DEll open source no windows pc more expensive, elusive

[The Grim Squeaker]

Dell this week received much praise for releasing a new version of its "open source" PC.
The computer fits into Dell's n Series range of Windows-less systems. These ship with a copy of FreeDOS in the packaging material - but not installed on the PC - which is apparently a bizarre concession to Microsoft.
While Dell garners glowing reviews for shipping such an open source OS-friendly product, the company's new E510n actually stands as yet another example of how hard Dell tries not to sell non-Microsoft gear.

If Dell has an official press release touting the E510n, we sure can't find it. In addition, the company doesn't present the n Series systems to customers looking for desktops on a standard shopping page. Instead, you'll have to go ahead and search for "n Series" on Dell's web site to find the gear. But even then you've only just started your journey.

Regular Joes searching for the non-Microsoft kit will end up here (http://www1.us.dell.com/content/product ... l=en&s=bsd). At the time of writing, you'd see an orange "New" sticker around the Dimension 5150n. That PC is certainly similar to the E510n Dell described to the press, but it's not the same box.
The E510n is nowhere to be found.

Then, even if you could find the E510n and wanted to buy it, Dell provides these warnings.

"In order to boot this system, you must install an operating system. A FreeDOS media kit has been provided which will allow you to boot your system once installed. Please note that many common applications will not run and/or fully function using FreeDOS, and in order to run these applications, you will need to install the appropriate operating system and/or device specific drivers.

"n Series systems sold with FreeDOS are not eligible for upgrades to Microsoft client operating systems as part of a Microsoft Volume Licensing Agreement."
Sweet.
So, at least you're saving money by not going with a Microsoft OS, right?

Er, well, not exactly.

The 5150n, for example, starts at $649 with a 3.0GHz Pentium 4 chip, FreeDOS, 256MB of memory and a 80GB hard drive. Meanwhile, a very similar system, the E510 - presumably just like the n Series box by the same name with the difference being that this one appears on the web site - sells for $679 with the exact same chip, memory and hard drive. The only distinguishing marks are the inclusion of Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition and a $30 higher price tag.

Sweet.

Er, well, not exactly. You'll get a free 17 inch flat panel with the E510 and nothing free with the 5150n. The Windows PC is looking like the much better deal given that you can remove Windows and plunk Linux on the box anyway.
The battle continues - I want my open PC

If you're really persistent, you won't be satisfied with Dell's slow web updates (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/03/dell_fires_sun/) and the time it takes to get new product on the site. You'll demand to see this new E510n and find yourself a helpful customer representative.

As it turns out, Dell's sales staffers have a secret web page for the product that you can't find with normal search tactics. A kind lass we'll call "M" pointed us here (http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/ ... l=en&s=dhs). On this site, Dell presents a couple different versions of the mysterious E510n. The lowest-end system starts at $774 and is exactly like the boxes above - including the free flat panel - except it has 512MB of memory. For some reason, Dell told reporters that the box starts at $849 - yet another one of the odd sales tactics surrounding this "open source" kit. [Following the publication of our story, Dell raised the price of the PC back up to $849. See the sales pages below for the original $774 price comparisons.]

On the special, hidden site, Dell cheers, "Are you looking for a desktop on which you can run Linux or other open-source operating systems? Look no further! . . . With the n Series desktop, customers have the flexibility to install an alternative operating system (such as a version of Linux), and help reduce the price of this system."

We have no idea what the "reduce the price of this system" refers too, since the comparisons seem to have Windows and non-Windows machines in the same ballpark. In fact, with 512MB of memory the regular 510n comes to $719 with Windows included. You'll notice that's less than the $774 E510n. Apparently, you have to pay for "n" power even though Dell reckons you save.

And, if you're still brave enough to buy this thing, Dell lets you know how much it really loves non-Microsoft OSes on desktops.

"Note: Dell does not support non-Dell installed operating systems."

You can compare the configurations by looking here for the 510n (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/06/dell510n.jpg) and here for the 510 (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/06/delle510.jpg).

The only company that might rival Dell's strength and skill as a seller of goods is Wal-Mart. Dell outsells its rivals quarter after quarter. In fact, it often embarrasses them, posting a profit while the rest of the hardware world sinks below the thick red line.

Which makes the case of the E510n and systems like it so peculiar. How can a company so good at selling things make buying these computers so hard?

Certainly, this all has more to do with a web site snafu than Dell purposely trying to make buying a non-Microsoft PC difficult. Although, Dell's past Linux on the PC transgressions do raise more questions than answers. Some of you will remember that Dell was the first Tier I PC maker to offer Linux on mainstream desktops. Although after just a few months, Dell stopped (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/08/03 ... x_desktop/) selling the computers. Then CEO Michael Dell would later twirl away (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/01/16 ... e_amnesia/) the notion that Microsoft had anything to do with the end of the Linux PC line.

link, in other words a windows pc is cheaper to use as an open source pc instead of the open source pc

[Alferd Packer]

What I don't get is why a prospective Linux user would ever buy a Dell or any other branded computer. It usually means you have to jump through several more hoops to get all the proprietary hardware working, if it's at all possible. If you're lucky, someone's written up a HOWTO and posted it on the internet somewhere. If not, you're going to be trawling the mailing lists while your expensive paperweight laughs at you.

While it's probably too much to say that every Linux user has the know-how to build his own machine, it's probably a safe bet.

[Darth Wong]

Dell uses Intel motherboards and fairly generic brand-name hardware. There's nothing proprietary in their computers; it's not like the old days with Compaq where they made their own nonstandard components. Dell is nothing more than a glorified parts-assembly shop with poor flexibility and service, albeit one that can squeeze good prices out of its suppliers thanks to huge volume (hence the analogy to Wal-Mart).

They're not even necessarily that cheap; a barebones PC from Dell is dirt-cheap but if you start trying to bulk up to a powerful machine you find that their costs quickly escalate to match or exceed those of other vendors. But they're everywhere and their quality is good, so they're still a decent recommendation for people who don't know enough about computers to go with a local system builder who might not be there next year.

[Mr Bean]

Dell uses Intel motherboards and fairly generic brand-name hardware. There's nothing proprietary in their computers; it's not like the old days with Compaq where they made their own nonstandard components.

Yes Compaq.... Say it with me... Nonstandard Screws! How much money did they save creating and using a non-flat or phillips screw but instead a hex based?

Or the cases, the bloody knife edged causes.

Woops, slipped into Compaq's earily days there for a moment, having flashbacks.

And the above is nothing but a trick by Dell to try to appel to more people.