Enlarge / No, that is not a pink panther—that catlike critter is a fossa, and it is each mascot and default wallpaper of Ubuntu 20.04, preloaded on this Thinkpad P920. (credit score: Lenovo)

Starting immediately, Lenovo is providing a vastly expanded collection of OEM Linux PCs to most of the people. Earlier this yr, Lenovo started providing Fedora Linux pre-installed on laptop computer methods together with Thinkpad P1 Gen 2, Thinkpad P54, and Thinkpad X1 Gen 8. At this time’s announcement makes Ubuntu Linux accessible on a significantly broader swath of each desktop and laptop computer PCs.

The units themselves—and their Ubuntu certifications—aren’t new, however the public accessibility is. Beforehand, these methods had been solely accessible to enterprise clients by way of customized bid, however the 27 new fashions—largely that includes Ubuntu 20.04, aside from the L sequence laptops that includes Ubuntu 18.04—will now be accessible for retail buy by Lenovo.com. Simply watch out for the footnote warning that some fashions could also be restricted to particular markets.

Though it has been easy for particular person clients “within the know” about enterprise-only mannequin certifications to purchase these machines with Home windows and set up Ubuntu themselves, the brand new OEM program removes roadblocks in each realizing which methods to purchase and getting manufacturing unit assist on them as soon as put in.