Dell launches Linux PCs in UK

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 7 Aug 2007 at 10:19

Dell has announced that it's to start selling PCs pre-installed with Linux in the UK.

The company will sell one laptop and one desktop line with Ubuntu Linux pre-installed. The move follows the highly successful launch of Ubuntu systems in the US, earlier this year.

"Dell is continuing to deliver on our commitment to give customers what they're asking for - the option of choosing Linux as their operating system," says Charlie Tebbs, marketing director, Consumer, Dell EMEA. "As we hear from customers throughout Europe and around the world, we will continue to explore the opportunities to expand our offerings globally, so stay tuned."

The systems on offer will be the the Inspiron 6400n laptop and the Inspiron 530n desktop. Dell claims the cost savings made by not having to pay for the Windows licence means they can offer the systems for sale from £329 and £399 respectively, including delivery and VAT.

Dell says it's not paying a penny to pre-load Ubuntu on to the PCs - and it's going to make that very clear to its customers. "Customers won't be charged for the operating system. It will come across on the invoice as a zero-charged item," Adam Griffin, transaction product manager at Dell, told PC Pro.

However, Dell's support for the Linux systems is limited. "We'll offer full hardware support on the products," says Griffin. "We'll also offer a basic software support as well, which includes install and uninstall, network connectivity and configuration. For any advanced software related questions, we have a great relationship with Canonical [Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth's Ubuntu support company], and we basically will direct customers to Canonical... and that's a costed support."

What constitutes an advanced software question that falls outside of Dell's remit? "They'll have a set number of questions they can answer," Griffin claims, all relating to the three topics highlighted above.

Griffin also hinted that the company may consider selling dual boot Windows/Linux systems in the future. "There are no plans at present, but again it's all about customer feedback. If we hear it's a customer requirement we'll look at that. Watch this space," says Griffin.