If the customer's always right, then let's hope that
Dell's ready to deliver. Since February 16 when it launched Ideastorm, a customer-based crowdsourcing site, over 100,000 comments have addressed the possibility of offering leading Linux versions preinstalled in addition to, or in place of Windows. Dell spokesman David Lord confirms that the Linux buzz is being "taken into consideration" and tells us we should "certainly stay tuned." Despite the vague update, Dell no longer has the luxury of turning a blind eye to high customer demand since it's getting exactly what it asked for in the first place. Believe it or not, Dell is no stranger to Linux, according to Lord who explains that it sells custom-designed, high-end Linux desktops for use in oil and gas exploration. There's no doubt that systems pre-loaded with Linux instead of Windows would cost less, but it's hard to say how much since it isn't clear what Dell tacks on for Windows. In addition, some customers are pushing to swap MS Office with OpenOffice, which is another way to reduce system prices. So it looks like Dell's got a real (Idea)storm a-brewin' and an interesting opportunity to make some big changes -- but stalling seems to be the plan du jour for now.
Read - Dell Ideastorm site
Read - Reuters
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MacroEQ @ Mar 7th 2007 11:41AM
Microsoft will undoutedly try and deter (and punish) Dell from doing this. I think customers will have to buy a Dell Linux PC like buying a 'Snake Bite' from a pub. Instead of asking for "half a lager, a half of cider and an empty pint glass" users will ask Dell for "No OS loaded and the option of adding Linux to your basket".
I can't see Dell Linux PCs sitting along side their Windows ones - because of Microsoft.
Paul @ Mar 7th 2007 11:52AM
I recall reading somewhere on the internet (so don't rely on this) that the price might actually go up because you are not getting all the ad junk from places like Yahoo, Google, and other places pre-installed on the system.
Jason @ Mar 7th 2007 11:59AM
That seems like the same line cable companies spout when people bring up a la carte programming options.
chaser24 @ Mar 7th 2007 12:01PM
It really comes down to the economics of providing the option. If you can buy a Dell without an OS or with Linux installed, Dell could possibly see more profit as it will be cheaper than the Vista installed alternative, but could be priced to provide more income to Dell. I wouldn't pass off this option so quickly, especially if there is concern with Vista compatibility that scares off consumers.
It is a good point though, it may come down to providing a service to install Linux on your desktop rather than having Dell Linux PCs and Dell Vista PCs cohabitating. They could provide desktops without an OS and the last option is for Windows or Linux with an associated service cost to install either.
J @ Mar 7th 2007 12:20PM
I don't see what the big deal is here. If you want to install Linux, install Linux. If you want to install Windows, install Windows. I would like it most if Dell just gave me the computer without all that s--- installed on it. My dad got a new computer for Christmas and I spent a day trying to figure out how to get rid of all the junk already installed on it. I should have just reformatted it right off and it would have taken about 2 hours. When did Dell/HP/Lenovo start selling software? Give me just the hardware I paid for!
Rickie @ Mar 7th 2007 12:24PM
Not quite accurate. There are only 950+ comments to that idea and idea "jumps" get credited at 10 per person so it's only has about 10,000 upvotes.
John B @ Mar 7th 2007 12:32PM
If Dell's history is to be taken into account, this announcement can only mean one thing -- they're getting ready to negotiate a new price with Microsoft.
This is the exact same bullsh*t that Dell used with Intel. Just around the time that they were to negotiate with Intel, here comes the announcement about using AMD to much fanfare, and then after negotiating with Intel -- SHOCK!! -- some pathetic excuse about how AMD is not viable or not in enough demand. I think that the only reason why Dell uses AMD now is that we got wise to their tactics after the third or fourth AMD announcement. Looks like they've decided to do that with Linux now.
What? Me, skeptical???
CaptSaltyJack @ Mar 7th 2007 12:56PM
And Dell being Dell, they will find a way to fuck up Linux on their systems as well, and provide useless support for it. I don't see this as being any big deal for savvy folks who reformat their machines anyway. I can take a Dell laptop right now and just slap Ubuntu onto it. Maybe this will have some value in the business sector, but.. for personal use? Dunno..
CyBeR @ Mar 7th 2007 1:10PM
Of course they also already sell shitloads of servers with linux preinstalled, and they have a website for those who want to do it themselves or with distros they don't preinstall for you: http://linux.dell.com/
jodosh @ Mar 7th 2007 1:19PM
I agree that GNU/Linux preinstalled is still a far off option at this point, but the intriguing concept that comes from all of this is linux compatibility. After looking around on the site for the past few days the idea that comes up in a lot of discussions is the desire for dell to at least give users information about weather or not the computer they are building will be supported in the kernel. For me I would be a loyal dell customer if they could sort that out for me so I don't have to spend hours each time I am getting some new hardware looking through compatibility lists.
trevor attridge @ Mar 7th 2007 3:49PM
Dell has obviously considered thorough the release last month of the N-Seris which comes ‘ Windows free ‘.
Was this a direct result of customer feedback – who knows, but in one fail swoop they have achieved something truly brilliant or a Perfect Storm ?
Dell 5 years ago experimented by offering flavors of Linux with it’s hardware – it discontinued due to the cost of installation - this time the offer is slightly different and is based on ' true ' demand - interesting to see the sales figures for these in 6 months - is the offer of Windows free system enough - or do people truly want it preinstalled.
With the changes in management over the past 18 months it needs to keep a focus – shipping Linux and Open source is not ideal , especially when your focus is on margins and profit ( something manufacturing a PC these does not readily produce ) for the additional items upsold during the transaction.
Has Dell done the right thing here, Should Dell listen to it’s audience ?
http://onehandshake.blogspot.com/2007/03/ideastorm-sinking-dells-ship.html
Karl @ Mar 7th 2007 5:16PM
"There's no doubt that systems pre-loaded with Linux instead of Windows would cost less..."
I think there is more than doubt... In fact I wouldn't be surprised if a PC with Linux installed cost *more* than an other wise identical windows PC after all the incentives and kickbacks offered by the software publishers are factored in.
Josh @ Mar 7th 2007 5:55PM
*groan*
root for linux?
lsatenstein @ Mar 7th 2007 7:44PM
I bet HP, Toshiba, Acer, and others are just waiting in the background to see what DELL will do, and at what price.
Dell could ask $50 to pre-install linux, or they could even put linux on a hidden partition to allow a fast recovery, should the user do damage to the main one.
We do live in interesting times.
Leslie
Stefan @ Mar 7th 2007 10:38PM
Silentrevolt.com sells computers with linux installed
James Smith @ Mar 8th 2007 2:26AM
I think that if Dell were to offer Linux PCs they would just stuff them full of ads and bundled crap just to make money off it like they do with Windows PCs. This in effect would make the Linux Dells as useless as the Windows ones.