in brief Dell desktops loaded with Ubuntu Linux will cost US$50 less than Microsoft Windows-based systems but it is still unclear if and when they will be available in Australia.
The figure applies to Dell's Inspiron 1420 notebook, which offers the Ubuntu Linux distribution pre-installed. An Ubuntu system will cost US$774, while a machine with equivalent specs with Windows will cost US$824.
Some visitors to the IdeaStorm Web site, Dell's user forum, suggested that the move would have an effect on sales of Windows. "Give compelling reasons for people to choose Linux [such as price] and they will. I did," said one user.
Dell refuses to say whether, or when, customers outside the US, including Australia, will be able to purchase notebooks with Linux pre-installed.
Tom Espiner reported for ZDNet UK from London
