Dell picks Ubuntu for Linux PCs

update Dell is trying a second time to sell personal computers with Linux preinstalled, this time using the up-and-coming Ubuntu version of the open-source operating system.

At the end of May, the No. 2 PC maker will begin selling some consumer-focused laptop and desktop models with Ubuntu's new "Feisty Fawn" version of Linux installed, Dell spokesman Kent Cook said. The company announced the Linux move on Tuesday on its IdeaStorm site, launched in February to gather feedback directly from customers about what they want.

"Today, we are excited to tell you that Dell will begin offering Canonical's latest version, Ubuntu 7.04, as an option on select Dell consumer models in the U.S. in the coming weeks," the company said in its announcement.

Dell also announced that it has improved its Linux forum and has given it prominent placement on its Dell Forums Web page.

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.

Companies have been trying for years to make a go of Linux on PCs--Dell even invested in one company, Eazel--but generally, they've had little success, even though they offered lower prices, polished graphical interfaces and necessary software such as Microsoft Office competitor OpenOffice.org.

"I don't think this is going to be a knock-the-ball-out-of-the-park home run," said IDC analyst Al Gillen, who still doesn't see a major Linux draw for most Windows PC users. But the move is notable for the fact that it's Dell making it: "Dell typically doesn't do stuff if they don't think they're going to get enough volume to justify it," Gillen said.

Dell, suffering market share losses to top PC seller Hewlett-Packard, is trying reinvigorate its direct ties with customers, an approach that long has been the company's hallmark. Linux-based PCs was an "overwhelming" request from the IdeaStorm site, Cook said.

"We heard loud and clear from customers that they wanted this," Cook said. And of those who wanted Linux, "80 percent came back and said Ubuntu," Cook said.

Cook wouldn't share pricing details or say how Linux PCs would compare in price with Windows PCs.

Dell began selling Linux PCs in 1999 and added laptops in 2000. But in 2001, Dell reversed course, canceling the Linux PCs because of insufficient demand. Today, Dell certifies Red Hat or Suse Linux for use on some business-oriented PCs, but except when larger customers place custom orders, customers must install the operating system themselves.

This time, things are different, Cook said.

"We think great strides have been made since 2001," Cook said. "Linux has evolved to a point where there is something available for consumers," though Linux PCs will appeal mostly to a Linux enthusiast market that's more limited than that for Windows Vista.

And Dell validated the Linux request through its own research. "There definitely are those who are Linux zealots, but we did some checking as well," he said.

Dell's move isn't likely to dethrone Microsoft any time soon. On servers, the Redmond, Wash.-based company faces several strong operating-system competitors in Linux and Unix, but its dominance in PC sales hasn't been dented.

Of the 160.5 million operating-system licenses shipped in 2006, Windows accounted for 92 percent, compared with 4.1 percent for Mac OS X and 3.8 percent for Linux, Gillen said. "We're not seeing any breakout momentum for Linux on desktop," he said.

A big boost for Linux
But Canonical believes the time is right.

"The market is ready," Silber said. "We think the combination of the timing, the technology and the partner are aligned to make it happen."

Dell's partnership is a significant endorsement for the up-and-coming Linux support seller. Canonical doesn't yet have the widespread hardware and software partnerships possessed by incumbent Linux power Red Hat and Novell's Suse Linux, but it's working to build them.

The company is starting its business by trying to appeal to users of desktop computers. From there, Canonical Chief Executive Mark Shuttleworth has said, the company plans to head to the server market, where the real Linux bread and butter can be found.

Cook wouldn't comment on whether Dell plans to offer Ubuntu on its servers as well. "We're looking at Linux across the breadth of our product line. It takes a bit longer sometimes on that side. Stay tuned," he said.

Raven Zachary, an analyst for the market analyst firm The 451 Group, believes that day will arrive.

"I think you will find Dell, over time, also offering Ubuntu across its server product line as Ubuntu grows in popularity in the data center, due in large part to Canonical's 24-7 support offering and the simplicity of managing one distribution from the developer's desktop to the data center," Zachary said.

Customers are reporting use of Ubuntu more than IDC had expected, Gillen said.

"It's showing up as well as any traditional nonpaid Linux distribution is showing up and starting to rival some paid distributions," according to Gillen. "It's not first-tier, but it's pushing the envelope getting into the first tier."

Canonical wouldn't reveal financial terms of the deal.

"It's a very significant deal for us, in terms of evolution of the company," Silber said. "How big a deal depends, to a large extent, on how many machines are sold. We think that'll be a high number."

[jelloburn]

hehe

With a codename like "Feisty-Fawn", it has to be good...

Realisticly, this at least interests me, since I can't get my distro of
Ubuntu to run worth crap (unless I want to do without WiFi or
Ethernet) on my laptop.

For once, I can say good job to Dell for thinking different....
again.... after failing...

[zuted]

Choice

choice is what this is all about... I dont use windows or linux (oh
no a mac user) I've never been a big fan of dell but I have to give
credit where its due. Who cares if its suse, unbuntu, or whatever
just being able to choose what you want to use is a huge step
forward.

[Solaris_User]

Good Choice

I'm not a uber Ubuntu fan or anything.. but I think its overall a fair choice for a wide varity of people.

[ArtInvent]

Breakout year for Ubuntu

Two things have really been holding desktop Linux back. One of course is that it's been essentially unavailable pre-loaded onto machines that you can actually buy. So then the customer has to load their own OS. If Windows had to be loaded from scratch by every computer buyer, it would probably be a pretty tough sell.

Secondly, there have been too many competing versions of Linux with no clear desktop leader, no clear choice as an easy to point to alternative. That's simply too confusing to people not already familiar with Linux.

Is Ubuntu really the best version? Well, it may well be, but the truly significant thing is that the Linux community is now starting to unite (for some grudgingly) behind a single distribution, one that is mature and polished enough to be a real desktop alternative. It's that more unified front that may enable Ubuntu to be the breakout Linux success story that's been so long in coming.

Now things are getting interesting.

[cgpublic]

A Welcome Development

While a welcome development regarding choice in the marketplace,
let's check back in twelve months and gauge how many of those
who requested Linux put their money where their mouth is, i.e.,
purchasing a Dell pre-installed with Linux for themselves, their
employees or clients. Regardless of the larger implications, Linux
on the desktop needs to compete toe-to-toe with Windows and the
Mac OS on the merits of usability and productivity.

[thedreaming]

I'm amazed

I never thought it would happen, but there it is. A dell with ubuntu preinstalled. I wish them luck and I hope it works out for them and their customers.

[fredblotnic]

its about time

I have been waiting for this for sometime. I initially converted because I just love how Linux runs and feels. But I used to have time to build my PC now I don't and would love to buy a PC but till recently you cant do it without having a preloaded windows system. I feel its a waist to have windows and not use it. So until now I still build my own PCs. Also one other thing is laptops. I have bought laptops in the past that were refurbished so I can install Linux. Regardless of what some people who have tried Linux and haven't gotten very far would make others believe. Linux is a great OS. Not saying Windows isn't either but that its far greater to at least have the choice of what I want to install. Its nice to see Linux come into its own. Far greater to let consumers who might have wanted to try it have a chance to buy a preloaded system.

[wyth]

Dare we ask it?

Is 2007... THE YEAR OF THE LINUX DESKTOP?

[Tiger1964]

Why Ubuntu?

Its great that Dell is finally offering consumers a Linux option but why Ubuntu? I have tried to run Ubuntu several times and always give up in disgust. I switched back to openSuse 10.2 and now all is well on my Linux partition.

[ibmorjamn]

Unite and conquer

I have to agree with that statement!

[dmaz1287]

A poor metric

"Of the 160.5 million operating-system licenses shipped in 2006, Windows accounted for 92 percent, compared with 4.1 percent for Mac OS X and 3.8 percent for Linux, Gillen said. "We're not seeing any breakout momentum for Linux on desktop," he said."

This is a poor metric considering many distributions don't sell licenses.

[cyber_rigger]

Companies offering desktop Linux

Ubuntu seems to be the most popular choice
among current Linux computer vendors.


http://lxer.com/module/forums/t/23168/
http://lxer.com/module/db/index.php?dbn=14

[scottnet91]

From a 20+ Microsoft Professional Developer

Ubuntu is a serious contender. When you couple its serious challenge with Microsoft's losing of its mind by hammering and harming its developers this is likely to be the real deal. I have been truly and deeply impressed with Ubuntu. I just completed the upgrade from 6.10 to 7.04 (fiesty fawn) and it was flawless. Tools are awesome. My kids picked it up right away. Even Grandma had little trouble. I am developing applications for Windows, Mac, and Linux using one of the development languages and I cannot figure out why I even have Windows machines anymore. I certainly will not be moving to Vista.

[pyr02k1]

Not suprised really

I've been running Linux on and off for years now alongside Windows PCs. I've always prefered the Linux systems over the Windows even when there was a 1Gh difference in speed. (Gentoo is my preference, but I like Ubuntu for its ease of use and hardware support)

I think Ubuntu is the smart choice for moving Linux into mainstream production models of any line. It would make it easier on the company building and selling the PCs as well as on the end user. With Ubuntus ease of use, it tends to get more and more people to convert to Linux in that manner. It would be a lot harder without distros like Ubuntu around since many distros require you to configure much of it by hand as you go while Ubuntu may only have a minor handful of things thats it wont do for you. (I've tried and used at least a 15 distros in the past 3 years. Only Gentoo, openSuSE, Knoppix and Ubuntu worked right out of the box minus the wireless. Wireless was only due to a Broadcom driver being needed. The rest of the Distros had problems with sound or graphics more so then anything.)

Go Ubuntu, Knock em dead.

[chrispusey]

Dell picks Ubuntu for Linux PC

I think its a fantastic idea what Dell is doing giving Linux a real boost but I think they may have a problem with compatability with most of the systems on Dell products old and new if Ubuntu can make the installation as simple and painless as possible like Windows installation then Microsoft will have a run for its money.

[FutureGuy]

Why Dell??

It?s hard not to wonder why every company picks Linux just before they are going to go belly up. Dell is struggling and suddenly decided that Linux will save it, so did Sun and it?s still struggling. Oh well another one for the record books, lets see how long this experiment lasts.

[Jeremiah256]

HOW WILL IT AFFECT APPLE?

I have two Macs at home in addition to my PCs (one now loaded with Linux). I love Apple but Linux is making a very good impression with me. Right now most of what I need or want to do, I can do in Linux. It is not unconceivable that by the time I'm ready for another computer (2009-2010), I'll go for a Linux box. Both Microsoft and Apple relies on return customers like me. And I think this move will take more of a bite out of Apple than Microsoft.

[bkcoke1]

linux

I always saw linux as more of a professional platform. If you know what you're doing linux is fairly easy. I don't see how this will help Dell sell many computers as the vast majority of the population is more familiar with Windows and, to a lesser extent, Macs.

[bradyme]

Why Ubuntu?

1. that's what took 80% of the requests at ideaspeader, #2 it also has the most community support out there at this moment then any other distribution.

[bradyme]

Also..

In 3 months over 2 million new users from Conical's stats... That's huge