Dell: Linux growing despite Microsoft patent threats - Software - News - ZDNet Australia

Dell: Linux growing despite Microsoft patent threats

The PC manufacturer says that Microsoft's patent-infringement claims have not affected sales of its Linux servers.

Claims made by Microsoft that Linux violates its software patents have not affected sales of Linux-based hardware, according to Michael Dell.

Speaking to ZDNet Australia sister site ZDNet UK at the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Orlando, Dell's chief executive officer said his company has seen Linux uptake for servers increase faster than Windows server products, despite Microsoft's claims.

"On the server side Linux continues to grow nicely, a bit faster than Windows," said Dell. "We're seeing a move to Linux in critical applications, and Linux migration has not slowed down."

However, for those customers who might be concerned about whether Microsoft's claims of patent violation could result in legal action, the Dell chief added that there were "certainly mechanisms if customers are concerned about patents".

In May Microsoft claimed that free and open-source software violated more than 230 of its patents, but hasn't provided any further detailed information following the statement.

Dell's CMO, Mark Jarvis, claimed that although the two vendors have had a close relationship in the past, Microsoft has not given Dell any more information about the issue of patent infringement, despite Dell's support for Linux on its server range and, more recently, on its desktops and notebooks.

"When we announced the Linux notebook we didn't get a call from Microsoft -- whatever rumblings have been heard, they haven't been heard in Austin, Texas [where Dell is based]," Jarvis said.

On 24 May, Dell launched its first PCs based on Linux in the US: a basic model, Inspiron E1505n, for US$539; a more powerful Dimension E520n, for US$599; and a top-of-the-range XPS 410n for US$849.

Jarvis added that Dell did not expect its Linux PCs to sell in large amounts, reiterating that Linux growth remains with servers.

"Are they [Linux PCs] going to sell a lot? Absolutely not. But on the server side we've seen continued growth," said Jarvis.

ZDNet UK's Tom Espiner reported from Orlando.

Talkback

Add your opinion

In order to post a comment, you need to be registered. (Sign In or register below)

Post your comment

Terms of Service - As a ZDNet registrant, and by using this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understand our Privacy Policy.

ZDNet Australia Live

HRM/HCM is heating up with Oracle buying Teleo. Where's MSFT in all this?http://t.co/urUaTHc5

Lax data #privacy laws hurt Australia: Australia may be setting a bad example and limiting its options when it c... http://t.co/18CvSbms

Lax data #privacy laws hurt Australia: Australia may be setting a bad example and limiting its options when it c... http://t.co/35xWEgB2

News: Malware's the next nuclear bomb: Kaspersky - Security - News - ZDNet Australia http://t.co/MqfyXzJS

Lax data privacy laws hurt Australia - Australia may be setting a bad example and limiting its options when it comes... http://t.co/F7HQTvVy

Google readying #cloud storage service: Google is reportedly getting ready to take on Dropbox with its own cloud... http://t.co/GTFIbQC7

Lax data #privacy laws hurt Australia: Australia may be setting a bad example and limiting its options when it c... http://t.co/6q6L9DOG

Ethical iPhone protests hit Apple stores. Love your iPhone? Love it more if it is made ethically? http://t.co/LkKm9StB via @zdnetaustralia

Lax data privacy laws hurt Australia: Australia may be setting a bad example and limiting its options when it co... http://t.co/sGjo2Y6w

Ethical iPhone protests hit Apple stores http://t.co/LkKm9StB via @zdnetaustralia

RT @SecMash: Lax data privacy laws hurt Australia - ZDNet Australia http://t.co/NaFCw4Xr #InfoSec

Lax data privacy laws hurt Australia - ZDNet Australia http://t.co/NaFCw4Xr #InfoSec

Apple app developers may have copied your address book, despite it being against the rules which Apple has ignored http://t.co/C6PgoMQd

Lax data privacy laws hurt Australia: Australia may be setting a bad example and limiting its options when it co... http://t.co/f9CnwmTy

by http://t.co/vmlQ0Ecb: Lax data privacy laws hurt Australia: Australia may be setting a bad example and limitin... http://t.co/G0fEMhs7

LinkedIn posts strong Q4 earnings, up in after hours trading http://t.co/TJSBmtlT

Twitter now available in emergencies with satellite providers: Twitter is being pumped up to save the day with t... http://t.co/Oz2xsX0K

Microsoft plans to release a flavour of Windows 8 on ARM chips http://t.co/10rKSoAs

RT @zdnetaustralia: Why a $25 computer means revolution http://t.co/ufWQdLzT

Senator Conroy imposes limits on amount of spectrum telcos can buy at Digital Dividend auction: http://t.co/PD7DNr4r

Facebook: 60 million users access apps via mobile http://t.co/jLxQXuQM

Windows 8 Consumer Preview due February 29: why it's not called beta http://t.co/MEAZzVA6

RT @ldignan: New post: LinkedIn posts strong Q4 earnings, up in after hours trading http://t.co/Q95IUhzo

RT @Timothy_Hughes: Windows 8 Consumer Preview due February 29: why it's not called beta http://t.co/sbPX5RwT

http://t.co/JaYhkJjV

Armageddon of War 1.5 (Mobile): Top Hit Game for everybodyIdea is simple,Collect red items, Avoid green objects,... http://t.co/BqJhQRiO

Court agrees to speed up case over #Google's privacy policies http://t.co/hCf5CbQT | RT @ZDNet | #privacy

RT @ZDNet: Facebook admits it needs to fight scams more efficiently http://t.co/O7DvYt87

Twitter now available in emergencies with satellite providers http://t.co/dZUPbpj1

RT @zdnetaustralia: Why a $25 computer means revolution http://t.co/ufWQdLzT

RT @ZDNet: Twitter now available in emergencies with satellite providers http://t.co/ZKibHIsQ

Facebook: 60 million users access apps via mobile: By Emil Protalinski | February 9, 2012, 10:01am PST Summary: ... http://t.co/Nq0TvzJY

New website hopes to improve the Federal datacenter consolidation process: New website hopes to bring together I... http://t.co/5yeK9VMO

iPhone commands better resale value than Android or Blackberry: @danjames2012 I find it hard to believe that som... http://t.co/GryjHpQZ

RT @ZDNet: Twitter now available in emergencies with satellite providers http://t.co/ZKibHIsQ

invention these appreciate Every using after Numerous Not well ordering customer any custom route do make these current can consider of N...

1 hour ago by gurbapagnonna on Abetz shifted in reshuffle

I'd say a reasonable amount of it would be. In the Queensland Department of Education's case, it said it was trying to make as much of it...

2 hours ago by suzanne.tindal on The application nation

Great article, Suzanne—couldn’t agree more. It is only logical for organisations – private or public-- to take a long, hard look â€...

2 hours ago by kashe on The application nation

Every example of action against child molesters in this story related to internet protocols other than the www. This filter then achieves...

3 hours ago by Bob.H on Interpol defends voluntary filter

Soooo... it's okay for Apple to demand use of technologies and designs falling under competitors patents (considered "standards"), but on...

11 hours ago by MoWeb on Apple wants new rules for mobile patents

But I am having an intelligent conversation young fibes, my point is the lofty goal that all are equal is unfortunately not so. That is w...

13 hours ago by Doubt on NBN Co inks $620m satellite deal

May be so, but we do need to lighten up some of these people who are so serious. poor old fibretech nearly brings tears to the eyes and j...

13 hours ago by Doubt on Turnbull decries 'Rolls-Royce' satellites

The latest MS Windows update for XP tries hard to persuade you to update. For those machines that already have IE8 loaded it tries to re-...

13 hours ago by brak on Windows XP clings on as dominant OS

Will be interesting to see if he drives the qld gov political IT agenda or looks to address the IT challenges being faced by qld gov agen...

13 hours ago by Flly on Queensland's CIO returns to the post

So angry! NOKIA has forgotten the main purpose and the user function, and instead prioritised their industry level concerns. I bought my...

14 hours ago by spaceagesoup on Nokia skips Australia in Symbian Belle roll-out

I get what you mean in your context, meski. If the filter is like speed cameras, then people can alternately take side streets and back r...

16 hours ago by techkid on Interpol defends voluntary filter

Remind me again how people can get to a leadership position with absolutely no practical knowledge? I would ask Alexander how he intends...

16 hours ago by cleversoap on Internet won't always be anonymous: ITU

I was reading about DMARC at http://www.unlocktheinbox.com/resources/dmarc.aspx, perhaps they should try to implement something like this...

17 hours ago by wpfn on Phishing scam causes Telstra email woe

As you can tell, I'm a big follower. For AFL read NRL.

18 hours ago by phildobbie on The TV Now aftermath

Im not sure if David Gallop realises he now works for the AFL.

18 hours ago by katerich on The TV Now aftermath

That assumes that people see the stop sign. If you're using proxies, or whatever *all* the time, then these stop signs will never be obs...

19 hours ago by meski on Interpol defends voluntary filter

The advanced remote controlled machines reduce the human working rate from hazardous environment.

19 hours ago by Manasy on Robotic mining worth its high cost: Rio

Internet connection rate tremendously increasingly a lot.

19 hours ago by Manasy on Optus unveils NBN small business plans

content producers see Quickflix as a cheap and effective way of distributing copy-protected content in the Australian market.

19 hours ago by Manasy on Quickflix looks to avoid Netflix's failures

After this it could be very easy to identify the vulnerability products.

19 hours ago by Manasy on Body scanners coming to airports in July

This story has been voted 20 times in the last 24 hours!

2 days ago, Symantec confirms hacker extortion

This story has been voted 10 times in the last 24 hours!

2 days ago, Symantec confirms hacker extortion

Facebook Activity

Keep up with ZDNet Australia

ZDNet Events Calendar

ZDNet Events Calendar