Sputnik project: Laptops Dell Ubuntu approach

Dell announced in May its intention to bring Ubuntu to a wider range of phones starting this year, the brand has dubbed this project "Sputnik" probably in honor of the satellite pioneer who cleared a great part of our universe near you. The first results of this approach are being felt and Dell announces the end of this period of beta to open to the public.

After rendering a Dell XPS 13 "Linuxable" through a system image and downloadable price of machines sold to "stored" in Ubuntu developers wanting to get involved in the project, Dell goes above and displays the speed of commercial ambitions for Linux system Canonical.

If the machine is still a laptop for developers according to Dell it is now open to all, in countries selected by the brand to the market. So everyone can choose to buy a Dell XPS 13 with Ubuntu 4.12 from the manufacturer.

This is not the first machine available at Dell laptops with Ubuntu but are not usually offered gear really highlighted by the brand. The Dell XPS 13 was by cons really worked to promote the expertise of the builder as a marketing point of view that a technical standpoint with interesting elements on board.

Also a chassis combining new materials, found mostly a screen 13 "in a footprint of 11" traditional. The chip type is selected Intel Core (i3, i5 or i7) and the machine uses a fast SSD up to 256GB. For the rest it is classic and efficient: A nice battery, WiFi N, Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0 and 3.0 and Mini Display Port.

I find the approach of Dell intelligent and respectful community of developers. Setting the stage with "experts" of Ubuntu, giving them access to cheaper materials, they involve in the project and benefit from their expertise to bring a Linux system perfectly suited to their equipment for a minimal cost. Eventually the machine has a good support out in a version adapted and optimized for the largest audience. It is cheaper for Dell and is more relevant to the manufacturer that a rise in bulk distribution, the system with just a concern for hardware and embedded control without optimization.