Free notebook computer

Hewlett-Packard Co. has entered the Linux notebook market with the release of its first notebook PC pre-installed with Linux.

Aimed at the SMB market, the HP Compaq nx5000 business notebook PC ships with Novell Inc.'s SUSE Linux Version 9.1 and is distributed by Synnex Canada. HP Canada said it hadn't sold any units to resellers at press time but added that it's still a new product to the market.

"We anticipate some resellers that are playing with Linux on the desktop or back office seeing this as a potential viable alternative for their computing needs," said Daniel Reio, product manager for commercial notebooks and tablet PCs at HP Canada.

The product launch was among those made at last month's LinuxWorld Conference and Expo in San Francisco. At Novell's BrainShare conference earlier this year, HP announced the expansion of its certification and support of Linux OS-based systems.

Customers can purchase the nx5000 with or without Suse Linux preinstalled. Reio said HP decided not to release a standard off-the-shelf version with Linux built into it until it gets some feedback. Resellers can make from six to 12 per cent margin on the nx5000 for Windows or Linux.

The system comes equipped with OpenOffice, CD-R/RW support, DVD and media player, wireless and Bluetooth connectivity and full HP support and services. In terms of licensing, Reio said there's still a cost to putting an operating system on the notebook but it's a little less expensive than Microsoft's Windows. Unlike free Linux distributions, will receive support, users of SuSE Linux, he said.

Reio said the announcement gives customers the option to choose what OS they want to use in their product. "I won't tell you there's been tons of interest (in Linux)," he said. "Most of our customers still prefer Windows."

A recently released reseller survey by Evans Research Corp. showed that 30 per cent of the 175 respondents named Microsoft their preferred software vendor while three per cent selected Novell.

Michelle Warren, ERC analyst, said resellers suggested she add Linux to the list as they saw it as a growth opportunity.

"HP entering the foray with a Linux-based notebook is to compete with Dell and IBM and to show they are actively pursuing that market."

Michael Peddemors, CEO and president of Surrey, B.C.-based LinuxMagic, a Novell PartnerNet partner, echoed Warren's comments.

"HP's a little bit of a late-comer to the market but now they've realized and recognized how important it is," he said citing other hardware OEMs such as Dell Inc. and IBM Corp. who put their support behind Linux before HP.

Starting price for the nx5000 is $1,999.