Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

Ruh-roh:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071031/wal_m...uter.html?.v=2

Re: Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

I saw on the Wal-Mart site that they were selling Dells with an option of Vista or Ubuntu. I guess this is the next step. I'm glad to see it. Eventually all of my computers will be Linux. I'm not going past Windows 2000. :) Ubuntu is good and it works.

Re: Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

I wish they wouldn't keep offering Linux as a cheaper-than-Windows option.

Re: Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

You want them to charge more??

Re: Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

Man, I remember when Everex was king of PCs. Anyone else? I used to drool over their specs...

Re: Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

What will the price be for the Green gLAPTOP?

Re: Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

Didn't they already try this with "Lindows"?

Re: Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

There were a few earnest efforts to get Linux onto PCs at Walmart (and other stores), and IIRC Lindows was one of the deals offered. These were still budget PCs but sold as an alternative to Windows, rather than just a bargain-basement choice.

Nowadays I'm sure we should be glad that Linux is being sold anywhere, but it does appear always to be chosen because manufacturer wants to sell a budget unit and therefore can't afford a Windows license (ie the Asus Eee).

Dell excepted, of course, because they responded to customer demand, and there have even been complaints that their notebooks/desktops cost more than the Windows equivalents. Nokia excepted too because they wanted an open platform :)

I wonder why retailers don't consider using one of the desktop BSDs? They're getting pretty good nowadays, especially on the driver front.

Re: Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

I saw this on Engadgetthis morning, and saw a funny bit in their article on it.

Everex markets this as "green" rather than "underpowered" for obvious reasons, but packages the tiny bit of electronics (mini-itx motherboard & HD, no CD) in a mid-tower case with two drive bays, etc. The reason: "Research indicates that Wal-Mart shoppers equate the size of the system to its capability". Gotta love the waste there!

Re: Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

I caught that article as well. With this philosophy, I am surprised they stopped at mid-tower. This is so backward. The whole thing can fit in a shoebox, but we're going to put it in a refrigerator so Johnny Methlab will know he's getting his money's worth.

Logic tells me that the people buying these PC's have LESS living space than someone willing to spend MORE MONEY on a Small Form Factor system.

Re: Wal-Mart gets busy with linux
 

The real reason is probably that a standard mini tower case is much cheaper than a small one tailored to the mini-itx motherboard.