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So far, Dell hasn't advertised Linux on its machines in consumer advertising campaigns, but is relying on open source enthusiasts seeking out the machines on the Dell site. Those are often the same people who suggested the combination in the first place.

"Those who care know" that Dell is selling the machines, said Russ Ray, a Dell product marketing representative. "If you know Linux, you're going to know we sell Dell products with Linux on them."

Consumer-focused ads featuring Linux on Dell could appear at some point, Ray said, but it's not critical to the company. "I think that will occur when there's a reason for that to occur," he said. "We would like to get to a place where to some degree, it really doesn't matter" to consumers about which operating system is on the machines.

For business users, there has been a growing interest in the Linux on Dell program, Ray said. "We have had many inquiries," he said, regarding cost savings, infrastructure needs, desired applications and compatibility with existing Unix systems, he said. "It's the stuff that you would assume."

John Hull, manager of Dell's Linux engineering department in its Global Solutions Engineering division, said that two years ago, he'd have never expected such a program to get started.

The Linux on Dell program has made Dell machines more desirable for users who are seeking alternative operating systems to Microsoft's Windows, Hull said. "People might have looked at other brands previously, but are now looking at Dell because of Linux. We started in the big markets where they were asking the loudest and we went from there."

The company has employees who are monitor a wide variety of blogs, looking for discussions involving consumers seeking information on Linux and laptops and desktops, Camden said. The employees identify themselves and post replies pointing people to Dell and its Linux offerings. "They evangelize it on that kind of level," she said.