Dell to offer preloaded Linux computers; to sell through Wal-Mart
By Our Corporate Bureau | 25 May 2007
New York: In response to customer feedback, Dell Inc. is launching three computer systems, including one notebook with a pre- installed open-source Linux operating system. The computers are priced at $599 and will have the Ubuntu 7.04 Linux system.
Linux is the most popular variant of open-source software. Unlike proprietary software, open-source software lets developers share code and add functions, and users only pay for custom features, maintenance and technical support.
Earlier this month, Dell joined collaboration between Microsoft Corp. and Novell Inc. to allow Linux software to work with Windows on computer servers.
In another development, Dell has announced plans to start selling personal computers through Wal-Mart. The move marks a major push by Dell into the retail market after years of relying on direct sales through the mail, phone orders and the Internet.
Dell hopes to improve its sales against rival Hewlett-Packard, which overtook Dell last year as the world's biggest PC maker.
Initially the computer maker will sell its lowest-priced Dimension multimedia desktop computers, also available directly from the computer maker, through about 3,500 Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.