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Walmart.com has added the SuSE distribution to its PC lineup, and PC consumers can now purchase the Linux-based machines for under $300.
The Microtel-designed systems will run SuSEs 8.2 operating system and are the first to be sold with the SuSE Linux software pre-installed in the United States.
SuSE representative Holger Dyroff said that he believed SuSEs unique features to be the reason that Microtel and Walmart.com added it to their collection of machines running other versions of Linux.
“We have a trusted brand name, as well as being known for having good documentation and additional options for customers,” he said. “We hope that it will boost sales volume now that our software is being sold with hardware by a major US vendor.”
The operating system consists of twelve CD-ROMs and comes with five to six hundred applications. Dyroff said that additional software, including video editing software, is available to customers free of charge at SuSEs FTP site.
The PCs, available on Walmart.coms site, include AMD Athlon and Duron-based systems, and also PCs featuring the Intel Pentium 4 and Celeron processors. However, all of the PCs listed exclude a monitor.
For its part, Walmart.com representative Cynthia Lin said that WalMart decided to add the SuSE Microtel machine to expand consumer choices.
“Our focus is meeting customers needs, and we do this by providing them with choice,” she said. “We have gotten strong response to the other Linux systems, and we intend to continue to explore different models.”
The computers are currently available at Wal-Mart.com and range in price from $298 to $598.