Dell explains Linux delays

Dell has revealed the reasons behind its decision to delay the availability of Linux sold outside the US.

The PC manufacturer is rolling out a number of models with pre-installed Ubuntu Linux later this month. But initially those models will only be available to customers based in the US.

It emerged late last week non-US customers, including the UK and Australia would not be offered pre-installed Ubuntu for the time being.

Spokesperson for Dell Australia Paul McKeon told ZDNet Australia in a statement that it was too early to put a date on when pre-installed Linux machines would be made available locally. "For Australia, I can tell you we're listening to the feedback we've gotten on IdeaStorm to date, and we're certainly looking at the idea."

McKeon didn't elaborate further. However, Dell's EMEA (Europe Middle East and Africa) director of client marketing, Eric Greffier did.

Speaking to sister site ZDNet UK he suggested that the greatest volume of responsed to its Linux survey had come from the US, be he also pointed to wider considerations.

"We can't just look at the commercial view," said Greffier. "The challenge behind Linux is about support. In the US, they are going to do it on one product, in one language. We have to have the right troubleshooting scripts translated into [many more] languages." He also cited driver certification and training as further reasons to delay pre-installed Linux.

"We are adjusting the roadmap for the rest of the world, but this has just not been announced yet," Greffier added.

Scott Mckenzie from ZDNet Australia contributed to this report