Dissociated Press

Mark Shuttleworth has some comments on his blog about pre-installing Linux, and the issues that OEMs face with selling Linux. He’s spot on, of course, when it comes to the problems that OEMs have — margins are already thin, supporting Linux could be pricey, there are tons of distros to choose from (which is great for Linux users, but lousy for OEMs and ISVs who just don’t care about the differences/advantages of package formats or admin tools they just want something that they can target) and other issues.

Frankly, while I’d like to see Dell target Linux, I think it would be better if there were a few vendors that could be more like Apple. Rather than targeting the existing base, they could simply use Linux to build a brand of computer that people could trust.

I think that vendors like System 76 have a good start on this. It’d be nice to see them go a few steps further and customize Ubuntu (or another distro) to appeal to the general public rather than the existing Linux audience.

Let’s face it, most of the time we’re going to blow away the default install anyway within three months. And, many of us, would just be happy with an OEM box that has known-good Linux-compatible components.

For instance, if they could do a preloaded system that includes Ubuntu, plus get licenses for the multimedia codecs and load CrossOver Office, they’d be offering something that would make a nice transition machine for a lot of folks.

I’d much rather spend my money with a small vendor than with a behemoth like Dell, anyway.