Sun banks on Linux option for thin client success

Sun Microsystems is hoping to gain ground in the desktop market by launching a range of thin clients which could come bundled with Linux-based office applications.

Sun is in the final stages of acquiring Star Division, a company which makes Microsoft Office-style software applications. The deal could see Sun's new range of thin clients come complete with key office applications - a major criticism of its earlier desktop devices.

Star Division develops two versions of its StarOffice software - one which runs on Linux, Solaris, Windows, OS2 and Mac OS, and one that runs on Java-enabled devices.

Ed Zanders, COO at Sun, recently acknowledged that the company had not made a successful first attempt to sell thin clients.

But Gary Cooper, senior researcher at Butler Group, claims offering Linux is not a key to surefire success: "Linux is not as good a winning card as Sun thinks. It's still a bit of a gamble and it will be interesting to see how it is received. I don't think you'll see a raft of users."

Cooper also believes that stiff competition from Compaq and IBM will impede Sun's progress. "Obviously only time will tell, but when you are talking about competing against Compaq, which is a huge success, then there is a lot of ground to make up. Even IBM has admitted to falling behind," he said.

Rakesh Kumar, analyst at Meta Group, agreed. "This is a sound move for them but I doubt it will give the company the momentum in the market it needs," he said.

He added that even in the server environment, Linux still has a long way to go before companies run business critical systems on the free operating system.

Sun is due to announce the thin clients - code named Corona - on 8 September.

Sun Microsystems declined to comment.