Dell Computers is now offering consumers computers that come preloaded with the open source Linux operating system Ubuntu, the world’s number two computer maker said today. Dell has long offered business Linux-based computers, but this announcement marks the first time that a major computer manufacturer has offered the technology on laptops and desktops designed for consumer use.

The computers will use a version of Linux called Ubuntu and will be available by the end of the May in America with Europe not far behind. With companies like Google offering web-based applications that compete with Microsoft’s most popular programmes, the move by Dell offers consumers an unprecedented opportunity to run a full-featured laptop without using any products from the world’s largest software maker.

“There is growing demand for Linux in the desktop and notebook space, and we believe that there will be positive response to our efforts,” Dell spokesman Jeremy Bolen announced. “In addition, we are seeing the overall ecosystem evolve with enhanced operating systems and applications that make Linux more appealing than ever. “