linux hardware shops

[Daniel Mons]

> From: Matt Lye <lyematt at gmail.com>
> The problem is there isnt "Linux Hardware"

Tom Sparks wrote:
> we have apple shops, so why not linux shops?
> 

There are plenty of shops that sell Linux *software*.  But as Matt
already said, there is no such thing as "Linux hardware", at least not
in the typical desktop PC market.

If you want non-PC hardware with embedded Linux on it, you don't have to
look far.  DLink routers, Sony Bravia TVs and BluRay players, dozens of
commercial DVD players - they all run Linux.

If you want to buy PCs with Linux pre-loaded, there are plenty of places
that sell such combos.  Asides from the usual Netbook market that's
boomed lately, there are beige-box sellers who do the same.  I assisted
this company some years ago with setting up a low-cost, Linux-driven
product:

http://www.cheapestpc.com.au/

And there are many others around too.

As for your idea of "Linux shops", the answer boils down to the fact
that at this point in time, the average Linux user is a bit more
technically savvy than your average Windws/PC user.  End result is that
high-priced, profitable PCs with Linux pre-loaded won't sell very well
to the low-end-user market (which is where the profits are made).  You
need to understand that the average beige-box retailer makes about 3%
margin in their business.  Dell pull about 5%.  It's the type of
business where you don't bother selling hardware unless it's to the 99%
"Joe Sixpack" user.

Most PC places selling desktop Linux are targeting the two extremes of
the market: the ultra-low-cost desktop/netbook style device, or the very
expensive specialised Linux workstation user (I have a few clients in
the film and TV business who fall into the latter).  The middle ground
isn't a viable business model right here and now, although I'm confident
that will change as the years go by.

-Dan