Dell announced that a few more models are now available pre-installed with Ubuntu: the XPS 1530n and the Studio 15n.
I configured an XPS 1530n with the following specs, which are available both with Ubuntu and Windows:
| SYSTEM COLOR | Tuxedo Black |
| PROCESSOR | Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5850 (2.16GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache) |
| LCD AND CAMERA | Full Hi Definition, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1920×1200) & 2.0 M |
| MEMORY | 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) |
| HARD DRIVE | Speed: 250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor |
| INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE | Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write) |
| VIDEO CARD | 128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS |
| WIRELESS CARDS | Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card |
| BLUETOOTH AND WIRELESS USB | Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate) |
| BATTERY OPTIONS | 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery |
| SOUND OPTIONS | High Definition Audio 2.0 |
| FINGERPRINT SCANNER | Finger Print Reader XPS M1530 |
| WARRANTY AND SERVICE | 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor,24×7 Phone Support |
The Ubuntu version comes with:
| OPERATING SYSTEM | Ubuntu 8.04 with DVD Playback |
| ENVIRONMENTAL OPTIONS | Recycling Kit and Plant a Tree for Me |
The Windows version ships with:
| OPERATING SYSTEM | Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1 |
| PRODUCTIVITY | No Microsoft Office |
The only other configuration difference was that Windows users need to pay $25 extra for a recycle kit, and are not given the ‘plant a tree for me’ option. I guess it costs extra to dispose of all that proprietary software 
There were a few options available on the Windows version that are not yet on the Ubuntu version – presumably because free software drivers are still missing for that hardware.
The verdict? Financially, the Ubuntu machine is a way better deal:
XPS 1530 with Ubuntu: $1,518 XPS 1530 with Windows: $1,788
On top of the substantial price difference, the Windows version comes with the cheapest, most basic version of Windows Vista pre-installed, as well as the NO office software option. This is a very basic setup, software-wise. You’ll also need to shell out extra bucks for antivirus software.
Compare that with the Ubuntu version which ships with a very powerful operating system and ton of extra software, including Open Office. And you get a major operating system release every 6 months for free!
Now if only Dell would start selling more of their systems without Windows around the world – they are still not available in large parts of Europe, for instance…
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