next story Blogs_next_icon

Ubuntu Linux systems from Dell?

We don’t go by hearsay, but some rumors stir up quite an interest that we couldn’t help but get into details. At the end of it all we are none the wiser, but still if unconfirmed reports are to be taken at face value, Dell is expected to begin selling on Thursday three models of its long-awaited laptop and desktop computers loaded with Ubuntu Linux.

The arrival day was unveiled by blogger Jeremy Garcia, a Linux advocate who runs the Web site Linuxquestions.org. In his blog last Friday, Garcia said he received an e-mail from an unnamed Dell employee who offered a few details about this week's product launch. "We will be launching a Linux-based OS [Ubuntu] on the E520 [budget Dimension desktop PC], 1505 [Inspiron laptop] and [home entertainment level PC] XPS 410 starting next Thursday, 5/24," the Dell e-mail stated, according to Garcia's blog. “The goal of launching Linux is to continue to give our customers more choices to customize their new Dell,” it had reportedly added.

It may be recalled that on May 1, Dell announced that it would meet customer requests and offer a limited number of Dell models with Ubuntu Linux preloaded for sale later this month. The move came after the company began asking customers in February for opinions on new products they wanted from the computer maker. One of the most frequently requested items was Linux-loaded computers, according to Dell.

While Dell has not yet confirmed the date or the eligible models, they did say on Monday that customers can expect their pre-load to include all the default software (including kernel and apps) from Ubuntu's 7.04 "Feisty Fawn" media. Dell also noted that they'll only be offering peripherals which have mature, open-source (or closed-source if necessary) driver support which Dell is testing in-house. Better yet, Dell says that they'll be working with other vendors to create stable drivers for currently unsupported hardware; that's good news for Linux users everywhere.

While Dell's move won't likely cause any grief to Microsoft, it certainly gives Linux some credibility with mainstream consumers. At the end of it all, what we can do is just wait and watch.

[ Via engadget ] [ Via jeremy.linuxquestions ] [ Via direct2dell ] [Via yahoo ]

Latest News:

Another chocolaty treat you’ll lap up

Big Blue's Power6 Chip sets benchmark in speed

more...