For years, Microsoft has reigned supreme as the 'only' choice for OEM partners on the x86 architecture. Later on, Apple switched from PPC (Power PC) to x86, but really did not make a dent in the OEM market, as Apple produces its own hardware, with OS X being a means to that end.
Then it happened: Dell dropped their hat into the ring, perhaps prompting what could become a rush of other PC manufacturers and distributors wishing to enter into OEM deals with various Linux distributions. Keep in mind that Dell is hardly doing anything new here. There have been a number of smaller companies that have worked within the Linux space for some time now. Generally referred to as distributors, their goal remains the same – selling pre-installed Linux-based computers to their customers.
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