BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Dell Inc. has
announced that it will soon debut and sell a new line of certified, user-ready
Linux-loaded desktop and laptop computers after collecting new product and
service ideas from its users and customers.
Dell launched on Feb. 16 two new ways online, Dell
IdeaStorm and StudioDell, where customers and other IT enthusiasts can offer
recommendations about future Dell products and configurations that they'd want
to buy.
Dell CEO Michael Dell annouced that he was looking
for ways to re-energize the company's sales and financial performance after
several disappointing quarters.
One post that got a lot of interest was the idea that
Dell bring back a reasonably priced laptop computer that runs Linux.
Just a week after debuting the IdeaStorm site, the
company said Friday night that the Linux-loaded desktops and laptops will be the
first user-generated suggestions that it will follow.
"It's exciting to see the IdeaStorm community's
interest in open-source solutions like Linux and OpenOffice," the company said
in a post on the website.
"Your feedback has been all about flexibility and we
have seen a consistent request to provide platforms that allow people to install
their operating system of choice," said the PC giant. "We are listening, and as
a result, we are working with Novell to certify our corporate client products
for Linux, including our OptiPlex desktops, Latitude notebooks and Dell
Precision workstations. This is another step towards ensuring that our customers
have a good experience with Linux on our systems."
The company claimed that other Linux distributions
were also suggested by users, and that Dell will look into possible
certifications with other Linux brands across its product lines.
Stephen O'Grady, an analyst at RedMonk in Bath,
Maine, said the move could work if Dell sets its expectations appropriately for
Linux-equipped laptops.
"But people expecting Linux to have the same impact
as in the server market where the operating system is widely used in corporate
IT would be a stretch." said O'Grady.
(Agencies)
