by Playfuls Staff |
27th February 2007
After last year’s estimated $1 billion deal with Google, Dell is now providing customers with another type of pre-installed software on its desktops and laptops: the Linux OS.[more]
In 2006, Dell Inc. started selling computers equipped with Google’s programs in a deal that would give the search giant greater visibility on the world’s No.1 PC reseller. Although financial details concerning the partnership weren’t disclosed, Google apparently paid Dell up to $1 billion to Dell to load its software over a three-year period.
Now, following the launch of two new initiatives called Dell IdeaStorm (www.dellideastorm.com) and StudioDell (www.studiodell.com), which refer to how could Dell improve its products, the Texan computer manufacturer will start selling its cheap desktops and laptops with Linux OS pre-installed. This is a consequence of more than 88,609 requests made on Idea Storm (and counting), for pre-installed Linux.
“It’s exciting to see the IdeaStorm community’s interest in open source solutions like Linux and OpenOffice. Your feedback has been all about flexibility and we have seen a consistent request to provide platforms that allow people to install their operating system of choice. We are listening, and as a result, we are working with Novell to certify our corporate client products for Linux, including our OptiPlex desktops, Latitude notebooks and Dell Precision workstations. This is another step towards ensuring that our customers have a good experience with Linux on our systems.”
Since there are many distributions of Linux out there, Dell refused to pick a particular one, allowing customers to choose what they like (this is after all, one of the major “philosophies” of the Linux community).
“We don't want to pick one distribution and alienate users with a preference for another. We want users to have the opportunity to help define the market for Linux on desktop and notebook systems. In addition to working with Novell, we are also working with other distributors and evaluating the possibility of additional certifications across our product line. We are continuing to investigate your other Linux-related ideas, so please continue to check here for updates.”
Along similar lines, thousands of users also recommended that Dell pre-install Firefox instead of Internet Explorer on to its computers.
