Hewlett-Packard Co, the world’s top PC maker, is launching a new line of inexpensive business laptops with fresh features targeting users at small and medium-size companies.

The HP ProBook s-series, which starts shipping globally on Tuesday, is the company’s new mainstream business notebook, following the release of its higher-end, lightweight EliteBook line last year.

The ProBook replaces the HP Compaq line, although the Compaq name will continue to be used as a master brand name in other PCs.

The ProBook offers users a number of new features, including an optional Linux-based operating system pre-installed — Novell Inc’s SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 — for those seeking an alternative to the dominant Microsoft Corp Windows platform.

It is HP’s first-ever Linux pre-install on a standard business laptop, the company said. The PC maker does offer some netbooks with Linux.

“It’s pretty much a natural evolution,” said Carol Hess- Nickels, HP’s director of marketing for worldwide business notebooks.

“We want to provide a different option … it’s probably a little time yet before we’ll know exactly what the demand is, but we did think it was something worth trying.”

The ProBooks come with 14-inch, 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch screen sizes, with prices starting at $529. In another first for an HP business notebook, buyers will be able to add a color finish — “merlot” — if they choose.

Some models will also feature Qualcomm Inc’s Gobi technology, allowing them to use a single module to access different mobile broadband network technologies and mobile operators.

HP will also bring higher-end durability features, like its 3D DriveGuard — which protects the hard drive if a laptop is dropped — and a spill-resistant keyboard to the ProBook.

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