Just wanted to get more noise out there that the new E521 distributed by Dell isn’t working right under Linux. Specifically I have tried Ubuntu 6.06 But there are others reporting problems with other distros and lots of different people trying different kernels.
Anyway, I have started a thread on the ubuntuforms and one on Dell’s forums that are getting a fair amount of traffic. I have also contacted Dell support with no luck, but I suggest everyone who bought this system with the intent to run Linux contact support too, making noise that they can see may help push some results. I also put a feeler out to Canonical about maybe purchasing support to address this issue.
I am holding off submitting a bug to the Ubuntu guys because they have their hands full with tomorrows release, plus I want to try out Edgy and see how it runs. If I can reproduce the problem there I will submit the bug and renew some detailed troubleshooting.
But if you are looking for a new machine and you want to run linux on it and don’t want any problems, forget Dell and go for system76. I can’t speak for their quality or support because I haven’t tried it, but I can say if I had this to do over I would have just ordered a similar machine for slightly higher cost from them.
I just contacted DELL about this – and of course, they told me that they don’t support Linux, that there is fine print in their ad, etc. I think everyone affected should get in touch with them and push three points:
Dell MUST stop advertising E521 as a solution for “open-source customers”. (http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/e510_nseries?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs) At least until the problem is resolved.
Dell MUST work with chipset manufacturer to resolve the problem. It is in their own interest if they plan to keep selling these machines.
Dell MUST contact customers that purchased E521 (especially the “n series”) and notify them that they are taking steps to resolve the issue.
Listen, here is what their ad says:
“Are you looking for a desktop on which you can run Linux® or other open-source operating systems? Look no further!”
Given the fact that they apparently never tried to test this computer with any flavor of Linux (freedos? give me a break), this sounds like bad marketing practice.
Regarding the price, I got this box for ~$700 (no monitor) through higher education institutional purchase program. It is substantially cheaper than what other vendors would ask for with the same configuration.