Now that Dell is no longer a public corporation, is its attitude to FLOSS different? I poke around.
The problems I used to have were an overly segmented website making it difficult to find the GNU/Linux PCs. That no longer seems to be an issue. Further, there is a new attitude to operating systems:
The operating system is one of the most important programs on your computer.
- Every PC must have an operating system to run other programs.
- Operating systems perform basic tasks such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the monitor, keeping track of files and directories on the hard disk, and controlling devices such as optical drives and printers.
- Operating systems also manage how your computer accesses available networks.
Windows
- Windows 8 Ultimate 64-bit
- Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit; Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
...
Linux
- Red Hat® Enterprise Linux® WS v.6.4 EM64T (Also certified to run Red Hat Enterprise Linux Version 5.8 64-Bit)
- Ubuntu 12.04 Linux (China only)
...
China-only, eh? What’s with that? Could it be those retailers got long-term contracts for Ubuntu GNU/Linux? Is it RedHat for the rest of the world?
Same old site. I can see GNU/Linux systems, but I can’t buy any in Canada. The tech specs show Ubuntu GNU/Linux but it’s not an option for purchasers on the site. Searching for “Linux” finds stuff you can’t buy:
They do have some Android/Linux tablets however. Consolation prize for visiting the site? They certainly don’t make it easy to be a customer if you want FLOSS.
bw chromebooks are in the same physical sizes you have not been paying attention.
but I can’t buy any in Canada
Do you really want one? I thought you were only believing in “small, cheap computers” like Android phones and tablets. What use would you have for an old-style computer such as these?
SP1 Linux?? LOL….
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-linux/pd
Linux Mint is more my style, Ubuntu is bleh.