[PLUG] Dell 5100

[Michael C. Robinson]

On Mon, 2004-03-22 at 14:31, Doug Davis wrote:
> 
> On Mar 22, 2004, at 2:06 PM, Michael C. Robinson wrote:
> 
> >
> > For $1000 or less new, this is looking like the way to go.
> >
> >
> >
> One thing to keep in mind with a low end machine like this. It is very 
> heavy in my opinion. My wife has an 1100 and I certainly wouldn't want 
> to lug that around all day, compared to my ibook, it is just plain 
> unwieldy. The graphics that come with it are also fairly anemic. I 
> would upgrade to the separate graphics card if you can afford it. The 
> onboard Intel card shares memory with the system, so plan for that. I 
> personally think you are going to have a hard time keeping that system 
> at under 1000 if you add anything that a student would most likely want 
> like a cd burner and wi-fi card. The card dell sells isn't that great. 
> I think you can get a better deal at best buy.
> 	As far as a software rebate, you do get disks, but they are not 
> official application disks. I would be highly surprised if you are able 
> to get any sort of discount or rebate on those.
> 	I know you are into linux, but you should really consider an ibook as 
> well. These are highly usable and well under the 1000 mark with 
> educational pricing. You can run PPC linux quite well if you want, but 
> i think if you tried OS X you would be really surprised. It is a very 
> friendly environment for a Unix hacker and with fink, you can get 
> almost all of your favorite Open Source apps. Also, I have compiled 
> several things from source and since you get gcc, its fairly 
> straightforward. Just a though and an alternate view from someone who 
> is doing what you hope to do in the future.
> 
> Doug

Well, I talked to Dell and I have to say that at least they are
diplomatic unlike that gal at IBM.  They don't carry a Linux laptop
product line anymore, which is frankly disturbing.  A couple of places
have gone broke, so it doesn't look like anyone knows how to do it.

I would like to see some new laws after this ordeal.

    1) No diagonostic tool sold with an OEM computer shall depend 
       on a proprietary operating system to function unless these 
       tools only make sense for troubleshooting that system.  
       A customer that rejects the license for the installed OS 
       shall be offered a refund for it and any other charged 
       for software that depends on the presence of that system
       to function.  The refund offer must cover the full amount
       charged for this software or the best estimate possible
       must be offered.

    2) No computer manufacturer may be charged a tax on each 
       computer manufactured for a software product(s) 
       regardless of whether or not a customer wants 
       that product or a vendor installs the product.

    Violators of these above two proprosed laws should owe
a free laptop for each violation :-)

IBM has been advertising Linux, why on earth did I get an
angry and nasty woman when I called and asked for a Linux
Thinkpad?  Dell at least said, "let's try to find you a Linux
specialist."  A+ for effort Dell.  I signed up for a temporary
account and they did suggest the 300M and 500M models when
I told them 7 lbs is a bit much to carry.  Unfortunately,
I don't know that a Pentium M covers a Pentium III or better
requirement where it's $1500 for their 3 lb laptop, the 300M.  
The Dell Inspiron 5100 should take Linux okay.  If I had a 
digital version of each of the books I carry, the 7.22 lbs 
problem wouldn't be such an issue.  The battery indicator 
evidently won't work under Linux, so I should probably buy 
a second battery and run it the way they did with the old 
Volkswagons before fuel gauges were introduced.  I'm not 
settled on it yet, but it's nice to know that someone at 
Dell appreciates the guy that wants to run Linux ;-)

OEM's have right and I hope some day that these rights
can be protected so that consumers can ask for what 
they want without fear of Microsoft or any other
Goliath retaliating.