Dell starting to sell Computers with Linux

I_am_Rambi writes "Dell is starting to sell PCs with RHEL WS. The trio of workstations come with either a P4, or Xeons (Dual capable). Prices range from $759 to $1263 (after rebates). Linux Desktops has more information." From the article: "Dell spokesperson Jeremy Bolen said the company basically defines a workstation as a heavy-duty desktop or notebook that is certified to work with various ISVs applications, including those for computer-aided design, video editing, modeling software for the gas and oil industry and other similar applications. Bolen argues that companies will purchase workstations for those specific jobs versus buying them as desktops for so-called knowledge workers, who spend time emailing, word processing and creating PowerPoint presentations. "

Re:Support?

[fosterNutrition]

As shaitand points out, Dell itself would only be responsible for supporting the distro they have shipped originally. However, you do have a point in that the diverse nature of Linux (and pretty much all open source type software) is sometimes a barrier to adoption.

Dell may be reluctant to start shipping Linux (or at least shipping it as a regular thing) because they fear that the effort of offering a variety of distros is too much (as you point out), and simply offering one distro is probably not going to generate enough interest (read purchases) to make it viable.

Of course, Dell's strategy of building the computers according to specs would seem to facilitate the adoption of several OSs/distros, since they don't need to have a supply of all different types constantly. The problem with this is that they still need to keep a staff with expertise on all of the different types.

So essentially, if they only ship one distro, it's not enough variety to generate much profit, but if they ship many, it's too much effort to generate much profit. The one thing that could really speed adoption of Linux (notice I only say "speed adoption," not "enhance quality" or "be beneficial") would be if one particular distro really outshone all others and became the de facto standard, what people always meant when they said Linux. Only then would it become seriously lucrative for Dell to ship Linux.

What I want to see

[gooman]

I don't care if Dell ships with Linux (any distro).
But, I DO care that Dell makes hardware support available for at least the big distros!

Give me supported hardware and drivers!

Hey all you hardware vendors out there, it's 2006 already!
I've decided this year that any manufacturer that will not at least make drivers available is behind the times and I will no longer buy from them.

I'm tired of reverse engineered hardware support. It should not be this way anymore. I choose to vote with my $$$ and I will plainly tell any vendor why I will not choose them. No support for Linux, no support from me.

Re:What I want to see

[babbling]

Specifications are more valuable than drivers. I don't think most Linux users want support, they just want hardware that has a chance of working.