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Dell has launched a couple of new notebooks and a new desktop system that runs a pre-installed version of Ubuntu 8.04, joining two other desktops in its open source product range.

Linux has become more of a household name, what with Microsoft dropping the ball with its recent Vista OS. A good example of this is Intel disregarding Vista in favour of Ubuntu for its Atom Centrino MID platform.

Although Dell won’t really loosing Microsoft’s grip on the market, its nice to see that large computer companies are taking note of consumer demand – even if it is the more niche Linux user market. But is Ubuntu going to be the platform that can truly compete with Windows dominance?

The two new Dell notebooks are the XPS 1330 weighing in at US$949 and the Inspiron 1525 at a feather weight US$549. Both notebooks are equipped with similar hardware as their Windows Vista counter-parts. The XPS 1330 features a Core 2 Duo T5550 CPU, and the Inspiron 1525 has a T2370, with 1GB of main memory.

The new desktop PC – the Inspiron 530N is priced at US$449, which is US$50 less than a 530s Vista model with the same hardware. You can get yourself a FreeDOS version of the PC with an E4600 Intel Chip for US$539.

The price remains pretty similar to a Windows-based PC, but you have to remember alot of work goes in to the installation of Ubuntu so you’re paying extra so if you’re a Linux n00b you don’t have to have the hassle of trying to figure it all out.

Dell has confirmed that the will expand their Ubuntu range in August with the XPS M1530n and the Studio 15n.