My Dell Ubuntu notebook
How cool is that? I just ordered an Ubuntu notebook from Dell.
As I said earlier, my laptop harddisk has crashed. A new one @ 150 € isn’t an option, so I looked for a new laptop. Basic limitations:
- No ATI graphics card (bad drivers in Linux, bad reputation)
- No graphics card not working easily (Intel X3100)
- No wireless that is not working easily (had to be Intel 2200 or 3945)
- Business notebook - I want quality this time. Consumer/multimedia notebooks suck
- Below 1.500 €
And some wishes:
- Linux as OS, or no OS, or XP, or Vista if necessary (in that order)
- Good reputation in the Ubuntu hardware info, and should work well with Linux according to Google
I searched for 2 hours. I checked more than 5 manufacturers (incl. IBM, Dell, HP, Samsung, Toshiba, Acer, …) and probably up to 50 models. And there was nothing that I could just buy easily without waiting for problems. In the end, I settled on the HP Compaq NX7400, which is quite solid, but expensive. Seemed to work well with Linux as well.
Then a friend told me that Dell now has their Ubuntu Linux offerings in Germany as well - I was shocked, I didn’t know that. I quickly pumped up the basic Inspiron 6400 to also contain a better CPU, more RAM, more support, etc. and the price is still only @ 1.000 € (incl. shipping).
I’m so amazed. I get exactly what I want, not only according to my limits, but also to my wishlist. I can support my favorite Linux distribution and show my support to a major hardware vendor.
The downside is more than 2 weeks of delivery. But what the hell, I’d never have dreamed of getting such an amazing deal.
