Micro Center Computer Stores Across Nation Devote Floor Space, Staff to Desktop Linux

SAN DIEGO and HILLIARD, Ohio, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Micro Center, a nationwide chain of 19 computer superstores, and Linspire, Inc., maker of the desktop Linux operating system, announced today that Micro Center has designed new desktop Linux sections within each of its locations to meet growing consumer demand. The dedicated desktop Linux "store within a store" concept to be unveiled at each location is part of a chain-wide revamp to feature desktop Linux software products, pre-installed desktops and laptops, and Linux-compatible peripherals.

At each Micro Center location, desktop Linux products from Linspire will be featured in a prominent desktop Linux section - the PC Systems area where consumers will be able to try and buy several desktop and laptop computers pre-installed with Linspire Linux. The new sections will put desktop Linux software and products in high-traffic areas of the store, giving Linux products a significant amount of retail space and boosting visibility of Linux within each store.

"Linspire is not only affordable, but its open architecture is of interest to many of our Micro Center shoppers," said Kevin Jones, vice president of merchandising for Micro Center. "By offering our customers a convenient place to try Linspire -- and by having trained Micro Center associates right there to answer questions face-to-face -- we are furthering our goal of making Micro Center the premier retailer to meet the needs of Linux customers."

The desktop Linux "store within a store" concept follows Micro Center's announcement in May that it would offer Linspire desktop Linux software and pre-installed computers in all of its 19 retail locations. The move was in part a response to internal surveys by Micro Center revealed that more than 75 percent of its customers have an interest in running a Linux-based operating system as either a primary or alternative operating system.

"Micro Center's desktop Linux initiative is about educating consumers on all their options before they purchase their next computer," said Kevin Carmony, president and CEO of Linspire, Inc. "Can people still buy Microsoft Windows and Apple computers at Micro Center? Of course they can. But now they'll also be able to try out a desktop Linux operating system while they're browsing, and get their questions answered by trained staff. By making it easy to try and buy desktop Linux, Micro Center is breaking down the barriers to adoption."

Micro Center offers Linspire pre-installed on a number of PowerSpec computers. System builders and hobbyists can also purchase specially priced OEM editions of Linspire in Micro Center's "Build-Your-Own-PC" areas, bundling the affordable operating system with motherboards and other system components. About Linspire, Inc.

Linspire, Inc. (http://www.linspire.com) was founded in 2001 to bring choice into the operating system market. The company's flagship product, the Linspire operating system, is an affordable, easy-to-use Linux-based operating system for home, school, and business users. Linspire pioneered CNR ("click and run") Technology, which allows Linspire users access to thousands of software programs, each of which can be downloaded and installed with just one mouse click. The more than 2,400 software titles available in the CNR Warehouse (http://www.linspire.com/cnr) include full office and productivity suites, games, multimedia players, photo management software, accounting tools, and more. About Micro Center

Micro Center operates 19 stores in major markets nationwide. Founded in 1979 in Columbus, Micro Center's distinctive features include: * A destination retailer designed to satisfy the dedicated computer

user. * Uniquely focused on computers and computer-related products. In fact,

Micro Center offers more computer and computer-related SKUs (over

30,000 in stock) than any other retailer. * More square footage devoted exclusively to computers and computer-

related items than any other retailer (stores average 45,000 square

feet). * Selection, service and sales staff expertise modeled after Nordstrom

and other service-oriented retailers. * More upscale atmospherics than big box consumer electronics stores. * Innovators of the departmentalized approach to computer retailing.

Service levels and expertise vary to meet customer preferences by

department. This means: * Consultative career sales staff in hardware departments which surround

staple items in the center of the store. * Quick in/out shopping experience on staple items with check outs

arranged conveniently. It's no wonder that the December, 2005 issue of the leading U.S. consumer magazine rates Micro Center as the best store at which to purchaser a computer, based on an online survey from 78,000 subscribers who purchased a computer between January 2004 and June 2005. In fact, Micro Center is the only retailer to have scored "very good" in selection and service each year since 2003, when the magazine began measuring satisfaction with computer stores in their annual subscriber survey. Micro Center store locations:

CA -- Tustin and Santa Clara; CO -- Denver; GA -- Atlanta (2); IL -- Chicago (2); KS -- Kansas City; MA -- Boston; MI -- Detroit; MN -- Minneapolis; NY -- Westbury, LI; OH -- Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus; PA -- Philadelphia; TX -- Dallas, Houston; VA -- Fairfax.

Consumers can also purchase from Micro Center online at http://www.microcenter.com. For more information, please contact: Heather MacKenzie

Linspire, Inc.

858-587-6700, ext. 263

858-587-8095 Fax

pr@linspireinc.com Linspire, Linspire Five-0, CNR, and CNR Warehouse are trademarks of Linspire, Inc. Other marks used herein may be the property of their respective owners.