Dell has blown hot and cold on the Linux desktop over the years. Dell was the first major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to offer consumer Linux desktops in 2007, but since then Linux-powered mobile PCs have only been available from Dell by special order.

No more.

In addition to the upcoming ‘Sputnik’ Ubuntu Linux developer laptop, Dell is now offering two new high-end mobile workstations with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6 for Desktops. 

Dell claims the two new systems — the Dell Precision M4700 and M6700 — are the “world’s most powerful 15-inch and 17-inch mobile workstations.” Citation needed, perhaps, but on the face of it do have a good aesthetic quality about them. 

Both models come with the latest Intel Core i5, i7 and Extreme Edition processors with Turbo Boost Technology, and a range of graphics cards including NVIDIA’s Quadro K-series GPUS and AMD FirePro graphics. The top of the line M6700 also offers AMD FirePro M6000 with PCIe x16 Gen 3 for fast data throughput. With any of these you can get up to high-definition 1920×1080-pixel resolution.

Dell re-enters high-end Linux laptop market with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. More >