Wally World debutes sub-$500 Linspire Linux laptop

[Tuff Gong]

December 21, 2004

Wal-Mart breaks price barrier with Linspire Linux laptop

Wal-Mart is offering a laptop that dives below the $500 pricepoint, and it's no accident the machine, from Linspire, runs a Linux-based operating system.

The Balance laptop, at $498, enters a mass market at a price that will undoubtedly accelerate Linux adoption.

The laptop comes with the OS, Internet suite, and Microsoft-file compatible office suite and can be used with both dial-up modems and broadband connections. The machine comes with a VIA C3, 1.0 GHz processor, 128 MB of RAM, which is expandable up to 512 MB with SODIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Modules). It includes a CD-ROM drive and a 14.1-inch LCD screen.

Mass marketing Linux with a Balance laptop is one more brick in the wall being erected to support open source, as opposed to proprietary and more expensive software.

Earlier this month, IDC underlined the trend in a report that showed the Linux market reaching $38 billion by 2008.

"When all manifestations of Linux operating systems are counted, Linux is clearly a mainstream solution," said Vernon Turner, IDC's group vice president and general manager of enterprise computing research.

The laptop's included Mozilla Internet suite comes with a fast-functioning browser and email program that can display Web-based forms, PDF documents, images, and multimedia files. The suite's included instant messenger program works with AOL, MSN and Yahoo logins.

Coincidentally, InfoWorld's Tom Sullivan discussed the natural benefits of Mozilla and the Linux desktop earlier this month.

Posted by Jack McCarthy at December 21, 2004
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[j-kid]

Re: Wally World debutes sub-$500 Linspire Linux laptop

I wonder why they mentioned everything except the size of the Hard Drive?

I am happy to see that Wal-mart is expanding their Linux desktop line, by adding laptops. This should be a big boost for the Linux, considering the niche market that Wal-mart command.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Wally World debutes sub-$500 Linspire Linux laptop

Originally posted by J kid:
[qb] I wonder why they mentioned everything except the size of the Hard Drive?

[/qb]

With drive prices are cheap as they are I am sure they will put something sizable in the package especially when you look at RAM size.

Which leads me to these questions why a 1GHZ processor and only 128 MB ram only expandable to 512 MB?

I wonder who it is aimed at?

[j-kid]

Re: Wally World debutes sub-$500 Linspire Linux laptop

I think it is probably from a pure cost saving and practical measure on their part. The memory is much easier to upgrade than the CPU, so they give processing power and cut back where the consumer can either upgrade memory themselves or take it to a shop to be installed for them.

My guess is that the laptop is also aimed at the same market that their desk top is aimed at, the everyday Joe-Blow that is looking for an inexpensive portable computer. I doubt it will be the office crowd, because even though the software on the Linux PC is compatible with office documents, I think most office environment wants that familiarity across the board. For first-timers, college kids and the techie types, it may not matter, but until Linux gets a better foothold, I think people are more comfortable with what they are familiar with, Micro$oft or Apple (even though Mac is Linux base). Look at how many people are still on AOL, even though there are better and cheaper alternatives out there.

[Wahalla]

Re: Wally World debutes sub-$500 Linspire Linux laptop

When I was in China, I discovered a brand Lenovo...

Last week I noted that IBM has sold their Think Pad brand to Lenovo for $934 million... IBM will continue to sell think Pad which will be made by Lenovo.. with both logoo.... The chinese marketing strategy which usually has the pattern find the cheapest altenative and under cut may lead to cheaper Thinkpads....

Walmart in Shekou were not selling laptops...

What do I know, I find computers to be creatures of the devil... Once they developed a word processor with spell check and a spread sheet... that was it for me.....