$200 Ubuntu PC now @ Walmart

[Brian DeLacey]

I'm a fan of these low-cost, high-function machines. They are practical
investments. For someone who has an extra monitor (or has a an existing
computer that has succumbed to viruses or other digital maladies) this seems
like a surefire bet.

I'd like to see us do a thorough review of this gPC
<http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7754614#Item+Description>computer.
Based upon the written specs, it looks like a great buy. They are not
presently stocked at any WalMart within 100 miles of Boston, however, it can
be purchased online with free delivery to a nearby store. How about we get
one for the next InstallFest and run a test? Anyone have a contact at the
company that makes these (or at WalMart?)

I attended the Ubuntu Developer Summit last week. After the conference
ended, I was shopping in a store and one of the employees there noticed my
Ubuntu t-shirt, saying "Ubuntu, what's that?" My short answer was "It's like
Windows, but it's free." The guy said, "Gee, you know my computer isn't
working right any more." So I went out to the car, and brought back an
Ubuntu CD - they were thrilled to try it.

Yesterday, I visited an out-of-state friend whose modern, high-powered,
expensive Windows computer had become incapacitated by an adware virus
attack. We struggled for about an hour to fix it - but failed.  We installed
the free "Defender" software which claimed to clean it yet these viruses
keep regenerating themselves with each reboot. I'll keep using Windows and
Mac and all the other OS platforms on big and small devices where there's
value, but nobody should have to endure this kind of debilitating virus mess
on any platform.

Ubuntu offers huge value, and this gPC (Everex TC2502 Green gPC w/ Via C7-D
Processor<http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7754614#Item+Description>)
seems to hit the perfect price point.

On 11/3/07, Thomas Cameron <tom at drdabbles.us> wrote:
>
> I think you misunderstand what I mean. By throw-away, I mean it is
> usually cheaper to replace the entire machine than it is to replace a
> failed component. This is typical of the e-machines that companies like
> Best Buy used to sell. Usually the $200 to $300 PC is assembled from
> very low quality parts, or very limited function parts (slow CD-ROM,
> slow RAM, etc.) to keep costs down.
>
> Essentially, what I am saying here is that while these systems are more
> than adequate for surfing, email, and general productivity suites, you
> should be very careful about suggesting them to someone that can't
> afford to buy another in the event of a problem. And, of course, none of
> this is to say I'm unhappy that Linux is being sold in Wal-Mart again.
> And I couldn't be happier that it's Ubuntu!
>
>
>
> On Fri, 2007-11-02 at 17:09 -0700, Kristian Erik Hermansen wrote:
> > On 11/2/07, Thomas Cameron <tom at drdabbles.us> wrote:
> > > Beware what you get in a $200 pc. If you let everyone know it will
> > > basically be a throw-away computer, fine. Otherwise, you may have some
> > > hard feelings later on. Just speaking from experience.
> >
> > I don't understand what you mean.  This is a computer specifically
> > designed for people who merely want to get on the Internet, browse
> > around, write emails, and print office documents.  It is not a gaming
> > PC.  I don't think it should be considered a "throw-away computer" at
> > all!
> >
> > Additionally, maybe people don't like having to install Ubuntu
> > themselves.  We are seeing more and more Ubuntu-preinstalled machines
> > popping up from various vendors, presumably because they got the
> > "thumbs up" from Dell's research...
>
>
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-- 
Brian
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