Posted on 12/21/2004 1:46:54 AM PST by angkor
I wish...
This new OS Linspire is supposed to be pretty easy. Haven't tried it myself.
IMHO generic Linux has many advantages over Windoze for technical applications, e.g., networking and security. But it does have a learning curve.
My understanding is that Linspire is supposed to mask all of the Linux oddities and give you a fairly clean "Windows like" experience.
uhm, dude - you can download all that stuff for $0.
Can you say class action?
I have seen vehicles shown at SAMS clubs in years past. They were promos. But that would be where you would see cars sold.
I saw this on another site the other day. Think it was a site selling an Athlon XP 3200+, then reporting the cpu speed as below what the 3200 should be. Will have to wait for kiddo to get back up; he remembers everything.
Not enough RAM, not enough speed, screen not big enough, no carrying case, no wireless technology and I bet it's a brick with a short battery life and an extra charge for a warranty. In short, a toy for high school students but completely unsuitable for university requirements.
If you have a friend who uses Linux, they can help you make the transition. What programs do you run?
Installation/configuration is getting easier each year, but is still the most difficult part. In most cases it is now easier than installing Windows, but how many people actually install Windows - rather than using the factory installation?
Penguin ping.
I was using an old Sony Vaio TR running Trinux and SuSE for many years for network engineering and security. But it's so old now I can't even upgrade the memory (Sony proprietary). And Sony wants to sell the (also proprietary) CD drive for a king's ransom.
Upgrade the memory another 128K and this machine *might* be a good alternative to buying an old laptop off eBay.
In short, a toy for high school students but completely unsuitable for university requirements.
And if it was a better machine, we could claim that it was a toy for university students, but completely unsuitable for CAD work. Then again, if it were even less powerful, we could claim that it was a toy for grade-schoolers, but completely unsuitable for high school requirements.
The press release clearly states that the machine is "perfect for use as a second or third home machine." Furthermore, it states, "The Balance notebook is the lowest-priced laptop currently on the market..." Does that sound like the perfect machine for a college freshman?
The machine is bullet-point and price competitive with Dell's Inspiron 1150, but contains much more software. Anyone buying a computer at Wal-Mart and expecting it to be a state-of-the-art machine needs to get a clue.
The $548 laptop is actuallly a better deal, given its much higher specifications for an added $50. It comes with Windows, but you could run Linux on this one too if you like.
This, I think, is the key statement on these threads (This i at least the 2nd Wal-Mart computer thread in the past two days). No one goes to Wal-Mart to buy state-of-the-art.
If someone wants, or needs, a cheap, portable, machine to read e-mail or play solitaire, then this is the machine for you. It won't play Doom 3, and it's definately not bleeding edge tech. But it will do the job it was built for.
First of all, Linspire would not support most of the applications and games we already have.
Second, the slow processor and tiny screen would annoy most anyone.
I shudder at the thought of how many times I would get "fragged" on Unreal Tournament using this thing.
I have installed many flavors of Linux and other UX-based OS's. They were designed for business server-type apps - not laptops. While I use HPUX, Solaris, RedHat everyday and like the stability they provide at work, I don't want to run them at home. Maybe someday the "open-source" community will mimic Microsoft's useability enough that I would change my mind - but not until then.
Forget Linspire and go with an OS that supports 98% of the software you see on the shelf. And unless you want to squint at the screen all day, part with about $200 more and get something a bit bigger. Try Pricewatch.com.
If you are set on a slower CPU and small screen, Walmart is selling some of these for around $568 that have Windows XP Home installed. At least you can then avoid the Linux learning curve and compatibility issues.
You get what you pay for.
. . . just my 2.5 cents worth.
It is what it is, and I can certainly see some use for it.
For the $$$, your alternative is to poke around on eBay for days or weeks, and to then take the time to install Linux and the apps. I don't know about you guys, but my time is pricey, and even my leisure time has a cost.
Taking that into account, the price is considerably less than $548.00. In fact its getting close to free.
So, let me get this straight. Imported Chinese computers are okay when they don't run Windows. Does this mean that Wal-Mart is okay now?
Where does one buy a computer with low Chinese content? Which brand would that be?
Dell ad in the WSJ today:
$599 for a laptop with 2.2Ghz/512MB and a CD burner
Much better deal.
"Dell ad in the WSJ today:
$599 for a laptop with 2.2Ghz/512MB and a CD burner
"
Bingo! There'll be lots of disappointed folks who get that Walmart/Linux box.
Most major manufacturers who use branded components will have low Red Chinese content. Or you can build your own and use motherboards from Taiwan-based brands such as Asus, ABit or MSI.
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