Dell to go direct soon with Linux on desktops and laptops

by Alex Zaharov-Reutt

Wednesday, 28 February 2007

Dell has decided it’s time to start thinking about offering Linux as an operating system on Dell PCs, instead of just offering Microsoft Windows, after huge numbers of requests for pre-loaded Linux PCs.

Thanks to two Dell initiatives, one called Dell IdeaStorm, the other called StudioDell, which aim to show how ‘connected’ Dell is with its customers, and is part of the Dell 2.0 transformation, Dell is testing PCs loaded with Novell Suse Linux, although this will not be Dell’s only Linux supplier, as they will work with other popular Linux distributions including Ubuntu in the not too distant future.

88,609 requests made to Dell’s IdeaStorm for the Linux OS to be pre-installed was the catalyst for a decision Dell has undoubtedly been evaluating for some time, although the Linux certification tests mean they are not yet shipping Linux desktops to consumers and businesses, only in their high-end lines which they have been for some time already. But the time is drawing near when they will have finally taken the important step towards greater OS and software choices for consumers at the time of the initial sale.

Dell’s IdeaStorm site says that “We don't want to pick one distribution and alienate users with a preference for another. We want users to have the opportunity to help define the market for Linux on desktop and notebook systems. In addition to working with Novell, we are also working with other distributors and evaluating the possibility of additional certifications across our product line. We are continuing to investigate your other Linux-related ideas, so please continue to check here for updates.”

Dell is very excited that their IdeaStorm and StudioDell sites have clearly resonated with consumers, and have led to the Linux initiative. The IdeaStorm site has a statement that says: “It’s exciting to see the IdeaStorm community’s interest in open source solutions like Linux and OpenOffice. Your feedback has been all about flexibility and we have seen a consistent request to provide platforms that allow people to install their operating system of choice”.

The statement continues that: “We are listening, and as a result, we are working with Novell to certify our corporate client products for Linux, including our OptiPlex desktops, Latitude notebooks and Dell Precision workstations. This is another step towards ensuring that our customers have a good experience with Linux on our systems.”

It’s not the first time that Dell has made some significant changes due to work with new partners. Last year, Google paid Dell $1b over three years to have Google software included on Dell computers, while customer requests and pressure also caused Dell to pre-install the Firefox web browser as an alternative to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.

Now that the world’s No.1 PC vendor is nearly ready to start shipping a number of popular Linux distributions for pre-loading onto Dell PCs, Linux is on the verge of one its best chances in a generation to break through and become a mainstream alternative to different versions of Windows.

Now it’s up to all those who asked or wished for Linux pre-load capabilities from Dell to be genuinely interested in the new Linux bundles, and prompt Dell to hurry up with finishing the certification process and actually start selling Linux pre-loaded. Dell’s upcoming entry into the Linux pre-load market wasn’t entirely unexpected, but now that is has near, we’ll all be watching to see just how successful (or otherwise) Dell embracing Linux will become, as soon as sales start and sales figures are released to the market.
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