<div>alan, cost is not an issue for me either - I wasn't really arguing for myself when I talked about the identical pricing. What I was thinking about was how could I possibly convince a friend or relative who has a vague interest in running linux to buy the linux-loaded Dell when they see that the vista machine is exactly the same price (and they know that Vista is worth "something" in monetary terms, but also that ubuntu is "free"). I can just predict how that conversation would go - Jo Public buys on *price* not on principles. Thus I can't see these linux Dells flying off the shelves, and therefore Dell assuming that there is little interest, when in fact there is but they just can't see it </div> <div> </div> <div>Pete  </div> <div>On 08/08/07, alan c <<a href="mailto:aeclist@candt.waitrose.com">aeclist@candt.waitrose.com</a>> wrote: <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid">Pete Stean wrote: > Ah, the Dell Inspiron 6400 which they are selling retails for Ł359+ > depending on features such as memory etc. > > The irony of course is that this machine is *no cheaper* than the > Vista-loaded equivalent... why are they not prepared to pass on the > licence cost saving to the consumer?  And who would buy a Ubuntu machine > when they can get a Vista machine for the same price (knowing, of course, > that a free Ubuntu install can be put on the machine with no problems...)? > Way to go, Dell UK  :| I would (buy one). With dell behind ubuntu and making some reasonable efforts I would probably pay more for a ubuntu machine than an equivalent windows one. I also do not want a windows tax to be passed to M$. Standing up to be counted is not always a totally comfortable experience. I like Linux and I find on reflection that I have spent more money, not less, on computers and computing since I have become settled with Linux than ever I did when locked into (and resentful with) windows. The reason why I use linux and specifically K/Ubuntu is not cost. Nor would I vote for say, a candidate who bought me a best lunch, nor necessarily go for the lowest quote for similar work promises. I just do not think life is *that* simple. Having said all that, I will be delighted when the linux version products are lower priced. I guess that will happen when Dell's throughput increases and they have an established and increasing market. That will happen faster when you buy one also :-) -- alan cocks Kubuntu user#10391 -- <a href="mailto:ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com">ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com</a> <a href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk">https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk </a> <a href="https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/">https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/</a> </blockquote></div>