Dell UK launches systems with preinstalled Ubuntu Linux

Dell is now selling selected systems with Ubuntu 8.0.4, Hardy Heron, pre-installed in the United Kingdom . Ubuntu has been an option some Dell systems in the past, but only in the United States. Dell is pre-installing Ubuntu on the XPS M3110 and Inspiron 1525n laptops and the Inspiron 530n desktop system.

According to Daniel Judd, Product Group Strategist at Dell, "In early August, we will also add the XPS M1530n and Studio 15n to the line-up. This is just in time for LinuxWorld where we will participate in a number of the conference sessions".

Dell says it spent months in development and testing of these new offerings with the aim of supporting more peripherals. The result of this effort is that ATI graphics, Dell's wireless chipsets, fingerprint readers, HDMI and Bluetooth are all supported on the new range of machines.

The launch into the UK is part of an international expansion of Dell's Ubuntu offering; the new machines are also available in Germany, France, Spain, Canada and some Latin American countries, joining the United States, where the Dell and Ubuntu combination was initially released.

Heise Online UK looked at the price differential on the Inspiron 1525 laptop and found the Inspiron 1525 with Windows (£369 inc. VAT) apparently cost £50 more than the Inspiron 1525 with Ubuntu (£319 inc. VAT). Closer examination showed the Ubuntu model was specified with an 80GB hard disk rather than a 120GB hard disk. Bringing the Ubuntu system up to the same specification marginally reduced the price difference to £45, which is a significant saving on the Windows based 1525.

Details of the Dell systems with pre-installed Ubuntu are found at the company's web site.

(djwm)