HP uses open-source for 'Switzerland' strategy

22.05.2006

HP sells PCs installed with Mandriva Linux in Latin America. When could we start seeing Linux desktops in North America? We do certify Novell [Linux] on our desktops. We don't ship desktops with Linux [on a widespread basis] now because the market isn't big enough or cohesive enough from a worldwide perspective. We watch it closely, though, as does the Personal Systems Group.

Our regional groups have the freedom to work more locally if a customer wants it. So we do Mandriva in France and Brazil, and Ubuntu in South Africa. If there is big interest when SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 from Novell is released, the PSG can turn on a dime and offer it pretty quickly worldwide.