Days within announcing it will start selling computers with pre-installed Linux distributions instead of Microsoft Windows, Dell is now saying it will do so but not immediately.

Despite getting support for the idea from thousands of visitors on its new Web site, IdeaStorm, the company said it is not yet building machines with Linux pre-loaded for consumer and business markets.

Dell had earlier posted a note on IdeaStorm, stating 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.

The company is now saying the note was just about certifying the hardware for being ready to work with Novell Suse Linux, and not an announcement that its computers would be loaded and sold with the operating system in the near future.

Jeremy Bolen, spokesman for Dell, explained that their point of view is they are listening to their Linux customers. The company is already offering factory-installed Linux on some specific Dell Precision workstations for high-end corporate users, but will not be currently installing the operating system on its other laptop or desktop machines. Bolen added they are still not ruling out the option of expanding the pre-installation program at a future date.

Bolen also said that for the company, introducing an operating system on its computers is no small task. The company needs to perform an array of tests regularly to ensure that the operating system and upgrades work properly. In addition, sales and support staff have to be trained for the platform. And if they were to offer Linux on clients, they first want to make sure that customers get the best experience. They are just looking for a clear customer preference.

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