I think Dell has a good plan with adding Linux as an option - especially considering that they provide all manner of periferals, and support them, relieving some of the fear that comes with an OS not supported by most manufacturers. I do find it interesting though that there is this amount of interest in these systems. I think it is safe to say that the average consumer doesn't really know the difference (aside from price!), and I would have though that the vast majority of those who do know the difference would not be buying Dells.

Given the amount of support being shown, this could really turn into a great opportunity if Dell gets the marketing right! -- Of course, the commenter is right, Dell definitely cannot afford to start criticizing Vista!!

Linux users have always liked to tell people about their favourite operating system, but rarely would you see them recommend it to their grandmother.

However, over the last couple years several key useability landmarks have been reached. These would include developments in the areas of hardware detection, driver support, and gui design. What's more, if you pay attention to the roadmaps of a number of the big projects in the Linux world (such as the desktop environment KDE) you'll see that more is on the way.

All of this development has led to a number of so-called "easy-to-use" Linux distributions. While not all of these have met that goal yet, there are at least a couple that have. The popular Ubuntu, and the growing PCLinuxOS. Dare I say it, but desktop Linux has arrived.

The upshot of all this is that while the typical Linux user of today would not buy a Dell, their grandmother's probably would. And so they flock to Dell's website in an attempt to support "the movement" and to provide any help and advice they can to their new hero.

Ubuntu is NOT a 'bare-bones OS'. The Linux community is obviously a touchy crowd, don't insult us.

Have to say I do find the "we don't want your money" attitude rather strange from a for profit business. I would have bought an American spec Dell from them if they had given me the option, but they didn't, so I bought a laptop from a small company that sells Ubuntu installed laptops in the UK instead. Still I guess they just want to gauge the demand, before they go spending money on setting this up in Europe and other parts of the world.

I defintely think Dell is on the right track with their offering of Ubuntu. However, it's become apparent that it is only offered to the Home/Home Office category. Attempts to purchase such a setup for Business use result in a "we do not offer this for Businesses (ie: those hoping to get tax breaks and whatnot).

First it's not just Ubuntu users, othe Linux users like myself don't care what distribution Dell include on their hardware, as long as the hardware will work with Ubuntu Linux we know it will work with our favourite Linux.

Second in response to Chris. I have recommended Mandriva Linux to my Grandmother (well actually my Mother, who is great grandmother), and to other peoples' grandmothers since 2002, when I started using Linux full time - and got rid of all things Microsoft. In fact most of the people I install Mandriva Linux for are Grand mothers and Grand fathers, who are looking for a safe and secure environment to surf the web and send/receive emails, and do the odd bit of digital photography and graphics and word processing.

At work we are so fed up windows we welcome Dell selling Ubuntu we have migrate to Dell linux servers and now we are doing the same for desktops.

What's wrong with telling a company how they should run their business? What's wrong with telling a company not to pollute, to treat their employees fairly, and to provide good products and good customer service?

I find that CBC tech writers either don't report or discuss free software issues at all or else fill what few comments they make with snide and dismissive remarks. Could that be because of all the Microsoft advertising? One wonders.

Dell offering pre-installed Linux on consumer PC's is a breath of fresh air for an industry too long dominated by a convicted monopolist.

And yes I would put Linux on my "grandmother's" computer. Over the summer I'll be setting up a Linux-based internet cafe at a senior citizen's drop-in centre in Toronto.

I think dell's direction to sell Linux PC's give consumers more choice in the PC space..My question to the CBC is why haven't they done a follow up story to find out why dell isn't selling Linux PC's in Canada??? Strange since the are selling PC's in France with Linux...French/English language should now not be a problem....

I have been using Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon on my Dell Latitude for 3 months now, (ever since my Windows o/s crashed) after reading about Ubuntu on cbc.ca . I am still amazed how stable and fundamentally easy it is to use. Aside from a long boot time, and the occasional freeze early on due to flash plugin, I have zero complaints. I have recommended this software to my family and friends and 2 are adopting it. I hope to migrate all my home computers to Ubuntu. I enjoy building my own computers, and doing so with a free legit operating system, will save money, hassel, and give extended life to budget home systems. Thank you to the cbc for running this story.