14 DAY TRIAL // May Dell Inc. company announced it would start releasing desktop computers and notebook systems with pre-installed Linux as an option. At the time, Dell said it did not decide on what Linux distro would be shipped with their systems but in a short while Canonical broke the silence and stated that the respective distribution is Ubuntu 7.04, Feisty Fawn.
The reasons behind Dell's choice are pretty visible, Ubuntu being one of the most popular open source operating systems at this time, enjoying qualities of a modern, reliable, accessible and highly user-friendly system. And this has proven to be a very good choice. Once Dell's Linux-based computers hit the store everyone got happy. Well, not exactly everyone. The fellows living outside the US borders had no reason to cheer as the pre-installed Linux Dell systems are available only in the US. Therefore, they've considered starting some petitions on the grounds that, once they make themselves heard, Dell would start shipping the precious Linux PCs outside the US too. There was first a petition called "Dell Ubuntu for Europe" which at the moment counts 13090 submits and then, a second petition currently gathering 27 480 submits called "Sell Linux PCs Wordwide - not only the United States".
The petitions were posted on Dell's IdeaStorm user forum. IdeaStorm is also the place where Dell got convinced to launch the pre-loaded Linux systems. Eric Greffier, Dell's EMEA director of client marketing, said in May that Dell considers expanding their market for the Linux PCs outside the US, starting with the UK, but this will be delayed "due to driver certification issues and the logistical difficulties posed by translating support documentation." He also said that "Dell is still working out details of its global programme and will share details when it has definitive plans - there is nothing further to add to this position".