Dell has started to offer optional Ubuntu Linux 7.04 preinstalled systems. Ubuntu has has continuously grown in popularity since the first Ubuntu distribution in 2004, now being the most popular Linux Distribution. While for the server market there was always the Linux option, this is the first time an important PC manufacturer ships Linux desktop systems.

From a business and marketing point of view, the move itself will probably be a boost for both companies, Ubuntu will grow in popularity, while Dell will draw positive attention on itself from the Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) Community, therefore increasing sales, which they do need in regaining market share against HP.

Ubuntu Linux has the reputation of being very easy to install and very hardware friendly. From my personal experience I may say that the installation is simpler than a Windows installation, everything just works, including small details like volume keys with on-screen display on my Logitech multimedia keyboard and volume keys and the Wireless Card on my HP Pavillion laptop. No additional drivers required. If you’re a GUI freak, some Vista like eye-candy is included, also demo-d by my collague Marius.

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