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Dell Wants Free Marketing
Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0
THE OEM known as Dell is typically a Windows shop (there are some Chromebooks, too). It wants us to think that Dell PCs with GNU/Linux are just some niche products for "developers". Based on leaks we've published here before, Microsoft controls Dell in all sorts of ways (it's an open secret) and when Dell offers something without Windows it is pursuing free marketing, outsourcing all the effort to grassroots sites.
"People can now easily use BSDs and GNU/Linux distros on more hardware, 'secure' boot as a growing barrier notwithstanding."But don't get me wrong; it's good that Dell has moved on (and beyond) that horrible patent deal (Novell/Microsoft patent collusion). People can now easily use BSDs and GNU/Linux distros on more hardware, 'secure' boot as a growing barrier notwithstanding.
Several hours ago an embargo was lifted, resulting in at least 14 semi-prepared puff pieces in just a few hours. Those bear headlines such as "Dell XPS 13 Plus Developer Edition Now Available with Ubuntu 22.04," so it's basically just about a distro upgrade and little more than this.
As I explain in the video above, those of us who wish to support 'true' GNU/Linux companies, not Windows-centric OEMs, should look into those who offer no Windows options at all. That's the better way to drive positive change/progress.
Dell isn't the worst OEM out there; it was one of the first large OEMs (if not the very first one, depending on scale criteria) to offer GNU/Linux out of the box. However, some context and history may be needed. The above video provides some. ⬆