Dell: we're going Linux, and it's all because of you

Dell, oddly enough, is listening to the many thousands of direct requests its customers made during its big public brainstorm (aka IdeaStorm) not so far back. The result of nearly 70% of participants requesting Linux on Dell machines? Linux will soon be pre-installed on consumer desktops and laptops outside their server and Precision desktop lineup -- hoorah! What we're most curious about: when going to configure your system, how much money will one save by ducking out of the "Microsoft tax"? No word on when we'll get to find out what the magic number is, but we imagine the Linux rollover won't be immediate since Dell still has some serious work to do not only with the driver and software end of things to make future machines fully open-source, but also prepping and training its end-user support staff to get Linux-compatible, as it were.

[Via PC World]

[mike @ Mar 29th 2007 1:29AM]

good news for dell buyers. I got a good deal on my dell laptop, but can only imagine the money I could of saved without having it come with windows XP. The second my dell arrived in the mail, I formatted it. Since dell wanted to charge me $10 for a winXP backup disc (since the OS was pre-loaded), I couldent even install it. So 10 seconds after I got my brande new dell, I formatted it and did a quick auto XP install from a pirate copy DVD I had. What a shame. I had to pay for that software. I would of liked to save mroe money with a free linux pre-install.

[BatteryAcid @ Mar 30th 2007 4:41PM]

Same exact thing happened to my friend. It's a shame they no longer include install discs. If you have a HP you can call customer service and bash them till they send you a disc.

[7of7 @ Mar 29th 2007 1:35AM]

Great...now those of us who are legit Dell customers but are too polite to complain will have our money wasted on the vocal minority of Linux users who apparently can't just install their own OS. Now not only will their computers cost more because of the costs of supporting and loading Linux, ours will too. Remember how everyone made fun of the FCC when they went crazy after 20 nutjobs from Focus on the Family called them after the Super Bowl? Dell is doing the same thing. A vocal minority of people is completely ruining the system for the rest of the people. I love my Dell, but I'm afraid it will be my last.

[Travis @ Mar 29th 2007 1:45AM]

That is absolutely absurd. They might not even officially support it in terms of phone service, etc. Frankly you've not even used a Linux machine in the year because they've become increasingly easy to use! Ubuntu is ALMOST to the point of point and click use. Also, your beloved Microsoft machines is more expensive than a Linux machine. As for "screwing up the system": I'll gladly do my part to remove the monopoly that is in place.

Also, this will win Dell customers, because it isn't alienating their current customers, just widening the range of their audience. The fact is I would have never previously considered a Dell, as they are overpriced for their proprietary hardware, but with the recent addition of a Linux variant of Dell machines that are available I will gladly buy a Dell.

[Steve @ Mar 29th 2007 6:24AM]

I think the benefit of Dell supporting Linux isn't just that it saves a little time vs. installing it yourself; the bigger benefit would hopefully be that Dell would use hardware that's well supported by Linux, so Linux users don't lose any functionality.

[mortong @ Mar 29th 2007 9:08PM]

D*mn you kids, get off my grass!

[n8_glenn @ Mar 29th 2007 5:51PM]

So you're saying that "the vocal minority" should just shut up and pay for an operating system they don't want, and then deal with the headaches of installing drivers because dell doesn't support linux, because you're scared that dell having to retrain their support staff or do extra driver work will somehow filter down to you paying more money for a computer that isn't even running linux? And you're basing this theory on what exactly?

[robmx @ Mar 30th 2007 10:15AM]

And it will be my first of many and I will talk to my friends. Wonderful news.

It may come to pass that the few will be many.

[ruzkin @ Mar 30th 2007 7:34AM]

Wait, wait what? Extra costs of installing and supporting Linux?

It's free, chump. And it installs in much the same manner to Windows. Hell, you don't even need to install, you can run Ubuntu from a cd with a fully functioning GUI. Programs download and install themselves upon request with Synaptic...

Methinks someone is talking out their arse.

[the7erm @ Mar 31st 2007 5:47AM]

You don't get it.

M$ Windows has been pre-installed on every computer I've ever owned.

This means that even if I don't use the OS M$ is profiting from me.

M$ has done more questionable things than I care to go into.

I will not buy anything M$ not when their vista does things like this http://aaxnet.com/editor/edit043.html, and their old os does things like this:http://www.fuckmicrosoft.com/content/ms-hidden-files.shtml

I've also heard the Windows Media Player logs what you listen to and sends it off to some unknown destination.

I can't seem to find a linux laptop anywhere. I want to be assured that M$ didn't make .001 cents off me.

There is no other area in life that a company has 90% of the market. At the very least 90% of the home market. Name one other industry that does that?

I don't care if Dell pockets the difference, and the computer costs the same, just as long as M$ doesn't get any of my money. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a discount of ... $100 or so, but more than likely it'll be $30

I plan on building my next desktop, but I'd like to own a laptop with wifi. If dell offers linux laptops I'll buy it from there.

I don't really care about phone support just the promise that the hardware has been tested, and it runs in linux.

[Dixonij @ Mar 29th 2007 1:44AM]

All I can say is that Dell had better still leave an option for Windows to be installed or they are going to lose a LOT of customers. Not being able to have Windows is going to be a complete mindf*** for the majority of mainstream computer buyers who do not know what the heck Linux is.

[tiuk @ Mar 29th 2007 1:52AM]

You should quit the internet.

[spk @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:20PM]

i usually try to be nice, but you are a complete retard

[Nick @ Mar 29th 2007 2:25AM]

ahahahhhaaha


agreed.

[tekdroid @ Mar 29th 2007 2:05AM]

the fact that we can't even order a mainstream laptop without Microsoft software tells us something. IMO, Microsoft discourages this because in their eyes every computer without their software uses counterfeit software.

10 bucks says Dell will pocket the savings from any Linux offering they put out. In the past didn't some of their machines come with FreeDOS with no discount for those choosing these machines? Yes, they did that.

[Matt F @ Mar 29th 2007 2:45AM]

simply amazing! this is a very big step for the open-source community!

i find it hard to believe someone would think that an option for windows would be left out, that would be obsurd.

[mccarron @ Mar 29th 2007 3:02AM]

@7of7
You really think they would pass the cost along to Windows customers? No they will either NOT offer a discount to the Linux buyers or just a limited discount, using the extra to pay for the costs of offering Linux.
No they won't get rid of Windows, are you serious? Not for years and years at least.
The majority of computer users who don't know what the heck Linux is also don't use a lot of the more complicated features on their own computers and therefore a transition to a streamlined flavor of Linux, such as Ubuntu, would be quite easy. The user interface on a Linux system is closer to the of a Windows machine than a Mac's is.
Go Dell, this is a major step. Lets hope this goes well and everyone else takes notice.

[Paul @ Mar 29th 2007 8:46AM]

I completely agree with you but I wanted to point out something.

The way I look at it the KDE environment is much closer to windows, while the GNOME environment leans more towards an Apple interface.

I normally use a Windows computer, but when I do use a Linux system I just like the way Gnome looks more than KDE.

[mccarron @ Mar 29th 2007 11:27AM]

Very true, KDE is probably closer to Windows but either one is easy enough to pick up for a basic user. I have little experience with KDE myself so I cited the one I know best.

[TheBugMan @ Mar 29th 2007 4:06AM]

I would like to know the prices of these Dell machines, cause like some have said they are in the buisness to make money and might not pass the savings. But this is great news to me that they are diversifying a little.

[KC @ Mar 29th 2007 4:49AM]

I'm all for it. It would be nice to see a Dell Linux distro that supports all the notebook/desktop wireless options, has native support for accelerated video cards, etc.

[Anonymous @ Mar 29th 2007 5:13AM]

This is somewhat faulty reporting. 100% of all their "Pre-Configs" will still be Windows. The only place linux is going is to a small checkbox when you manually config a machine. Why anyone would want to buy a Dell PC (Boooooo Dell Sucks ass) and then put Linux on it is beyond me. This only seems viable if you want to avoid paying the 10 dollars it costs them to get Windows XP or Vista on your box through OEM.

[delia @ Apr 4th 2007 1:30PM]

You can get XP for 10 dollars? WHERE? I live in the netherlands and have to pay considerably more.

[meist3r @ Mar 29th 2007 5:28AM]

Isn't it obvious that our Voyager fan here doesn't know his computers?
-"I love my Dell, but I'm afraid it will be my last."
Why? Do you split up with a girl too because she has made one decision that doesn't comply to your agenda? That's definitely not love. Not what I'd call love anyway.

-"Great...now those of us who are legit Dell customers but are too polite to complain will have our money wasted..."
Complain about what? About choice? If Dell said you could save 20$ by denying people the choice between Intel and AMD would you do it? If you limit the choices people can make for their PERSONAL computer than Dell will lose even more customers that WOULD BE buying a Dell PC w/ Linux pre-installed but don't because it's not available.

More choice - More customers - More revenue = Lower prices.
Less choice - Less customers - Less revenue = Higher prices.
Now who's responsible for wasting money?

-"...on the vocal minority of Linux users who apparently can't just install their own OS"
In my experience it's usually the Dell-buying Windows user that doesn't know smack about computers and (I quote) "can't just install their own OS". Like someone mentioned before this whole issue is about the regular user which are not Ubergeeks and just wants to write email, letters and surf the web that a decently prices Dell/Linux machine could lead away from the Redmondian monopoly.

I think it's great that finally some big companies decide to grant Linux users their right for equal treatment. I am a Linux user myself and why the heck should I go through the installation/configuration process just because I can? Windows users could too and if you're an asshole you could say "Anyone that doesn't know how to assemble/install/set up a computer himself shouldn't use one" but that's plain stupid and impossible to demand. I want to have the right (and the opportunity therefore) to purchase a computer that is preconfigured with the kind of OS that I want to use, not someone telling me what they think is best and then leaving me with the work to change whatever they didn't think of.

That's like a car salesman that tells you: "Well we only sell Diesel engines here, if you want to run your vehicle on gas you will have to get a gasoline-engine somewhere and install it yourself -after you have removed and returned the engine, that you don't use, to us in your own sparetime and with your work". That's contrary to what people buy preconfigured systems for -saving the time of choosing parts and setting up their system!

Thanks Dell for your consideration that people without Windows don't necessarily live in caves and want to participate in the consumer market. (There's a pun hidden in that last sentence).

[duke @ Mar 29th 2007 5:49AM]

how about not putting in any hard drives for the advance user ? since dell is already considering doing linux, there is no bond to specific operating system anymore..

I'd love to see the price knock down another $200 or so.

[NarfPointZort @ Mar 29th 2007 9:08AM]

What would the point of that be...? What does Linux have to do with a no hard drive option?

[Zzephyr @ Mar 29th 2007 5:49AM]

Ohhhhh hey, ha ha ha good one.

[Frank Daley @ Mar 29th 2007 8:04AM]

What nobody has mentioned is that Linux will provide Dell with the capabilities to customize its hardware offering in the same way that Apple customizes its hardware/software offerings.

Microsoft Windows requires that Dell offer exactly the same solutions as HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, etc. while Linux will provide Dell with the option to provide unique hardware & software combos. For example, high-speed video editing hardware with an optimized Linux OS and associated applications.

Way to go Dell - and based on the many frantic and ridiculous comments on this forum, it looks like lots of Microsoft employees and others in the pocket of the Microsoft PR machine are mighty scared.

[Andir3.0 @ Mar 29th 2007 9:20AM]

Gnome user myself :P Right now I'm really loving Ubuntu. I've been on a search for a nice Linux build to install on my parent's machine. They don't play alot of games (but they love Snood!) so I don't have to worry about them finding software (damn I wish more game studios thought outside the MS box. Give it time. I just have to wait.) It has to be something that I can leave them with and not have to worry about them really screwing it up and so far it's looking like a winner.

[Norock @ Mar 29th 2007 3:23PM]

Apparently it's only for "advance user". People like you or I couldn't comprehend the advantages of a laptop with no storage space because we are not yet that advanced.

[engadget.com @ Apr 2nd 2007 5:50PM]

@NarfPointZort:
Because they never put in a large enough drive and one always has to add bigger one anyway.

Personally, I'd rather see it without RAM, because they're ram prices always suck and I end up discarding the stick dell gave me when I add the ram I want, but if you want that kind of control you may as well build your own PC.

[dixonij @ Mar 29th 2007 9:26AM]

And I should quit the internet why? All I was stating is that there are a number of consumers out there who all they know when it comes to computers is Windows. Granted, I'm happy for Linux getting such a big boost into the mainstream with something like this but it is bound to turn away some customers who do not know what Linux is.

[brian @ Mar 29th 2007 11:02AM]

Because there's no way in hell Dell will just dump Linux on every one of their customers. OF COURSE there'll be a Windows option, and no doubt it'll be the default setting as well.

[lionelbob @ Mar 29th 2007 10:50AM]

When Linux can run great games, then it will be ok to put on your DEll, HP or whatever.

[Jamin @ Mar 29th 2007 4:50PM]

http://www.transgaming.com/

You can play most if not all your windows games under linux. It is a strange business model, but interesting. You have to start somewhere I guess. (Personally I think the popularity of Mac's and games like World of Warcraft will be more effective in getting ports of games to BSD/Linux platforms. Development wise, they are the same platform.)

[Chou @ Mar 29th 2007 2:04PM]

I'm a mac user, myself. But I still use linux for serious administration. I think that this is an awesome step for dell. If they give the option to include Crossover Office with the OS, then it's all on and I would definitely reconsider my opinion of Dell

[OddManOut @ Mar 29th 2007 3:25PM]

I don't know why they are going to bother installing it. They may already do this, but I think it would just be easier to offer an option to buy a machine with NO OS pre loaded and then just offer a retail box of one or more Linux distros for sale as a separate item. I mean anyone who can handle Linux at this point can probably install their own OS and would want to customize the install anyway.

But, choice is good. And it's nice to see Dell responding to what people want/ask for. I know businesses that have Windows site licensing should appreciate it since they would just be overwriting whatever was pre-loaded with a ghost image anyway.
This way at least it will cost less...


Keep in mind too that this article at least doesn't say which distro they will be offering. I'd guess Red Hat/Fedora or Xandros, but depending on how they market it (whether they target businesses or consumers) it could end up being something like Linspire.

Not quite what the 7331 hard core haxxorz were envisioning, eh ?

Still, even if it is Linspire (which isn't actually that bad), it probably won't hitch while playing MP3s, or transfer files over a gigabit link in sub megabit speeds (which is more than I can say for Vista at this point...)

This could end up being a nightmare for Dell in the support area though. Maybe they should just buy out Novel and rebadge Novels offerings as 'DellOS'. Complete OS infrastructure in place all in one fell swoop...

Heck, since they would then control both hardware and software on their machines, they could launch a "high end" line of PCs and laptops and be the poor mans 'Apple'.


But that probably wouldn't work...I just can't picture Micheal Dell in a Turtleneck...

[Landlocked @ Mar 29th 2007 3:28PM]

While I absolutely love my free Ubuntu distro...only a small percentage of Dell customers are going to want Linux. Dell isn't going to sink a lot of support into the Linux side because the return won't be there...especially since the OS is going to be free!

[David @ Mar 29th 2007 3:38PM]

Finally! DELL are giving their users choice, instead of "Recommending Windows" but not giving an alternative, that's more like forcing than recommending to be honest... I just hope they don't create their own version of Linux that has lots of DELL crap built in like with the Windows versions...

[Curtism @ Mar 29th 2007 4:46PM]

I don't think pre-installed linux is really a big deal, as any prospective linux user should really be able to handle the install, especially with super easy GUI installers like in Ubuntu. Also, there will be very little to no decrease in price, because they will lose their kickbacks from MS and others on these machines. However, what is more important is that they will be supporting Linux with their hardware (laptops especially), so there won't be any weird driver issues with oddball proprietary parts.

[Dale @ Mar 29th 2007 5:47PM]

This is awesome. For those of you who dislike this idea, WHY? The fact that you MUST order an operating system with your Dell and they have only had Microshi* available wasn't too great in my view. Now that I can get it with Linux, I can by a Dell without ever buying any Microshi*. Sure there may be a few who purchase these that "couldn't install an OS themselves", but at least we can now (or soon will be able to) buy a Dell with out any Microshi*.

[Linus Torvalds @ Mar 29th 2007 6:01PM]

Oooooooooooooooooooooh BOY! A crappy OS that isn't even feature complete! How are they going to install things like Quicktime, Windows media codecs, DVD playback, ipod syncro software, or all the other non-GPL'ed software that people have come to expect? (yes, software to do that exists on linux. no, it isn't legal because of copyright and/or DMCA.) And what are you going to do with all your stuff? Digital camera, mp3 player, movie camera, pda, cell phone....? What then? Let's assume, on the off chance, that you DO get some of these to work. Have fun using obscure formats like ogg, png, the million and one flavors of avi, and so on. WHAT?!?! Your device doesn't support these formats?!?

WELL SCREEEEEEEEEEW YOU!!!!!!!

Ya know, you're the problem. Buying corporate hardware just because its compatible and easy to use and playing right into the hands of our society that is totally driven by for-profit enterprise. You're such a blood sucking capitalist. Don't you remember how good communism was? Remember Stalin? And waiting in line for bread?!? And everything you have being property of the state? Shooooot...I'll take government guaranteed mediocrity and stagnation over a chance to do something with my life any day...that's why I run linux and live with my parents. I don't buy into that capitalist bullshit because it hits to the core of something that, as a linux user, I know nothing about: INNOVATION. Personally, I'm hanging on to my pentium 2 400mhz because it runs my xfce/kernel distro that I rolled myself (#include ) just fine. Maybe now that dell's cranking out linux boxes I might buy a new one and run it until the hackers figure out how to get OS X onto a generic PC, at which point I'll be able to join you all in the modern computing era.

Sorry, but few things get me riled up like linux bigots.

rEpr@zenT.

[Jamin @ Mar 29th 2007 6:09PM]

Dell has some work to do, especially beefing up their Linux development group and better support. They've been pretty good in the past, but are lagging behind in release of timely updates to drivers for linux.(Servers and high-end workstations.) They will also have to determine and publish how deep they want to take their end-user support.(breadth and depth.) How well can the outsourced companies in India support linux over the phone? (scary thought!)

Dell has done some great things for the Opensource community with few resources. http://linux.dell.com/

Also, Dell if you read this, Thank you for DKMS!! I don't know why it took so long for a process like this to evolve. Now if we can get everyone who distributes a driver RPM to DKMS'ify it, that would be great! (I think Dag Weeirs has been asking that people do it though! Qlogic has at least one driver too.)

For Everyone else, DKMS made it so you didn't have to recompile a driver by hand, say for example a Nvidia video card, every single time a kernel was updated. That was a huge headache and still is for some people who use linux. Really, it should only be used for bleeding-edge releases and the "Stable" releases should be included in the kernel... which is not an option for ATi and Nvidia without opensourcing their Drivers. =\ (Effectively your video card drivers are now installed much in the way it's been on Windows systems when you use DKMS. You update your kernel and video drivers independently ... for the most part.) It would be great if Dell configures their distro of choice with this technology.

Exciting news indeed! ... if Dell handles it correctly. ;)

[Adam Kimberlin @ Mar 29th 2007 7:44PM]

I think it is great what Dell is doing with this. The only thing that I wonder about is how they are going to handle the tech support for it. From what I have heard, Dell is going to offer very limited tech support which makes sense because an open source OS can be changed by the user in such a way that it would be virtually impossible to help them fix it over the phone. Kudos Michael Dell

[Kenny Hyder @ Mar 29th 2007 8:38PM]

Yeah Baby! It's all about the open source software! That's the same reason why I choose Adobe Space Monkey over the oh so costly CS3!

[Mitch @ Mar 29th 2007 11:10PM]

Hey Linus...I would like to know why you're bashing Linux so hard when your name is Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel?

Also, I just recently installed OpenSUSE 10.2 and it had plenty of features. For one thing, it did support my camera and video camera. Also, it had features in it that you ahve to pay hundreds for in Windows (3d visual effects). Also, Ubuntu and Fedora and several other distributions have become so advanced that now they can even install all of those codecs you need for everything. Also, the GIMP and default picture loading programs in Linux do happen to support several media formats, including JPG and other 'common' formats.

It's an insult to Linux users like me and Linus Torvalds when you commit fraud like that.

[Derek @ Mar 29th 2007 11:54PM]

Theoretically if Dell preinstalled linux on a computer and supposing everything just worked out of the box, your average oblivious Windows user would in all likelihood never know that they were not using Windows. Most computer users don't really care what OS they are using. They just want their computer to work. When they what to use a word processor, they want to use a word processor. I've been doing freelance computer repair for years. In that time I've found that its not that they are in love with MS Office or Internet Explorer...its that it came with there machine when they bought it! A dell customized Ubuntu system set up to emulate a generic windows interface could easily fool lots of basic computer users. Hell, slap on some desklets and throw in beryl too. Then they will probably think its Vista!

[jonbarnett @ Mar 30th 2007 8:23AM]

7of7 is a troll on just about every tech web site there is. it's best to ignore him

[Kevin Chapman @ Mar 30th 2007 11:47AM]

Even though I am personally not ready to make the move to Linux, I don't like the way vista has turned out and love seeing how companies are finally offering other options so that operating systems like Linux can finally expand to the point where they are user-friendly and a viable option for the average uneducated home user (Yes that is both a Good thing and a scary thing but it's what drive things forward) Keep up the good work.

[the7erm @ Mar 31st 2007 5:46AM]

It's a moral issue for me. I don't like M$, and I don't want one dollar going to M$. If there's no os ok. I just don't want M$ making money off of me. If there was a way to get ubuntu, or even kubuntu pre-installed even better. Maybe a sticker that says linux compatible to prove they've tested all the drivers.

I'm pretty sure dell will pocket the savings, but in the end I think this is a great thing. M$ is getting rich off linux users as well. I'd love to be able to get a laptop with wifi that M$ doesn't make any money off of.

Maybe emachines will start coming with linux pre-loaded, maybe a dual boot. It'd be awesome.

One thing is for sure, even if I have to build my next PC It's going to be 100% M$ free.