NZ misses out on bundle 29 March 2004 By RICHARD WOOD
The New Zealand subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard says demand for PCs running the Linux operating system is not sufficiently consistent for the company to pre-load the open source operating system here.
This is unless it is specifically requested by a reseller.
HP isn't shipping desktop computers pre-loaded with Linux in New Zealand or Australia as a matter of course, despite launching a Linux desktop throughout Asia.
Spokesman Ken Erskine says the way HP works with channel partners in New Zealand means the demand for pre-loading of Linux is very low but that HP or its resellers will add Linux as required on a deal-by-deal basis.
HP is selling desktop PCs pre-loaded with the Turbolinux version of Linux in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
The computers are also pre-loaded with the free open source productivity software suite OpenOffice.org, which competes with Microsoft Office.
