively pushing Windows 7.
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Wow… That was brave! To be followed by Microsoft charging Dell higher prices for Windows, for sure.
LinuxLover: I’ll be watching to see if Dell backs away from the Ubuntu safety statement at any point.
-jp
I agree with you Joe Panettieri.
Joe, that is really interesting. Thanks for the update.
To answer your question (“Is Dell’s statement — suggesting Ubuntu is safer than Windows — really news?”): Can anyone think of a single other example of Dell — or any other major Windows retailer — unequivocally saying consumer Linux is better than Windows in any way?
To expand on LinuxLover’s comment: Dell might be using Ubuntu as a lever to pry lower prices out of Microsoft.
Even if Dell didn’t sell a single Ubuntu system, the news that a major PC retailer was seriously promoting a Windows alternative on all platforms might hurt Microsoft’s stock value, which is already languishing.
Even if this is all Dell is doing — and I’m not suggesting it is — it’s still exposure for Ubuntu. Nothing like this was happening a few years ago.
Pat: Thanks for your insights. I agree: It is news. I’m just wondering if readers broadly agree with me. And yes, Dell claims to be the leading seller of Ubuntu systems since 2007. I’m curious to see how those efforts may potentially expand when Dell starts shipping Ubuntu 10.04 on systems in mid-2010. Should be soon…
-jp
Also, not only does Ubuntu have their own section of dell, but, Ubuntu is now sell right next to Windows machines. Have a look for your self at
“http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/notebooks/latitude-13/pd.aspx?refid=latitude-13&s=bsd&cs=04″
Instead of getting an Inspiron, Dell has hid surprises around their site like the Latitude-13 with Ubuntu less than 1 inch thick and has a 13 inch screen. All for under $500 bucks!
I both loath it and love it when Dell does this.
Ever since Dell started offering preloaded Ubuntu on it’s desktops and laptops as a result of overwhelming demand from IdeaStorm members Dell has pushed out it’s alternative OS bargaining chip any time Microsoft starts getting uppity it seems. So it’s a fair bet somewhere behind the scenes someone at Microsoft has seriously upset someone at Dell.
Unfortunately however Dell doesn’t seem to be in a rush to do much with this bargaining chip. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. It could be that Dell are watching and waiting for Ubuntu to mature sufficiently to be a hot seller on their PCs. Perhaps that’s why Dell has previously stuck with older LTS versions of Ubuntu and is now jumping to 10.04 so soon after release. Of course it’s just as likely Dell like to beat Microsoft down with it’s big open source club.
And it’s a weighty club at that with huge community support. One which Microsoft will be hard pressed to do anything about since Dell joined Microsoft’s patent “protection” scheme.
I think this statement from Dell is a quiet reminder to Microsoft that Dell has OS options and Microsoft needs Dell more than Dell needs Microsoft. After all, Dell are well and truely on their way to entering the Android device market. And Dells efforts don’t look too shabby.
I love to see Dell doing this. I have bought already to laptops from Dell with Ubuntu (and replaced it with Kubuntu in both cases). A Mini A90 (business version of the Mini 9) and the Vostro V13. The latter was a little more expensice, but it is a fantastic, inexpensive ultra thin.
Remember, if you want to back up Dell, vote with your wallet. Or buy System76, Zareason and the like. Even if it costs a bit more. Change won’t happen unless we make it happen.
Cheers!
Leo
I love where this is going, but I have a hard time getting on board with the reasoning. It’s substantial to note that virus writers and malicious users target GNU Linux platforms just as hard as other platforms because the vast majority of servers holding the Internet together are GNU Linux based.
The Linux kernel handles and segregates memory much more securely than do its counterparts. As this isn’t as easy to grasp as the “Windows is more prevalent, thus a more juicy target” argument, it should be noted.
No virus writers and malware writers don’t tend to target Linux servers. They target the weakest link in the chain. Users. The vast majority of whom use Microsoft Windows which offers them little to no protection so far as I can figure.
Attacks on Linux machines tend to be restricted to physical access attacks or turning home routers into bot net zombies. Home routers running Linux can be targeted because most people don’t do simple things like setting up a proper password.
Just because the data travelled across a network or Linux servers doesn’t mean those servers are being attacked.
And now Dell is reportedly backtracking:
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/security/358714/so-dell-is-ubuntu-safer-than-windows-or-not
Dell deleted the Ubuntu-is-safer page and a Dell spokesthingy reportedly said Dell doesn’t want to recommend one OS over another — even though Dell’s own website has long recommended Windows in the bluntest possible terms.
OK, cue the next Dell-can-do-no-wrong comment
well, i have just spoken to dell uk sales and they are no longer selling dells with ubuntu and that the page http://www.dell.co.uk/ubuntu is going to be removed.
I find it strange that dell are still selling systems with ubuntu on in america but not in the uk.
So how does someone in the uk buy a system thats compatible with ubuntu??????
Of course Gnu/Linux is safer than W1nd0w$!