In a recent study, Dell came up with a report that states that desktops and laptops with Ubuntu are cheaper and less expensive that the laptops and desktops that are equipped with Vista or XP. However, many users cannot understand the logic behind this statement. Many believe that all computers that are based on Windows as their operating system are equipped with many kinds of trial ware and bloat ware, which make these computers not worth using. However these companies pay Microsoft and Dell on introducing such instances with computers (both desktops and laptops). Many SMEs feel that although a majority of these programs are useless and worth nothing, they still add to the total cost of the desktop or laptop computer and bring in more offers or discounts for the buyers.

Ubuntu does not have any such trial ware of bloat ware on its computers, but still a PC with installed Ubuntu on it definitely costs more than its competitors. However, if one was to believe the statement that Dell recently passed, this does not hold true. According to a comparison made by Wired Blogs, a scenario was described where users have a choice among three models—an XPS desktop computer, a dimension desktop belonging to e-series and an Inspiron laptop belonging to e-series again. The price range for the laptops in these categories is $900–1150 and the price range for desktop computers in these categories is $400–900. Based on the current market condition, a user can buy a basic desktop computer with Vista installed from Dell for $359, whereas a basic laptop with Vista from Dell for $549. Thus, one feels that there is no exorbitant fee that one pays for Ubuntu on computers (whether laptop or desktop).

Whereas the truth is that any PC with Ubuntu offered on that will definitely cost little more. For the same price, Dell can think of launching some weaker machines (probably with less battery life or other technicalities reduced) with Ubuntu installed on them for a simple reason that Ubuntu actually does not require too much horsepower to work and run.

Whatever may be the future implications, today, it is hard to believe that a user can endorse an Ubuntu laptop computer for a rate cheaper than a similar laptop with Vista installed on it. This is possible only in cases when computers with Ubuntu come with less powerful and weaker hardware components.