Novell Extends Desktop Linux Leadership Through Pre-Load Agreement With Micro-Star International

Micro-Star International will deliver low-cost, mini-notebooks pre-loaded with SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop

Waltham, Mass.— In order to meet increasing global customer demand for Linux* on client systems, Novell® today announced that Micro-Star International (MSI), a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions based in Taiwan, is pre-installing SUSE® Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 on MSI’s low-cost mini-notebooks. The initial pre-loaded model, the Wind Notebook, is one of the first in the rapidly growing segment of low-cost mini-notebooks, termed “netbooks” by Intel Corporation. Powered by the new Intel® Atom™ processor, the Wind netbook will be available worldwide and comes pre-loaded with SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop as well as the OpenOffice.org productivity suite and a host of wireless, security and multimedia capabilities.

According to IDC’s latest Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker from June 2008, worldwide shipments of portable PCs are projected to reach 145.3 million units in 2008, with the emergence of ultra low-cost notebook PCs cited as a significant influence on the overall notebook market.**

With SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop from Novell, MSI customers get a user friendly interface coupled with a rich set of applications, as well as unmatched technical and driver support. Since 2006, MSI and Novell have collaborated to provide SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop for MSI desktops and notebooks, but this is the first pre-load agreement between the two companies.

“Novell is excited to partner with MSI to pre-install SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop on its low-cost notebooks powered by Intel’s Atom processor,” said Roger Levy, senior vice president and general manager of Open Platform Solutions at Novell. “The market is primed for desktop Linux, and by combining MSI’s highly-mobile, full-featured notebooks with Novell’s enterprise-ready desktop operating system, customers now have the best of both worlds – a comprehensive and easy-to-use solution at a very affordable price.”
Availability

The lightweight Wind netbook featuring Intel’s energy-saving Atom processor will be available worldwide later this summer. More information can be found at www.msimobile.com.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop provides market-leading usability, seamless interoperability and essential productivity applications. It is deployable as a general-purpose desktop or easily tailored for use in thin- or thick-client configurations. With SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop, businesses can dramatically reduce costs, improve security and increase workforce productivity. For more information on SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop from Novell, visit www.novell.com/linux/desktop.