Linspire Offers $199 Linux-Based Desktops Through Sears

Linspire, the San Diego-based developer of the Linspire and Freespire community desktop Linux operating systems, announced a $199 Linux PC, after $100 mail-in rebate, through retailer Sears' Web site. The desktop is also the first Linux PC pre-installed with the beta CNR Client, a software delivery service.

"As the cracks in the adoption for desktop Linux continue to show, when these systems start coming out the channel starts to wake up," said Linspire CEO Larry Kettler. "As hardware comes down in price, the value price point is an opportunity for system builders of all sizes."

The configuration includes an Intel (NSDQ:INTC) Celeron 420 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of memory, 80GB of hard drive space, a keyboard, speakers and mouse. Also included are a 15-in-1 memory card reader, an optical drive, and Linspire's Freespire 2.0 operating system, built atop Ubuntu 7.10.

Kettler said that every year the channel has the opportunity to look at the Linux-based desktop market, and admits "the year of desktop Linux" is yet to arrive.

"The low-end, value-priced PC is an entry point to the desktop Linux marketplace," he said. "I think the combined efforts of everyone will continue to break the market open a little bit more for desktop Linux."
Source :http://www.crn.com