$200 Linux PCs On Sale At Wal-Mart 537
Placid sends in a Wired blog entry on Wal-Mart's new sub-$200 Linux-based PC. Wired calls it "a custom distribution of Ubuntu Linux," and the AP identifies the distro as gOS, made by a small company in Los Angeles. Wal-Mart began selling Linux PCs in 2002 but they have been out of stock for a while. From the Wired blog: "It has a 1.5 Ghz VIA C7 CPU embedded in a Mini-ITX motherboard, 512MB of RAM and an 80GB hard drive. Normally, this would simply mark it as unacceptably low-end for use with modern software. By using the fast Enlightenment desktop manager (instead of heavier-duty alternatives like Gnome or KDE), the makers say it's more responsive than Vista is, even on more powerful computers."
Re:Interesting (Score:3, Informative)
Re:On the Contrary ... (Score:1, Informative)
Re:On the Contrary ... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:On the Contrary ... (Score:5, Informative)
In 1970, 1.5GHz, 512MB, 80GB would be an billion-dollar-expensive, multiple-building-sized computer.
Hell, in 1991, when I graduated, such a machine would
Re:What's that bar at the bottom of the screenshot (Score:3, Informative)
$240 PC at Newegg.com (Score:5, Informative)
Here is one of your cheapest alternatives on the market
Brand eMachines
Model W3609
Recommended Usage Home / Home Office
Processor Intel Celeron D 356(3.33GHz)
Processor Main Features 64 bit Processor
Cache Per Processor 512KB L2 Cache
Memory 512MB DDR2 533
Hard Drive 120GB SATA 7200rpm
Optical Drive 1 DVD±RW 16x Multiformat Dual-Layer Optical Drive
Graphics Intel GMA 950 Up to 224MB Shared Video Memory
Audio 6-channel (5.1) high-definition audio
Ethernet Intel 10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN
Speaker Amplified Stereo Speakers (USB-Powered)
Keyboard Standard multifunction keyboard
Mouse 2-button wheel mouse
Operating System Windows Vista Home Basic
Re:Anyone ever heard of the manufacturer? (Score:3, Informative)
I think I can punch it up to a gig of memory if memory serves me right. Can't remember off the top of my head what model number the motherboard is, I've had it for like 3 years...
Re:Summary missed the most part: Case (Score:5, Informative)
Capable of running up to 2.0GHz with ultra low power consumption of around 20 watts peak power and operating at an average power of less than 1 watt, the VIA C7 processor is the embodiment of cool processing and sets the standards for next generation of desktop, mobile and personal electronics systems."
what?!? (Score:5, Informative)
You've got to be f-ing kidding me.
That is nonsense. the author has been talking to sales people and/or the microsoft vista team.
That is double the spec you need for XP with office-like software and broadband Internet multimedia stuff.
The latest games and vista are the only "modern software" for which those specs are inadequate.
And that is only because games can always use more power and are thus coded for the latest and greatest equipment.
(I can't explain vista)
Re:Interesting (Score:3, Informative)
Re:"Modern" software? (Score:3, Informative)
My family computer at home is a 1.2GHz 512MB machine that I threw together about 5 years ago. It dual-boots Ubuntu and XP, and runs everything from desktop publishing, to office apps, to web browsing to home video editing just fine for our needs.
This box would be a step up, and for half what it cost me building what I already have.
Too bad this is only WalMart USA (not their Canadian branch) selling this.
Re:Why dselect is confusing --but we use aptitude (Score:2, Informative)
Adept is sponsored by Canonical. Synaptic predates ubuntu and in fact was started by Conectiva. Aptitude apparently dates all the way back to 1999. (all info from wikipedia)
Re:On the Contrary ... (Score:3, Informative)
Despite that, I still primarily use OOo because my modern linux systems are screaming fast and the result is "fast enough".
I'm not knocking OOo (other than on performance, a criticism it deserves) as much as I am the performance that machine will have.
Re:On the Contrary ... (Score:2, Informative)
The first ones with the seat cushions were Cray 1's, 1976 vintage, single CPU, 80 MHz processor clock. A 1988 vintage Cray Y-MP had from 2 to 8 processors at around 167 MHz.
Re:Interesting (Score:2, Informative)
Just be aware of what you're buying (Score:3, Informative)
"The software is not licensed for use in any commercial, non-profit, or
revenue-generating business activities."
So only use it for homework or family use. DO NOT use it for charities, churches, working at home, etc.
The good part is that you can legally install it on 3 computers at home.