[TriLUG] pitching Ubuntu vs Vista

[Chris Knowles]

OK, some observations... I'm an early adopter of the Dell Ubuntu
offering.  I have the 530N.  It's a nice box.

There are some other posts on here by me on the subject of the hardware
support from Dell on this.  (Fine, so long as you connect directly to
their Linux aware group.  Terrible with a capital RIBLE if you try to go
through the actual customer support lines presented on their website.)

>From what I understand, the hardware support is through Dell, but the
software support they are selling with these boxes is just the Canonical
support, with the canonical people saying Dell.

There are some minor problems with Ubuntu 8.04 and these boxes, and some
issues with how the support will go in the future.  (see
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/153702 for an example)

Overall though I'm happy.  

Now onto Vista.  I have no direct experience, but a coworker of mine
just bought a laptop from Dell, with comparable specs, though 4 GB of
RAM instead of the paltry 2 I've got.  It's noticeably slower with
browsing and other things.  Though part of that may be all the cruft
that Dell loads on their Window's PCs.

I'd say the lack of need for licensing, and the better ability to not
have to run 7000 software packs to get the same functionality.  For
example, an intrusive firewall/adware/spyware package isn't necessary.
Shorewall and clam will do just fine and put a heck of a lot less load
on you.

Of course, I like Linux, so I'm going to come out in favor of it.

CJK

On Sun, 2008-05-11 at 09:39 -0400, Tom Roche wrote:
> I'd appreciate {fresh eyes, fact checking} regarding a pitch I'm
> planning to make to buy a Dell Inspiron 530N with Ubuntu vs
> Lenovo ThinkCentre M57 6395 with Vista.
> 
> I'm starting a new gig as a grad student @ UNC. My boss is currently
> planning to buy
> 
> http://cci.unc.edu/index/ccishop/departmental.html
>  > Model: Desktop [ThinkCentre] m57eco 6395UN2
>  > Processor: Intel [Core 2 Duo]  2.66Ghz
>  > Hard Drive: 160GB
>  > Optical: CDRW/DVD Combo
>  > Memory: 2GB (4 GB max) 1 available [slot]
> ...
>  > Software: UNC Custom Software Load
>  > OS: MS Vista
>  > [3 Year Warranty]
> ...
>  > Bundle Price w/17" Monitor: W101947 $874.00
>  > Bundle Price w/19" Wide Monitor: W101948 894.00
>  > Price without Monitor: $709.00
> 
> but has said that he'd consider other desktops (i.e. non-laptops) with
> comparable price/performance. The local Dell rep, Ken Klawonn, pointed
> me toward their Inspiron 530N with Ubuntu for base config=$509
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/3wtygv
> 
> (We may be eligible for additional edu discounts from Dell, but I'll
> use these $ for now.) The base config includes (excerpted)
> 
> - CPU=Pentium dual E2180 (1MB, 2.00GHz, 800FSB)
> - RAM=1GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2GB=+$50, 4GB=+$150)
> + monitor=19", flat panel (no monitor=-$190)
> + HD=250 GB 7200 RPM (320 GB=+$50)
> + optical=16x DVD+/-RW
> + GPU=nVidia GeForce 8300GS 128MB (8600GT 256MB DDR3=+$90)
> - warranty=1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone (3 yr=+$170)
> 
> and the alternate configs that seem most applicable are
> 
> {RAM=1 GB, warranty=3 yr, monitor=19", video=128 GB}=$679
> {RAM=2 GB, warranty=3 yr, monitor=19", video=128 GB}=$729
> {RAM=2 GB, warranty=3 yr, monitor=no, video=128 GB} =$539
> {RAM=4 GB, warranty=3 yr, monitor=no, video=256 GB} =$729
> 
> given that I don't know as much as I'd like about the usecases for
> this box. I suspect it'll be used mostly for lightweight data
> visualization, and shelling into RENCI for the heavy lifting.
> 
> ISTM the main arguments for the ThinkCentre are
> 
> - the high ratio of local windows/linux support. Not much I can do
>    about that, except to say we probably won't need ITS support. Is
>    Dell support (i.e. beyond the warranty) worth buying?
> 
> - the Core 2 Duo E8200 beats the Pentium dual E2180. Faster, more
>    cache. Can't touch that, no?
> 
> ~ the "UNC Custom Software Load" gives you MS Office, Photoshop
>    (Elements), SAV, and a buncha *nix emulations. If not preloaded, I
>    can put OOo, GIMP, and Clam on myself, and no need for the
>    emulations.
> 
> The main arguments for the Inspiron are
> 
> + linux is more efficient. We can run what we wanna run, and no more.
> 
> + linux can use 4 GB RAM, whereas Vista can only see 3 GB.
> 
> + the Inspiron has 50% more disk (double if we pay $50 for the 320 GB
>    HD) with same spin (7200 rpm).
> 
> + the Inspiron has better graphics, esp the config with the nVidia
>    GeForce 8600GT.
> 
> Does this sound right? or am I pegging your BS meter?
> 
> TIA, Tom Roche <Tom_Roche at pobox.com>
>