Comments on: Wal-Mart Offers $498 Linux Laptop

By: Attila Girl

Attila Girl — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 07:59:32 +0000

I wonder whether this is really being marketed as a second computer--the one to take home with you, leaving your main one at the office. Or the one for your kid.

I also imagine being virus-resistant is worth something to people: after all, that's one of the advantages to having a Mac. Which costs more than $500.

By: Kent

Kent — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 02:55:35 +0000

Still, the AOL model keeps coming to mind: People willing to pay extra for a crappy interface and slow connectivity in exchange for a comfort level.

Curiously, that's how I'd describe Windows, which my wife insists on for our home computer. I use Linux at work and love it.

By: Read My Lips - the blog

Read My Lips - the blog — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 01:50:27 +0000

Dec. 21, 2004 [A load-o-links special edition]
Well, here we go again with a nice set of links to point out those nuggets of wisdom and gems of humor that I have found here and there through my blog surfin' adventures. All links open in new windows,...

By: Rodney Dill

Rodney Dill — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 23:11:16 +0000

I tend to agree with you Paul, but someone not savvy is going to have a system full of spyware in very short order anyway.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 22:42:35 +0000

What is lost in the discussion is that there is finally a true alternative for the masses. Plus this gives the lowend of the lowend a way to buy a laptop on layaway.

There is more to it than meets the eye.

If you (are a non tech savvy buyer and you) buy a used Windows box you are probably going to have more heart-ache than it is worth. Odds are it comes to you so loaded with spyware it will not be usable anyway.

This is a clean machine.

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 21:01:28 +0000

That's not new. Last year Walmart had a $200 Linux machine and a $300 Linux machine. I installed a $1540 Linux server in a client's office a couple of weeks ago.

By: Rodney Dill

Rodney Dill — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 19:35:44 +0000

Glass half full? Glass half empty?

(I always liked Glass overdesigned by 100%)

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 19:11:01 +0000

Linux? No thanks.