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Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 9:53:38 AM   
farglebargle


Posts: 10715
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: Albany, NY
Status: offline 		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


_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים
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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 9:59:51 AM   
EPGAH


Posts: 500
Joined: 12/25/2006
Status: offline 		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...

(in reply to farglebargle)
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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 10:10:20 AM   
GhitaAmati


Posts: 3263
Joined: 5/30/2007
Status: offline 		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.

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(in reply to EPGAH)
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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 10:11:37 AM   
farglebargle


Posts: 10715
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: Albany, NY
Status: offline 		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... )

< Message edited by farglebargle -- 11/1/2007 10:12:52 AM >

_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים

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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 10:16:45 AM   
farglebargle


Posts: 10715
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: Albany, NY
Status: offline
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".

_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים

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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 10:26:13 AM   
GhitaAmati


Posts: 3263
Joined: 5/30/2007
Status: offline 		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.....

_____________________________

I said I was a submissive, I never said I was a GOOD submissive.


Sex without love is a meaningless experience, but as far as meaningless experiences go its pretty damn good.
~Woody Allen

(in reply to farglebargle)
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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 11:19:20 AM   
farglebargle


Posts: 10715
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: Albany, NY
Status: offline 		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!"



_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים

(in reply to GhitaAmati)
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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 11:26:19 AM   
Crush


Posts: 1031
Status: offline 		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!



(in reply to farglebargle)
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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 5:06:49 PM   
BloodLuna


Posts: 403
Joined: 10/28/2007
Status: offline 		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

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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 5:33:33 PM   
MrrPete


Posts: 614
Joined: 11/7/2005
Status: offline 		It doesn't have a monitor.
by the time you add one you're back up to $400




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Mr. Pete

Boycott Citgo

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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 5:36:52 PM   
EPGAH


Posts: 500
Joined: 12/25/2006
Status: offline 		I was wondering if anyone else would notice that...!

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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 5:46:43 PM   
Lordandmaster


Posts: 10943
Joined: 6/22/2004
Status: offline 		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

(in reply to MrrPete)
Profile   Post #: 12
RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 5:52:11 PM   
farglebargle


Posts: 10715
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: Albany, NY
Status: offline 		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

< Message edited by farglebargle -- 11/1/2007 5:55:45 PM >

_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים

(in reply to Lordandmaster)
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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 8:22:05 PM   
Real0ne


Posts: 21189
Joined: 10/25/2004
Status: offline

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



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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/1/2007 9:41:25 PM   
FatDomDaddy


Posts: 3183
Joined: 1/31/2004
Status: offline 		How great is Wal Mart.

$4 prescriptions and $200 desk top computers!

(in reply to Real0ne)
Profile   Post #: 15
RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/2/2007 12:53:35 AM   
stella41b


Posts: 4258
Joined: 10/16/2007
From: SW London (UK)
Status: offline 		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.

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(in reply to farglebargle)
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RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/2/2007 9:15:33 AM   
Lordandmaster


Posts: 10943
Joined: 6/22/2004
Status: offline 		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



(in reply to Real0ne)
Profile   Post #: 17
RE: Wal-Mart, $199 PC -- It runs Ubuntu - 11/2/2007 11:13:31 AM   
farglebargle


Posts: 10715
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: Albany, NY
Status: offline 		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...



< Message edited by farglebargle -- 11/2/2007 11:14:02 AM >

_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים

(in reply to Lordandmaster)
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