Dell considers big change: offering Linux
Dell is considering offering the Linux operating system as an alternative to Microsoft's Windows on its personal computers, a Dell spokesman said on Tuesday.
The PC maker said it received more than 100,000 customer requests for Linux in a "suggestion box" posted on Dell's Web site less than three weeks ago.
"We are listening to what customers are saying about Linux and taking it into consideration," said Dell spokesman David Lord. "We are going forward. Let's say, 'Certainly stay tuned.'"
Linux is an open-source operating system that is generally available for free and can be used to run most computers, including Dell's PCs.
Dell does not break out how much it charges for Windows when it calculates the cost of a computer system, but a basic upgrade version of the software generally retails for $99.
