IBM Linux laptop push gets a boost
An IBM plan to launch a mass-market suite of open-source software could get a major boost with reports that laptop firm Lenovo is interested in adopting the technology.
As we reported on Tuesday, the Open Collaboration Client Solution (OCCS) involves Linux-based editions of IBM’s Lotus Notes e-mail software and Lotus Symphony office suite. Each package will also include the relevant operating system (Ubuntu, Novell or Red Hat) of whichever open source developer is involved.
Chinese laptop giant Lenovo, the world’s fourth largest PC manufacturer, has now confirmed it is “looking” at the scheme. The statement follows reports in Information Week that the two companies were in talks to set up a deal with Lenovo selling a range of machines based on the OCCS package.
IBM believes that the open-source software could mean computer packages can retail at half the price of the same systems running Windows and the relevant Microsoft programs. That could appeal both to budget-conscious home and business users, and users in developing markets. Indeed, IBM says the OCCS scheme originally stemmed from requests from corporate buyers at Aeroflot and the Russian defence ministry for a low-priced but reliable open-source system.
Lenovo was always likely to be first on the marketing list for the scheme; it bought out IBM’s PC manufacturing business three years ago for $1.75 billion. And this time last year it announced plans to sell laptops with Linux pre-installed in place of Windows.
Microsoft has come under quite the assault from IBM this week. It began by announcing it would use Linux for a new server product which is a clear rival to Microsoft’s Small Business Server. And, speaking at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas, IBM’s Bob Sutor urged Linux developers to concentrate on aping Apple software rather than Windows, arguing that Apple’s products were better designed and more useable.
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August 9th, 2008
This is something that I have been waiting to see for a long time. I know you can order some computers with Linux installed but, with Linux being an open source software I wondered why I couldn’t buy a “discounted” laptop with Linux installed. You can buy a windows laptop for $500 but by the time you upgrade everything and get a decent word proceser (MS word) your getting close to $1000. I’m all for this one and cant wait to hear more about this. Buy the way I am writing this on my Vista gimped laptop.
August 12th, 2008
Thanks for the mention! Incidentally, I gave the talk at LinuxWorld 2008 in San Francisco, not at Black Hat in Las Vegas.