[ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu pre-installed computer prices

[Eddie Bernard]

2009/3/25 Rob Beard <rob at esdelle.co.uk>:
> On 25/03/2009 11:47, Eddie Bernard wrote:

>> Do you think I might do better offering this machine with a 250GB
>> drive? Just wondering how much space a customer might need these
>> days...
>
> You might be worth offering a 250GB drive if the cost difference isn't
> that much.  You'd be surprised these days how much space people use.
> Okay lots of people are different (I'm a heavy storage space user) but
> some people might want to import a CD collection or store a load of
> photos on their PC.

Thanks for that. Yes... habits are certainly changing these days (it's
now almost nothing to want to download several gigabytes off
bittorrent) and the cheapness of storage space means it's probably a
worthwhile thing to have more space.

> Yep, I think a lot of people these days want laptops.  For some I think
> they just want laptops for the status symbol they think it carries (they
> don't take into account that they may be buying a really low spec over
> priced system) where as others will make proper use of having a portable
> machine.

The thing I don't like about laptops is the fairly obvious point that
if you want to buy a new one you have no choice but to buy a new
monitor as well, which seems a terrible waste of money and resources
from an environmental perspective.

But yes, I have definitely noticed more enquiries about laptops in the
past year, particularly the netbooks. Trouble is for people like me
they just aren't doable as a small retailer.

>> Yes, sadly... it's extremely difficult to compete without operating on
>> razor thin margins. But it is doable. I think the key is that if
>> you're making the same system again and again, you save time both on
>> building and testing, as you know if it worked the first and second
>> time, it's probably going to work on every subsequent iteration.
>> That's where I'm at at the moment - and if I can get the necessary
>> demand, I can place larger orders, and, fingers crossed, it would
>> escalate from there.
>
> Yep that does help.  I do build PCs for clients but they tend to be more
> one off's.  I've found I make more profit selling hardware upgrades to
> existing machines and replacing faulty components.

Definitely. I think the reason is simple in that with upgrades,
especially if you do the work on site, you get to charge for a fairer
reflection of the time spent doing it.

> Doesn't help when
> you're selling Windows machines either and having to cost in £60 for
> Windows.  A couple of local companies got round this by providing pirate
> copies of software but got caught out by Microsoft.  I wouldn't be
> surprised too if there is some of this going on with eBay

For sure. The Windows Problem is one I struggle with too. Whenever I
do a reformat and reinstall project I'm always delighted when a
customer tells me they still have the original Windows disc when they
bought the computer. Saves having to shock people with a £60 price tag
before I've even begun...

But maybe for small businesses like ours being open with the price
differential will encourage more people to dip their toe in the Ubuntu
world. It doesn't help when you see the likes of Dell selling Ubuntu
desktops for either the same or more than a Windows PC.

> (I mean, for starters I've seen some 2GHz dual core PCs listed as being 4GHz!).

I was wondering where this rather odd standard has come from. It's a
very bad habit... and it's only getting worse when quad-core machines
are being sold as 9GHz and daft things like that. Makes it very
difficult to compete honestly when you're being fair and saying "my
machine is 2GHz dual core" when others are ramping their specs up for
added attention.

> I'd say good luck with it anyway.  Maybe something else you could
> consider if you can get a supply of old machines is to try providing
> some computers to local non-profit organisations running LTSP, I did
> this with the Exwick Community Centre in Exeter (luckily they got a
> grant to cover the server costs) and it helped spread the word a bit
> about Ubuntu.

That's a very interesting idea - might steal it! I'm about to start a
contract working for a very small local school... and I've always
wanted an excuse to give Edubuntu a twirl. I might be able to try that
as well.

Thanks for the well wishes. All the same to you.

Eddie