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Dell to Ship Linux Desktops in Europe

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the somebody-stop-the-insanity dept.

Anglophile writes "Looks like Dell has launched a new line of desktop computers. The Dell Optiplexes will be sold in Europe, come with the Linspire operating system and include a one year free membership to their download warehouse. "

8 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. great by fr0dicus · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Something wrong with the big distros?

    1. Re:great by clester · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I agree... Although I prefer Debian, Something like Mandrake would be more suitable for the average joe. The tools that come right out of the box are great for anyone that wants to use linux. Not to mention a decent package manager...

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      -- Real programmers don't comment their code. It was hard to write, it should be hard to understand.
  2. Who gets the savings by MrMojado · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Do they still pay the microsoft tax? I would assume Dell passes the savings of not paying for an OS right into their pocket. Consumers will not see lower prices.

  3. Re:No, try $25 cheaper. by jdhutchins · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "could basically shut down Dell by not selling to them"

    Microsoft COULD do that, but it'd be a blantant violation of their slap-on-the-wrist agreement with the DoJ. They probably couldn't get away with it, and would be forced to start selling to Dell again.

  4. Re:No, try $25 cheaper. by Unnngh! · · Score: 4, Insightful
    They could do a lot of damage to Dell this way, but it wouldn't be smart for either party. How is average joe computer buyer going to respond when he sees that half the PCs at Bestbuy are running some thing called Linux, proudly embossed with the Dell name, when the salesman tells him it's just as good as Windows only cheaper? He'll probably buy the Dell Linux system.

    MS is dependent on its oem retailers probably more than the other way around.

  5. Re:Finally we have someone like DELL doing it by pretzel_logic · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Dells work-around is to sell the machine without a OS installed. Dell has offered Linux solutions for about 5 years. Dell.com/Linux

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    pretzel_logic
  6. Tinfoil helmet ON by cosmo7 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    2003: Dell asks MS for bigger discount. MS declines.
    2004: Dell starts selling PCs preloaded with Linspire.
    2005: MS quietly increases discount for Dell.
    2005: Dell quietly withdraws Linspire PCs, claims no market demand.

  7. Re:No, try $25 cheaper. by bechthros · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "Microsoft COULD do that, but it'd be a blantant violation of their slap-on-the-wrist agreement with the DoJ."

    And?...

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    They will never stop until somebody makes the