A very good news; it would set down the price of all equipped computers from between 100 and 200 dollars automatically, and give Linux adepts a chance to be recognised as normal people (or buyers). At the second hand stage, these computers would also be very attractive for Linux lovers who never have money to get a new one.
I think that these computer builders are pioneers in a serious market, where there are real buyers, a kind of niche or specialised market, but real. I encourage them to do it.

I think it’s still too early for computer companies to be offering pcs with Linux preinstalled. It’s just like you’re suggesting: the demand for Linux is still fringe people, or early adopters, and they’re too wild and adventurous to buy pre-packaged linux.

I think the linux proponents would do well to study the rise to popularity of Firefox. Firefox offered a better “user experience” to users and it made it easy for IE, and Windows users in general, to make the switch. Microsoft encouraged the exodus of users by neglecting IE updates and appearing to take users for granted.

With Vista, I think we’re seeing MS experimenting with the policy of neglecting Windows the same way they neglected their web browser. Whether they keep to that path or not, remains to be seen. But I see, in the coming years, Windows could become what IE did and Linux (any major distro) could become what Firefox is. And all Linux needs anymore is a larger user base, then they won’t need to promote it anymore, or beg manufacturers to make compatible drivers. The usual ancient motive of making money will drive the whole thing.

They just need a distro that’s convenient to use and allows average Windows folks to do what they do everyday on Windows, and has a place people can go to get emotional help when something “isn’t working”. Then the user base will start growing because Linux is free and fun.

I’ve been discussing similar issues on the Ubuntu Linux forums. Are Linux users the lead members of an upcoming mass movement, or will they remain high priests of an obscure OS cult?

Even as a Windows user (I’ve played with Linux, but not seriously), I welcome the expansion of Linux into the desktop market. Competition is always good for the consumer. Competing seriously with Linux will force Microsoft to improve Windows; and it might even lower PC prices a bit.

I see it a little differently than that. I don’t believe there is a ‘stepping up to the plate’ required. All other competition to Microsoft had the disadvantage that they had to make money to survive. This made them easy prey for Microsoft’s antitrust and bullying tactics. Linux has and will continue to exist and grow and mature without needing to make money. Eventually with competition from each distribution the product will become so stable and polished that people will go ‘wow this is better than windows’ and will switch to a non-drm non copy-protected OS which does everything windows does and better. Whether this laptop-bundling experiment works or not, if it doesn’t this time, eventually it will. Linux isn’t going away. Have you heard of ‘inevitability’?

I’ve never used Linux before. Though I’ve been interested in it for years. But, I know who would buy a Linux based PC, ME! I am looking at new PC’s now and I already know I do not want Windows running on it. I had planned to reformat the hard drive and install Linux myself. But, I don’t know if there is hardware I should choose for Linux over Windows. I had assumed it didn’t matter. So, there is your answer. People who are not techno geeks will buy a PC running Linux cause we are fed up with Windows.

My comment concerns notebooks. Desktop computers can be assembled and purchased without any operating system (and without paying M$ tax) if one likes.

What I’d tell Dell, HP, Acer and all the notebooks manufacturers is to also provide offers of notebooks without any operating system (or at least a free dos installed to check whether the machine works). The warranty should be adapted so that it’d cover the hardware only and not the software. This is easy and would cost them less money since they’d not have to pay their staff to handle others bugs.

As a GNU/Linux user, I’ve already installed many Linux boxes, so I know how to proceed. I actually post from an IBM Thinkpad running Debian. But I’d like to be able to purchase a notepad without paying M$ tax since I will not be using any of Windows incarnations on it.

On the other side, I think offering Linux along with Window$ is a good thing for all customers. It first will show them the price of the bundled software, second it will make it possible to develop tech support and training offers (which will create jobs). And moreover it will break Microsoft hegemony over the software industry. And since this company never respected their customers, this will show them that a customer is not only a purse with legs.

The word I think is important here is diversity. I support Linux because it is free (as in freedom), and because this system is a chance for emerging countries to develop, though driving us to respect our environment through a longer use of our computers (and thus spreading less wastes over our planet).

That’s why I love GNU/Linux. I don’t want to give money to Ballmer, I prefer offering some bucks to charities helping abandoned animals, supporting medical research, environment, children of Africa, Greenpeace, or to people involved in making our world better.