Ingram Micro Delivers Linspire's Desktop Linux Products

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Linspire, Inc., developer of the Linspire desktop Linux operating system, today announced that the world's largest technology distributor, Ingram Micro, Inc. has begun selling the full range of Linspire products to its network of U.S. resellers and retailers. Leveraging Ingram Micro's broad catalog and North American distribution center network, thousands of new customers and markets will now for the first time have unfettered access to desktop Linux products and services offered by Linspire.

"Desktop Linux will now be on the shelves in places that it's never been before and in the hands of countless new builders, thanks to Ingram Micro's distribution network," said Kevin Carmony, CEO of Linspire, Inc. "We're now able to get Linspire to more channel partners whose customers are demanding affordable, virus-free computing options."

The agreement with Ingram Micro, facilitated by their partner AccessChannel, means that Linspire will have access to Ingram Micro's reseller customers in the United States, including many of the largest players in the channel.

"Ingram Micro has long been a supporter of the Linux platform and focused on bringing new, innovative solutions, like Linspire's products, to the channel," said Diane Lees, senior category manager, Ingram Micro United States. "As this exciting market continues to grow, Ingram Micro will strive to offer the broadest choice possible to Linux-savvy VARs and system builders."

The Linspire operating system comes pre-bundled with major desktop applications, including OpenOffice.org (a Microsoft Office file-compatible office suite); Web browser, e-mail and instant messaging clients; multimedia viewers; photo and music managers; calendaring tools; and more. Access to additional software and applications is available through Linspire's innovative CNR ("click and run") Warehouse, a software library where users can download and install more than 2,000 Linux programs with just one mouse click. A complete list of Linspire Five-0 features is available at http://www.linspire.com/os.

Resellers and builders have access to a wide range of Linspire products through Ingram Micro. Boxed products that are available include Linspire Five-0; Linspire Five-0 CNR Edition, which includes a yearly subscription to Linspire's software download service providing access to more than 2,000 free programs; Linspire OEM edition, for bundling with PC or hardware purchases; and the add-on CNR Gold Service subscription. Both Linspire Five-0 and Linspire Five-0 CNR Edition are available in 5-, 10-, and 25-user volume license packs, which are well-suited for VARs. System builders who are part of the Linspire-authorized Builder Program can also purchase a variety of Linspire Builder License Packs to include with their pre-installed Linspire systems, which enhance the out-of-box experience for end customers.

About Linspire

Linspire, Inc. (http://www.linspire.com/) was founded in 2001 to bring choice into the operating system market. The company's flagship product, the Linspire operating system, is an affordable, easy-to-use Linux-based operating system for home, school, and business users. Linspire pioneered CNR ("click and run") Technology, which allows Linspire users to download and install thousands of software programs with just one mouse click. The more than 2,000 software titles available in the CNR Warehouse (http://www.linspire.com/cnr) include full office and productivity suites, games, multimedia players, photo management software, accounting tools, and more.

About Ingram Micro

As a vital link in the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and profitability opportunities for vendors and resellers through unique marketing programs, outsourced logistics services, technical support, financial services, and product aggregation and distribution. The company serves 100 countries and is the only global IT distributor with operations in Asia. Visit http://www.ingrammicro.com/.

About AccessChannel

Two veterans of the distribution industry founded AccessChannel. Al Mann, AccessChannel's CEO, and Mike Terrell, COO, have combined experience of more than 50 years in the distribution industry, including executive level positions. For more details see http://www.accesschannel.net/.

For more information, please contact: Heather MacKenzie Linspire, Inc. 858.587.6700 x 263 858.587.8095 (Fax) pr@linspireinc.com

Linspire, Linspire Five-0, CNR, and CNR Warehouse are trademarks of Linspire, Inc. All other marks herein may be property of their respective owners.