Dell offers discount on Linux PCs

04 Jul 2007 16:27

PCs with Ubuntu Linux pre-installed are to be six percent cheaper than the equivalent Windows-based systems, Dell has revealed

Dell will offer its Linux PCs for $50 (£24) less than the equivalent Windows PCs, the company has revealed on one of its websites.

The figure applies to Dell's Inspiron 1420 notebook, which offers the Ubuntu Linux distribution pre-installed. An Ubuntu system will cost $774 (£384), while a machine with equivalent specs with Windows will cost $824 (£408).

Some visitors to the IdeaStorm website, Dell's user forum, suggested that the move would have an effect on sales of Windows. "Give compelling reasons for people to choose Linux [such as price] and they will. I did," said one user.

Dell refuses to say whether, or when, UK users will be able to purchase notebooks with Linux pre-installed. Dell currently offers its Linux systems only in the US.

Story URL: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/0,1000000091,39287861,00.htm