The Open-PC is a collaborative effort to design the ultimate computing system optimized for Open Source Systems. The motivation of the Open-PC is the perception that the hardware market has nothing satisfactory to offer users of free software.

To understand the origins and need for an Open-PC lets consider this scenario; have you ever wondered through dozens of forums in search of a patch or driver for your laptop or desktop peripheral which doesn't support your Linux distro?
Well, I have and believe me this isn't an interesting experience thanks to the new kernel updates more and more devices are being supported out of the box and several wireless adapters have now gained support {thank God!!}. But still that's just a foregleam to a bigger problem out there. There's limited hardware support for Linux and this is because most manufactures don't consider Linux in their plans when writing drivers. Windows and Mac OS always receive the preferential treatment.

The Open-PC hopes to reduce this problem by carefully underscoring the requirements and demands of the average Linux user and incorporate these in to a computer which would be optimized for Linux outta the box. Sweet huh? .. I know the project is still ongoing and I'd advise you to check it out. There have been a couple of surveys taken and there are a few planned ahead so head over to the open-PC website register and have your say.

http://www.open-pc.com