this recent blog article from Dell notes that they have a new 10" netbook (10v) that runs XP or Ubuntu. when i visit the Dell site, i don't see the option for Ubuntu. anyone here know the trick to find the Ubuntu versions? i would rather not pay for XP to begin with and then have to mess with installing Ubuntu if i can get it to begin with. i'd like a completely open source netbook, but finding a 10" with a Linux distro is difficult -- e.g., none of the 30+ 10" netbooks at Amazon have Linux on them.

http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/direct2dell/archive/2009/05/12/dell-mini-10v-is-official.aspx

Dell 10" Minis

Scroll down to buttons - Customize w/Ubuntu

Man, those things are inexpensive. ($299 - $449) A friend is looking for a first computer and it is hard not to recommend something like this. We have been trying to get her to buy the entry level MacBook, obviously more $.

Chris

If it's the one I'm thinking of, they're pretty nice. Nice keyboard, real graphics card, accelerometer, camera, card reader, few ounces lighter than an Air.

My eldest is now leaning towards an Air, though, and I see the Apple refurbs are $999. I think the youngest would be happy with one of these colorful Dells. With summer coming up, they can wait til Fall, though. I'll go with Ubuntu and Open Source for the Dell. Who knows, maybe the oldest will come back round to a smaller netbook. Actually, the little one is really liking HP's purse size one, too. I really like these things - They're handy, fun, useful, easy to pack around.

Ed

Just remind your friend that they are stripped down laptops and come with nothing . So he /she has to buy their own productivity software

thanks. i guess ordering Ubuntu doesn't lower the price versus XP at all. it's still a great price, but come on . . . XP has to cost Dell something even if it's quite minimal. in any regard, i want to run a completely open source machine so perhaps i'll try one of these.

productivity software doesn't have to cost anything, carp.

for exmaple: http://www.openoffice.org/

If you do get one, let us know how it works out.

I really should have a Windows PC to check my clients websites, this might be the ticket. Although, most problems encountered are with folks still using IE6 on Windows. bleh

Chris

I wouldn't mind having one even with Windows, can't believe I'm saying that... But, it would help with checking clients websites I'm building. As well, I'm also the de facto internet coordinator for our company helping our folks set up email on Outlook even though they've all used Windows much, much, longer than myself. So, having a Windows machine could be err.. handy.

Chris

there's also a new Dell Latitude 2100 that was released just days ago. it's designed for education markets. i can probably justify this model to my university easier than the other one. however, i again cannot get to the Ubuntu customization screen. here is the link to the page where you choose Ubuntu or Windows, but i click them and get taken to a generic page instead. hmmmm.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/refto...n=latitude-2100

These actually come with a wireless card, not always the case in the past for PC laptops.

NeoOffice would be another open source software that could be used. Not defending Dell or any other PC, but I've had to supply most of the creative software on my Macs too. Image editor, office suite, web building software, etc.

Obviously, Mac is first choice and I still have yet to ever actually own a Windows PC.

Chris