Dell heeds users' voice, to offer Linux

Priya Padmanabhan

BANGALORE: Responding to the resounding demand from its customers for Linux on its PCs, Dell has relented and announced on Monday that it would start selling laptops and desktops with pre-installed Linux instead of Microsoft Windows.

Dell has reportedly made this decision following the flood of requests for Linux from its user community on the company’s newly launched web site for customers, called www.dellideastorm.com

The company launched the site on February 16th, intending to find from its customers, what it could do to improve its products and services.

According to reports, Dell is working with Novell to certify its corporate client products for Linux, including OptiPlex desktops, Latitude notebooks and Dell Precision workstations.

As of today, IdeaStorm received around 2200 with suggestions and comments ranging from Linux on desktops to the poor service from customer support centers based in India.

Dell’s Internet exercise seems to be a perfect example of how the company is using the “Web 2.0” model to revamp its flagging business. Dell has a rough 2006, with the company losing market share to rivals like HP and falling short of its quarterly forecasts.

Last month, the company announced the ouster of Kevin Rollins, which was followed by the return of company founder, Michael Dell as the chief executive.

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