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Re: [Linux] Hewlett-Packard Hopes to Offer Preinstalled Linux Laptops and Desktops Shortly

On Jun 26, 10:14 pm, Roy Schestowitz <newsgro...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
> Earlier on:
> "Sources close to HP tell me the company hope to offer PCs with Ubuntu Linux
> pre-installed in a few months--or perhaps even a few weeks..." -- SeekingAlpha

That wouldn't surprise me.  They might also be looking at SUSE.  HP
has been
cashing in on Linux ever since it took the leap of introducing the
AMD-64 Athlon based
laptops and desktops.  Even though the PCs were still shipped with XP,
HP was very
clear that people were buying these machines to run Linux.  The XP
Eula didn't forbid
calling functions from the Windows library - as long as you had an XP
license.  XP EULA
didn't forbid connecting to Windows 2003 server or remote XP systems,
as long as you
had an XP license.  The XP EULA didn't forbid using XP as a VM Client,
as long as you
had an XP license.  As a result, there was a positive incentive for
Linux users to purchase
machines that were shipped with Windows XP, even XP Professional.

Microsoft slit it's own throat with the Vista licenses.  Home Basic
and Home Premium don't
permit using Vista as a VM Client.  Home Basic expressly forbids
playing any MP3 or MPEG4
media on the PC (even if you might have legally licensed such
capabilities from a third party
vendor such as Apple (QuickTime) RealMedia (Rhapsody), Napster, or
other license agents.

ALL Vista EULAs forbid calling Windows libraries from Linux.  And the
remote access seems to
be forbidden as well.  This makes Vista MUCH LESS desirable than XP.
The OEMs still want
XP, but they are not willing to pay a premium for it unless they get
something in return, like
the ability to configure it any way they want.  Like the ability to
preconfigure the PCs using
Linux as the "Host" operating system, and using Windows as the
"Client".

Microsoft was getting the push back as far back as March.  Dell and HP
have publicly stated that
demand for Vista is very low, appearantly less than half of their
machines are being sold with VISTA.
Many customers were rushing to get XP machines while they were still
available.

The retail sector has been hit really bad.  CompUSA had been trying to
hang on in hopes that Vista
would provide some desparately needed profit.  Instead, Microsoft
charged them a fortune for pre-sold
inventory, which wasn't selling very well.  Instead of waiting in
lines around the buildings to get
the first VISTA machines, customers were going "I'd rather have a
Mac".  And when the stores ran
out, they went to Apple stores.  CompUSA closed over 1/2 of it's
stores.  That's a lot of machines that
WON'T be sold through retail channels.

Best Buy, Circuit City, and several other stores are also feeling the
pain of Vista.  Many are threatening
to reduce or even eliminate shelf space for PC if they can't make any
profit on the sales.  With Vista systems
now selling for 30-50% off, both the OEMs and the Retailers are
reeling from the losses.  Not a pretty picture.

Several of the OEMs had the ability to purchase "options" to continue
selling XP.  It cost them a bit extra,
but HP has already sold what they ordered, and Dell is also reaching
the end of their supply.

Fortunately, for Microsoft, they are still in the game.  The OEMs
still want XP, just NOT as the primary operating
system.  At this point, Windows will have to take a "back seat" to
Linux.  The OEMs are now exploring options for
different combinations of Linux and Windows.

The irony is that Microsoft also seems to have lost many of their
friends in the software industry as well.
.Adobe has begun releasing Linux versions of their most popular
applications, including Acrobat and Flash.
Photoshop and Macromedia might not be far behind.

Even Quicken may be scrambling to make the move, they offered Web
based tax forms that could be used from Linux this year, and the
response was pretty good.  And H&R block may be looking at ways to
create tax packages
for "Base" and it's equivalents.   A Java/JDBC solution is looking
much more attractive than a "Microsoft-Only" solution.

> I somehow overlooked this part and focused on Dell's statement about
> satisfaction with Linux sales. It probably won't take long until they expand
> this to the international market.

Keep in mind that HP, Dell, Lennovo, Toshiba, and Sony have all been
acutely aware that
people are paying a premium for "Linux Ready" hardware.  Linux Hostile
hardware is being
sold at "Fire sale" prices, and the situation has only gotten WORSE
with Vista.
PC's that are "Linux Ready" are sold with XP, but they are holding
their price and
demand is exceeding expectations - BECAUSE they can be converted to
Linux in less
than an hour.

Apple can't even keep up with the demand for Macs.  Some stores have
been selling display models right off the shelf.
Meanwhile, HP and Sony machines languish next to Acer and E-Machines -
hoping that someone will buy them
at retailers instead of going to the web and ordering a Linux-Ready
machine with XP, higher resolution, bigger drives,
and more memory (so they can run XP as a VM).

> Desktop Debian Etch (and Ubuntu)
> ,----[  ]
> | A recent local Ubuntu event at a primarily Windows and Mac-based
> | Computer Society in my area created a buzz that the group's president
> | told us was quite impressive, and has invited the Ubuntu team to return.
> | This is very good news for all of Linux.
> `----
>
> http://www.oreillynet.com/linux/blog/2007/06/desktop_debian_etch_and_...



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