The move, which is said to be the first such agreement that Sun Microsystems Inc has signed with a computer manufacturer in Europe, follows some very tentative steps in the US where the Java Desktop System is available on three PC models sold by retail giant Wal-Mart’s online channel.
Sun executives have a grand plan to help reactivate the company’s value proposition by combining different products and services in ways that might help disrupt Microsoft Corp’s ability to reach consumers and small businesses with Windows and applications for the PC.
Earlier this month, it put out release 2 of Java Desktop System and said it would be extending the $50 promotional price for the desktop operating system until December 2004 to drive up interest in the desktop alternative to Windows.
In Spain, price tags of the Micro branded Linux PCs will start at 450 euros ($545), considerably cheaper than low-end Windows models.
Dell produced a Linux desktop more than four years ago that crashed and burned, but Sun believes the market is more accepting now than then.
