Dell is once again beefing up its Linux-ready offerings -- including one that the company bills as the "world's smallest fully functional commercial desktop PC."According to an eWeek.com story on the announcement, Dell is targeting customers who need a great deal of flexibility when it comes to purchasing new hardware -- and its retooled OptiPlex line is designed to deliver the goods: The OptiPlex 780 is available as a minitower, a desktop, a small form factor and an ultra small form factor. As with the also-option-rich Dell V13 laptop, introduced two days earlier, Dell offers a choice of operating systems, from Ubuntu Linux to multiple incarnations of Microsoft Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. Processor options range from the Intel Celeron up to (on all but the ultra small form factor) Intels Core 2 Quad. Perhaps the most interesting option, however, is the ultra small form factor (USSF) version of the OptiPlex 780. At around nine inches square, two inches thick, and seven pounds, it compares favorably to USSF models from ZaReason and Shuttle. Instead of using an Intel Atom processor, however, the Dell system includes an Intel Celeron. Perhaps more important, it uses an integrated, energy-efficient 180 watt power supply -- so there's no external power brick to worry about.

As noted above, Dell also recently unveiled its new Vostro V13 laptop, which offers a pre-installed Ubuntu Linux option.

LinuxDevices.com has additional coverage and commentary on both the OptiPlex 780 USSF model and the V13 laptop, including pricing and product shots.

Incidentally, WorksWithU.com blogger Joe Panettieri points out that Dell has remedied its annoying habit of making customers who want a pre-installed Ubuntu system jump through hoops to find what they need: To Dell U.S.s credit, the company has long offered visitors a specific URL (www.dell.com/ubuntu) for Ubuntu shoppers. Now, in a subtle but important step, Dell also is finally exposing Ubuntu to consumers who may not be familiar with Linux. Check Dells page for home laptop buyers and theres a menu . . . offering Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and . . . drum roll, please . . . Ubuntu options. Thank you to a number of readers who pointed out Dells decision to highlight the Ubuntu option. According to Panettieri, Dell still has room for improvement when it comes to highlighting its Ubuntu-ready product lineup, especially for small business users. Yet the company is definitely moving in the right direction. That's great news, since Dell's new Ubuntu desktop and laptop options offer some very attractive options for SMB customers.

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