Dell gives desktop Linux its "full attention"

[Reverend]

In an attempt to boost its sagging fortunes, Dell, one of the leading PC makers in America, recently launched the Dell Idea Storm website to solicit ideas on how to get Dell back to the top. The most popular idea so far? Desktops with pre-installed Linux.

That's good news, but what's better news ...

More... (http://www.techzonez.com/comments.php?shownews=20475)

[carloc]

I'm happy for Dell's decision!

HP did the same a few weeks ago: HP Open Source and Linux (http://h71028.www7.hp.com/enterprise/cache/433095-0-0-0-121.html)

[cash_site]

About time they started listening to their biggest money source! the customer... people will buy things they want ;)

Some of their other ideas, like openoffice or trial Office2007 are great ideas too!

[rik]

It is a nice idea but...don't hold your breath.

[cash_site]

really Rik, how serious or not, are they to come good on their promises?

[rik]

They already ship Red Hat on certain business machines. I'm sure if there is enough pressure from Consumers it could happen in a few years.

[Reverend]

It is a nice idea but...don't hold your breath.But at least they are thinking about it. ;)

[bhxtyrant]

I rarely use Linux as Windows always suited my needs better but i think it's always good to have options and variety so this would be a good move for any PC manufacturer.Should be interesting if more follow suit.

[rik]

Dell to Linux users: Not so fast

It's only 'certifying' Linux on three hardware lines, not yet installing the OS

If you're looking for a new Linux-equipped Dell laptop or desktop from the PC vendor, you may be waiting a while.

Despite obvious support for the idea last week from thousands of visitors on its new customer suggestion Web site IdeaStorm, the company said it's not yet building machines with Linux pre-loaded for the consumer and business markets.

Last Friday night, Dell posted a note on the IdeaStorm Web site saying it was listening to thousands of users who had posted messages asking for Linux on its machines by moving forward to certify three of its corporate hardware lines -- OptiPlex desktops, Latitude notebooks and Dell Precision workstations -- for use with Novell SUSE Linux.

For the rest of the story (http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=linux_and_unix&articleId=9011907&taxonomyId=122&intsrc=kc_top)

[cash_site]

Imagine all the the staff retraining!

[FastGame]

Imagine all the the staff retraining!
Dell wouldn't retrain, they would hire more people because Open Source people work for free :D

[cash_site]

LOL, good one FG - i'd work for them, as long as the company benefits were thrown in... what's the stock options like these days? :p

[rik]

It's official: Dell will be offering Ubuntu


Dell will be offering Ubuntu on its desktop and laptop lines.

While Dell hasn't announced any details about the news yet on its Direct2Dell blog site, which is where it's been tending to make its Linux desktop announcements, Dell did announce the simple fact that, "today we are announcing a partnership with Canonical to offer Ubuntu on select consumer desktop and notebook products."

Dell and Canonical, the company that backs Ubuntu, have also been passing the word to reporters that pre-installing Ubuntu Linux on Dell PCs will be happening by May's end.

Jeremy Bolen, a Dell spokesperson in Round Rock, Texas, confirmed to eWEEK reporter Peter Galli in an interview that the company plans to offer select consumer products preloaded with Ubuntu 7.04 but declined to be more specific, saying that an update will be made in the coming weeks.

According to our sources inside Dell, Ubuntu will be released on a Dell e-series "Essential" Dimension desktop, an XPS desktop, and an e-series Inspiron laptop. It appears now that at least one more computer with Ubuntu will be offered.

Dell is not willing to talk pricing yet for these systems, but sources within Dell indicate that the pricing will be below the price of Windows systems on similar hardware. Critics have long noted that even though Linux and systems without operating systems cost less than PCs with Windows, vendors have tended to sell the Linux computers for the same price.

Dell decided to make Ubuntu its Linux because of customer demand. "Our general view is that when customers win, Dell wins," Bolen told Galli. "There is growing demand for Linux in the desktop and notebook space, and we believe that there will be positive response to our efforts."

When asked if the company plans to announce similar moves with other Linux vendors, Bolen said that while it is only announcing a partnership with Ubuntu at this time, "it is important to remember that we offer Red Hat on our Dell Precision workstations and have done so for years."

Bolen also noted that Dell's business desktops and notebooks have also been certified to run Novell's SLED (SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10), "although we don't factory install the operating system. When you add servers to the mix, we are addressing robust cross sections of the market."

While neither Red Hat nor Novell commented in time for this story, a Dell partner told DesktopLinux that they expect to see a multi-boot Linux system from the PC vendor that will offer users a choice of booting into Red Hat's community Linux, Fedora, Novell's community Linux, openSUSE, and Ubuntu. The official said, "They don't want to upset their business partners Novell and Red Hat. Also, those are the 'big three' for the enthusiast market."

Canonical, according to Jane Silber, the company's director of operations, has already been working with Dell's engineers to certify the Dell systems for Ubuntu. Canonical will also be offering an additional cost service contract for Ubuntu users through Dell's direct purchase system.

Story originally found here (http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS7893344128.html)

And check out this piccie... http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/ubuntu?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs