Dell Acknowledges Open-Source Customers
Dell is now offering the “open-source n Series desktop solution” that can be shipped without an operating system. The open-source lineup consists of 3 well-priced and affordable Dell Dimension models. The higher end model, the E520, sports a dual-core Pentium D 820 CPU while the lower end E521 and C521 desktops utilize a dual-core AMD X2 3800+ processor. The desktops come with an empty drive but Dell provides installation media for FreeDOS. They should ship them with Ubuntu discs though, as Ubuntu is well-known as the Linux beginner’s distribution.
Personally, I think it is a great move for Dell; embracing the open-source community should have been an objective started long ago. Unfortunately, Dell makes it hard to find the n Series computers on their website - essentially making their open-source initiative rather ineffective to people looking to purchase a desktop without purchasing an operating system.
Well that’s a surprise, I though Microsoft made deals with companies like Dell to bundle Windows onto PCs, or at least sell it to them anyway. I’m sure I read that somewhere authoritative… or have I been staring at a dos screen too long. (That’s right folks, your super new HD television comes from tv studios still using systems running dos and floppy disks!)
Dell needs to do something after falling behind HP as the world largest PC manufacturer. I agree with you, this might just be the ticket to help revive everyones interest in “Getting a Dell”.
I’d get a Dell in a minute than a HP, Blake.
Mark my words: we will see the Mac OS officially supported on some PCs in the future.