Wal-Mart Is Latest To Offer A Cut-Rate Computer
from the cheap-enough? dept
As Wal-Mart continues its push into consumer electronics, the company has announced plans to sell a stripped down Windows PC at a discount price. While it will run Vista, the rest of the software will be open source (Open Office will be pre-installed instead of Microsoft Office), and, perhaps surprisingly, it will be completely free of crapware, an issue that's been getting a lot of attention lately. There are a number of problems, however. The box won't have much processing power, which is really bad news, considering the demands of Vista. Furthermore, this basic concept has been tried many times before. While it seems appealing, in theory, to completely strip down a computer and sell it at a discount, consumers have never really jumped at the idea. Name brand machines can be had so cheaply, much of the time, that there really isn't much value as there would first seem in Wal-Mart's approach.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: electronics, retail
Companies: wal-mart
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Is there a Linux version?
Does Wal-Mart have an exclusive deal with Microsoft. If so, wouldn't this be further proof that Microsoft's game is embrace/extend monopoly power?
I'd like to see one of these machines taken apart and analyzed, part by part. Same with the OLPC. Let's see what components are actually going into these machines to make them so cheap.
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Re: Is there a Linux version?
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Re: Is there a Linux version?
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"it will be completely free of crapware"
what a contradiction!
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That's only the 64,832nd time I've read that comment today.
Make sure you visit as many forums as you can to spread this delightfully humorous quip!
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Given the choice between the "1.5GHz Via C7-D" and a Core2 duo 1.5GHz, I doubt they would be able to tell you which one is better (without sitting at the PC first) So I really doubt that people would be put off by the unknown brandnames (as the linked areticle suggests).
I think that the compatibility issue is an important one. From what I remember, OO doesn't save as doc by default, so I can imagine problems with people writing things, emailing them out, and then other people can't read them. In addition, there are still compatibility problems opening some word docs in OO (but those are largely complicated things and OO works fine for the bulk of documents).
I am looking forward to seeing how this will turn out.
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Oh yeah we should always spell out Microsoft cause no-one knows what MS stands for. BTW acronyms exist for a reason, duhhhhh!
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M$ = Microsoft
not sure which one is worse
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Tried the Lindows once before
It may be time to try it again, but I think there are still a few things that need to mature just a little more - and some fragmentation that needs to disappear - before it will be a true runaway success.
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What makes it cheap
This is the perfect computer to buy your 50+ year old parents who do nothing but look at the internet, type letters, send e-mail and print photos. All you have to do is install Firefox, Thunderbird, and an Anti-Virus And they're set for another 3-5 years. I plan on getting one for my folks in the very immediate future.
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A cheap computer is just that!!
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ID 10 T
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Re: ID 10 T
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And many users just aren't 'into' computer enough to hassle with Linux.
From that aspect, it's good. I'm not a fanboy of any particular OS, I've used OS's from DOS 3.3 to Server 2003, RedHat/Ubuntu/Debian/Suse Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, AT&T System V, HPUX... Never seriously got into Mac OS's; however. Not that I have a thing against it, just never really had the occasion to, but from what I've seen of it - I like it.
They all have their uses. And I'm glad there's a variety out there.
Open Office is a good idea - word of mouth might well make it more popular. Particularly when the price is right.. :)
Heck, I think I'll download it, I use MS Office at work, but not at home. I use Abiword mainly and I avoid spreadsheets like the plague for home use.
Truthfully, I'd use Linux at home if it supported - or rather if Video games had more Linux support. Not many, but a few do. WineX and other emulators are a huge hassle.
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umm...not really.
bought a VERY VERY cheap emachines from walmart once... And while i generally hate both walmart and emachines - this one worked quite well and solved her problems for a while.
So get off your ego-centric high horse and look at the products themselves - not where they come from.
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Anonymous Coward once again proves how unbelievably clueless she is.
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What is the price point?
A low end machine will work fine for most users needs, period. There are those that deal with a lot of number crunching, graphics, video, or gaming that will require a more robust machine, and there are those that are in the middle of the road that can live with a $600-$1000 machine.
If there is an issue, it should be with Microsoft and there bloatware, creating an OS that requires 1 gig of RAM, just so you will not lock up running IE7 and Word at the same time... makes no sense!!
An earlier post said 10% of the users are computer savvy enough to handle the nuances of a different OS, which is about right, but the 90% that are left are not just knuckleheads. They have a specific need, and I feel it is the education that has to come about first. People have to be clear and honest about what they need a computer for and why.
It is up to the 10% to share our knowledge and to inform. Will a $200.00 box work for some users YES, for most, no. Do we all need a Porsche, knowing we will not go over 55 mph.
My thing is that everyone, with a job, should be able to afford a computer. If their job or hobby requires that they plunk down $2000.00 for a desktop replacement, then it should be a relative decision.
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Reverting to dumb terminals
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Re: Reverting to dumb terminals
The questions is still resources that need's to be available to the browsers and the OS.
If the use case is that the only thing a person will be doing is just surfing, why by a computer at all?
The truth is that although a user will be surfing they will be using a authoring program, maybe downloading and using a music program... all that are RAM hogging.
Also, some web pages need more processing power then the NASA computers!!!! because of all the client side scripting that is included... not all the websites now days use an AJAX like technology.
I agree that most users do not need a Core 2 Duo or X2, but the system will need to be some what responsive.
I would dig up some old Pentium 3's and use those...
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How cheap is this supposed to be?
Speaking of Linux or Lindows, I'll start using it when close is good enough. For now it's not worth getting around all the things that it almost does, but doesn't quite get there. For a hobbyist, it's fine. Use it at work all day long, not a chance.
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Re: How cheap is this supposed to be?
I agree, an enthusiast will not buy a $200.00 box. The cheapest Vista is 2/5ths of the price.
What I tell people about Linux is that, if you are going to buy a computer and you have another one that you will not be using, then go out and try something like Ubuntu. Loads quick, comes with your Open Office and tons of other apps.
Most will be surprised on ease of use. Yes, there is a learning curve, but then there was one for those that went from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95... users that went(probably not of there wanting to) from MAC to Windows and vis a vis.
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snobbery
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Re: Price compare with quality
Join www.acb2b.com to find your potential buyer or seller through AmericaChina B2B.
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Acer notebook bought in April 07 for $500
Im not rich. Bought an Acer for my daughter to take to college mostly for the internet and WP. Gave it to her in June. She started it today and windows wont come up w/o some kind of code??? Have pity on the ignorant but friendly??
Mike
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