No Linux versions of HP for UK markets

Here comes the disappointing news for many of us. On Feb. 5^th, HP announced that HP Mini 1000 will not have a Linux version pre installed for its Europe markets including UK. HP has decided to withdraw Linux as an OS option from the UK users list for its forthcoming netbooks.

Netbooks were seen as godsend for Linux, who was trying to gain a foothold in the industry, when the earliest netbooks were launched with Linux versions but soon Windows XP gained more popularity and now this news. Is it the start of a trend? Let’s hope not!

HP Mini 1000, which was launched last year, was supposed hit the market this month. For UK users, the only version available in HP Mini 1000 is the Vivienne Tam edition which is very expensive. This comes with Windows XP version and costs around £ 450. The Linux version will only be available for US users, where it will come in two versions; the cheap Linux version and an expensive Windows XP version. The Mini 1000 Mobile Internet Experience (MIE) which uses Ubuntu Linux, available in US, also will not be available in the EMEA markets.

HP’s Compaq Mini 700, a cheaper alternative, will also not have Linux and will come with Windows XP. Their business oriented, HP Mini 2140 will give a choice between Windows XP and Vista but no Linux here too. In UK, the Linux users have a cheaper option in the form of HP mini 2133.  The Mini 2133 was launched last year and it belongs to the older generation of netbooks. It uses the lesser powered Via C7-M processor as compared to Mini 1000 which has Intel’s Atom processor which mostly all the competitors are offering.

No reasons were given behind this decision. Rumor is that it might be because retailers have returned back more Linux based netbooks than Windows ones which is hard to comprehend given that Acer’s Aspire One is a Linux based netbook and also the best selling one in Europe. It was told that these Windows versions will better address the European markets and that this decision was taken almost a month back. It is debatable whether it is a smart move by HP because they may be loosing out on many customers because of this, as customers will not have a cheaper choice. Moreover, Linux versions are offered by other HP’s competitors. Consumers may be hoping that other manufacturers too should not be towing this line soon.