In an interesting move, Dell recently started to offer PCs preloaded with Ubuntu Linux in certain countries. Considering Dell's size and importance in consumer IT market, this action is significant in more than one ways:
- With the right marketing and publicity, it will significantly raise public awareness of Linux's viability as an alternative to Windows. Coupled with lukewarm public response to Vista and phasing out of Windows XP, this could really boost Linux's market share in the near future.
- Considering Dell's position, it is capable of addressing some issues that often hinder free Linux distributions. For example, it can ensure that all the hardware in the system is compatible with the OS, so user won't experience any compatibility issues. It can also license and bundle useful commercial or otherwise patent-encumbered software with the systems, improving out-of-the-box experience. Already, Dell announced that they are bundling nVidia's binary 3D drivers as well as Corel's LinDVD DVD playback software.
The main question at this point will be, "How would Microsoft respond?"
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