HP launches Linux desktop in Australia

I've just been to the HP Australia Website, and no mention of Red Hat Linus in association with the dx2250 - FreeDOS yes Linux no.

Wow. HP's web site looks as bad as Dell's. Vague as possible, and near useless search results.

The only evidence I found of the Linux offerings for desktops in AU was http://h71028.www7.hp.com/enterprise/cache/317386-0-0-14-121...

Speaking of HP's site... My sis was ordering a new laptop the other day. Their customize/order system doesn't work in firefox. You can fill out the first customize page, but when you hit continue it returns to the homepage instead of onto the next page. Checked firefox in windows and linux. IE on her comp worked fine though... Not a great way to get more people to buy yer comps online.

Quoting:FreeDOS yes Linux no

Tracyanne, HP had Linux in place of FreeDOS before they stopped offering desktops pre-installed with Linux. As a matter of fact, they were offering your favorite distro, Mandrake at the time.

So it wouldn't be too difficult for them to change it back to Linux again.

Give them a bit of time. The good thing is, is that they officially announced it will be available.

Quoting:they were offering your favorite distro, Mandrake at the time.

Abe I think they still do, in France.

Quoting:http://h41087.www4.hp.com/solutions/administrations/hpeduc/linux/produits_mandriva.html

The matrix is in french.

A search for Linux on the HP site yeilded a link to this page.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?docname=c...

with the following Q and A faqs

Quoting: What is Linux? Linux is an open source operating system based on Unix. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License.

How do I open Windows with Linux? Windows is not installed with Linux. If you want to use Microsoft Windows, it must be installed separately.

Can I use software that works in Windows with Linux? Windows will not run in Linux without additional emulation software. If you just want to run Windows software, the Windows operating system can be installed on your computer. Refer to the Windows Upgrade Website (in English).

Can I upgrade my operating system from Linux to Windows? To find out if your computer hardware is Windows-capable and meets the minimum system requirements to install Windows, visit the Windows Upgrade Website (in English).

I found the last particularly amusing, and was also somewhat annoyed by the implications. I have long felt that my move from Windows to Linux was the upgrade, and everytime I am forced to use Windows it's a downgrade.

Another story about the "AMD-based Compaq dx2250 PC pre-loaded with Red Hat's Enterprise Linux 5 desktop" at http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136692-c,redhat/article.ht... states that

Quoting: Pricing begins at $600 and the PC is available now through HP resellers.

Implying that HP won't, or at least are not, selling them through HP directly.

I found the reseller locater for AU at http://h50112.www5.hp.com/AU/search.asp

Trying one at random, they seemed more likely to sell me a desk chair than a computer in the first place.

I still can't find any Compaq dx2250, on the HP Australia site, that are speced with a Linux OS.