Hewlett-Packard Brings Linux To Select Desktops

Tatey writes "Hewlett-Packard, one of the world's largest PC manufacturers, has announced it will start selling Linux-based PCs aimed at the consumer market ... in Australia. For the time being it appears the HP Linux models will only be available down under, with prices starting at $AU600 (just under $500 USD). 'This PC is a low-end business PC. It comes powered by any of a variety of AMD processors. These range from the 1.60 GHz AMD Sempron 3000+ processor to the speedy 2.8 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5600+ processor. The dx2250 can hold up to 2GB of RAM. For storage, it maxes out with a 250 GB hard drive. It comes with a variety of optical drive options, ranging from ordinary CDs to a DVD+/-RW LightScribe, Double Layer/Dual Format drive. At this time, it is not clear exactly what options HP will be offering with the RHEL-based system. Previously, HP had offered this desktop computer with a choice of Vista Business, XP, and FreeDOS. In the latter case, this was almost always replaced by users with a Linux distribution.'"

Comments

Nice.

[cp.tar]

While RHEL isn't every Linux user's choice, at least they're now getting a real, usable OS instead of FreeDOS.

Don't miss....

[martin_henry]

...the two most important words in the summary: in Australia.

Red Hat charges for Linux, $80 to $339

[AHumbleOpinion]

What is the cost of this computer with XP/Vista in comparison. We have seen this happen before where Dell shipped FreeDOS systems that actually cost more than with Windows (which means there is definitely malarky going on there).

No malarky, Red Hat charges for RHEL. Prices range from $80 to $339 depending on whether or not you want support for 2 CPU sockets, more than 4 GB RAM, virtualization, server applications (apache, samba, nfs). Keep in mind that Red Hat is offering support.

https://www.redhat.com/apps/store/desktop/

Re:What I want to know is...

[westlake]

We have seen this happen before where Dell shipped FreeDOS systems that actually cost more than with Windows (which means there is definitely malarky going on there).

Mass market retailer sells a gazillion Windows system bundles.

Many will ship pre-loaded with $200 OEM MS Office. Many will ship with upgraded wideo and other options.

The plain vanilla FreeDOS PC sells in purchase orders of 100-1000 units. No problem there.

It is servicing the Geek who expects mass market consumer pricing and service on a "naked PC" that has no consumer market that costs you money.

In Latin America...

[Stormwatch]

This isn't really new: HP sells PCs with Mandriva across Latin America.

MS volume licenses

[mistahkurtz]

Previously, HP had offered this desktop computer with a choice of Vista Business, XP, and FreeDOS. In the latter case, this was almost always replaced by users with a Linux distribution. not completely true. most (if not 100%) of the machines that come with FreeDOS are build-to-order configs. ie, for a rollout for a specific customer. FreeDOS costs a few bucks, and saves the company from having to buy OEM XPP or Vista or whatever if they already own the licenses thru a license agreement of some sort. The machines are generally imaged for the customer with their own licensing and whatever software/settings they need. this can save $5000-$10000 or more on a decent-sized rollout or refresh.

the same could be true of linux distros (though it happens much less often), but the point is FreeDOS is intended to save the company from having to buy an OS when they already have one.

Re:MS volume licenses

[GPL Apostate]

For QA purposes, that would be a machine on which an OS had been installed for testing, and then wiped.