Dell to Linux users: Not so fast

[Mercury]

If you're looking for a new Linux-equipped Dell laptop or desktop from the PC vendor, you may be waiting a while.

Despite obvious support for the idea last week from thousands of visitors on its new customer suggestion Web site IdeaStorm, the company said it's not yet building machines with Linux pre-loaded for the consumer and business markets.

Last Friday night, Dell posted a note on the IdeaStorm Web site saying 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 said today that the note was just about certifying the hardware for being ready to work with Novell SUSE Linux, not an announcement that the computers would be loaded and sold with the operating system in the near future.

"Our point of view is that we are listening to our Linux customers," said Jeremy Bolen, a Dell spokesman. He noted that the company already offers factory-installed Linux on some specific Dell Precision workstations for high-end corporate users, but is not currently installing the OS on its other laptop or desktop machines. "However, I won't rule out the option of expanding the pre-installation program at a future date," Bolen said.

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[Will.Spencer]

Great, now when are they going to start supporting FreeBSD?

[DreamSync]

Does anyone know if Dell uses any kind of non-Microsoft operating system on anything machine they sell? I wonder if their selling less Microsoft operating systems on their machines might mean less of a discount on the software from Microsoft.

[Lyte]

Less of a discount for the general public or manufacturers?

Peep this article...

Dell to offer Linux with its desktops and laptops
Ciara O'Brien, ElectricNews.net
28th February 2007 10:45 GMT

Dell users may soon have the choice of having Linux pre-installed on their machines, according to a statement on the technology company's website.

The PC maker launched its feedback website, Dell Idea Storm, in mid-February, and was inundated with requests for the Linux operating system and productivity software suite OpenOffice to be included on all Dell computers. Users are requesting the top three free Linux versions for free pre-installation.

"Quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy," the suggestion on the Idea Storm website said. "For example, OpenOffice.org, the Microsoft Office alternative, can shave hundreds of dollars off the price of a new PC."

Dell currently offers some Linux options, but the open source system was not available across the full Dell range. The company's nSeries machines are available without an operating system, but only to US customers. Windows systems and software are currently the standard option for Dell machines.

"It's exciting to see the Idea Storm 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 company said in its statement.

"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."

Dell is one of the top PC makers in the world, currently second in the world laptop leagues behind HP. According to figures released in January, the company had 17.5 per cent of the market in the third quarter of 2006, showing growth of 16 per cent quarter-on-quarter.

However, the company has been hit by a number of setbacks in recent months, including the now infamous battery recall, and legal action in Canada over allegations that its notebooks suffer from design faults that could lead to premature failure of the motherboard due to overheating.

[DreamSync]

I was thinking less of a discount for the company(Dell) itself. I'm not completely sure if my reasoning is correct. Here's what I was thinking:

If I am Microsoft, lets say I sell Dell one million copies of software. Since I sell them so much software, I give them a 50% rate off the full retail price.

Now if they decide to only buy 1/2 million copies(they are now getting the other 1/2 from a competing operating system), it may not be worth it for me (Microsoft)to give them that deep 50% discount when selling my software to them.

I can't help but wonder if Dell will lose out on some agreements they have with Microsoft that may be holding them up for shipping more of other operating systems with their machines.

[Lyte]

Oh definately! If Dell were to cut their order significantly... e.g. 50%, 40% or even just down by 20% (that's still 200,000 copies less!), I have no doubt Microsoft would respond by reducing the discount as well. This happens in most every type of business ("volume discount") I don't see why it woudn't also with the sale of software.

Lyte

[Ash]

How about if Dell made a pre-loaded OS optional?
Customers can choose their machines components - so why not choose to OS as well? They could either offer Windows or nothing it all, or Windows, nothing at all or <insert Linux distro here>. I know that if I could get an OS-less machine at a good price, then I would.