Dell Vostro Permits Escaping the Tax at Robert Pogson

“After a little clicking around to compare different laptops, I ended up on a comparison page for the Vostro line. Naturally, I was drawn to the $299 priced laptop, when I noticed that there are 2 computers that differ only in the OS pre-installed, AND $70! This is the first time I’ve just naturally stumbled upon such a blatant exposure of the Windows tax.”

see The Raving Rick: Dell Vostro without Windows Tax.

It’s not an accidental find either. Dell makes it easy:

From www.dell.com, choose small and home office,
choose laptops and ultrabooks,
choose laptops Vostro,
choose Vostro 2420 and 2520, the lowest priced option, and
15″:

See the tax? $70 for nothing. Don’t pay it. Make the choice of Ubuntu GNU/Linux. There’s still “Dell recommends Windows” at the top right but it sure seems smaller today.

It’s not all roses over at Dell, however. The Var Guy points out some inconsistencies still.

My Mission

My observations and opinions about IT are based on 40 years of use in science and technology and lately, in education. I like IT that is fast, cost-effective and reliable. I do not care whether my solution is the same as yours. I like to think for myself.

My first use of GNU/Linux in 2001 was so remarkably better than what I had been using, I feel it is important work to share GNU/Linux with the world. I have been blessed by working in schools where students and school systems have benefited by good, modular software easily installed in most systems.

I have shown GNU/Linux to thousands of students and hundreds of teachers over the years and will continue in some way doing that until I die in spite of the opposition.

3 Responses to “Dell Vostro Permits Escaping the Tax”

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1 dougman Nov 30th, 2012 at 11:28 am

$300 is far more reasonable. Why should someone have to spend an extra $70 to browse the web?
2 Mats Hagglund Dec 1st, 2012 at 12:32 am

The real cost of Windows might be much more than just 70 dollars?
3 Lutz D. Meier Dec 1st, 2012 at 1:52 am

It’s a small thing, but why couldn’t DELL be bothered to use the Ubuntu logo? Specifying which version of Ubuntu you get would also be nice. Seriously, I wouldn’t trust Dell to put the newest LTS on it. There’s also some strange wording:

Affordable and reliable, this Vostro includes Ubuntu, which is flexible and helps you get your basic office jobs done efficiently.

Someone could get the idea that for non-basic office jobs Windows 7 Home Premium is needed. LOL.

Yes, a poor marketing effort by Dell (if it is an effort at all).