The Linux desktop may never be as popular as the Windows desktop, but more top-tier computer OEMs are now offering a broad assortment of Linux desktops. In the latest move, Lenovo[1], currently the top PC vendor in the world according to Gartner[2], will roll Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS out across 30 of Lenovo's ThinkPads[3] and ThinkStations.
Wowser!
While Lenovo started certifying most of its laptop and PC line on the top Linux distributions[4] since June 2020, this is a much bigger step. Now, instead of simply acknowledging its equipment will be guaranteed to run Linux, Lenovo's selling Ubuntu Linux[5]-powered hardware to ordinary Joe and Jane users.
Previously, you could only buy most of these machines if you were a business and had specified you wanted Ubuntu on a customized bid. Now, nearly 30 Ubuntu-loaded devices will now be available for purchase via Lenovo.com[6]. These include 13 ThinkStation and ThinkPad P Series Workstations and an additional 14 ThinkPad T, X, X1, and L series laptops, all with the 20.04 LTS version of Ubuntu. The one exception will be the L series, which ships with version 18.04 LTS.
Igor Bergman, vice president of PCSD software and cloud at Lenovo, said:
"Lenovo's vision of enabling smarter technology for all really does mean 'for all.' Our announcement of device certification in June was a step in the right direction to enable customers to more easily install Linux on their own. Our goal is to remove the complexity and provide the Linux community with the premium experience that our customers know us for. This is why we have taken this next step to offer Linux-ready devices right out of the box."
These machines, which will be available around