Michael Lean quoted:
>
> > DELL DROPS LINUX ON PCs
> > Dell Computer says it no longer will offer the option of installing Linux
> > on its PCs, citing lack of consumer enthusiasm for the alternative
> > operating system.
> > http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010802/tc/tech_dell_linux_dc_2.html
Note that corporate customers (ie, orders of 50+) can still
specify Linux on desktop PCs and notebooks. Special orders
can also specify Linux, these orders are usually technical
workstations such as those used for animation, design and
engineering (ie, big margin items).
Dell continues to offer Red Hat Linux on its servers to
retail customers (ie, orders of 1+).
In short, Dell USA can't make a quid selling Linux on its
lowest margin machines as orders are too low for decent
economies of scale.
Howard Lowndes replied:
> I beleive that this is not the case with Dell Australia
Dell USA and Dell Asia Pacific operate as seperate arms of the
company. For example, the factories in USA and Malaysia use
differing component manufacturers and offer differing standard
configurations.
Dell USA has dropped Linux from the standard configuration
for low-end PCs.
I imagine Dell AP will look at the figures and sell Linux
on retail desktop PCs as long as Dell AP make a quid from
the sale.
My understanding from a contact at Dell USA is that product
development will continue to test against Linux (so they
don't lose corporate sales), so a retail customer can buy
a PC with no OS and install Red Hat Linux with a reasonable
expectation of it working. Of course, then the support
problems are the customer's and not Dell's.
Regards,
Glen
Disclosure: Dell AP have used some of my writings in
their systems' documentation. No money or equipment
changed hands (worse luck!).
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.1 : Fri Aug 31 2001 - 03:10:03 EST