Dell plans to offer Linux on its Optiplex PCs By John G. Spooner, PC Week Online March 19, 1999 2:30 PM EST Dell Computer Corp. is getting ready to preinstall Linux on its Optiplex line of desktop PCs. The Round Rock, Texas, company has been pre-installing Linux for large customers for some time, and it claims to be one of the first top-tier PC makers to make the open-source operating system available as an option on its workstations and servers. Dell is currently preinstalling RedHat Software's Linux on its workstations and will do the same with its servers beginning Monday. "We're working toward making a similar announcement for Optiplex soon," said a Dell spokesman. "It's not that far away." Dell's midrange Precision 410 and high-end Precision 610 workstations are available with RedHat 5.2 OEM System Builder Edition. The models running Linux are available with a single Pentium II or Pentium III chip from Intel Corp. and a Diamond Multimedia Permedia graphics card. RedHat 5.2 OEM System Builder Edition, which includes additional drivers for SCSI de-vices and graphics cards, will also be available soon on entry-level Precision 210 models as well, according to Dell officials. In order to get Linux preinstalled on their machines, users must foot a $20 fee (which is $20 more than a system with Windows NT preinstalled). Dell, however, expects those interested in Linux will find paying the fee easier than installing the OS themselves. Workstations running RedHat include 90 days of phone and e-mail support from LinuxCare. On Monday Dell will begin installing RedHat 5.2 System Builder Edition on its single-processor PowerEdge 1300 and 2300 server models. The installation will cost $99, and Linux-Care support will be an option costing $75. Dell can be reached at www.dell.com. From unknown@hawk.depaul.edu Sat Mar 20 09:02:07 1999