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Dell explains Linux delays

David Meyer ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 04 May 2007 17:38 BST

Dell has revealed the reasons behind its decision to delay the availability of Linux sold in the UK.

The PC manufacturer is rolling out a number of models with pre-installed Ubuntu Linux later this month. But initially those models will only be available to customers based in the US.

It emerged early on Thursday that UK customers would not be offered pre-installed Ubuntu for the time being. Later in the day, Dell's EMEA director of client marketing, Eric Greffier, elaborated further. Speaking to ZDNet UK he suggested that the greatest volume of responses to its Linux survey had come from the US, but he also pointed to wider considerations.

"We can't just look at the commercial view," said Greffier. "The challenge behind Linux is about support. In the US, they are going to do it on one product, in one language. We have to have the right troubleshooting scripts translated into [many more] languages." He also cited driver certification and training as further reasons to delay pre-installed Linux.

"We are adjusting the roadmap for the rest of the world, but this has just not been announced yet," Greffier added.