Dell getting Linux right?

The PC industry struggles with the while Linux vs. Windows thing. An OEM license that comes with your PC is not cheap – often referred to as the Microsoft tax. Now let’s say a PC manufacturer pays $60 to Microsoft – on a $800 system, that’s not much. On a $300 netbook, that’s 20% of the total and a pretty big deal. The industry has been looking for ways to provide alternative OS’. While Ubuntu or these other distributions are “free”, there’s still cost involved vs. Microsoft – but getting down to $10-$15 is very meaningful in generating profit on the smartbook/netbook segment. Interesting read how Dell is getting 1/3rd of their netbooks with Linux and possibility of launching ARM based “Smartbooks” in the near future