A collaboration between IBM and the Linux distributors Novell, Red Hat and Canonical/Ubuntu is looking to develop and release a brand new PC offering a pre-loaded Linux system, Sametime, Lotus Notes, IBM's Open Collaboration Client Solution (OCCS) and Symphony.

According to Kevin Cavanaugh, the vice president for IBM Lotus Software, there has never been a better moment for pushing the Linux OS, as the "slow adoption of Vista among businesses, coupled with the proven success of a new type of Microsoft-free PC in every region, provides an extraordinary window of opportunity for Linux."

The vision is supported by everyone involved in the project, and Mr. Scott Crenchaw, Vice President of the Platform Business Unit at Red Hat, also explained that people are looking for a Microsoft-less PC and that is why they decided on offering their secure and reliable Linux solution.

The new PC will benefit from a wide variety of applications, as all consumers and independent software vendors will be encouraged to offer ideas or develop, through Lotus Expeditor, as many applications as possible.

The companies involved believe that the project has a lot of potential, scheduling the strategy for its complete run over the next ten years. The main issue is related to the adoption rate of Microsoft-free PCs, which is believed to require several months or even years of getting used to. This is exactly why a detailed advertising campaign and a careful sales plan will have to be made in order to ensure an accurate information process for the people interested in such a product and also the general public which is not accustomed to the new operating system and its benefits.