Well perhaps Dell isn't so bad after all. Based on a post at Direct2Dell, I suggested that the new Ubuntu laptops were [a bit of a rip off][2] since they we're much cheaper than the Windows versions.

Shorty thereafter I received an email from Anne Camden at Dell Corporate Communications, who writes:

>Scott:

>The Dell XPS 410n with Ubuntu factory installed will have a starting price of $849. On average, comparably configured Ubuntu systems will be  about $50 less.

The original Direct2Dell post has been [updated][1] to list the correct price. 

Still not as much of a discount as seems fitting, but I am willing to concede that Dell probably recoups quite a bit of money on all the junkware that gets packaged with Windows installations -- AOL specials, etc.

Arguably, not having to remove all the junkware is itself a significant savings, if not of money, than at least the time spent removing it all.

[1]: http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/05/24/15994.aspx "Dell Offers Three Consumer Systems With Ubuntu 7.04"
[2]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/05/ubuntu_on_dells.html "Ubuntu On A Dell: Dude You're Getting Ripped Off"

Here's the offical specs and pricing information from Dell's press release:

<p class="p6"><b>Recommended Configurations and Pricing</b></p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="t1">
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p1"><b>Inspiron E1505n</b></p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p1"><b>Dimension E520n<span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></b></p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p1"><b>XPS 410n</b></p>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">15.4-inch TrueLife WXGA display</p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">17-inch flat panel display</p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">19-inch flat panel display</p>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">Intel Pentium® Dual Core T2080</p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">Intel Core 2 Duo E4300</p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">Intel Core 2 Duo E4300</p>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">512MB shared memory<span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">1GB shared<sup>1</sup> memory<span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">1GB shared<sup>1</sup> memory<span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></p>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">80GB hard drive<span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">250GB hard drive<sup>2</sup><span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">250GB hard drive<sup>2</sup></p>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">CDRW/DVD ROM</p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">CDRW/DVD ROM<span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">DVD+/- RW</p>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">Intel<sup>®</sup> Media Accelerator 950 Graphics</p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">256MB<sup> </sup>nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache</p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">256MB<sup> </sup>nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache<sup>4</sup></p>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">Intel PRO Wireless 3945<span class="Apple-tab-span">	</span></p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">10/100 Ethernet</p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p7">10/100 Ethernet</p>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p1"><b>Starting at $599</b></p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p1"><b>Starting at $599</b></p>
      </td>
      <td valign="top" class="td1">
        <p class="p1"><b>Starting at $849</b></p>
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>