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Dell releases its first Linux consumer product with Mandriva

Posted by dave on · 7 comments
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Mandriva, the number one European Linux publisher, today announces the availability of a Dell Laptop pre-loaded With Mandriva Linux. The association - a first for the two companies - represents a milestone in Mandriva's effort to make Linux even more accessible to customers, thanks to large OEM deals. Mandriva also counts HP in its portfolio of leading manufacturers.

Mandriva worked with Dell to certify this first consumer laptop, which is now being sold direct to students by Dell. The company ensured the optimum integration of its Mandriva Linux Limited Edition 2005 - a major hit in recent Linux downloads and reviews - with Dell's Latitude 110L. The certified computer is a WIFI 1,4 to 1,7 GHZ mobile Celeron or Pentium M, with 256 to 1280 MB of ram, and a DVD Drive.

"This product shows the world that Mandriva is today ready for the consumer market. We've been developing products for the corporate and enthusiast markets for years. Addressing the needs of the consumer market is a different challenge, because it is all the more difficult, as you don't have a system admin or professional technician at home", said François Bancilhon, Mandriva CEO. "Consumer products leave less room for imperfection. This laptop and its distribution direct by such a leading manufacturer as Dell, demonstrate how easy Mandriva Linux is to use. We're looking forward to further collaboration with Dell."

The availability of Linux on pre-loaded computers is the simplest way for users to start with this operating system (exactly as it is for Windows). People don't have to go through a complex installation, their basic hardware is already configured, and what's more, Mandriva Linux has an all-inclusive collection of quality applications and professional tools.

The Mandriva Dell laptop comes complete with multimedia and productivity software, like the popular Windows-office compatible suite, OpenOffice.org, which means students don't have to buy or install supplementary applications, and actually save money and time. At only 759 euros (~ $940), the combination of Mandriva Linux and the Dell Latitude 110L is currently one of the most affordable notebooks available in developed countries.

About Mandriva

Mandriva, formerly known as Mandrakesoft, is the publisher of the popular Mandriva Linux operating system, one of the most full-featured and easy to use Linux systems. The company offers its enterprise, government educational customers a complete range of GNU/Linux and Open Source software and related services. Mandriva products are available in more than 140 countries through dedicated channels and also from Mandrivastore.com, the company's online store. Number 1 in several countries, Mandriva has won many awards for quality and technical innovation. "Born on the Internet" in late 1998, Mandriva has offices in the United States, France and Brazil. Mandriva is traded on Paris Euronext Marché Libre (ISIN Code: FR0004159382/MLMAN; Reuters code: MAKE.PA) and the US OTC market (stock symbol MDKFF).

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Comments (7)

TxtEdMacs ·
But, where's Linux? Did Dell make it like Mandrake and magically it disappeared?
Quoting: # Tested Operating Systems: Genuine Windows® XP Professional Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition


Is this another of those safe(r) European only offers?
tadelste ·
Give them a couple of years to update their web site.
rittmey ·
Well not available with Mandrake on Dell's site in Germany either. It's also not offered on Mandriva's site (in contrast to an HP laptop - for France only).

Quite sad. But still: There are first tentative steps happening to provide preinstalled linux-computers of major players (first HP with Ubuntu, now somewhere - wherever - Dell). So the situation is slightly improving. Though in my opinion still not fast enough.
cyber_rigger ·
" Dell does not officially support running Linux on Dell laptops. "

http://linux.dell.com/desktops.shtml

cyber_rigger ·
Worst than that.

Dell spams you with ads for Windows machines here.

http://tuxmobil.org/

I find this insulting.

Olivier ·
I have bought a "Linux Installed Latitude 100L" from DELL under the "student labtop offer" available out of the DELL French site. The labtop was for my son (who is a French student) an I wanted him to deal alone with this purchase.

We just experienced a nightmare : the WIFI card is not working, Help Files requires an installation CD which neither sent, neither on the DELL site, among other problems (e.g. a +1 euro printer which is not compatible with Linux).

Most interesting : nobody in the French support team (which is, actually, settled in Marroco) is neither aware of the fact that DELL sells Linux installed labtop, neither is able/willing to diagnose our WIFI card problem since it is under Linux (my guess is that the DELL card is not compatible with Mandrake 10.2). After spending several hours on the (paying) phone with both the commercial and technical services (who are experts in non answering strategies), I just gave up !

Is DELL selling Linux poorly installed Labtop just to hint that MS systems are the best, or is this just a commercial mistake ?

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