PC Mag Slams Cheap Wal-Mart Linux Desktop

An anonymous reader writes "PC Magazine reviews the $200 Linux desktop wonder sold by Wal-Mart. This desktop sold out quickly and has been cited as proof that consumers are tired of the Windows tax and ready for Linux. Not so according to PC Magazine, which gave the gPC a 1.5 star rating." Previous discussions we've had about system reviews were realistic but not quite so harsh; is this just nitpicking or is the 'shiny' starting to wear off of the cheap Linux PC concept?

Is it backwards pants day?

[canUbeleiveIT]

Is the grass blue today? Is the sky green today? If I didn't know better, I would almost say that--instead of being excoriated--Walmart is being defended on slashdot. Mark the date. Oh well, common enemy, strange bedfellows and all that.

Stopped reading

[tomz16]

Stopped reading after this sentence...

"My advice to these people? Save up for just a little longer and buy something for at least $450 that runs Windows Vista..."

Re:Accurate, considering the caveats

[cthulu_mt]

I think they are assuming that you will pirate your copy of Vista. I got it on my new laptop and wish I had said gun with which to shoot myself.

Re:What did they expect?

[matt me]

The iPhone costs twice that much and it doesn't even come with a mouse!

Even if it did, that mouse wouldn't have two buttons :p

PC Magazine.. Whatever.

[GreggBz]

This is the same useless periodical that continually gives Nortron Internet Security [pcmag.com] a 4 or 5 star rating year after year. Enough said.

Re:What did they expect?

[bubbl07]

Could you make a phone that sucks more?

Given the Zune and Vista, I'm sure Microsoft could do it.
/ducks

Re:Accurate, considering the caveats

[Just Some Guy]

I'm comparing ease of use, availability of quality software, reliability, and hardware compatability.

I wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic. Now I know you are. Thanks for the followup!

Re:Accurate, considering the caveats

[sm62704]

Some of my best friends are whores [slashdot.org], you insensitive clod! Comparing PC magazine to whores does a great disservice to prostitutes all over the world.

Prostitutes provide a needed service, unlike PC Mag. Prostitutes bring people happines, unlike PC Mag.

Some prostitutes, unlike PC Mag, even run Linux!

Re:Accurate, considering the caveats

[Anonymous Coward]

It's more than that, it's the 8th annual Year of Linux on the Desktop!

Re:Accurate, considering the caveats

[BosstonesOwn]

So your some sort of gaming god now ? Tuxracer in full 3d glory isn't enough for you.

bahh Windows fanboi !

Tuxracer WITH BINARY DRIVERS FTW !!!

relative to the cost

[bigdavex]

That's only $133 per star. Sounds pretty good to me.