HP unveils preloaded Linux desktop PCs

The hardware is an HP dx2250 low-end business desktop system available with several AMD processors, ranging from a 1.6Ghz AMD Sempron 3000+ to a 2.8Ghz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5600+. It comes with up to 2GB of RAM, a hard drive of up to 250GB, and several optical storage choices, from an ordinary CD drive up to a DVD+/-RW LightScribe Double Layer, Dual Format drive.

Software is the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 Desktop version, with the Gnome 2.16 desktop manager, Evolution 2.8 email and groupware client, Firefox 2.0x web browser and OpenOffice 2.04 office suite with word processor, spreadsheet, drawing and presentation applications. Prices start at AU$600, or about $489 US and £245 UK, and Red Hat offers three levels of technical support. HP makes the third major PC vendor, after Lenovo and Dell, to break with Microsoft by offering preloaded Linux PCs in volume. µ

L'INQ
Desktop Linux