Experimental Sputnik project has been launched by Dell according to Dells George Barton’s blog. Company has plans to deliver tailored solution for software developers in form of new Dell XPS 13 running Ubuntu 12.04 which will make it a first Ubuntu ultrabook in fact first linux ultrabook ever. Dell has some previous experience with the Linux OS pre-installed on their machines, in fact they have been doing in since 2007 with some mixed success.

The biggest problem with the Linux implementations is having fully compatible hardware which Dell should ensure to sort out in order to make it a viable proposition. Luckily the Sputnik project is trying to achieve more than the previous attempts. Dell is planning to concentrate on the compatibility with hardware and most importantly the Dell XPS 13 offering will ensure that for a change the target market is actually receiving a very powerful combination of portability and power. If only they can manage to persuade hardware providers to open up their sources to develop and guarantee to update drivers for the lifespan of their product, Dell could be on a winner. New Ubuntu ultrabook could be very interesting not only to software developers but any Linux enthusiast.