Dell Linux PCs go on sale Thursday
Dell said on Wednesday night it will begin selling three models of PCs with Ubuntu Linux preinstalled on Thursday.
Dell teases its Ubuntu Linux PCs
(Credit: Dell)The company announced the models on its Direct2Dell Web site and said they'll go on sale at www.dell.com/open by 2 p.m. PST Thursday.
The three models are the E520n desktop and the E1505n notebook, both with a starting price of $599, and the XPS 410n, with a starting price of $899. The move will fulfill a schedule the company committed to earlier this month.
Dell announced the Linux PC plan after being inundated with requests from potential customers. The Round Rock, Texas-based company has been trying to engage with customers as part of an effort to restore its flagging competitiveness.
Lionel Menchaca, digital media manager, touted the new systems as evidence of Dell's reform. "Thanks for giving us a chance to show what Dell 2.0 is about. While this is a milestone that a lot of us will remember, it's just the beginning--plenty more to come," he said.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
