Weblog Quotes

Well I’m still after a notebook computer (laptop) and decided to contact Dell to see what they could do for me after noticing the Inspiron 6400 was no longer available with good old trusty Ubuntu.

This is the chat I had:

• tony ichirō: Basically I’m looking to purchase a laptop with Ubuntu pre-installed. Is there any chance I can have one built?
• Agent: Thank you for contacting Dell Sales Chat. This is Agent, your Sales Advisor. Please give me a moment while I review your query.
• tony ichirō: Do note I’m not after the xps.
• Agent: I understand that.
• Agent: Please give me a moment.
• Agent: I am afraid, only one Laptop is available with Ubuntu
• Agent: and that is XPS 1330.
• Agent: with 13.3″ screen
• Agent: and the Price range starts from £579 Inc VAT and shipping.
• tony ichirō: I would like to query if it’s at all possible for Dell to build me one to my specifications?
• tony ichirō: .. as that is what they do no? Build machines?
• Agent: sure i can try my best to do that.
• Agent: if you can tell me what would you need with the Laptop, then i can configure and let you know about that Laptop.
• tony ichirō: Firstly would it be possible to have Ubuntu as the Op system?
• Agent: only XPS 1330 is available with Ubuntu.
• tony ichirō: Why is that?
• Agent: That is only Laptop available with Ubuntu.
• tony ichirō: Is there an email address I can contact?
• Agent: Regarding what ?
• tony ichirō: The subject matter we are discussing.
• Agent: i am afraid we do not have any Email address, where you can discuss about that.
• tony ichirō: So to clarify .. there is absolutely no possible way Dell can build me a machine to the way I would like?
• Agent: its all about Demand.
• tony ichirō: This is demand.
• tony ichirō:
• Agent: Most of the UK customer choose Vista, not Ubuntu
• tony ichirō: News flash .. vista sucks
• tony ichirō: :p
• Agent: i am afraid, but that is a wrong information.
• Agent: Vista is the best operating system than any other operating system.
• tony ichirō: Do you work for Dell or Microsoft here?
• Agent: I am sorry, but i work for Dell, however its the decision of Dell to offer which Laptop with Ubuntu and that is on Demand.
• tony ichirō: Ubuntu is on demand I know.
• Agent: I know, but not more than Vista.
• tony ichirō: Because it’s shipped as standard .. most people don’t realise they have free choice!
• Agent: I am afraid, only XPS 1330 is available with Ubuntu.
• Agent: if you wish i can explain you about that.
• tony ichirō: I’d prefer not to format to Ubuntu in case of an issue that Dell would then say my warranty is void.
• tony ichirō: I asked why that was before so yes, please explain.
• Agent: I will send you the link of that Laptop, so that you can take a look at it
• Agent: Agent pushes page, [link]
• tony ichirō: I stated at the beginning of this chat that I wasn’t after the XPS!
• Agent: Please click on the link and then take a look at the configuration.
• Agent: you can also customise it.
• tony ichirō: To something a little over my budget.
• Agent: and i have also mentioned, that is the only laptop which is available with Ubuntu.
• System: Agent has left this session!
• System: The session has ended!

Well they certainly don’t like to be corrected. Having stated I wasn’t looking for the XPS they preceded to “sell” it to me.

I would prefer not to have the trouble of formatting in case something goes wrong, and I would also have another XP license laying around, which is a waste of good storage space.

Dare say I’ll see what comes up, or maybe contact PC World. I need to find a decent machine though!