Acer: 'No UK demand' for Linux laptops
Published: 02 Aug 2007 11:40 BST
Acer will not release Linux-based laptops in the UK due to a lack of demand, despite launching an Ubuntu-based machine in Asia.
The Acer Aspire 5710Z has gone on sale in Singapore pre-loaded with Ubuntu Linux instead of Windows. Ubuntu is currently one of the world's most popular and easiest-to-use Linux distributions.
But a spokesperson for Acer told ZDNet.co.uk on Tuesday that the company — one of the world's top laptop manufacturers — currently had "no plans" to sell any Linux-based systems in the UK. "[Acer models] with Ubuntu pre-loaded are available at the factory level. However, there is no demand for it in the UK. Therefore, those configurations are not an option [for UK customers] at the moment," said the spokesperson.
"If the demand was there, then Acer would sell it," the spokesperson said, adding that such a demand would have to be reported to Acer by its UK resellers.
The only other major manufacturer to include Linux-based systems in its lineup is Dell, which has been offering such systems solely in the US since May. Last week a spokesperson for Dell said there had been a healthy demand for notebooks running on Linux. Mark Shuttleworth, Ubuntu's main backer, also hinted that Dell could release even more open source-based notebooks, although Dell did not confirm or deny this suggestion.
Read this
Virgin Blogger needs help!
I am allowed (in principle) to spend £600 of faculty money on a laptop. I need wireless internet capabilities and a bit of memory. I'd appreciate help in starting up...
Dell's Linux-based systems are still not available in the UK, but the company suggested earlier this month that the situation would change soon.
Before the launch of the Acer Aspire in Singapore, there had been no suggestion that any major manufacturer other than Dell was even considering releasing Ubuntu-based products. However, Acer president Gianfranco Lanci did tell Financial Times Deutschland that "the whole [PC] industry is disappointed with Windows Vista". Lanci claimed that Microsoft's new operating system had not boosted PC sales, due to concerns over its stability and overall maturity.
Microsoft itself has been bullish about sales of Vista, although it has sent confusing signals about exactly how successful the operating system has been.
Shuttleworth: Dell will expand Linux PC lineup
Canonical CEO says the PC maker will soon offer more computers with Ubuntu installed, following satisfactory demand for its current offerings [27 Jul 2007]
Ubuntu 7.04
Ubuntu is very user-friendly but not right for everyone. Oddly, both casual and advanced users will find this operating system wonderful, while day-to-day users may rail against Ubuntu's incompatibility with certain popular software applications. Still, this is a great leap forward for Linux with the mass audience. [13 Jul 2007]
Dell gears up to launch Linux PCs in Europe
The PC maker has also promised Ubuntu for small businesses, but gives no details on timing [09 Jul 2007]
Rescuing Linux when it won't start
Linux isn't immune to failure, but certain tips and strategies can rescue your machine from an untimely demise [01 Aug 2007]
German court convicts Skype of GPL breach
Court has ruled that the VoIP company has violated version 2 of the General Public License through its sales of SMC's Linux-based handset [25 Jul 2007]
Linux gets broader virtualisation support
Xen and lguest technologies have both been merged directly into the Linux kernel, opening up more virtualisation avenues [23 Jul 2007]
Linspire Linux deal 'worse than Novell'
Microsoft's patent agreement with the Linux distributor shuts out GPLv3 and makes Linspire unsuitable for business, claims legal expert [23 Jul 2007]
Intel aims to speed Linux gadget development
New site is designed to spur development of OS for improved mobile web surfing, networking, power management, user interface and more [17 Jul 2007]
Microsoft claims immunity from GPLv3
Software giant has issued a statement distancing itself from the latest version of the GPL, apparently in a attempt to escape liabilities that may arise when Novell adopts it [06 Jul 2007]
Dell offers discount on Linux PCs
PCs with Ubuntu Linux pre-installed are to be six percent cheaper than the equivalent Windows-based systems, Dell has revealed [04 Jul 2007]
Free Software Foundation releases GPLv3
The new licence adjusts to software industry changes but carries several new provisions [02 Jul 2007]
Linux-based websites 'perform better'
Server-monitoring firm's research claims Apache-based websites benefit from faster load time and greater uptime than those based on Windows [20 Jun 2007]
Pressure mounts on Dell over Linux PCs
Votes have been stacking up on Dell's user forum calling for PCs pre-loaded with Linux to be made available outside of the US [18 Jun 2007]
Microsoft paying $308m for Novell deal
Details of the five-year partnership have been disclosed by Novell in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing [08 Nov 2006]
Dell slips up over Linux PC warranties
Customers denied the option to buy extended warranties for Dell's US Ubuntu Linux PCs by an ordering-system glitch will still be able to upgrade [06 Jun 2007]
Final GPLv3 draft leaves Novell in the clear
Latest draft of the General Public License doesn't block the Novell-Microsoft patent pact that has raised open-source hackles [04 Jun 2007]
Dell launches Linux PCs for US only
Europe will have to wait for three Linux PCs Dell has launched in the US this week [24 May 2007]
Microsoft will not sue over Linux patents
Software giant has confirmed that it will not pursue its open-source patent-infringement allegations, while OpenOffice does not believe Microsoft will substantiate the statements [21 May 2007]
Microsoft's Linux stance threatens self-harm
Microsoft claims Linux is violating its patents. History says such threats rebound [14 May 2007]
Dell joins Microsoft-Novell Linux deal
Agreement is aimed at better serving corporate customers using both Linux and Windows computer servers [08 May 2007]
Dell yields to Linux demands
Installation of Ubuntu onto mass-produced machines recognises mounting user pressure on Dell to support open source [02 May 2007]
Dell chooses Ubuntu for Linux PCs
Computer maker plans to start selling systems with Ubuntu's 'Feisty Fawn' version of Linux installed [01 May 2007]
Dell's Linux PCs withheld from UK
No timescale for the provision of pre-installed Ubuntu machines in the UK — despite the fact US customers will be able to buy them this month [03 May 2007]
Michael Dell chooses Linux at home
Ubuntu and OpenOffice are the software of choice for the PC vendor's chief executive [19 Apr 2007]
Ubuntu lets loose 'Feisty Fawn'
Canonical has released version 7.04 of Ubuntu Linux, and found its website swamped with hits [20 Apr 2007]
Dell soon to launch Linux PCs
User demand has convinced Dell to offer PCs with Linux pre-installed — but there will be no naked PCs [29 Mar 2007]
Top five PC manufacturers fail naked PC test
A ZDNet special investigation into buying PCs without an operating system from the top five PC vendors uncovered a litany of conflicting advice and confused instructions [16 Mar 2007]
Did you find this article useful?
25 out of 30 people found this useful
- Share this article:
Full Talkback thread
5 comments
