Explanation
It seems that HP views Europe rather differently from the US and has a "dual-brand" strategy where Compaq is the cheaper option.
Furthermore HP seems to think that we're more likely to pay extra for the bespoke Linux build than the US is. Here's a statement explaining the decision we got from HP's PR team: "We took the decision to focus on the experience rather than the components."
Incidentally the Euro price for these three is exactly €100 more than the GBP cost.
We also got clarification on why HP has switched to Atom from Via: "HP uses technology that appeals to the retail market and the end user. Via is unknown in retail as opposed to Intel and its Atom processor which has strong brand identity," said HP.
Please let us know what you think: do you think HP has miscalculated or would you be happy to pay extra for a bespoke Linux OS? Lets us know in the HEXUS.community.
