So it's official now....

[bidi]

www.dell.com/open

[cheesecake42]

god I hate dell. That is kinda cool though. I didn't know they were offering freedos as well.

[daark.child]

I don't like DELL either (and Ubuntu), so its unlikely I will buy any of their Linux machines. The good thing that comes out of this move by DELL is that at least people have some choice about their OS.

[daacosta]

www.dell.com/open

This is a good thing regardless. Dell is getting it and I am glad for it. Ubuntu may not be many people's choice but it is still Linux and it has support from Canonical... I think this is positive news and hope to see similar offerings from other manufacturers [I am leaning towards a Compaq with 200GB hard drive 1 GB Ram with an Atlon processor... I still need to test whether Linux runs well on it or not (will go to the store to boot from my Knoppix pendrive) If it came with Linux preinstalled I would be happier...]

[Dapper Dan]

I love Dell computers and use several of them in business and at home. Over the years, I've received nothing less than great service and dependability from their products. I've not found another vendor that gives as much computer at a better price. I've been running Ubuntu on a new Dimension E520 at home and it has been a marriage made in heaven. Ubuntu found and configure every piece of hardware, and the graphics with the Nvidia GeForce 7300 LE it came with are extremely good using the Nvidia accelerated driver. It's nice to see Dell promoting Ubuntu on their main page. Way to go Dell!

[cousinlucky]

I looked through the ad looking for a mention of how safe Linux is on the Internet but did not see one. I do not have the know how to build my own computer so buying retail is the way I have always had to go.

Someone should start a timetable pool on just when the other commercial computer companies are also going to be selling their computers with a Linux disto installed.

I suppose Dell does not want to stop people from purchasing their Windows os computers so they did not mention on line safety issue.

[carlosponti]

well they have the systems in a seperate area of the site so that you have to already been looking for them. you wont see them side by side as just another choice so normal users wont buy them.

[tomeriker]

My friend told me 2 days ago that Dell is offereing 3 different PC's with Ubuntu pre-installed. I being in disbelief, went to Dell to see. There they were; a Dimension, an XPS, and a inspiron laptop. Great specs and a great price. Already being an ubuntu user, switched from SuSE, I just had to order the laptop to see how a preinstalled ubuntu would work.. I added a few upgrades like 1 gig ram and the go-7300 video card. It was still under $750.00. The biggest reason I purchased it was to send a message to all the pc manufacturers that there is a market for Linux pc's. I hope that anyone who can, would buy one.

Ubuntu Customers


Lets support this effort to promote Linux pre-installed on OEM's so the not so tech savvy can enjoy Linux also.

PS: There is also the added benifit of getting under Bill G's skin!

[jens]

Dell does not promote Free Software at all.

I used to be a dell consumer as well, but I will never even consider supporting a company that doesn't respect the License of all software I ever wrote.

Please check the number of Ubuntu systems dell is actually offering.
It means nothing.
Dell is no more than a Microsoft midget that aims to sell those crappy meaningless SUSE licenses provided by Novell and Microsoft.

They only exist to do the dirty work for MS.

[carlosponti]

I guess people do not understand what the Suse license is. Its only for business users that are wanting to use Suse Server. Part of Microsoft's deal with Novell is that they had to sell to its customers Licenses to Suse Server. That has nothing to do with consumers buying those Ubuntu loaded systems. You dont have money going back to Microsoft for Ubuntu. regardless of how you feel about the Novell and Microsoft deal its still a good thing that Dell is giving its consumers, namely me what I want a system preloaded with Linux. btw that whole deal with Microsoft will fall apart in the future anyhow. Microsoft will never be able to get rid of Linux no matter how they go about it. Not to mention Microsoft better be careful touting Patent Infringement no telling how many patents they infringe on.