IBM Teams With Ubuntu Maker To Release Windows-Less Virtual Desktop

In a move that can be dubbed as a dead aim towards Microsoft, IBM on Thursday has announced a Linux-based virtual PC that is entirely Microsoft-free. 

Teaming up with Canonical, IBM has announced an Ubuntu Linux-based system that comprises a set of office applications and other such collaboration tools, based on its Lotus software products. 

The new PC virtualisation solution incorporates, ‘Virtual Enterprise Remote Desktop Environment’, or simply VERDE, from Virtual Bridges, Open Collaboration Client Solution Software from IBM, and Ubuntu’s Linux desktop operating system. 

The system looks promising for corporate users with its useful features that include, e-mail, social networking, word processing, spreadsheets, calendaring, unified communications, portal software, and other collaboration tools. 

According to the company, virtual Linux desktop offering could cost companies as low as USD 59 per user, including USD 49 for VERDE desktop virtualisation, and USD 10 for Linux support from Ubuntu. 

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In addition, a fully-loaded Linux desktop suite that includes instant messaging, Lotus Notes e-mail, and other useful collaboration tools, would have a price-tag of worth USD 258 per user, the company added. 

IBM claims that the virtualisation solution could save corporate consumers up to USD 800 per user, as against the cost of maintaining Windows Vista operating systems, collaboration tools, and Office suite, according to the reports from The Wall Street Journal. 

Inna Kuznetsova, IBM’s director of Linux strategy, avowed that shifting to server-side systems would help corporate customers saving a lot over labor costs, as the maintenance of these systems are comparatively low, and it could also minimize hardware costs by enhancing the life of desktop PCs.