From Lars Plougmann, London, United Kingdom

Summary: How Hewlett-Packard, which is currently under investigation for corruption, charges a premium on GNU/Linux after acquiring Neoware

SUFFICE TO say, based on evidence we have provided over the years, Microsoft and HP share a bedroom. To name just a few examples, start here or consider many of the other posts on the subject [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

As readers may be aware by now, HP is getting a big load of bad PR because of an alleged bribery case. The gist:

U.S. officials have joined Russian and German authorities in looking into allegations that Hewlett-Packard may have paid millions in bribes to win a computer equipment contract.

Here is what the Wall Street Journal had to say.

Pogson has just found out that HP "charge[s] a premium" on GNU/Linux after buying a company that distributed GNU/Linux.

A few years ago, HP bought Neoware which produced several thin clients running GNU/Linux.

[...]

HP is willing to satisfy customers who demand GNU/Linux but they charge a premium. They are partners in crime with M$ in spite of all the harm M$ has done them. HP is still the #1 OEM in the world but they will not be for long selling $1000 thin clients. The Chinese are selling thin clients for less than $100 in bulk.

It is important to remember that we have reasons to suspect that HP pays Microsoft for GNU/Linux (they both signed a deal just before SCO attacked Linux). Russia's Antimonopoly Service targeted HP in a probe into collusion with Microsoft (against GNU/Linux). The latest bribe case involves the Russian authorities too. ⬆