Originally published December 8 2005
Linux operating system exposure increases
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Linux is now offered at Micro Center's 19 stores with staff trained by Linspire. Linux currently has a 2.5 percent share of the operating system market, with predictions of 9 percent by 2008.
Computers running the Linux operating system are continuing to advance into the consumer retail market, with the announcement this week that Micro Center will sell desktops and laptops running Linspire's Linux.
Micro Center, which is owned by Micro Electronics of Hilliard, Ohio, began considering selling hardware systems with Linux preinstalled after competitor Fry's Electronics offered Linux computer systems, Carmony said.
While other retailers sell computers with Linspire's software, Micro Center is the only vendor that is devoting space in each of its 19 stores to Linux and has staff members trained by Linspire, according to Carmony.
The PowerSpec 1405 retails for $250 and features a Sempron processor from Advanced Micro Devices, 128MB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive, and a CD-ROM drive.
Laptops running Linspire were not listed on Micro Center's Web site, and a company representative did not respond to requests for further information.
While Linspire's CEO does not anticipate the consumer PC market switching from Windows hegemony to Linux domination, this distribution agreement expands Linux's presence in the consumer channel.
Carmony believes that a typical prospective Linspire user is someone looking to purchase a second or third PC or searching for a machine to use for basic e-mail, word processing and Internet surfing functions.
Dan Kusnetzky, IDC's vice president of system software research, said that while this retail agreement is not indicative of a larger trend in the channel, Linux works for consumers with less demanding computing needs.
"Suppliers offering Linux are looking to satisfy users with needs dedicated to certain purposes like Internet access or personal productivity--low-end use," he said.
"Fry's put pressure on Micro Center, Micro Center launched this, and this will put pressure on the Best Buys.
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