Dell Announces Linux as Third Global Operating System

Dell announced today that Linux will be the third global, strategic operating system to power the front-end of its customers' Internet infrastructures. The addition of Linux as a strategic, global operating system is expected to help Dell capture an increased percentage of spending associated with building the infrastructure for the new Internet economy, which is expected to reach $370 billion annually by 2003.

The move also reflects Dell's commitment to Linux as a future operating system in applications where UNIX is widely deployed currently. Dell is currently the No. 2 provider worldwide of Linux-based systems1 and the No.

2 provider of Standard Intel Architecture Servers worldwide according to research by International Data Corporation2. The Red Hat and Dell combination offers customers a 'pure-play' for Linux development and deployment. Unlike many computer-systems manufacturers, Dell does not have a proprietary, in-house UNIX offering that competes for resources. This allows Dell to align its development resources around Linux and deliver best-in-class Linux solutions to its customers. The company is currently the first major systems manufacturer to offer factory installation of Red Hat Linux across its entire server line. Dell also took the lead in offering factory installation of Red Hat Linux on Dell PrecisionTM workstations. Today, Dell customers can order Red Hat Linux factory installed on at least one platform in each notebook and desktop product line.

Dell's position as a global leader in infrastructure computing and services for the Internet economy enables it to offer its customers a broad range of Linux-specific service and support offerings. The company manufactures its computer systems in each of six locations: Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tenn.; Eldorado do Sul, Brazil (Americas); Limerick, Ireland (Europe, Middle East and Africa); Penang, Malaysia (Asia-Pacific and Japan) and Xiamen, China (China). Dell maintains sales offices in 34 countries around the world, and sells its products and services in more than 170 countries and territories. As part of its broad Linux portfolio of services through Dell Technology Consulting, the company maintains Dell Technology Solution Centers around the world where Linux customers can perform design validation, performance tuning, migration analysis and proof-of-concept with their Red Hat Linux systems. Through Dell's global factory installation process, customers are able to purchase Dell PowerEdgeTM and PowerAppTM servers, Dell Precision workstations, Dell OptiPlexTM and DimensionTM desktop PCs, and Dell LatitudeTM and InspironTM notebooks with the latest version of Red Hat Linux already installed, and have the same image and configuration delivered to multiple locations around the world. For more information on Dell's offering of Red Hat Linux-based systems, go to www.dell.com/linux or www.redhat.com/onesource.