Microsoft launched its own Windows 8 x86 tablet SurfacePro, which will sooner or later steal the business of other PC manufacturers. Many hardware manufacturers have begun to plot countermeasures. Dell's countermeasure is to embrace Linux. Dell has just launched Ubuntu XPS13, pre-loaded Ubuntu12.04PrecisePangolin, for $1,449, $50 cheaper than Windows. XPS is mainly intended for the consumer market, but recently DellUSA once again announced
Microsoft launched its own Windows 8 x86 flat Surface Pro, which will sooner or later steal the business of other PC manufacturers. Many hardware manufacturers have begun to plot countermeasures. Dell's strategy is to embrace Linux.
Dell has just launched the Ubuntu version of the notebook XPS 13, pre-loaded Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin, priced at $1,449, $50 cheaper than the Windows version. XPS is mainly intended for the consumer market, but recently Dell USA once again announced that there will be another Ubuntu laptop, this time Vostro 2520. Vostro 2520 is equipped with a 15.6-inch LCD display, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises, and the price is 70 US dollars cheaper than the pre-loaded Windows version. It seems that Dell really wants to use Linux to try the water temperature this time, more Ubuntu versions may be available in the future.
It is true that most of the applications are now cloud-based, basically as long as there is a browser with a small number of plug-ins, enough to handle most of your daily work (unless you want to use MS Office anyway, there is still much room for improvement in Linux for Chinese Input ). Dell sees that users are "not the cheapest, only cheaper", and gives them an option other than Windows, which may lead to a bloody path.