Dell Finally Sells Linux-based PCs in Europe and Asia

Dell Inc. has recently announced that they will start delivering their Linux-based PC in Europe and Asia. So far Dell has offered Linux pre-loaded desktops and laptops only inside the United States. Dell’s officials said at the time they were seriously considering expanding the sales but there were some issues which should have been solved before doing so, such as creating translations specific to each country.

But this Tuesday Dell announced they are ready to start delivering the systems to the United Kingdom, France, Gemany and China. Dell said that the Linux version installed on its machines from the European market will be Ubuntu, the same as for those on the US market. However, regarding the systems which will be sold in Asia, these will ship with Novell Inc.’s SuSE Linux. Also the Ubuntu PCs have already gone on sale since Tuesday while the SuSE based ones are still waiting to go on sale. Dell’s officials did not mention when exactly they’ll be ready, but this should be sometime soon.

Dell was the first large PC vendor to include in its offer pre-installed Linux systems. According to Dell, they’ve made such a movement as an answer to the Linux users from IdeaStorm.com forum who demanded for Linux systems. After Dell, there is also Lenovo which has recently announced the release of a Linux based laptop.

Kevin Kettler, chief technology officer with Dell was the one to announce the news regarding the Linux PCs sale expansion at this year’s LinuxWorld convention which takes place in San Francisco California, at Moscone Center from 6 to 9 August. This announcement was somehow expected as Dell has been writing on its official Direct2Dell website about plans to offer Linux-based systems outside US too.

"Wanted to be clear that Dell does have plans to offer Linux to more consumers in additional locations outside the United States. More details to come later this summer. We will also offer Ubuntu to small business customers in the future", wrote Lionel Menchaca, Dell’s digital media manager on Direct2Dell website.

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