Dell: Microsoft warnings haven't hurt Linux uptake

Claims made by Microsoft that Linux violates its software patent have not affected sales of Linux-based hardware, according to Michael Dell.

Speaking to CNET News.com sister site ZDNet UK at a conference Thursday, Dell's chief executive said his company has seen Linux uptake for servers increase faster than Windows server products, despite Microsoft's claims.

Michael Dell

"On the server side Linux continues to grow nicely, a bit faster than Windows," said Dell in an interview during the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Orlando. "We're seeing a move to Linux in critical applications, and Linux migration has not slowed down."

However, for those customers who might be concerned about whether Microsoft's claims of patent violation could result in legal action, Dell added that there were "certainly mechanisms if customers are concerned about patents."

In May, Microsoft claimed that free and open-source software violated more than 230 of its patents, but hasn't provided more detailed information following the statement.

Dell's chief marketing officer, Mark Jarvis, claimed that though the two vendors have had a close relationship in the past, Microsoft had not given Dell any more information about the issue of patent infringement, despite Dell supporting Linux on its server range and more recently on its desktops and notebooks.

"When we announced the Linux notebook, we didn't get a call from Microsoft--whatever rumblings have been heard, they haven't been heard in Austin, Texas (near where Dell is based)," Jarvis said.

On May 24, Dell launched its first PCs based on Linux in the U.S.: a basic model, Inspiron E1505n, a more powerful Dimension E520n and a top-of-the-range XPS 410n.

Jarvis added that Dell did not expect its Linux PCs to sell in large numbers, reiterating that Linux growth was with servers.

"Are they (Linux PCs) going to sell a lot? Absolutely not. But on the server side we've seen continued growth," said Jarvis.

Tom Espiner of ZDNet UK reported from London.

[Seaspray0]

Interesting percentages

The servers with linux are selling much better than the desktops. On the microsoft side, there are many more desktops sold than servers.

This is not intended as a knock on either operating system, but I have to ask... why is is reversed in server/desktop percentages between the two?

Maybe it's cost? Microsoft server is not cheap and neither are the licenses for it. The microsoft desktop is cheap (especially when sold OEM). Linux desktop and server are the same price (free).

[Astinsan]

Price?

If you buy a server preconfigured you know what you want. If you are serious it won't be a GUI based server. I have had both and I have to say that the uptime on a Unix or linux based system is huge compared to the windows based alternative.

I think we are seeing a shift because of price as you said but I don't think it is because of businesses cheeping out. I think it is because of students (in a classroom or a home nerd) that have little money to build the knowledge. They will use what they have learned. Since linux and BSD is free its pretty obvious that it will be used more.

I know about the trial software but is 120days really enough to learn something?

My -$0.02

Thanks
Jay

[Astinsan]

Vista isn't that cheap

If you can figure out what vista you want.... it will cost you plenty.

A upgrade from WinXP (doesn't matter what version)
99$ This kills the WindowsXP license so you can't go back.

Then you have to worry about drivers not working and software not working etc. The one thing that killed the whole thing for me (and I was inrolled in the vista beta by mail so I did have hopes) was the drm and signed drivers. Everyone who has windows XP know that most of the drivers for most of the equipment out there is unsigned. So there is no way I will buy a new OS hoping that all my hardware will work.

If they wanted to go the signed route they should of enforced it with XP. That way the hardware developers would be already used to doing it.

[WJeansonne]

Wait til' they starting eating Microsoft's lunch

That's when the empire will strike back! Guaranteed!!

[amack0001]

Go Linux!

Glad to see an increase of Linux on server machines. It is hopeless to think that Linux can take down Microsoft in the desktop realm. Linux taking over the desktop market is like Sony competing with the ipod with a Walkman tape player. Won't happen. It's great to have diversity between systems to keep data safe though.

[onlyauser]

Why would they?

Consumers don't care much anymore about this corp legal or whatever.

We just want stuff that works for less money.

Of course MS can't won't slow Linux. That's just a silly assumtion on all levels.

To man people and organizations that have alteady went to Linux and those people will never again be willing to pay the corporate premiums MS demands.

Linux is only going to grow. PERIOD!

[Penguinisto]

Well well well...

...isn't that interesting? Linux outselling Windows in per-unit sales for one of the top three OEM's (and top two in server sales, IIRC).

I wonder what convolutions and mistruths the fanboys will be cooking up now?

/P

[technewsjunkie]

MS WILL sue when Linux market share increases...

We're not there, yet.

[rcrusoe]

MS will steal ideas from anyone

even really stupid ones from SCO.

[ferretboy88]

All reviews of Dell linuxs machines are not good

Every review I read about Dell selling preinstalled Ubuntu laptops
have been bad. Its better to get a thinkpad instead. They work
perfect with most linux distros including Ubuntu.

[ONEderer]

At the rate that MS is heading, they...

Ms is sending more people to Linux. Currently, Vista is bloated, too demanding on hardware, and MS has split Vista 4-ways. The cheapest one can't hardly do anything, and the most expensive one is just that, expensive! If you look at some forums, there are many who are going back and installing WinXP, and dumping Vista, due to a lot of problems.

At least they were not so greedy with WindowsXP. They only split it in only two ways. The HOME version, and the PRO version.

People are now realizing that Linux can do the same things that Windows can do. It can do it cheaper, require less hardware requirements, and we don't have to call "home" for the permission to install and run Linux. There are enough Linux versions to satisfy anyone's needs. And the price is right, FREE!

[Ted Miller]

Hot Gossip

This I just learned not to long ago and from a pretty good source. But then again you tell me...

VISTA was largly developed in INDIA!

The programmers are largely LINUX oriented people.

The person who I learned this from is from India and has a lot friends there who did the VISTA coding. All are LINUX users.

If this is true could anyone add to this? Facts would be nice.

If it is not true, could you prove it?