Microsoft gets into PC hardware business

The Inquirer ^ | 07-04-2002 | Mike Magee

[Libertarianize the GOP]

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[TheBattman]

"I see this move by Microsoft as an attempt to keep the market going. As for Lindows, if they actually have a product at this point, much less something that could compete with GEOs, OS/2 Warp, BeOS, AmigaOS, or all those freeware Unix clones, I'd be surprised.
"

Wal-Mart already is selling quantities of machines running Lindows....

[Paul Atreides]

Oh man. Am I ever glad I did spent all that money on those Computer Shopper magazines. When I was shopping for my first computer, in 1995, I looked at Packard Bell's line (not knowing their reputation). Needless to say, I didn't get one. I knew someone who did though. They had to send their monitor back three times and I believe they had other problems with it.

[Willie Green]

What?

"The fact that anyone would go to a Walmart to buy a computer takes some getting used to. But I like the concept of cheap computers."

WalMart was where many of the vast unwashed masses bought their Packard Bell 386 SXs.

"Cheap" does not equate to "a good bargain".

[dr_who]

"Cheap" does not equate to "a good bargain".

That's true.

[Willie Green]

They had to send their monitor back three times and I believe they had other problems with it.

I've tinkered on several -- trying to help out "friends in need".

In all honesty, there was nothing "wrong" with Packard Bell -- as originally packaged.
They were simply a pain in the @$$ if you wanted to crack open the box for any kind of simple little upgrade. No room, insufficient slots, non-standard chips... heck, I think they even saved a few pennies manufacturing costs by soldering the CMOS battery in place rather than use a socket. Made battery replacement a pain.

Didn't have to be that way.
But it was obvious that their penny-pinching design made them agonizing to tinker with compared to any other "clone".

[Paul Atreides]

What finally happened to Packard Bell?

[Willie Green]

They're still around (Packard Bell - A Brand of NEC Computers International), they just no longer sell in the U.S.
I believe they were subjected to class action lawsuits alleging selling "used" components in "new" computers.

I don't know if there was actually any validity in this charge.
Competing at that absolute, el-stinko dirt-cheap rock botton of the market, it would not be unreasonable to expect that they would salvage usable components from either their own unsold units, or surplus from other manufacturers. Does that make the computer "used"???

Heck, I dunno. It definetly was a crapola machine, but it also sold at a crapola price. Ya get what you pay for, but the stinking lawyers expected more.

[Paul Atreides]

This thread got me to thinking about that idiotic claim by the left of the "digital divide" between higher and lower income persons. Computers are dirt-cheap now. I saw an HP computer in Wal Mart for $600. My internet service is $21 per month. I don't believe for a second that there are people out there who are being shut out of the advantages of the digital age.

[Willie Green]

Computers are dirt-cheap now. I saw an HP computer in Wal Mart for $600.

The market is saturated. Most people have what they need.

For instance, I'm getting by on an "antiquated" 233 MHz MMX Pentium, 64 Mb Ram, 8 Mb video, 2 Mb hard drive, 17" monitor, cable modem. Although much "bigger, better, faster" systems are available and affordable, I see no reason to upgrade until something I already have actually disintegrates. Then, when I'm forced to buy something new, whatever is available that's cheap will be more powerful than whatever is cheap right now.

[TN Republican]

It would only take a couple of hours' searching on the public library's computer to find out how to build a cheap machine. For an ISP, NetZero charges less than 10 bucks a month for internet access. (Unfortunately, the poor people who choose to use an extra phone line have to pay the Al Gore tax for being rich enough to afford network access.)

I still have to hear a bunch of liberal BS from some guy at work about the poor people who don't know how to use computers. If they can't learn how to type relevant words into a search engine, why are we paying so much money for their education in the first place?

[for-q-clinton]

If Wal-mart is really selling mass quantities of Linows, I really feel sorry for the idiot who bought them.

It's just like the packard hell computers. People don't know what they are getting. A mom may buy it for her son thinking hey this computer's only $400. Then when they open it and try running programs they realize "Oops, I guess that's why it was only $400".

I have no problem with Lindows trying to compete. But by using Wal-mart as their selling vehicle, I have to say they are taking advantage of naive consumers. Sure, buyer-beware, but that doesn't make what wal-mart and Lindows doing ethically right. It just means they can legally scam some money from poor uneducated consumers.

[JameRetief]

I don't see any ethical problems with Walmart selling computers with Lindows included. If Walmart wanted to sell the computers without an OS, they could do that as well and there would still be no ethical problem. In fact, I would prefer it this way as it would allow for more competitiveness in the OS market.

Bundled or not, it's up to the consumer to decide whether or not the computer and/or the OS fulfill their needs. For many, a simple email program, browser and word processor will be all that they will need and use. Lindows will provide those just fine. Those that want more can choose to buy a different OS (including Windows), which Walmart also sells, or even download linux for free.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Wal-Mart actually offers internet service for 9.95 a month. I used it for a couple days and it was surprisingly fast for a dial-up.

[avg_freeper]

Hmmmmmm.... you must be too young to remember Packard Bell 386 SX machines.

I had a Pack' Bell SX. It was last PC I owned. I actually felt sorry for the poor software I put on that P.O.S.

[Willie Green]

I actually felt sorry for the poor software I put on that P.O.S.

I usually have more empathy for hardware that gets overburdened with MS bloatwere.

[parsifal]

I always had real good luck with Packard Bells. Owned a couple of them. Still have a 75MHZ Pentium PB that works fine after about 5-6 years. But then again, I still have my Tandy 1000TX and it probably works fine too. Sitting int he storeroom now. But my Compaq Presario (8570???), whatever, the volume controls on the monitor don't work. And the Sleepy-Bye Button with Mr. Moon on it goes into "coma-mode" sometimes. But man, on the inside, it (the Compaq) is hell for stout. Has roll bars, protective cages, and air bags. parsy the pack-rat.