Dell and Linux

Dell and Linux

Posted May 2, 2007 15:24 UTC (Wed) by gdt (subscriber, #6284)
In reply to: Dell, you can go to by grouch
Parent article: Dude, you're getting Ubuntu (Linux.com)

It would be useful to be more specific. Dell currently sells a lot of Linux computers, as you would expect since Linux servers are 12% of the entire server/mini/mainframe market by revenue.

Also, Dell have for years tested their OptiPlex range against Linux and supported corporate customers putting RHEL on the factory installed disk image for those computers. That is, supported the use of Linux as a "terminal replacement" by banks and for other customer service points.

It sounds like you are talking about the Dell "N series" desktops. They were released accompanied by a FreeDOS disk with the expectation that enthusiasts would purchase the machines and install Linux themselves. This failed. Dell's brand had become mud with enthusiasts. Sales for non-enthusiasts were killed by the need to install the operating system and Microsoft's FUD campaign against "Naked PCs". The marketing was poor because Dell were still in a position to be heavied by Microsoft. There were never sales generated by the launch publicity to justify more marketing -- if you have a look on the website today you can see that Dell are still trying to run out the initial N series inventory.

Despite the risk and disappointment with the N series, Dell are trying desktop/laptop Linux again. I think that shows a commitment by Dell towards desktop Linux. Although I regret their failure with the "N series", unlike you I don't distain them for it. Rather I hope they've found the right approach and have better timing with this attempt.

Using Ubuntu was a good idea, since it counteracts the deadweight of the Dell brand amoung enthusiasts. Much better than offering Centos or Fedora in some attempt to leverage Dell's experience with supporting RHEL on servers.

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