Wal-Mart Sells $199 Linux Computer

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Hey, two Wal-Mart stories in a row. No conspiracy here, I promise.

Quote -

Linux, the free operating system that's a perpetual underdog in the desktop market, is showing up in computers in Wal-Mart stores this week for the first time.

About 600 Wal-Mart stores will carry the $199 Linux-powered "Green gPC" made by Everex of Taiwan, Wal-Mart said. It was available online on Wednesday.

A comparable Everex PC that comes with Windows Vista Home Basic and more memory costs $99 more, or $298, partly because the manufacturer has to pay Microsoft Corp. for a software license. Both computers come with keyboard, mouse, and speakers, but no monitor.

But here's the $199 question: How many of these will sell? Their last Linux venture didn't turn out so well and I don't see this one being any different.

markjensen in the forum also makes an interesting point mentioning that the OS mentioned on the product page references "gOS", not Linux.

News source: [Associated Press] via [Back Page News]

(1 reply) #1 Lasker on 01 Nov 2007 - 19:48

Any more details about these computers? what processors? Memory? HD space? Oh by the way, Walt-Mart.com is down for Maintenance

Edit: Ok I found the specifications:

Everex Desktop:
1.5GHz C7-D Processor
512MB DDR2 Memory
80GB Hard Drive
DVD-ROM / CD-RW
gOS Operating System

Last edited by Lasker on 01 Nov 2007 - 20:01

#1.1 Lasker on 01 Nov 2007 - 20:03

Quote - (Lasker said @ #1)

These computers are good for my grandmom to surf the web and e-mail the family

(3 replies) #2 Nose Nuggets on 01 Nov 2007 - 19:57

more importantly, how many will be returned because people dont know what the hell to do with it when they boot it up.

#2.1 markjensen on 01 Nov 2007 - 20:23

Quote - (Nose Nuggets said @ #2)

Errr... Like browse the web, send email and stuff like that? Heck, they have YouTube icons right on the desktop for people.

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/10/200-everex-gree.html <-- some screenshots there

#2.2 Windam on 01 Nov 2007 - 20:23

sudo apt-get

that's where it all begins

#2.3 Foub on 01 Nov 2007 - 21:53

Quote - (markjensen said @ #2.1)

It least it has Ubuntu. That is an easy version of Linux to use.

(1 reply) #3 phantasmorph on 01 Nov 2007 - 20:20

What the heck is gOS?

#3.1 markjensen on 01 Nov 2007 - 20:27

Everex claims it is for "Green", as in low-power, environmentally friendly and stuff. You know, rescuing cute and fuzzy kittens from neglect.

But a lot of comments have been made about the Google-centric features of this offering. Perhaps this is the first beta release of the long-awaited Google-OS?

#4 FuhrerDarqueSyde on 01 Nov 2007 - 20:22

I might get it and make another router/fileserver/jukebox out of it...after i throw Slackware on it >.>

#5 +Zhivago on 01 Nov 2007 - 20:29

"mentioning that the OS mentioned"

(1 reply) #6 qdave on 01 Nov 2007 - 20:33

hmm, probably usefull for people who cant afford anything better.
that gos looks interesting...but i for one wouldnt want to use it

The gPC is built using tiny components, but put inside a full-size case because research indicates that Wal-Mart shoppers are so unsophisticated they equate physical size with capability.

#6.1 Foub on 01 Nov 2007 - 21:54

Its like the joke I had heard about the guy who said that his computer was better because it was bigger.

(1 reply) #7 ThaCrip on 01 Nov 2007 - 21:27

hell for people who need a cheap pc... get it, format it, and put windows xp back onto it

all for 199 cant really complain there.

Last edited by ThaCrip on 01 Nov 2007 - 21:39

#7.1 bibutteryboy on 01 Nov 2007 - 21:29

#8 J400uk on 01 Nov 2007 - 22:23

now that is a hot deal

(1 reply) #9 Ali Koubeissi on 02 Nov 2007 - 03:10

hell for people who need a cheap pc... get it, format it, and put windows xp back onto it all for 199 cant really complain there.

Yeah, pay 145$ OS for a 199$ computer. Makes perfect sense ......

#9.1 +rm20010 on 02 Nov 2007 - 03:43

... except if you're a student that has access to MSDNAA.

(1 reply) #10 seebaran on 02 Nov 2007 - 04:22

May be a dumb question but I can connect to my cable internet with this low-end PC right?

It'd be nice to have a backup desktop to my laptop incase something horrible were to happen.

#10.1 JiveMasterT on 02 Nov 2007 - 13:39

Umm yeah as long as it has a network card I can imagine it would be able to.

#11 Zoue on 02 Nov 2007 - 15:55

Customers are going to be ****ed when it doesn't run their software.

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