Would An Ubuntu PC From Canonical Make Sense?
Just a few days ago, the news appeared that there was a boxed version of Ubuntu being sold at Best Buy stores. While I, and just about everyone else, was excited, there is a reality, as a WorksWithU article pointed out, that just having the software hidden away on some shelf is highly unlikely to attract new Ubuntu users. This made me wonder if it would be a smart move for Canonical to introduce an Ubuntu PC, probably a laptop?
I have seen suggestions that Canonical should make “Ubuntu stores” in the same way that Apple has “Apple stores” and have always ignored them, because the likelihood of something like that happening is just about zero. I am not proposing anything like “Ubuntu stores.” My idea would be for Canonical to sell one, or possibly two, computers preinstalled with Ubuntu. These computers might be sold directly by Canonical, but the main point would be to get Ubuntu-based computers in major stores, both online and physical.
You might say that Dell and some other vendors are already selling Ubuntu PCs, so why not just promote those? The answer is that there are two potential problems with Ubuntu PCs from Dell:
- Dell has no particular incentive to promote Ubuntu.
- Dell (presumably) has Microsoft on their backs, quite possibly threatening to cut Dell a bad Windows licensing deal.
For these two reasons, Canonical could do a much better job of creating an Ubuntu PC that stores would really want to sell. How could this Ubuntu PC be differentiated from every other PC out there?
- Canonical would have to pay close attention to making an attractive design. Doubt the importance of design? Then tell me why there are reports of tons of Mac laptops at Linux events.
- Codecs for media playback and DVD playback should be preinstalled.
- The PC’s packaging should explain why you should choose Ubuntu on it, similar to how the boxed version of Ubuntu marketed itself.
Even if Canonical made little or no money on the PC itself, it would be a good long-term investment to make Ubuntu better known and it might even turn into a major source of revenue for Canonical. Either way, Canonical and other Linux distro sponsors should certainly consider creating and selling an <insert distro> computer.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
fully agree with ubuntu PC’s
But just like they partnered with valuesoft for the Ubuntu Discs, they should partner with other vendors.
I think System76 and/or zareason are more than competent for this task.
Other vendors like Everex and Sylvania seem to be already doing very good with their own ubuntu derivative
http://www.thinkgos.com/
July 11th, 2008 at 8:38 am
> Even if Canonical made little or no money on the PC itself [...]
I honestly would have considered buying laptop from them.
Point is, good user experience comes from well integrated stack: hardware - OS - software. Perfection can be reached only when you do all the parts by yourself.
Profit here probably would be marginal. Most important aspect of Apple Stores, people often disregard (esp. Wintel users), is feedback the stores provide back to Cupertino. The stores are first launchpads for many products and ideas. They are also only place where you can see first impression of person who never used your system.
Problem with Dell partnership is that, when problem occurs, you never know root of problem: is it problem of particular Dell design decision? it it problem of Ubuntu design decision? or it is general Linux problem?
Another point shouldn’t be dismissed: Ubuntu brand recognition. I think that can help to capitalize on such Ubuntu Stores.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Maybe just like Canonical worked with ValueSoft to get the boxes in Best Buy, they could work with a company like System 76 or ZaReason who already has experience in distributing (from what I hear) high quality computers with Ubuntu pre-installed.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
If you think about it, that would be a pretty monumental step to take; it means moving from a purely software business into a hardware one, with all the customer and support issues that come with that.
I think it makes more sense for Ubuntu to partner closely with an existing hardware manufacturer and produce something marketed as a joint effort. The only way they could feasibly do a “Canonical PC” is to rebrand someone else’s whitebox systems, so why not give that company a little credit too (and have it take responsibility for the hardware)?
July 11th, 2008 at 10:59 am
You are essentially asking for something that has already existed. Visit System76.
I’m not convinced this was a good move by Canonical. People typically do not upgrade their OS anymore, they buy a new computer with the OS preinstalled. Many pre-Vista machines don’t even meet the minimum requirements to upgrade. Linux has progressed to a point where it is unquestionably easier to install than Windows. Native hardware support may be roughly equal (I would argue linux has better out-of-box hardware support actually) but there is still a lot of peripherals not supported by linux, whereas Windows drivers can still be installed from the manufacturer’s cdrom. I imagine right now there are already frustrated users being told, by whomever offers the 60 day tech support, that their printer or webcam does not have any linux kernel driver available. How many of these people will continue using Ubuntu or give GNU/Linux a second chance in the future, given the sour first impression they had?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Dunno, but meanwhile I got my laptop from system76 which sells Ubuntu pre-installed exclusively.
July 12th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I think that it is a great idea. (Even if they partnered with System 76 or something like that) I would rather purchase a Ubuntu system from Canonical than a machine from another provider. I would rather see Canonical produce a great machine in house. I personally don’t find the offerings from System 76 very compelling at all. Not trying to talk bad about them, I just don’t find them compelling. I would however like a laptop with all the external design level quality of a Mac (doesn’t have to be a clone). That has been purposefully built for Ubuntu, comes with literature, vouchers, support. Just a great Ubuntu customer experience. I want to be marketed to, properly.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Great idea. Ubuntu PC’s must be on shelves so people can see them. They could partner with companys such as EfficientPC, Za Reason and System 76. Dell is doing a good job but it is not visible to people. Also, all codecs must be pre-installed, a booklet etc. A great Ubuntu experience. The comment from Justin above is the way to go.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:37 am
Not going to fly. This just wouldn’t be profitable, mainly because most people would look at it for what it is… a bizarre PC that isn’t Windows compatible but also isn’t a Mac. Just like the Amiga years ago, the only people who would buy this are those who were already using Linux because they actually know what they are buying. It wouldn’t even be because they needed it, but just for the the slight buzz of normalcy they would experience. It doesn’t matter if Canonical cares about making a profit or not. The retailers do, and they don’t want dead stock sitting on the shelf that could be better used for something else.
The boxed Ubuntu is also a laugh. It sits on a shelf surrounded by other boxed software that isn’t compatible with it, and says so right on the back of the box. Get real.