Update: Hey dude, could that be Linux on your Dell?

[Mercury]

Editor's note: Although Dell plans to certify three product lines for possible Linux use, it has not yet decided to pre-install the OS on the computers. The story has been updated with corrected information.

After collecting some 1,800 new product and service ideas from IT users and customers using an online "suggestion box," Dell Inc. has announced that it's taking the user suggestions seriously and will work to certify three of its hardware lines to be ready to run Novell SUSE Linux.

The company won't initially offer Linux-equipped machines for sale, but could do so in the future, a spokesman said.

The Dell IdeaStorm Web site, where customers and other IT enthusiasts can offer recommendations about future Dell products and configurations that they'd want to buy, was started on Feb. 16 by CEO Michael Dell, who is looking for ways to re-energize the company's sales and financial performance after several disappointing quarters.

One post that got a lot of interest was the idea that Dell bring back a reasonably priced laptop computer that runs Linux.

Just a week after debuting the IdeaStorm site, the company said Friday night that customer input inspired it to certify some of its hardware as Linux-ready and to make it easier for customers to buy the machines and install Linux themselves.


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