Dell ready to ship PCs loaded with Ubuntu 7.04

Filed under: OS Updates, News, Windows, Linux

Dell ready to ship PCs loaded with Ubuntu 7.04

by Brad Linder May 24th 2007

We knew it was coming, but today's the day. This afternoon, Dell will begin offering three different PC models pre-loaded with Linux, of the Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn variety.

There will be two desktops (the XPS 410n and Dimension E520n) and one notebook (the E1505n) available at www.dell.com/open, with starting prices ranging from $599 to $899.

Dell will offer hardware support, and has also created a new Linux section on the company's user forum for software support.

So why is Dell getting so much attention for giving consumers a choice of operating systems? Because Linux has become a lot more user friendly in the past few years, with some great desktop software for the Gnome and KDE graphical user interfaces. But most users aren't going to purchase a PC that comes preloaded with Windows and then futz with it, installing a new operating system and then struggling to make sure all the drivers and programs work.

While there are high end computer manufacturers and retailers out there who are already shipping systems pre-loaded with Linux, Dell is a consumer-oriented company. The company's decision to offer three Linux systems may wind up just being a nod to the computer geeks who flooded their request line with recommendations. But it's also possible that the move will legitimize Linux as an option for all home and office users who visit Dell's website looking for a new PC.

Oh, and did we mention that those three new Linux PCs seem to be about $50 to $100 cheaper than comparable PCs pre-loaded with Windows?

Tags: dell, ubuntu, ubuntu 7.04 feisty fawn, Ubuntu7.04FeistyFawn

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Eric said 12:43PM on 5-24-2007

You got your pricing backwards, Engadget is reporting the Linux desktops costing more.

Todd said 12:46PM on 5-24-2007

A historic event! I expect lots and lots of Ubuntu laptops to go out the door in Austin as "I don't care as long as its cheap and I can get my email" consumers see the savings. And I can't wait for the first internal meeting at Dell when they see the big profit from shipping Linux machines that do NOT include the big licensing hit.

One more crack in the dam for Microsoft - How long until HP, Gateway, Acer all follow Dell's lead? Can you say "Tipping point"?

Brad Linder said 12:49PM on 5-24-2007

Hmm, actually it's a mixed bag. I had looked at the E520s listed under "Advanced PCs," and the cheapest was $649. Under "Essential PCs," there's a cheaper one for $369.

But the cheapest E1505 laptop you can get i $699, which is about $100 more than the price for an E1505 running Linux.

Bob said 8:26AM on 5-25-2007

i like the screen design.

http://clubvaio.blogspot.com/

dirt said 8:31AM on 5-25-2007

Do they offer Kubuntu? KDE isthe only Linux desktop I'll use.

panthar said 8:31AM on 5-25-2007

Not a bad deal - I've seen many comments elsewhere about E520 machines for a lot less than $599. But, this price includes the monitor. When you remove the monitor, you can get the Linux-installed Dimension for $409 before tax/shipping. The same specced system with Windows XP Home is $549. Of course they change their pricing and deals every day, but as of right now, this still looks like a pretty good deal.

Gyp Joe said 8:32AM on 5-25-2007

Ha ha ha...

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