Sun Brings Java Desktop to Wal-Mart Shelves

Sun Microsystems is wagering that Wal-Mart's "always low prices" will catapult its Java Desktop System off storeroom shelves into the home market.

eWeek is reporting that Sun is negotiating with the retail giant and office supply powerhouse Office Depot to sell value-priced PCs and laptops powered by its desktop software. Sources indicate that an agreement could be reached sometime next year.

News of Sun's move onto Microsoft's turf comes just days after Sun established a strategic agreement with the United Kingdom's government purchasing body to standardize the Java Desktop System as the underlying infrastructure for the public sector.

The UK deal comes on the heels of a massive deal struck with the People's Republic of China establishing Sun's Java technology as the nation's de facto standard desktop solution.

Sun's desktop bears a familiar appearance similar to the Windows interface. In addition, Java Desktop System offers up document and printing interoperability with Linux, Solaris and Windows.

According to Sun, the price for Java Desktop System is $100 USD per desktop user or $50 USD per employee, priced annually.