| Dell to add Linux-certified desktops, laptops |
Feb. 26, 2007
The public spoke and said, "We want a Linux desktop," and Dell listened. On Feb. 23, the company announced that, as a result of "the community's interest in open source solutions like Linux and OpenOffice..., we are working with Novell to certify our corporate client products for Linux..."
This will include "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," the company continued.
Thus, we can soon expect to see Novell's SLED 10 (SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop) as an option on Dell's business desktop lines. This is no real surprise, since Novell and Dell have been slowly working together on Linux desktop projects. For example, the two have been working together on device drivers.
On the consumer side, Dell reported that "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."
This is no real change from Dell's previous position. In a DesktopLinux.com interview with Dell CEO Michael Dell last year, Mr. Dell said, "People are always asking us to support Linux on the desktop, but the question is: 'Which Linux are you talking about?'," Dell asked.
"If we say we like Ubuntu, then people will say we picked the wrong one. If we say we like and support Ubuntu, Novell, Red Hat, and Xandros, then someone would ask us, 'Why don't you support Mandriva? The challenge we have with picking one is that we think we'd disenchant the other distributions' supporters," he added.
That said, in 2007, Dell, the company, is adding its Latitude notebooks to its n-Series lineup. Dell's n-Series products ship without an operating system pre-installed. Dell will now offer its Latitude D420, D520, D620, and D820 laptops in this manner.
As Matt Domsch, a Dell Linux solution architect, reminds possible Dell Linux users, though, "As with other n-Series products, Dell hasn't tested any particular Linux distribution and doesn't offer software support for running Linux on these, so we encourage you to join our Linux mailing lists and to use ... your chosen distribution for community-based support."
Will Dell make a firmer commitment to Linux? While the page announcing this news bears the tagline at the top: "Dell recommends Windows Vista Business," the section on Linux ends, "We are continuing to investigate your other Linux-related ideas, so please continue to check here for updates."
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
Do you have comments on this story?
Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!
Related stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed