• Dell Decides on Ubuntu Linux

    Dell Decides on Ubuntu Linux

    Techtree News Staff, May 02, 2007 1349 hrs IST

    Dell has ended months of speculation, announcing yesterday that it will preinstall Ubuntu Linux on some of its computers.

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Ending months of speculation regarding which Linux distribution Dell should or would go with, the company along with Ubuntu commercial sponsor, Canonical, yesterday announced that it will preinstall Ubuntu Linux on some of its machines.

Ever since Dell's IdeaStorm Web site was bombarded with user requests asking for more of Linux support on Dell computers as an alternative to the existing Microsoft Windows OS, Dell has been under pressure to comply with popular demand.

Among the several requests on IdeaStorm, the preferred choice of Linux distribution turned out to be Ubuntu. No wonder, Dell went the whole hog, and selected Ubuntu Linux for some of its computers.

Besides, it is well publicized that Michael Dell himself is a fan of Ubuntu Linux version 7.04, also called 'Feisty Fawn,' which he uses on his Dell Precision M90 laptop.

Canonical sources say the announcement ends all speculation, and that they wanted to move quickly and respond to the users.

As per the Dell-Canonical deal, Canonical will certify Dell models that feature preinstalled Ubuntu, and will provide support for Linux distribution, which users can also purchase from Dell's Web site.

A spokesperson for Dell said the company is still finalizing plans around support. However, that it intends to fully support the hardware, as it does in case of its n Series products.

Incidentally, Dell's n Series Dimension and OptiPlex desktops and Precision Workstations come with preinstalled FreeDOS open source OS, and not Microsoft Windows.

What is not clear yet is which of Dell's computers will feature preinstalled Ubuntu. Dell said it expects to announce details soon.

For Dell, its tie-up with Canonical is a logical step forward in its strategy to support Linux. For Canonical, the deal represents the first time Ubuntu will be preinstalled on a major computer vendor's machines. Besides, earlier deals only involved post-purchase installation of Ubuntu.

All said, the partnership is expected to work in favor of Ubuntu Linux by getting more users to adopt the operating system...

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Discussion Board
(18) Comments
jadhav shivaji
,pune, on May 05, 2007 11:36 AM
All said, the partnership is expected to work in favor of Ubuntu Linux by getting more users to adopt the operating system
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Fudoki
,Athens, GA USA, on May 04, 2007 11:16 PM
Let's get some perspective here, Linux' GUI is X-Windows. When Microsoft introduced Windows in 1985, X-Windows was a mature product, almost a decade old. Vista is not as good as the X-Windows based NeXT, running Berkeley Unix 2.0, I had in 1988; and the NeXT was full Postscript and WYSIWYG with 1:1 accuracy on the screen, like Apples (OS-X is FreeBSD based) and Linux today. So let's get it right, even the name (and a whole lot more) was taken from X-Windows, the most mature, stable, and proven GUI available. Great move for Dell!
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Paul
,Bacoor, on May 02, 2007 06:46 PM
All that maligns Microsoft are merely letting out pent up envy. Fact is, Microsoft helped the world. Where was Linux in 1995? Now that Microsoft amassed wealth, Gates helps fund philanthrophy initiatives. That's it. Now, come all your rantings? For what? Try to do good & outshine those who do. Never malign. Praise GOD.
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Chris Mankey
,Saint Paul, on May 02, 2007 10:21 PM
Umm, what? Linux was around in 1991. Maybe you should grow a brain before you activate the 'puter again.
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Luisa Lewis
,Toronto, on May 03, 2007 04:41 AM
Way to go, Paul!
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Ron
,Grants Pass, on May 02, 2007 11:36 PM
Ubuntu is a very good and stable Linux based operating system. I have 7.04 loaded on one of my backup machines, and use it all the time. I'm very happy to finally see an open source OS being offered on a retail computer. Good for Dell.
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rod arthur
,toledo, on May 02, 2007 07:04 PM
I do not see the need for linux.
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Fredrik
,GBG, on May 02, 2007 10:26 PM
I do not see the need for Hamburgers
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mortmort
,NF, NY, on May 02, 2007 05:41 PM
"For Canonical, the deal represents the first time Ubuntu will be preinstalled on a major computer vendor's machines." Actually, System76 has Ubuntu preinstalled on all of their machines. Never heard of them? That's ok. Just wanted to give credit where credit is due.
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bleh
,iowa, on May 02, 2007 05:00 PM
Stupid
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Kantankeris
,Boston, on May 02, 2007 04:28 PM
I'm sorry, I'm not really into Pokemon
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adarsh
,PANIPAT, on May 02, 2007 04:09 PM
providing linux is definitely appreciable
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salty_Dog
,houston, on May 02, 2007 03:35 PM
it's only a matter of time now billy !!!!
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Brian
,Malaysia, on May 02, 2007 03:34 PM
I'm dual booting Ubuntu 7.04 on my XPS M1210 with Vista...and I must say I've had less trouble with Ubuntu than i've had with Vista =) Dell's doing customers a great favour.
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cement_head
,Kennett Square, on May 02, 2007 03:25 PM
About time...bye, bye Micro$oft.
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Anonymous
,tc, on May 02, 2007 03:24 PM
It's about time for one of the big computer brands to do this. Congratulations, Dell!!!
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Anonymous
,eugene, on May 02, 2007 03:01 PM
Excellent!!! Gates, you need to really look hard at what you have done.
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quadmaniac
,motocity, on May 02, 2007 03:13 PM
I swear! I really hope this starts off a trend!
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