Dell taking Linux-equipped machines international

Nary a month after Mark Shuttleworth proclaimed that we'd all be seeing a few more Linux-based Dells in the not-too-distant future, Dell has officially announced plans to offer certain pre-fabricated desktops and laptops to those in Europe and China. Initially, the Inspiron 6400n lappie and Inspiron 530n desktop will be available to customers in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, and it was also stated that "Dell and Novell intend to offer SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 factory-installed on select consumer [machines] in China." The expansion of Linux-equipped machines into international markets came after the outfit reportedly "received many requests from customers all over the world to offer Linux" in their neck of the woods, and while the Chinese will still be waiting a bit to get their orders in, those in Europe can snag an Ubuntu-packed 6400n for around £329 ($665) or 530n for £399 ($806) right now.

[Via Direct2Dell]

[Rex @ Aug 13th 2007 4:12AM]

woot! 1st? okey more sanely, cool, this help people to know what the hell linux is in the first place, hence promote...but dunno, people outside the "cheap DSL" land wont be happy when there modems cant connect, or installing software is a whole new science (trust me, i face both problems on by Kubuntu)
otherwise, Pengiuns ATTACK!

[Mike @ Aug 14th 2007 11:18AM]

I find Ubuntu a breeze, my setup is anything but standard (64-bit, SLI), and it had no problem detecting and using my hardware, unlike WinXP! I assume that a preinstall from Dell would have all the requisite drivers (though my neighbours Dell vista machine didn't... another story). Software installation is idiot-proof using the Add Software util in the main menu, and for other software, I just get a Deb file, I rarely have to mess with the command line, and then only because I'm a tinkerer. 90% of people would find the change from windows almost unoticable. Unless they like games...

[Taylor @ Aug 13th 2007 5:39AM]

Anything that's not Microsoft is good with me. Still... I tried Ubuntu on my PC and the network card didn't work - therefore no internet. That's the one problem (driver support), but it's because of Microsoft, so I can blame them ;)

My main computer is a Mac - I have a PC for gaming.

[Josh @ Aug 13th 2007 8:12AM]

Ok so the Europe deal was announced on the 8th, when I submitted it to engadget...and it's taken five days to get over the iMacs and report this...

[Ethan Duffy @ Aug 13th 2007 9:45AM]

If you're in the UK, I think novatech should be your choice for this sort of thing (but they don't pre-install). However, having dell do this is the most choice the mainstream consumer in Britain has ever had.

[Magallanes @ Aug 13th 2007 2:07PM]

Dell did it's years ago without luck mainly
(warning : flamebait ahead)
nobody use linux but a bunch of nerds and techies,just admit it!.
(end warning).

But in server line works fine and you can choose between windows, linux or freedos (os-less).

[jono @ Aug 13th 2007 3:06PM]

obviously don't know your servers

[Riley @ Aug 15th 2007 1:52PM]

You clearly haven't used Ubuntu. Unless you want games, everything else (in my experience) has worked just as well as (and sometimes better than) Windows ever did.

[Gepard @ Aug 13th 2007 4:28PM]

It means - more pirated copies of Microsoft Windows will be installed on those Linux PCs. Do you really think people will be using Linux instead? Some will try probably, but the majority of them will probably install their old copy of Windows or a pirated copy.

[Tash Kavarish @ Aug 13th 2007 5:17PM]

Here's a possibly dumb question about em:

Can I take any of those pre-linux installed pcs, wipe em out, get a ubuntu cd from a trusted source and reinstall without running into issues?

Windows or Linux, I don't trust pre-installs, case in point I don't know -what- was pre-installed, legit or not (keyloggers/trojans/etc). And don't say it's because it's a name brand that it's fine, Dell or another, noone is beyond corrupt employees.

Right now I'm looking into a notebook for use with linux, can't really get one without knowing it'll work.

[Riley @ Aug 15th 2007 1:52PM]

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do that. In fact, that's probably a good idea.

[paperless @ Aug 14th 2007 10:29AM]

Dont you people see that even tho ubuntu is a great os (ive been using it for some time now) its not a os for the average computer joe yet.
It will be a headache for them and for dell which will probably have to give support to many angry costumers who cant understand crap of ubuntu.

[Tom @ Aug 20th 2007 1:00PM]

I challenge you to create an identical spec system (selecting Windows XP/Vista) and compare the price with the ubuntu one.

I thought open source free software should SAVE you money?!?

My tests = it costs more.

Please correct/flame me if I have made a mistake...