Demand for sub £100 PC?

[Angilion]

Can't see there being any market what so ever for a PC that cheap/crap. You'd be making no more than a fiver on each one sold - and you won't sell many.

I suspect I could sell 5 ot 6 at work. I think there's a big enough market for an extremely cheap PC. Low-income family with 2 (or more) kids, for example - a PC for each kid instead of one for them to argue over. There are also plenty of people who would like a PC and can't afford (or can't easily afford) the £350 or so for a budget system. There are people who have a games console, a DVD player, etc and just want a PC as pretty much just a word processor and web browser.

As for not knowing how to use Linux...we're talking about people who don't know how to use Windows, so the gap isn't that big. Preconfigure everything and they're good to go. If anything goes wrong, they'd be just as lost with Windows as they would be with Linux.

That is...until they buy a PC game (or one of the aforementioned children buys a PC game). They have a PC, right? So the PC game should work on their PC, obviously.

They probably wouldn't be happy with you at that point.

 

[AdladUK]

That is...until they buy a PC game (or one of the aforementioned children buys a PC game). They have a PC, right? So the PC game should work on their PC, obviously.

They probably wouldn't be happy with you at that point.

at which point i'd tell them to read the back of their pc game box and see what operating system is says you need...

but thank you for your other points. if you're interested in getting the first batch of machines drop me an email!

 

[Glaucus]

I suspect I could sell 5 ot 6 at work. I think there's a big enough market for an extremely cheap PC. Low-income family with 2 (or more) kids, for example - a PC for each kid instead of one for them to argue over. There are also plenty of people who would like a PC and can't afford (or can't easily afford) the £350 or so for a budget system. There are people who have a games console, a DVD player, etc and just want a PC as pretty much just a word processor and web browser.

Nut they would need a monitor etc, which pushes the price out. Kids will use windows at school.

The thing is for the market it's not about choice, it's about what people expect.


The only people I can see a market for this, is people wanting adownload server, but if they want that, the chancers are they'll source there own pc.

 

[Angilion]

at which point i'd tell them to read the back of their pc game box and see what operating system is says you need...

but thank you for your other points. if you're interested in getting the first batch of machines drop me an email!

No, because then I'd be free tech support for them all. I do enough of that already.

I think I have a succinct summary of the main problem you'll face:

Generally, the people who want a £100 PC want a PC in the same way they want a games console - turn it on and it works and that's it. They don't know and don't want to know what an operating system is. They will expect PC software, all PC software, to run on their PC. They will not differentiate between Windows and Linux because they don't know or care what an OS is.

Then their child has a crap day at school because they couldn't open the work they did at home when they got to school. The other pupils called them a retard. The teacher thought they hadn't done the work. The parent is not going to be interested in the problem being that their child saved the work in an Open Office format and the school uses MS Office.

I think it's possible, but fraught with problems. Selling them might not be a problem, but aftersales support would be.

 

[Berserker]

i can't understand why everyone is focusing so hard on the software side of things though... reality is (and i'm not condoning this) most people can get their hands on (or already have) a pirated verision of Windows.

I hope you're not condoning software piracy there. That's frowned upon here, and you'll get short shrift from me as well as I work in the software industry. Building a business that relies on pirated software will earn you a visit from Trading Standards.

Sorry if I've missed this next question as I've skimmed most of the thread:

What market are you aiming for? Your comments about pirated copies of Windows suggest you're aiming at the tech-savvy marketplace, rather than average joe consumer. If so, I'd argue that the tech-savvy are unlikely to be interested in a PC of such low spec. Average joe consumer probably wouldn't know better, but average joe also wants Windows.

 

[Angilion]

I hope you're not condoning software piracy there. That's frowned upon here, and you'll get short shrift from me as well as I work in the software industry. Building a business that relies on pirated software will earn you a visit from Trading Standards.

What market are you aiming for? Your comments about pirated copies of Windows suggest you're aiming at the tech-savvy marketplace, rather than average joe consumer. If so, I'd argue that the tech-savvy are unlikely to be interested in a PC of such low spec. Average joe consumer probably wouldn't know better, but average joe also wants Windows.

I don't think that is necessarily true. People who aren't "tech-savvy" may well know someone who can install a pirated copy of Windows on their PC, or know someone who knows someone who can:

Bob: I was thinking of getting this £100 PC, but it's £200 with Windows. I heard that I need Windows to make a PC work.
Sue: Yes, you do [she doesn't know what Linux is or what an OS is, either], but Tom can get you a copy of Windows for free. He gave me a copy. I'll see him at the pub tonight.
Bob: Thanks!

 

[Berserker]

Yes, that does happen, and you're absolutely right about saying it happens down the pub, but I wouldn't say it happened that often with Windows. Of course, the primary reason for that is probably because most PCs come with Windows anyway.

 

[Glaucus]

I don't think that is necessarily true. People who aren't "tech-savvy" may well know someone who can install a pirated copy of Windows on their PC, or know someone who knows someone who can:

Bob: I was thinking of getting this £100 PC, but it's £200 with Windows. I heard that I need Windows to make a PC work.
Sue: Yes, you do [she doesn't know what Linux is or what an OS is, either], but Tom can get you a copy of Windows for free. He gave me a copy. I'll see him at the pub tonight.
Bob: Thanks!

But if they know someone who is computer savy,. They aren't going to buy from you. If I spec people a computer I'm going to get it of a large player. I don't want hassle from dozen of my friends goi9ng this is broke, can you fix this. They'll also realise that it's a crap system and the memory isn't enough even for web browsing.

 

[Berserker]

Yes, that's also valid. To demonstrate the point - my grandmother (Dad's side) got a PC built by my dad, and my parents (mum & step-dad) got a PC specced by me. In neither case would have a £99 PC come even close to consideration.

The only time it would have come into consideration is with the family on my step Dad's side - for example, my grandmother on that side got a PC second hand that was completely underspecced, and she had no idea how to even switch it on, so that was useless. You'd get a sale there, but only for a door stop.

 

[AdladUK]

I hope you're not condoning software piracy there. That's frowned upon here, and you'll get short shrift from me as well as I work in the software industry. Building a business that relies on pirated software will earn you a visit from Trading Standards.

hehe that made me juckle

buillding a business that relys on software piracy will get me a visit huh? are you sure about that? so now you don't have to even manufacturer pirated discs to get a "visit"

you just have to "condone" or talk about it. sounds a bit nazi germany to me. what planet/century you living in m8?

Sorry if I've missed this next question as I've skimmed most of the thread:

I think you've pretty much skimmed all the thread. otherwise you would have seen me mention multiple times that i will be recommending the free (and perfectly legal) Linux OS on all the base units

What market are you aiming for? Your comments about pirated copies of Windows suggest you're aiming at the tech-savvy marketplace, rather than average joe consumer. If so, I'd argue that the tech-savvy are unlikely to be interested in a PC of such low spec. Average joe consumer probably wouldn't know better, but average joe also wants Windows.

actually no. most the average joes have (or can get their hands on) pirated software. i don't even care about that. i'm selling the computer with Linux on (as default).

if you really are interested about the potential target market, click a few pages back, i mention 3

 

[AdladUK]

But if they know someone who is computer savy,. They aren't going to buy from you. If I spec people a computer I'm going to get it of a large player. I don't want hassle from dozen of my friends goi9ng this is broke, can you fix this. They'll also realise that it's a crap system and the memory isn't enough even for web browsing.

you're grouping everyone into 1 or 2 categories based on your own preferences. this thread has basically gone in full circle so i'll post the link to the 3 potential target audiences i mentioned ealier on, and leave it at that.

thank you to everyone for their input

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10009421&postcount=92

 

[St0rmer66]

you're grouping everyone into 1 or 2 categories based on your own preferences. this thread has basically gone in full circle so i'll post the link to the 3 potential target audiences i mentioned ealier on, and leave it at that.

thank you to everyone for their input

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10009421&postcount=92

You're ignoring everyone's points with no evidence, but stating your own as fact with no evidence either! If you are simply going to dismiss someone every time they go against your stupid idea, then why even bother making the thread? Seems like you're going to try this anyway, so why bother at all asking people? You obviously know best .

 

[Stellios]

buillding a business that relys on software piracy will get me a visit huh? are you sure about that? so now you don't have to even manufacturer pirated discs to get a "visit"

you just have to "condone" or talk about it. sounds a bit nazi germany to me. what planet/century you living in m8?

Your not seriously telling me that you think that is only piracy when its on a disk? Does that mean its not piracy for me to go and download Tranformers as long as i keep it on my PC and not put it onto DVD? The way you said it makes it sound like your going 'I can install it onto the PC and sell that PC with a pirate copy of windows, just as long as i dont give the disk out'.

Also, building a business based on software piracy will get you attention, as one day someone will report you, and then you could well be stuck up the creek without a paddle.

 

[Skree]

there would be a market for £99 pc's. There is absolutely no doubt on this. It'd have to be designed to plug into a tv though, rather like the spectrums and amigas of old, no way could you include a monitor at that price.

Using linux is out of the question until linux becomes interoperable with windows. Until it can run at the very least the vast majority of windows software, Linux is out for the market of such a pc. such a pc's primary purpose would probably be web and downloaded programs. Linux is becoming more supported but everything is set up for windows pc's. Even the progs that have linux versions, it's usually a tiny link. If a linux is released that can run all windows programs directly, then it would be a reasonable choice.

You could probably get a OEM deal with microsoft if you were selling them on a large enough basis. Don't forget shipping/retailer costs.

If you bought everything in massive bulk, you'd probably be able to get motherboards with embedded cpus, on board tv-outs etc.

More realistic as a product to market would be something along the lines of the current PVR TV recorder boxes, that also functioned as a media/dvd player, surround sound 5.1 system, and a pc. Basically a HTPC with a built in surround amp with these lifestyle speakers. Say, in the £200-300 price bracket. I think those would sell well.

 

[Stellios]

1. Parents looking to buy their child his/her first PC to "mess around" and learn on

Fair enough, but surely by the time youve added all your peripherals it justs as cheap to go to a big supplier, adn i know id rather use a well known supplier to a backstreet company, hance why a lot of my gear is from OcUK,

2. College/University student looking for a really cheap backup server/downloading/folding machine

Most students I know dont do cheap, apart from with food. £3000 PC then £200 to live for the year. When you say cheap downloading macine, i know you arnt referring to legal software, yet most uni campus' block P2P ports rendering P2P useless. Also, if your into F@H then you know you need a decent rig, and frankly running F@H on a slow cheap rig is pretty much pointless.

3. Grandparents who have had their P1 base unit for 5+ years and want to just upgrade that (not fork out for a new keyboard, mouse, and TFT monitor etc)

Most oled people I know never grew up with PCs therefore dont own one, adn those that do dont care about speed and will happily use a 10 year old PC as long as it gets the job done. These people will more than likely have used Window for their time on the PC, and old people dont like chage, so throwing Linux at them would probably give them a coronary.

Dont get me wrong, i hope it works for you, but i seriously think you need to sit down and consider who actually wants to buy a low powered, cheap PC that comes with Linux, no monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer or anything. If it came with a cheap screen, mouse and keyboard as a whole setup then yeah, but as just a base unit i cant really see much point.

 

[Tefal]

Bob: I was thinking of getting this £100 PC, but it's £200 with Windows. I heard that I need Windows to make a PC work.
Sue: Yes, you do [she doesn't know what Linux is or what an OS is, either], but Tom can get you a copy of Windows for free. He gave me a copy. I'll see him at the pub tonight.
Bob: Thanks!

BoB: hey tom i can get this $100 pc but it needs a copy of windows, can you get us one?
Tom: £100?!? what spec is it
Bob: err, heres the ad
Tom.... Hahahah, not even a monitor? Don't get it mate its a load of tat, you'd be better spending a little more for a dell, mate if you only want office work. You'll get a nice 19" monitor with a dell too.
Bob: so this really is not worth getting?
Tom: no way man, total rip off.

And there in lies the problem of expecting peoples tech savvy friends to help you.

 

[Stellios]

BoB: hey tom i can get this $100 pc but it needs a copy of windows, can you get us one?
Tom: £100?!? what spec is it
Bob: err, heres the ad
Tom.... Hahahah, not even a monitor? Don't get it mate its a load of tat, you'd be better spending a little more for a xxxx, mate if you only want office work. You'll get a nice 19" monitor with a dell too.
Bob: so this really is not worth getting?
Tom: no way man, total rip off.

And there in lies the problem of expecting peoples tech savvy friends to help you.

Thats exactly what i was thinking too. If you know someone thats a bit up on PCs then they will be able to build you one for a reasonable price themselves or will be able to advise you where to look to get a full system.

 

[dbmzk1]

I still cant see how there is any market for this kind of thing at all. It's not cheap once you have factored in everything else such as a monitor, Windows, a printer etc. Even if they were to use an existing monitor, no one is going to upgrade their £1000 5 year old Dell PC with a £99 no-brand cheapo thing with Linux. Sorry, but it's not going to happen. People will automatically think that because it is cheap it's inferior.

If someone came to me with an ad for a £99 PC and asked if it was any good I'd laugh at them. I'd say go to the purple shirt shop or similar and get something from there. You can get a laptop for under £300 now. Even cheaper if you really shop around. Why would anyone want a cheap PC with no peripherals and without Windows when they can get a shiny new all singing all dancing laptop from a respectable company and manufacturer that they can use in their garden for just a little bit more.

EDIT: And I'm interested as to how you have worked out that you will make a decent amount of money from each one. I honestly can't see margins being more than £10 at the very very highest per unit. It's just not worth it, you would make more money selling your dirty underwear on ebay. There is a reason why big companies tend not to offer systems so cheap!

EDIT2: Take this... it doesn't come much cheaper than this. You could maybe get it down by about £10 if you really really tried, but still not low enough to make £10+ on a £99 system.

Case with 400W PSU - £18.15
AMD Sempron 2800 Retail Boxed inc Fan, Socket AM2 - £18.42
Abit NF-M2SV - £33.00
OCZ 512MB Value DDR2 PC5400 667MHz Memory - £12.57
80GB Maxtor DiamondMax Plus20 - £25.50
DVD/CDRW - £12.00

Total - £119.64

 

[Angilion]

I was looking at a place selling base units with C2D 6320 for ~£160. Of course, all the other components were very poor. I looked at buying one a month or so ago, to see if it was worth merging the best compatible bits from my current S939 system with that, building a second PC with the rest of the bits and selling it on. I decided it wasn't(*) and forgot the name of the shop, but the low price for the basic C2D 6320 system stuck in my head.

* I'd need a new PSU (mine has a 20-pin ATX) and a full ATX size motherboard instead of the microATX one in that unit and the only options were a small number of either Abit or Asus boards (I forget which) and more memory (the base option was 512MB) and it just wasn't cheap after that.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

Without reading all through the posts I think there is a massive market for very cheap PC's.
If I take the people I work with at least half of them don't have PC's but most realise that they will really need the internet in the future to do their daily business eg online banking, car insurance, buying stuff etc.
You could sell them has entry level internet machines.