Dell Laptops

[Michael James]

On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:35:21 am Paul S wrote:
> Pete Holsberg said the following on 06/20/2007 08:20 PM:
> > FYI....
> >
> > I just priced two essentially identical Dell E1505 laptops, one with
> > Vista Home Premium and one with Ubuntu.
> >
> > The Vista had an ATI RADEON video while the U had an Intel Graphics
> > Accelerator.
> > The Vista had an Ethernet/modem combo card plus a Dell Wireless
> > 1390b/g, while the U had the Intel Pro wireless 3945a/g ($29 more on
> > the Vista) - no Ethernet.
> >
> > Vista cost $1,088. U cost $939. Taxes and shipping extra.
>
> If you want equivalence, you need to add the nvidia card for the ubuntu
> version to be able to play scorched3d, et.al.  It adds $79.
>
> Also, buying the vista version is a problem because the ATI X1400 has a
> bad driver for linux, but the ubuntu version's nvidia 7300 is not so
> good for vista.  I suppose that's why they require you to return the
> hardware, if you change your mind and want windows on the ubuntu
> purchased laptop (which you have 21 days or so to do).
>
> Maybe in a year or so, Dell will have a good laptop for dual booting ..
> that's what I'd really prefer.  There will always be some apps not
> available in linux.  I just had to use my windows to scan some text to
> create a word doc .. no problem with the hp scanner in windows, but
> linux just doesn't cut it.

For access to a single app I'd look at whether Crossover supports it.
The new version 6 really is pretty schmick.

If you like Linux but need full Windows, why not get a Linux laptop
 2 Gig of RAM, and run windows within the virtual hardware of VMware.
Great for living within Linux, but supporting Windows users.
Not worth it just to get access to an app or 2 because it triples
 the maintenance of your system. You now have to patch Linux,
 Windows and the VMware shim between them.  PITA.

HIH, michaelj

PS: I'm actually quite impressed at Dell customising the hardware for Linux.
      The choices they are offering make a lot of sense.

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