Techtree News Staff, Feb 26, 2007 1718 hrs IST
After all the speculation, Dell has announced it will start selling computers with pre-installed Linux distributions instead of Microsoft Windows.
After all the speculation, Dell has announced it will start selling computers with pre-installed Linux distributions instead of Microsoft Windows.
Reportedly, the idea is born out of IdeaStorm, Dell's all new Web site that was launched on Feb 16, and has since experienced a flood of requests, with users asking for Dell NBs and desktops loaded with pre-installed Linux distributions plus the open source alternative to Microsoft Office - OpenOffice.org.
The PC maker had asked customers how it could jazz up its products/services, and thousands of computer buyers descended upon the site to voice their opinion on just about everything ranging from product design to marketing to technical support.
IdeaStorm got a total of nearly 1,600 user suggestions, with tens of thousands of more such - just seconding these suggestions. Apparently, the responses came from some of the savviest buyers on the market, who not only identify trends but are able to influence other buyers as well.
And, the requests translated into some half a dozen or more suggestions on Linux distribution. So much so that Dell had a problem on hand, deciding which Linux distribution to go with. The company said it does not want to pick one distribution and alienate users with a preference for another.
However, in an official statement, Dell said it is already working with Novell to certify its corporate client products for Suse Linux, including OptiPlex desktops, Latitude notebooks, and Precision workstations.
The company said in addition to working with Novell, it is also working with other distributors and evaluating the possibility of additional certifications across its product line.
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My openion about this company "Dell is the best company"among the other companies.
Naresh | Hyderabad | 20/08/07 07:03 PM | Report abuse Reply
hi
vominhphonl | tphcm | 14/03/07 05:41 AM | Report abuse Reply
PL FULL DETAILS
SATHISH | CHENNAI | 05/03/07 08:05 PM | Report abuse Reply
hi
vominhphonl | tphcm | 14/03/07 05:40 AM | Report abuse
Hello children, Lets put away our spitballs and have an intellectual discussion. No matter what OS you prefer, guess what, it's just an OS ... not a life and death struggle ... all an OS allows you to do is run the applications you want and interface with hardware ... This annonucement changes nothing in the real world ... Choose what OS you want, install it and be happy with it's merits and its flaws ... Whatever its flaws. MS and Mac are highly responsible for helping to bring computers to the masses ... the Linux world has come on strong and has its merits also ... so put away your poison daggers, and enjoy home computers for what they were meant to do ... educate and research.
DPR | Ottawa, Canada | 26/02/07 10:45 PM | Report abuse Reply
Hi, question of preloaded OS comes into picture because cost of OS is also included into Dell PC. If I buy it with Windows and then install Linux on it, I am simply wasting money. Option to select OS at the time of ordering is much more wise decision.
Vinnie | London | 27/02/07 11:21 PM | Report abuse
I can tell you`re one of the groupie types and not some one who`s actually has anything to do with linux on a daily basis. Let me enlighten you just a little bit: OS is just that, the OS but in the linux world the number one issue is hardware compability. That`s what it all comes down to. That`s why the news that a major manufacturer is supporting its line of hardware on linux is such a big deal. I`m sure anyone who`s using linux on a daily basis knows what I`m talking about. It`s hard to educate and do reasearch if your hardware is not working, isn`t it....
Peter | New York | 06/03/07 04:46 AM | Report abuse
Dell isnt preloading linux on any boxes, they have only started the process of certifying linux for their CORPORATE customers NOT HOME USERS
Jeff | Riley | 27/02/07 11:24 PM | Report abuse Reply
FANTASTIC. THANK YOU DELL! MY NEXT COMPUTER WILL BE A DELL.
Christopher Pen | laguna niguel | 27/02/07 11:17 AM | Report abuse Reply
Very good step to control Microsoft. Other companies too have to take similar step to support Dell and in larger context to support people.
Swaran Singh | New Delhi | 27/02/07 10:45 AM | Report abuse Reply
Will Linux run Direct x10 games?
Major Pain | Tampa, Florida USA | 27/02/07 09:23 AM | Report abuse Reply
Is it really that hard to download linux from the internet and install it on a dell pc now? If a user can't do that, then they probably shouldn't be using Linux.
Nick | Coral Springs | 26/02/07 09:14 PM | Report abuse Reply
Anyone asking for Linux probably doesn't need the help. They more likely want to have a PC totally free from WinBlows.
Danielle | Los Angeles | 26/02/07 09:42 PM | Report abuse
No, it's not that hard - that's not the point. The point is how much less that Dell will cost without the MS license. Who doesn't want that?
Joshua Hersh | Junction City, KS | 27/02/07 04:44 AM | Report abuse
As of yet there has been no talk of Dell computers "comming with linux", they are simply "certifying" that thier hardware will work with linux should the end user choose to install it and providing "support" for linux users. There has been no talk of dell actualy providing linux as of yet. Unless there is new information not talked about in the article you have your title wrong. The computers will not "come with" linux.
Ian | Austin | 27/02/07 01:48 AM | Report abuse Reply
its about time
byron swenson | helendale california | 26/02/07 11:01 PM | Report abuse Reply
It's about time!
John H. Hellewe | Rockledge, FL | 26/02/07 10:48 PM | Report abuse Reply
Yes you can download and install Linux from the Internet quite easy. But there are those people who are not comfortable doing so or are not technically savvy enough to do so. These same people probably couldn't install any Windows OS either. This is great news in the free software world as well as to consumers as now they actually have a choice. It is a deal like this that will cause both Microsoft and the Linux distros to work harder on creating the best. Microsoft has no competition really, that is why their OS is released when it should be in QA. I have been using Linux since '93, and only used Windows for a few years during my gaming craze. Since I don't play games much anymore, I can do everything on Linux that you can do on Windows. Much more securely as well as quicker half the time. Try to spend more time thinking before you waste time spreading FUD.
nixternal | Chicago | 26/02/07 10:33 PM | Report abuse Reply
How can anyone be against this idea? It allows people to escape the windows tax on new hardware purchases and makes Linux more available to the uneducated masses. For anyone that doesn't like M$ (most Linux users) this has to be a good thing.
Ian | London | 26/02/07 10:23 PM | Report abuse Reply
Dell has the highest failure rate of all proprietory computers. People asking for linux that want a dell already have a lack of education. By the way a mac is also a "PC" How about take off the stupid commercials. PC stands for personal computer not IBM clone or x86 architecture.
Jason Alaimo | Lexington | 26/02/07 09:45 PM | Report abuse Reply
Dells are so cheap these days, if they only last a few years, they're worth it. Besides, in a few years just about any computer would be antiquated anyway. --So . . who's uneducated?
anon | anon | 26/02/07 10:09 PM | Report abuse
We bought our new Dell sans OS and are doing just fine! BTW, I don't feel the slightest bit intellectually lazy for saving a bundle on a new computer and getting to choose what goes on it to boot!!
anon | anywhere | 26/02/07 09:32 PM | Report abuse Reply
I think if they'd just offer up Fedora and Ubuntu they'd please well enough the majority of Linux users.
Billy | tuxville, usa | 26/02/07 09:20 PM | Report abuse Reply
Am I reading this wrong? Are they saying that out of 1600 unique suggestions only about 6 were for the distribution of Linux? I've read the story above several times now - and that's what it looks like.
Chris | Joplin | 26/02/07 06:26 PM | Report abuse Reply
The writer's got to mean that from the mass of people making suggestions, there were 16 major ideas distilled down from the total.
Nate | Boston | 26/02/07 07:05 PM | Report abuse
No, what it says is that the suggestions broke down into suggestions for using six different <i>distributions</i> of Linux, i.e. there were a lot of "Distribute your machines with Ubuntu" suggestions, a lot of "Distribute your machines with SuSE", a lot of "Distribute your machines with Red Hat" etc.
Peet McKimmie | Aberdeen, Scotland | 26/02/07 08:14 PM | Report abuse
You are reading it wrong. Open your mind! Six refers to the number of Linux versions.
J. Vincent | San Diego | 26/02/07 09:15 PM | Report abuse
This is not news. Dell has been selling Linux installed workstations for years - under their "N" series. I own one.
Anonymous | Tulsa, OK | 26/02/07 09:12 PM | Report abuse Reply
Okay most people that buy dell have no clue about computers.... Let alone will even be able to use Linux or any type of X-windows.... and Dells support can't help you when you call about a windows issue how are they going to help with Linux???????????
Shinkedink | nowhere | 26/02/07 09:11 PM | Report abuse Reply
"Unfortunately, if you are stupid enough to buy Dell, you are too stupid to run Linux OS. By stupid I mean intellectually lazy. " Thank you.
Someone | Somewhere | 26/02/07 09:04 PM | Report abuse Reply
There is nothing wrong with Linux. It's you who is too stupid to not try Linux. Microsoft has too many bugs(especially in Vista). Try Linux before you dis it.
No One | Nowhere | 26/02/07 09:11 PM | Report abuse
Excellent idea!!!!
Dennis | Loris | 26/02/07 08:33 PM | Report abuse Reply
Unfortunately, if you are stupid enough to buy Dell, you are too stupid to run Linux OS. By stupid I mean intellectually lazy.
Guy | Richmond | 26/02/07 08:22 PM | Report abuse Reply
It would also be nice if Dell supplied a PC or laptop as Bare bones (no OS) or loaded with a free distro so people can install whatever distro they prefer themselves. Its's still a great achievement for Linux.
Jon Germany | Huntingdon | 26/02/07 06:17 PM | Report abuse Reply
As a matter of fact, Dell also stated they would sell 'bare' pc's, with FreeDOS installed (so no one could said they were not working...) so you could install the OS closer to yer heart.
ppyo | Charlotte NC | 26/02/07 08:12 PM | Report abuse
Thank Goodness!
John Keudell | Glenview IL 60025 | 26/02/07 08:09 PM | Report abuse Reply
So you're telling me I can buy a computer from Dell without an Intel chipset and without M$??? BRILLIANT. And to all those who want the same old Intel-M$ trash boxes, don't worry, they'll still sell you one.
Justin Casey | Somewhere | 26/02/07 08:00 PM | Report abuse Reply
goodbye DELL!
Jim | Medicine Hat | 26/02/07 07:09 PM | Report abuse Reply
Give me a break...you will still be able to buy Dell with Windows
Wrazor | Schectady | 26/02/07 07:38 PM | Report abuse
What about gaming and all the applications that run under Windows? I'm not a Windows fanatic. I'm just thinking, ok I buy a Linux machine, now what applications am I going to run on it?
Chad Goldman | Los Angeles, CA | 26/02/07 07:04 PM | Report abuse Reply
OpenOffice, FireFox, Gaim (chat), Evolution (mail), Gimp (photoshop), Aislerot Solitaire and Minesweeper covers needs of many home users. Many old school games have been ported too, but don't expect to play newest version of Halo ;-)
jhhdk | Soborg | 26/02/07 07:18 PM | Report abuse
About time, Mind you, this will just allow Dell to and others to start charging the Earth for Linux...
Neurofluxation | Bath | 26/02/07 05:56 PM | Report abuse Reply
Dude, someone has to make money. You probably sleep on other's couches, drink their beer, download pirated copies of CDs and movies instead of spending money. People like you suck.
Fuzzy | Fuzzball | 26/02/07 07:18 PM | Report abuse
Dell should continue with MS. I get virus-laden computer for free from the rubbish tip, and install Ubuntu on them. More MS trash-boxes means more free Ubuntu boxes for me!
Snezzy | Snezzybourough | 26/02/07 07:05 PM | Report abuse Reply
Superb ! The sooner we all start using and learning to use Linux, the smarter we'll all become smarter and take infotech to the next level. Love Linux ! Live the dream !
shaunik rai | Gurgaon | 26/02/07 06:40 PM | Report abuse Reply
Great news, though I'd be happier if it weren't Novell. There would have been a time when I would be happy for a distribution from them, but now that they're in bed with Microsoft, it's just another feather for Gates anyways. Still, a nice move. Hopefully Redhat will get some coverage since it's one of the more widely used versions.
Thomas | SLC | 26/02/07 06:10 PM | Report abuse Reply