Bit late, but still…

From the BBC:

Dell gives the go-ahead for Linux

Computer giant Dell will start to sell PCs preinstalled with open source Linux operating systems, the firm has said.

The second largest computer maker in the world said it had chosen to offer Linux in response to customer demand.

Earlier this year, 100,000 people took part in a Dell survey. More than 70% of respondents said they would use Linux.

Dell has not released details of which versions of Linux it will use or which computers it will run on, but promised an update in the coming weeks.

“Dell has heard you,” said a statement on the firm’s website. “Our first step in this effort is offering Linux preinstalled on select desktop and notebook systems.”

This is great news, of course. One of the problems Linux has had in getting a decent bite of the desktop market is the fact that it is often tricky to get it installed first time.

Now, the fact is that installing Windows is at least, if not more difficult, but because it comes pre-installed for most people, they don’t realise it!

If people start buying Linux pre-installed and already configured to work on their machines, it will go some way to rebalancing this debate…