September 16, 2009, 10:13 am
Except for Dell, the major PC vendors are reluctant to admit they actually sell and support Linux. For instance, HP supports Linux quite well on its servers but is very reluctant to support it on its desktops. They have trouble even admitting that they’re now shipping DeviceVM’s instant-on Splashtop Linux on their new notebook lines.
HP had started quietly shipping Splashtop on its new business laptop, the HP ProBook 5310m. Curiously, HP is continuing to ship its Windows/Outlook-based QuickLook on the ProBook as well. Why would you bother with that, since Splashtop could support the full-featured Evolution e-mail client? You can also use Gmail or any other Web-based mail system with QuickWeb. Perhaps HP wants to stay on Microsoft good side. After all, that also would explain why HP has been so hesitant to make it easy for would-be buyers to get Novell’s SLED (SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop) 11 on HP desktops.
