[Swordmaker]

Wal-Mart is going to have a tough time competing against Dell. For $499, you get a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 processor, 512MB SDRAM, 40GB HD, a 17" monitor, CDROM drive, and Windows XP Home. Compare that to the Wal-Mart PC running Linux and prepare yourself for a good laugh. No wonder those guys can barely give their machines away.

Bushie, the $499 Walmart computer is a LAPTOP, the $499 Dell is a DESKTOP. Duh!

Now that doesn't mean your point is entirely invalid. A low end Inspiron 1000 Dell Laptop ($799, $699 after rebate)) has the following features:

Intel Celeron 2.2 GHz processor
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
14.1" XGA Display
256MB 266MHz Shared DDR Memory
24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Starting at 6.48lbs

Even at $200 more, it probably is the better buy for most PC users.

[Bush2000]

Understood. It's simply an illustration of how much computer you can get for $499. The Wal-Mart computer has a slooooooooooow 1Ghz processor. Personally, I think you'd have to be insane to throw your money away on one of those boxes when you can get a machine for close to the same price (see the Dell outlet prices).