I'm in the market for a new laptop and I just might have to jump on this one...
Those Ubuntu-powered Dell machines are almost here.
When Dell Computer announced it was making the Ubuntu operating system available as a pre-installed option on select Inspiron notebook and Dimension and XPS desktop models in late May, Linux geeks and open-source advocates started hopping with joy. But what's in it for the non-geek computer user? And what is Ubuntu, anyway?
Ubuntu is a free, Linux-based operating system distributed by Canonical. It appeared in October 2004 and has since won over waves of converts, including high-profile geeks like Cory Doctorow. Even Dell founder and CEO Michael Dell runs Ubuntu 7.04, nicknamed "Feisty Fawn," on his personal laptop.
The Dell computers themselves have yet to arrive, but when they do (the rumor mill says they'll ship this week) other banner PC manufacturers like Toshiba are expected to follow suit. You should take this time to familiarize yourself with exactly what's in store if and when you pick up one of these machines.
http://www.wired.com/software/coolapps/news/2007/05/ubuntu_faq
