Canonical, Dell to launch laptops with Ubuntu pre-loaded in India

Canonical and Dell have joined hands to launch Dell laptops pre-loaded with Linux-based operating system, Ubuntu, at 850 retail outlets across India. The retail outlets will display Ubuntu-branded marketing collateral in-store, with trained staff to explain the advantages of Ubuntu to consumers. The machines, including the Inspiron 14R and Inspiron 15R will be available with Ubuntu pre-installed from June 21. More models are slated for release later in the year.

“A founding principle of Ubuntu is to make computing more accessible,” said Jane Silber, CEO, Canonical. “By working with Dell to bring these machines to market, we’re providing millions of people with the opportunity of an affordable, high-quality computing experience - in some cases, for the first time,” she added.

Retail stores in the country will now feature Dell laptops with pre-loaded Ubuntu

Sameer Garde, President, Dell India, said, “With Ubuntu, these machines offer our customers a compelling mobile or in-home computing proposition, with the benefit of Dell quality and security. I am confident that they will prove attractive to both home and business users.”

The choice of form factor reflects the demand for mobile computing in India, where Dell, already one of the topmanufacturerers, is growing fast. Ubuntu is designed to provides a legal, full-featured and flexible alternative to proprietary software, with a range of popular applications included by default. And thanks to the Ubuntu Software Centre, it can offer easy access to hundreds more, from business productivity and scientific research to games and social media.

With its intuitive user interface, Ubuntu has become a natural choice for millions of consumers the world over. And thanks to services, such as the Ubuntu Music Store and built-in Ubuntu One cloud storage, it continues to be one of the leaders in the development of desktop computing. The announcement comes in the wake of Canonical’s tie-up last year with Dell in China to sell Dell laptops pre-loaded with the open source OS in retail stores.