Sony Computer Entertainment has begun shipping a kit for turning the PlayStation 2 into a Linux console, bowing to the requests of thousands of open-source programmers. The kit is available in the United States and Europe.
It includes hardware and software for essentially turning the PlayStation 2 games console into a Linux PC, with a 40GB hard disk, 10/100Mbps network adapter, USB keyboard and mouse, monitor cable and a Linux installation DVD-ROM. The hard drive can't be used with PS2 games, Sony warned.
The keyboard is in the standard U.S. layout, but can be reconfigured for other layouts, or replaced with any USB keyboard, Sony said.
The kit began shipping worldwide on Wednesday, meeting a deadline Sony set itself at LinuxWorld Conference and Expo in January. In the United States, Sony has been taking orders for the kit since March. It sells for £155 ex. VAT (£182.13 inc. VAT) in the UK, and 292.58 euros inc. VAT in the rest of Europe, or $200 in the United States.
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