HP Finally Offers Pre-Installed Desktop Linux: Page 2

In other words, customers were asking for Linux. Grant Ho, Novell's senior product marketing manager
for SLED, added, "We're very excited about this release. Desktop Linux in education very clearly meets the need to help meet the pain point in security, value and cost savings." With today's economy, SMBs can certainly use that same help.

Besides SLED's usual assortment of programs, such as Firefox for Web browsing, Evolution for e-mail and OpenOffice for office work, Novell and HP will be jointly offering a repository of more than 40 open-source applications, including math, art and word games, to improve student learning. In addition, applications for school administration and instruction will be available for teachers and administrators. This repository will be available in early January.

Stevens said that that the delay is because Novell and HP are still certifying this set of education programs for use with this particular platform. What this means for you is that when you call HP for first and second-tier support, they'll not only be able to help you with SLED on the PC, but with these applications as well. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time a PC company is offering free and open-source software support, beyond the operating system and Web browsers, to customers.

In a statement, Roger Levy, senior vice president and general manager of Open Platform Solutions, for Novell said, "We are excited to expand our work with HP to take advantage of the high-growth desktop Linux space. As the best-engineered and most interoperable Linux desktop, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop helps customers increase security and improve productivity. With the focus on educational users, this affordable joint offering delivers a solid learning platform and prepares students with 21st-century technology skills."

The HP Compaq dc5850 with SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop is expected to be available Dec. 15 in North America at a U.S. street price of $519 via HP's Web site. The systems will also be available through educational and SMB VARs. Customers will be able to buy totally pre-configured, "Smart Buy" systems or pick and choose their own hardware configuration.

This article was first published on LinuxPlanet.com.