thelinuxlink.net

Officially, Dell Inc. hasn't said a word yet about which Linux it will be preloading on its desktops and laptops. Several sources within Dell, however, have told DesktopLinux.com that Dell's desktop Linux pick is going to be Ubuntu.

While unable to confirm this through official Dell channels, we have heard the same story now from several internal Dell sources. They tell us that the Austin, Texas, computer giant will be preinstalling the newly released Ubuntu 7.04. These systems will be released in late May 2007.

According to our sources, Ubuntu will be released on a Dell e-series "Essential" Dimension desktop, an XPS desktop, and an e-series Inspiron laptop.

When buying the Dell systems, customers will have the option to purchase support from Ubuntu backer Canonical, said Jane Silber, the start-up's director of operations.

Snarkout wrote:Yeah, but linspire is already in stores, and frankly has almost no traction. Ubuntu at least has mindshare at this point. Even non-linux users seem to have heard of it at this point.

Snarkout wrote:Speculative Crapartist Hat ON:
IMO, it screams of Dell clutching at straws - I'd seriously consider ditching my shares if I owned any. Usually when any company is trying to dig up this much publicity without anything new or interesting to say beyond "linux" and other industry buzzwords, it means they are in serious trouble. WTF is Dell 2.0 supposed to mean???

chuck wrote:While I'm aware that Linspire is in the stores, I cannot name a company that is preinstalling it on their machines. Non-Linux users have heard/are hearing of Ubuntu at this point. Also the general consumer knows Dell and many have relationships with them already.

May 1st, 2007

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding Dell offering Linux computers pre-installed with Linux. I have been a long-time defender of Dell in the past, anytime Linux enthusiasts would attack them for not offering Linux PCs. I have defended them because Linux wasn't ready. The technology wasn't quite there yet, and the demand certainly wasn't there yet. The last thing I wanted was Dell offering a Linux PC, only to have very little sales and a lot of hardware and customer support problems.

Recently, my recommendation to Dell is that they should now considering offering Linux PCs, BUT with an understanding of what to expect. I recommend that Dell does NOT use Linspire or Freespire for their first Linux PCs. That may surprise many of you reading this. Why would the CEO of Linspire recommend Dell go with other Linux distributions instead of Linspire and Freespire? Let me explain why Linspire is NOT the right choice for Dell at this time.

We have explained to Dell that we see Linux in two different markets. The first we call the "Linux Enthusiasts Market." This is where Linux is today. The second is the "Linux Mainstream Market." This market is likely one to three years away. Because Dell is going to put their toe into the desktop Linux PC waters now, they should offer a product that is geared towards where that market is today...the Linux Enthusiasts. For that market, there are three clear leaders: Ubuntu, Fedora, and openSUSE, and these are the Linux distros I recommend to Dell today. It wouldn't make any sense today for Dell to offer Linspire, a product that is geared more towards the NEXT Linux market, a more mainstream market.

It is no coincidence that Linspire announced CNR support for these three distributions. Even though the desktop Linux market is still extremely small, we want to have our number one product, our CNR service, available to and being used by that market.

The Linspire operating system has always, from the very beginning, been designed not for the Linux enthusiasts market, but with a more long-term view of things, towards the mainstream market. We have cautioned Dell to only expect to sell between 50,000 to 100,000 PCs to the current Linux market. In Dell standards, this hardly moves the needle. We have told them they can expect a bump in sales from the enthusiast market, but that it will quickly drop, as demand from that small market is satisfied. For Dell to get to a market where they can see continued growth, they will need to get to the mainstream market. That market will need a very different kind of Linux.

This second market for Linux, will require a very different product from Ubuntu, Fedora and openSUSE. One that is 1) far easier to use (by the Linux enthusiasts market standards, Ubuntu, Fedora and openSUSE ARE easy to use, but by the mainstream market standards, these distributions are not nearly polished or easy enough.), 2) that can handle DRM, Multimedia files, DVD, Java, Flash, Windows Media, Quicktime, 3D graphic drivers, etc., and respects and interoperates with existing IP, 3) that has a revenue model for Dell beyond moving a few PCs, and 4) that has a long-standing OEM program for certification, support and revenue creation.

If Dell does the smart thing, and offers a tri-boot system with these three distributions, it will be a brilliant move on their part. They will be offering a quality product to TODAY's Linux market, and they will have started the early stages of their desktop Linux program, satisfying the current market, BUT with expectations and plans of preparing for the larger mainstream market.

-Kevin

schotty wrote:Plus, Kevin Carmony put it pretty well in his Linspire Letter. His take is its good for the enthusiasts, will be soon for the normal users. Cater to the proper markets. Since the normal users arent a viable market - wait. Well, read it for yourself :

7.04 is a GREAT release, and I hope other distros learn from Canonical.

Snarkout wrote:

7.04 is a GREAT release, and I hope other distros learn from Canonical.

I assume you're speaking about Ubuntu here, not Kubuntu. While I haven't installed the Kubuntu final, I did install the RC, and was not at all pleased with it. I simply do not understand why they do the things they are doing to kde. It's a shame they can't offer a vanilla install along with their confugulated one.

jaz wrote:Hopefully Dell won't make Linux look bad by cutting corners on the hardware. I get a new Dell every year at work and without fail they are junk (in my opinion).