Dell Ubuntu Linux buyers were recently outraged when a price comparison between identical Inspiron 1420 laptops showed that instead of the Ubuntu system being cheaper, it actually ended up costing $225 more than the same laptop with Vista Home Basic Edition.

"Dell isn't resting on its recent consumer Linux PC laurels. The computing giant has added a new laptop -- the Inspiron 1420 Notebook -- to its Ubuntu Linux 7.04 offering. It is also replacing the Dimension E520 desktop with the new, low-priced Inspiron 530."

I declare Shenanigans! Dell is at it again with their Inspiron Mini. When Dell first launched open source PCs on their desktops, they did the same thing. Why do they even offer Ubuntu if it costs more? Why would someone pay more for Dell to install Ubuntu? Are they deliberately trying to spurn the adoption of Linux?

I decided to get a Dell. Not just any Dell, an Ubuntu Dell. I ended up with an Inspiron 15n, and I thought I would take the time to write up a quick blog about it.

After two weeks of using the new Dell Inspiron 1420N with Ubuntu, I decided it’s time to write down some of my thoughts about this new Linux offering from Dell.

A month ago I ordered one of the new Ubuntu Dell on the Dell France website : the Inspiron 6400. The base price was around 450 euros, and I took almost all the upgrades, for a final price of around 750 euros. The specs are : a Intel dual proc, 2Gb of RAM, 160Gb HD, 15′4 inch screen, i965 video chipset, DVD+RW burner, 9-cell battery, and a 4-year-warranty. That’s it for the laptop itself. I will now focus on Dell’s integration of Ubuntu (more specifically feisty), something that intrigued me.

Now Ubuntu 7.10 is making it's way to Dell's XPS 1330 laptop and Dell takes the Ubuntu initiative to Spain.

Starting today, customers in Germany, United Kingdom, France and now Spain can purchase Ubuntu Linux 7.10 with built-in DVD playback on the XPS 1330n (in addition to the previously-released Inspiron 530n desktop system. U.S. customer will have to hold on a week or so.)

Dell thanks the Linux community for the support and states that the purchases and the community's commitment is the driving force behind this expansion. Hope more OEM manufacturers join soon and offer true choice beyond Microsoft stranglehold to their business

Dell's U.S. website has started offering Ubuntu 9.04 on a Mini 10V and Inspiron 15N laptop. The move comes less than two months before Microsoft's Windows 7 launch - essentially reinforcing Dell's commitment to Ubuntu. But will Dell pre-load Ubuntu 9.04 on a desktop PC? Here's some analysis.

Pinguy OS is a remastered Ubuntu with a lot of useful default applications - great for those who don't like to do a lot of tweaking and want an OS that "just works". Pinguy OS doesn't rebrand Ubuntu, so you'll have the same Plymouth theme, the Ubuntu logo for the menu and so on. It's just Ubuntu with a lot of default applications and PPAs enabled.