Lindows Prepping $199 PC :When $299 Just Isn't Cheap Enough...

ExtremeTech ^ | August 14, 2002 | Mark Hachman

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

After providing software for a $299 Wal-Mart PC, Lindows.com said it is on the verge of striking a deal which would push the price point down to $199. In a letter to customers posted on the Lindows.com web site, Lindows.com chief executive Michael Robertson said the company would be announcing a $199 PC "very soon". Robertson was unavailable for comment. While the deal has not been signed, an agreement with a major retailer and hardware manufacturer will be signed "in about a week, give or take a few days," according to a spokeswoman for Lindows, based in San Diego, Calif. She declined further comment.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Time to replace all of those old PC's and other junk so you can see the real internet!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

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[stainlessbanner]

bump

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Now everyone can have a PC and get access to FreeRepublic!

[rdb3]

The Penguin Ping. Want on or off? Just holla!

Got root?

[chance33_98]

I have to say, the name just sucks. Of course windows does too, they should have named it 'the GATES of hell'

[goldstategop]

I can't wait til Lindows is finally out of beta testing. I've been wanting to try it on a laptop on which Windows Me just sucks.

[Arkinsaw]

This is a pretty big danger to Microsoft. I imagine that a lot of parents will buy this $299 Wal-Mart computer for their kids and keep the big horse for themselves. If the kids grow up using Lindows/Linux then........

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The $199 is without a monitor. The target market of new computer users wouldn't have on old system to cannibalize, which would jack up the price at least $100 for a cheapie.

[backhoe]

Ernest, that's amazing... I guess my excuses ( money ) for using this 130mhz 486, or it's "fallback" 66mhz 486, may no longer apply.

[SoDak]

Not a bad value really, even at $299.

[rdb3]

I just hope Lindows gets away from the user being logged in as perpetual "root," i.e. Win9x and Me.

I just thought about something. Now that you mention WinMe, I have to admit that I've never once used it. From the various screenshots I've seen, I can't tell a difference between Me and 9x.

[chance33_98]

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Yeah, it's certainly adequate for the market of people who just want the basics (internet browsing, e-mail) like my parents (in their 70's) and who don't need all the fancy stuff 'cause it's too overwhelming or intimidating.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think you would use this as a web machine only since it is not windows.

Fry's here in southern Cal has a running Linus machine in the corner of their display area and I have been playing with it some. I think this is real stuff coming!

[rdb3]

Where do you live, E.? Here in Dallas, I can go to several "half-price" computer stores and get a 17-19" monitor for $50-$75. There's a glut of them (but I won't trade in my new 17" flat-screen that has as high as a 1600x1200 resolution).

Hee, hee, hee...

[TomGuy]

I paid $2700 in 1996 for the 200 mhz I'm using now. I've been considering a replacement. Amazing prices. A 1.8 ghz with 60 gig hard drive and 512 meg memory is $799 (w/o monitor but with CDRW).

[rdb3]

[TomGuy]

Yeah, it's certainly adequate for the market of people who just want the basics (internet browsing, e-mail) like my parents (in their 70's) and who don't need all the fancy stuff 'cause it's too overwhelming or intimidating.

Lindows list of supporting software applications is growing. They list 1600 programs (many recognizable names) on their website, including Real Player, Star Office, Open Office, Mozilla...