Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu

Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (Full Version)

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farglebargle -> Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 9:53:38 AM)
Well, well, well. Looks like some people are tired of paying Microsoft their Windows Tax. Wal-mart figures their margins are fine without it. Interesting experiment, aimed right at the LOWEST segment of the market. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7754614 This exceptional value is built around a Via Technologies processor designed for low power consumption. It runs on the gOS operating system and features the OpenOffice.org 2.2 software suite that gives users the ability to create word processing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. Additional highlights include a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, Ethernet port and stereo speakers. Key Features & Benefits: # 1.5 GHz Via Technologies C7-D processor Delivers energy-saving performance # 512 MB of DDR2 system memory Offers good performance and is expandable to 2 GB # 80 GB hard disk drive Provides space for documents, games, photos and music # DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive Lets you play DVDs and burn your own CDs for entertainment and data backup # 10/100 Mbps Ethernet Connects to a local area network or broadband Internet devices # gOS operating system Enables you to use the supplied OpenOffice.org 2.2 software suite

EPGAH -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 9:59:51 AM)
I have experimented with Ubuntu...It has a few compatibility problems, but no more than Vista does... That said, remember that the PCs from Wal-Mart have proven to be less reliable than their specialty-store counterparts (Best Buy, Circuit City, even Staples!) Could Wal-Mart be getting lower prices by using inferior parts? Some other thread said that Wal-Mart and Americans who buy therefrom are a driving force for quality to go lower, in return for lower prices... And how many people know enough to hit "Save As" under OpenOffice, to save it as a Microsoft-compatible format? Secondarily, 1.5GHz and 80 GB HD are scraping the bottom of the barrel in speed and size respectively...Based on modern mean values, let alone modern games...[;)]

GhitaAmati -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 10:10:20 AM)
I dont know, depends on what its being marketed for. If it wasnt being sold at Walmart, Id consider buying it for the kids to do school work on. Writing papers and so forth. Would discourage them from trying to play games.

farglebargle -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 10:11:37 AM)
It's an Everex... Its build quality is likely the same as any Everex you'd buy at Best Buy, Staples, etc.. ( Although last I was in Staples, I think all I saw was HP, so they might have some sort of exclusive deal... I don't know... ) And you NEVER "Save As", when it's time to give it to someone. Open Office got a button on the toolbar, Save PDF. EVERYONE can read a PDF. And how many people know to hit "Save As" on Office 2007, to save it out as a plain doc, and not a fucking .docx? Everyone who has ever gotten a complaint about the damn .docx file they attached to an email. Oh, and people play games these days on X-Boxes, PS2's etc, NOT their pc, excepting WoW, Everquest, etc... ( which given the online adapters for the consoles, isn't a huge issue either... )

farglebargle -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 10:16:45 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: GhitaAmati I dont know, depends on what its being marketed for. If it wasnt being sold at Walmart, Id consider buying it for the kids to do school work on. Writing papers and so forth. Would discourage them from trying to play games. I'm more interested that Microsoft wasn't able to strongarm Wal-Mart into paying the Microsoft-Tax on these. Of course it's not going to run Unreal Tournament... Oh, wait, UT ships a Linux Client. Maybe it will. Kinda wimpy for a game box, but who knows... That ain't the market it's aimed at. It's aimed at "Johnny needs to go online, and write a paper".

GhitaAmati -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 10:26:13 AM)
See..that market I can see, because Im in that boat too. the whole "students as low as kindergarten are now being required to have internet access" which I think is total BS. Id not be at all concerned with the fact that this system isnt compatible to gaming. The computer Im typing on right now isnt compatible to gaming much over yahoo arcade type stuff. Although its still a fairly high end computer because I have to have someone which is compatible with AutoCAD and any more that takes some serious system requirements. Because of that I have always been extreamly leery of letting the UMs fumble around on this computer so I took an old used computer and wiped it and started over. The UMs cant do much other than word processing and preschool type games because its so old I cant even connect it to the internet. Ive been looking forsomething for a while now that they can use to do school work on that doesnt cost $500. I know alot of other parents who are in the same market Im in. Although I know I wouldnt buy it from walmart, but I do hope other brands get the idea that not everyone out there absolutly HAS to have the fastest processer and the highest grade video card.....

farglebargle -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 11:19:20 AM)
That's a good summary of where the market is at. "The Latest and Greatest" has a place, but it ain't on the shelves of Wally World. I can see a lot of parents saying, "I spent 200 bucks on a PSP, so I ain't buying you anything else to play 60$ games on! THIS is for you to do work on!"

Crush -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 11:26:19 AM)
All hail the mighty Penguin, Tux, the Linux Liberator from the Microsoft chains...... I use linux, usually Puppy Linux, for most of my stuff, along with some security distros, like backtrack. For "mortals" that need the toys, go with Ubuntu. And stick it on that "old" PC and get another year or so out of it as well!

BloodLuna -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 5:06:49 PM)
See I see this in a different light. My family lives on one income and a very modest budget. For those that can't afford or don't need an expensive gaming system but are seeking something for school work or basic internet access this computer solves the problem of having to spend an entire paycheck on a computer. Even my 6 year old is learning basic typing and my 10 year old is learning computer skills that dwarf me at 31! We are in a technologically based society and for a long time those that couldn't afford to keep up were being left way way behind. For those that can afford to not have to shop at walmart, I am all for them not doing so. For those like my family who are lucky to keep their heads above water, products like this sometime are the only advantage we get. Just an alternate opinion for the thread. Lady Luna

MrrPete -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 5:33:33 PM)
It doesn't have a monitor. by the time you add one you're back up to $400

EPGAH -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 5:36:52 PM)
I was wondering if anyone else would notice that...![;)]

Lordandmaster -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 5:46:43 PM)
Who's going to buy a $201 monitor for a $199 computer? I actually PREFER systems that ship without a monitor. I've got more fucking monitors than I know what to do with. quote: ORIGINAL: MrrPete It doesn't have a monitor. by the time you add one you're back up to $400

farglebargle -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 5:52:11 PM)
You can generally find old 17" CRTs for the effort of hauling them away on Freecycle, etc. I know I got rid of THREE 17" CRTs exactly that way. http://albany.craigslist.org/sys/465003871.html 25$ hpvx74

Real0ne -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 8:22:05 PM)
I build my own so I could give a shit what they supply them with LOL (or not) quote: ORIGINAL: Lordandmaster Who's going to buy a $201 monitor for a $199 computer? I actually PREFER systems that ship without a monitor. I've got more fucking monitors than I know what to do with. quote: ORIGINAL: MrrPete It doesn't have a monitor. by the time you add one you're back up to $400

FatDomDaddy -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/1/2007 9:41:25 PM)
How great is Wal Mart. $4 prescriptions and $200 desk top computers!

stella41b -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/2/2007 12:53:35 AM)
I go along with the OP about Open Office and all the software with comes with a Linux system, far more stable than anything under Microsoft. Personally I love Iceweasel as a web browser or my favourite, Epiphany. However Ubuntu like Mandriva is the Microsoft of the Linux distros. I prefer PCLinuxOS or any distro from the Knoppix family such as Knoppix or Overclockix. Simple, comprehensive, consistent.

Lordandmaster -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/2/2007 9:15:33 AM)
You build your own monitors? I seriously doubt that. quote: ORIGINAL: Real0ne I build my own so I could give a shit what they supply them with LOL (or not) quote: ORIGINAL: Lordandmaster Who's going to buy a $201 monitor for a $199 computer? I actually PREFER systems that ship without a monitor. I've got more fucking monitors than I know what to do with. quote: ORIGINAL: MrrPete It doesn't have a monitor. by the time you add one you're back up to $400

farglebargle -> RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu (11/2/2007 11:13:31 AM)
I think the point was, "Who can't get an old CRT for free, if not less that 20 bucks?" Building your own PC's you'd likely be collecting the things. A lot of people might have an extra sitting around, from a PC which died...

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