Dell has launched an online survey to identify areas where the company could support Linux, following widespread calls from users to bundle the open source OS with new desktop systems. 

The survey asks users about applications that they would use on a Linux desktop, support requirements and specific distributions. The poll will run from 13 March to 23 March.

Dell currently supports Linux on its servers, and offers a set of three professional workstations preinstalled with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.

The vendor does not currently offer mainstream desktop or notebook computers with the open source software.

The survey was sparked by Dell's IdeaStorm website which solicits feedback from regular users and allows them to promote suggestions from fellow users.  

Recommendations that Dell increase support for open source software quickly rose to the top of the list.

A request to offer preinstalled Linux has attracted over 110,000 votes, trailed by a suggestion to offer OpenOffice with more than 76,000 votes.