£100 Linux-based PCs at Walmart

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According to Wired Walmart are selling $200 / £100 Linux PCs in the US, albeit minus a screen. Not seen anything like this over this side of the pond but I think they could prove popular for people (like my mother) who just want to browse the internet infrequently, send a few emails, check their online bank, etc...

Anyone think this kind of thing could work over here...?
 
Would be a great idea. The fact it is running Linux is a massive factor in its low price. No pesky licenses that cost an arm and a leg. Also gets Linux out there among "normal" people too.

Only issue I can see is if/when technical problems arise. Linux can be a pig even for experienced users.
 
Would be a great idea. The fact it is running Linux is a massive factor in its low price. No pesky licenses that cost an arm and a leg. Also gets Linux out there among "normal" people too.

Only issue I can see is if/when technical problems arise. Linux can be a pig even for experienced users.
True. Aren't they able to use quite a simply flavour of Linux? Something that isn't so complex as other flavours?
 
Well yes of course. But even so, some problems are really hard to fix via a GUI. More often than not you will need the Command Line, as you should know it about as user friendly as a cornered rat.

I think the computer is a great idea, but for it to work well decent support has to be available.
 
I read this article - apparently one of the stores sold all their machines (About 80) within a cpl of minutes of opening :eek:

I dont see why not - i mean linux is coming along leaps and bonds with more and more things working out of the box - and if the machine is built for linux then presumably everythin in it will be of a wise choice aimed at linux

I do admit though that sooner or later a new version of the distro used will come out and everyone will update and hell will rise - but then they'll use their recovery disc (Hopefully they'll have one :-S) and everythin will be fine lol

Definately a gd idea in my opinion

Gaunt
 
I agree, I think it is great. In fact I'd probably buy one myself. I'm just pointing out that Linux is not ideal when it comes to novice users. But as you say, Linux is getting better and better for the desktop.
 
I love the idea of mainstream *nix boxes being so popular (I'm a huge Linux fan, and use it virtually 100% on my home network). However, the cynic in me sees statements like "all 80 boxes sold in minutes" (to paraphrase) and thinks one thing:

Joe Public walks into WalMart and sees a £100 PC. They're not thinking "Wow, freedom from MS, vendor lock-in and proprietary software - I'll give it a whirl!", they're more likely thinking "Dang, that's the cheapest PC ever - dunno what this Ubuntu is but I'll soon have my pirate XP on there and away we go..."

Hopefully though they'll at least try out *buntu first and see just how good it can be ;)
 
I don't know if the price difference would really be enough to attract customers, an oem license costs £50, but shops don't add that much onto the price.
 
Seems despite them selling out of these they aren't restocking at their stores :/

Wal-Mart ends test run for Linux operating system computers in stores


NEW YORK — Computers that run the Linux operating system instead of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows didn't attract enough attention from Wal-Mart customers, and the chain has stopped selling them in stores, a spokeswoman said Monday.

"This really wasn't what our customers were looking for," said Wal-Mart Stores Inc. spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien.

To test demand for systems with the open-source operating system, Wal-Mart stocked the $199 "Green gPC," made by Everex of Taiwan, in about 600 stores starting late in October.

Walmart.com, the chain's e-commerce site, had sold Linux-based computers before and will continue selling the gPC.

This was the first time they appeared on retail shelves.

Paul Kim, brand manager for Everex, said selling the gPC online was "significantly more effective" than selling it in stores.

Wal-Mart sold out the in-store gPC inventory but decided not to restock, O'Brien said. The company does not reveal sales figures for individual items.

Walmart.com now carries an updated version, the gPC2, also for $199, without a monitor. The site also sells a tiny Linux-driven laptop, the Everex CloudBook, for $399.
 
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