Dell expands shipping of linux-installed computers >> Scott Klarr

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Dell expands shipping of linux-installed computers

Posted By Scott Klarr on Dec 19, 2007 at 10:53 am

Back in May of 2007, Dell started selling computers that came preinstalled with linux. Here is an excerpt from Dell with an update on the expansion of the consumer linux program.

Linux Update: Ubuntu 7.10 and Built-In DVD playback

Many people don't realize how young our consumer Linux client program is...we started in May this year. I've been along for the ride every step of the way - from the time we heard loud and clear that there was a need not being met by any other major PC manufacturer at the time. What started as a grass roots campaign in the Linux community was embraced by a small but dedicated team inside Dell. I can tell you that we worked fast to pull together a solution and went way outside of several processes to make Ubuntu on consumer systems a reality. In fact, our lead lead engineer said in a message to employees, "...we really broke all the rules...so I'll apologize to Dell for that."

Ultimately our program is about listening and delivering customer choice. Today we offer Ubuntu in the US, UK, France and Germany. For customers in other countries interested in Ubuntu, we hear you and ask you to stay tuned. As with the regular cadence of OS improvements, Dell is working on bringing Ubuntu to more markets over time. In the meantime, tell your friends in the existing markets to buy a system now. The more we sell, the sooner we can expand the program.

As a linux user and supporter, I think its great how linux is getting to this point of being embraced by one of the largest computer building companies, however I do not think linux is quite ready enough to be thrown out to general computer users - you know, the ones who buy prebuilt computers because they dont understand or feel comfortable selecting components and building their own?

Overall im glad to see this though, because its a huge step for linux as a whole and hopefully it will launch the development of more "regular-people-friendly" distros into overdrive, which will then to lead more software developers to start thinking about developing with cross-OS-compatibility in mind.. Ubuntu seems to have done a great job so far in getting people to "convert", but I believe linux still has a little ways to go before you can hand it to the average windows user and have them be able to carry out all the same functions as on windows, such as installing software, which can be a huge headache for linux newbies. I cant wait to see what the next few years will hold for linux!

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