Uber Schwarz,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

Should have a modem or no modem options. Comes with network card. Comes with optional Digital Flat Panel monitor.
There are some added incentives to upgrading to the newest versions. Its not and neccesity.

If you are referring to the 530N model, I have one I purchased recently and there is no modem option. The video connections available depend on the graphics card you choose. For example, Intel integrated graphics has analog output only.

I checked and the GPU I picked has an HDMI port but does Ubuntu support HDMI?

How can I tell how many serial ports the computer has? I plan on buying a serial port modem if it doesn't have a modem

You might want to consult the user manual which I think gives the computer's details and interfaces.

 

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/inspd530/EN/index.htm

 

HDMI with Ubuntu

 

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=749245

 

 

 

 

Using Ubuntu On A Dial Up Connection Has Some Draw Backs Because Whenever A New Version Of Ubuntu Comes Out You Will Need 2 Wait Until The Dell Customized DVD's With The Proper Device Driver's 4 Your System Gets Released Several Months Later (Ubuntu 8.04 Came Out on April 24th, 2008, And The DELL OEM Ubuntu 8.04.1 Customized Install DVD Only Just Came Out Some Time Earlier This Month), I Personally Recommend A High Speed Internet Connection 4 Ubuntu As The Ethernet Device Driver's In Ubuntu Are Much Better Supported In Ubuntu Than Their Dial Up  Modem Device Driver's, Just FYI. The Choice Is Your's, However.

There is currently no high speed Internet available in my area so I have to use dial up.