IBM and Canonical have joined hands and are all set to launch a combined cloud and Linux desktop package designed for NetBooks and low-end PCs, to counter Microsoft's latest Windows 7. This packaging has come as the perfect option for user waiting for Linux to hit the desktop and looking to move from Windows.

The announcement was made by IBM on Tuesday when it announced that the company would be teaming up with Canonical to provide cloud and Linux based desktop packages in the United States at half the cost of upgrading to Windows 7. It's called the IBM Client for Smart Work Package, which was initially launched last month in Africa, as it was designed for emerging markets.

Despite the announcement sent out on Tuesday, the product will not be available in the markets till 2010, which gives the competing Microsoft a significant head-start. Windows 7 was made available to the general vendors and users on Thursday.

IBM Client for Smart Work is already being successfully sold as a hosted virtual desktop by partners such as Web hosting provider Midas Networks and desktop virtualization vendor Virtual Bridges. 

IBM and Canonical believe that there will be hundreds of partners offering IBM Client for Smart Work in the United States, but not until 2010. Partners will include systems integrators, virtual desktop providers and others.