Wal-Mart Sells PCs With Sun's Java Desktop System

techweb ^ | March 31, 2004

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Sun has finally found an American partner for its Java Desktop System (JSD), the company's Linux-based alternative to Microsoft Windows: über-retailer Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart on Tuesday began selling low-cost Microtel PCs pre-loaded with JDS, offering several systems at prices ranging from $298 to $698.

Java Desktop System, which runs on Linux, includes the Gnome desktop, StarOffice productivity suite, Mozilla Web browser, and the Evolution e-mail client, and is Sun's pitch as a replacement for Windows and Microsoft Office in both the consumer and enterprise arenas.

On Tuesday, Sun said that it was seriously considering Wal-Mart as the sole PC supplier for JDS-equipped computers.

To prove the point, Wal-Mart's online and retail stores have begun selling systems like the Microtel SYSWM8001, which uses an AMD 1.6GHz Duron processor, comes with 128MB of memory, and a 40GB hard drive for less than $300. The 8001, as well as four other Microtel models, come standard with JDS.

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W-M Microtel Models

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bump

[billbears]

SB, will Windows programs run on desktops as these? Or do they use only Linux based programs

[BushCountry]

Most people will buy these systems and install their bootlegged copy of windows.

[Khurkris]

those are some nice 'puters at VERY good prices.

[billbears]

That's a possibility I guess. My point is that I remember Apple and Microsoft trying to develop machines a few years back where all products worked on any machine. Will that or has that already happened, besides the Lindows program, where MS products run on Sun desktops and vice versa. I know Star Office runs on MS because I have used that and Open office in the past, I was just wondering about the other side

[babygene]

They run lunus programs... However, if you get WINE ( http://www.winehq.com/ ) then you can run windows programs.

[stainlessbanner]

You will not be able to run Windows based software on this system unless you get a product like vmware or wine/win emulator.

[Condor51]

will Windows programs run on desktops as these? Or do they use only Linux based programs?

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GOOD QUESTION.
As far as I know this answer is.. NO.

Will a Windows program run on an MAC, NO.
Will a DOS program run on a Mac, NO.
So these are really USELESS for regular people.

I'd love to be able to run AutoCAD® on a Linux OS but I can't. My current DELL SUCKS BIG TIME and I'm going to build my own pc next time and was looking at Linux, but for what, no programs made for it.

[BushCountry]

They have made good progress on emulation and binary porting of Microsoft and other Window's products. What will kill these machines is the lack of gaming software. Don't get me wrong, I want a strong Linux competitor to MS, that way both products will improve. Competition will spur innovation. If they figure out how to port games this might happen. They are already coming with an operating system and compatitable product to Microsoft Office for almost nothing. It is a great deal, except most people won't realize it.

[babygene]

See #7 above. Some windows programs will run under WINE, However Autocad probably will not.

[Leroy S. Mort]

Goodness me. This looks sorta familiar...

[BushCountry]

LinuxCAD

[TXBSAFH]

Most people who buy these will not be serious gamers, they be looking for a internet box and something for little Johnny to do his book report on. I like linux and would be interested in playing with one of these.

[Centurion2000]

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[Condor51]

Ok, except Architect's, Engineers and Contractors all use AutoCAD, or AutoCAD compliant programs. It's the industry 'standard'. So all my drawings would be useless.

Linux sounds 'neat', but until more programs are commercially available, I think it'll be relegated for 'geek use' only. And isn't that the whole point of Linux, NOT to be 'commercial'?

NOTE: No OFFENSE meant toward Geeks. After all, if it wasn't for geeks, we wouldn't be posting here would we.

[Condor51]

Ok, thank you.

[FreedomFlynnie]

Gee, that looks, um...absolutely identical to Win XP. Which leaves 2 questions:

1) I assume Microsoft would have already looked into it, but doesn't such a blatant ripoff violate some MS copyright?

2) What's the point? Why not just use XP?

[BushCountry]

It is my understanding that LinuxCAD produces the exact same output files as AutoCAD and you can import your AutoCAD files. They claim the interface is almost identical and uses almost all the same command line commands.

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Bump.