Ubuntu-loaded PCs from Dell are here but are they that much cheaper than the comparable Windows system?

Now that Dell has released its Ubuntu-preloaded desktop and notebook PCs, there are two questions to answer – firstly, how much cheaper are Ubuntu systems over their Windows Vista counterparts and secondly, just how much is Dell charging consumers for a Windows Vista license.

So we decided to look at Dell’s pricing and build three equivalent Windows-based systems to match the new Ubuntu-preloaded offerings to see what we could save.

Challenge #1 – Dell Inspiron E1505n vs Dell Inspiron E1505

Dell’s Ubuntu-fired Inspiron E1505n is the equivalent hardware platform to its Windows-based Inspiron E1505. Now on configuring, it’s possible to get the two notebooks to almost the same component makeup with the same processor, memory, chassis, hard drive and optical drive.

• Intel Core Duo T2080 processor
• 1GB DDR2-667 shared memory
• 15.4-inch widescreen LCD panel
• 80GB 5400RPM hard drive
• 24X-speed CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive

Where the comparison falls down is graphics option.

The E1505 only comes with ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 graphics and the E1505n only offers Intel’s integrated graphics. But at this point, the price difference is only $US50, with the Windows Vista Basic-installed E1505 costing $US699 and the Ubuntu Inspiron E1505n $US649.

Given the extra graphics and the Windows Vista Basic license, the Ubuntu version appears to offer no real extra value, either that or Dell is basically giving away Windows Vista Basic.

Price Difference: $US50

Challenge #2 – Dell Dimension E520n vs Dell Dimension E520

Next, we moved to the desktop and lined up the Windows Vista-installed Dimension E520 against the Ubuntu-preloaded Dimension E520n.

Here, we were able to configure two systems with exactly the same hardware:

• Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 processor
• 17-inch analog E177EP LCD monitor
• 1GB DDR2-667 RAM
• 250GB SATA hard drive
• 48X-speed CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive
• 256MB GeForce 7300 LE graphics card
• Integrated 7.1-channel audio

Based on Dell’s configured pricing, the Ubuntu-loaded Dimension E520n came in at $US649 while the Windows Vista Home Premium version was priced at US$729 so you’re effectively paying around $US80 for the Vista Home Premium license.

Price Difference: $US80

Challenge #3 – Dell XPS 410n vs Dell XPS 410

Finally, we moved onto the more entertainment-focused XPS 410/410n combination.

Here, the savings were nowhere near as good.

We configured both systems again exactly the same. Here’s the component combination we chose:

• Core 2 Duo E4300 processor
• 1GB DDR2-667 RAM
• 250GB SATA hard drive
• Single 16X-speed DVD burner
• 20-inch Dell 2007WFP LCD monitor
• 256MB GeForce 7300 LE graphics card
• Integrated 7.1-channel audio

In this guise, the Ubuntu XPS 410n system came in at $US999 while the Windows Vista Home Premium-installed XPS 410 system was priced at US$1049 so here, the saving by choosing Ubuntu is only $US50.

Price Difference: $US50

What we noticed is that while there is so fluctuation between systems, a Windows Vista license is typically only worth around $US50-80 so if you were expecting to pick up a real bargain, you’re probably going to be disappointed.