News release

HP Receives Strong Marks from D.H. Brown for Leadership in Linux and Open Source

HP Also Unveils Linux and Open Source Book Series Authored by HP Experts

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 22, 2002

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP) today announced that in a comparison of Linux strategies by top IT vendors, HP's offered significant differentiation in its Linux hardware and software offerings, services and support, and Linux community leadership according to a new research report issued by D.H. Brown Associates, Inc. In the report, titled "Linux Strategies and Solutions," the research and consulting firm also cited HP's differentiation in delivering to customers complete Linux-based solutions with a focused, market segment-driven approach.

Exemplifying HP's leadership and expertise in Linux and open source, HP also announced a forthcoming series of books, authored by expert HP executives, focused on furthering the education, research, adoption and development of open source and Linux.

In its report, D.H. Brown -- which provides strategic analysis, assessment and evaluation of technologies, products and market trends in the information industry -- presents a detailed overview of the leading Linux systems suppliers, including HP, Compaq, Dell, IBM and Sun. It reviews their approaches to Linux and open source and analyzes how the companies are helping drive adoption and delivering solutions to meet customer needs.

"HP has clearly communicated its Linux strategy to its customers and the industry," said Pierre Fricke, executive vice president, D.H. Brown Associates. "HP has a focused approach and delivers solutions to targeted markets and customers."

The firm also lauded HP for its leadership in the Linux community saying the company's "participation, leadership and visibility" within Linux and other open source communities sets an industry example. D.H. Brown commended HP for being an early leader in blade and carrier grade servers supporting Linux and also said its multi-vendor support and service offerings are examples of leadership support programs.

The report also cited examples of key initiatives by HP to accelerate the adoption of Linux and open source in the enterprise and for government, private and university research organizations. For instance, HP co-founded the Gelato Federation, a worldwide consortium focused on enabling open source, Linux-based Intel® Itanium™ Processor Family computing solutions for academic, government and industrial research. HP executives also helped co-found the Linux Standards Base, are on the board of the Open Source Development Lab and are actively involved in several other Linux and open source related organizations.

"What differentiates HP from other Linux vendors is our enterprise capabilities and our complete solutions for key target markets," said Martin Fink, general manager, HP Linux Systems Operation. "We're also working with the community, research organizations and cutting-edge customers and partners to expand the technology foundation and broaden the network for Linux solutions."

New Book Series on Linux and Open Source

HP unveiled a series of books authored by executives from HP Labs and HP's Linux organizations to further the education, research, adoption and development of Linux, Itanium and open source. The books, to be published by top computer science publisher Prentice Hall, feature the work of expert HP executives and business strategists, including:

• David Mosberger with Stephane Eranian - "IA-64 Linux Kernel: Design and Implementation"
• Bruce Perens - on open source
• Martin Fink - on the business and economic impact of Linux and open source

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to all. HP had total revenue of $45.2 billion in its 2001 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

Intel is a U.S. registered trademark and Itanium is a trademark of Intel Corp. in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.