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$498 Laptop exclusively at Walmart.com

E

emeraldsky

Banned
Preorder this item today and it should arrive on or just after 12/29/2004
VIA C3 processor 1.0 GHz
14.1" LCD panel
Lindows/Linspire version 4.5
128 MB memory, expandable up to 512 MB
30 GB hard drive
CD-ROM drive
4 cell battery
4 USB 2.0 ports
FREE 3-month CNR Service for 1-click install of over 1,900 software titles and automatic updates
Complete Microsoft Office file-compatible office software suite to create and share Word (.doc), Excel (.xls) and PowerPoint (.ppt) documents
Internet suite featuring a fast-functioning browser, email program and instant messenger that works with AOL, MSN and Yahoo! logins

Walmart Linux Laptop

Also available with an AMD Athlon 4 processor.

Linspire Link
 
VIA has been making CPU's for years now. They are marketed toward to the low end budget people.

This is a decent deal for someone who needs a laptop for school IMO.
 
i wanted to find out more about the manufacturer, Balance, and did a quick google.

unfortunately, i stumbled upon this instead. it would appear that Balance is intentionally using slower processors, and advertising them as otherwise, even going so far as to have the BIOS display the higher speed.

Edit: it would appear Wal-Mart has relabeled the laptops with the correct CPU clockspeed. but hey, after reading that thread, do you guys really want to buy it from such a shady manufacturer/vendor?
 
Originally posted by: Jenova314
i wanted to find out more about the manufacturer, Balance, and did a quick google.

unfortunately, i stumbled upon this instead. it would appear that Balance is intentionally using slower processors, and advertising them as otherwise, even going so far as to have the BIOS display the higher speed.

Edit: it would appear Wal-Mart has relabeled the laptops with the correct CPU clockspeed. but hey, after reading that thread, do you guys really want to buy it from such a shady manufacturer/vendor?
Click to expand...


Man, that's crazy!!
 
Originally posted by: Jenova314
i wanted to find out more about the manufacturer, Balance, and did a quick google.

unfortunately, i stumbled upon this instead. it would appear that Balance is intentionally using slower processors, and advertising them as otherwise, even going so far as to have the BIOS display the higher speed.

Edit: it would appear Wal-Mart has relabeled the laptops with the correct CPU clockspeed. but hey, after reading that thread, do you guys really want to buy it from such a shady manufacturer/vendor?
Click to expand...

wow, i thought the specs sucked as is but that totally killed it
 
Originally posted by: fargus
4 cell battery
Click to expand...

Based on the other specs, wouldn't suprise me if they meant 4 D cells!

That's funny!

Oh, and yeah...
Repost
Click to expand...

It's not a repost. That other article was a news story. It shouldn't even have been on the forum.
My post is completely useful, but your criticism isn't.
 
Originally posted by: emeraldsky
Originally posted by: fargus
4 cell battery
Click to expand...

Based on the other specs, wouldn't suprise me if they meant 4 D cells!

That's funny!

Oh, and yeah...
Repost
Click to expand...

It's not a repost. That other article was a news story. It shouldn't even have been on the forum.
My post is completely useful, but your criticism isn't.
Click to expand...

But the link above makes this a cold deal.
 
I just bought a balance LCD screen for my dad as a christmas gift. Now I'm going to make sure i test it before i give it to him. This is super shady. Damn you guys for actually doing research before buying expensive electronics.

 
"yeah....for $50 more, its a much better deal"
sam's club.com has it for $499.81. i'm putting the boss on that one
 
Originally posted by: FreakyGuy
VIA has been making CPU's for years now. They are marketed toward to the low end budget people.

This is a decent deal for someone who needs a laptop for school IMO.
Click to expand...
The AMD version (at wlamart.com, link at GottaDeal.com) with XP Home for $548 is a much better deal.

The Via Cyrix C3 is a very slow CPU, nowhere near as fast as a 1 GHz P3, more like a 500 MHz.

 
Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Originally posted by: huesmann
Originally posted by: emeraldsky
VIA C3 processor 1.0 GHz
Click to expand...
That kills it right there.
Click to expand...
So how fast is a 1Ghz 486-class design, anyways, in terms of real-world usage? Can it decode DVDs at full-speed?
Click to expand...

It is more or less like Celeron 500 - 600. I am using a Celeron 600 /1GB ram, it is ok to watch DVD with it, but it is not very good for authorizing home movies (or TV shows); when a movie ls longer than one hour, always out of syn. Slow machine should be ok to DVD shrink, it is different than authorizing.


 
Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Originally posted by: huesmann
Originally posted by: emeraldsky
VIA C3 processor 1.0 GHz
Click to expand...
That kills it right there.
Click to expand...
So how fast is a 1Ghz 486-class design, anyways, in terms of real-world usage? Can it decode DVDs at full-speed?
Click to expand...
Why even consider the Via C3 when walmart.com also offers the AMD 1.1 GHz / "1600+" version with XP Home for $548?
 
I don't remember the exact details, but a vague heads-up: In a recent consumer reports article on laptops, they had an entire sidebar devoted to a walmart model, with a title to the effect that it was not a good deal despite the low price. Again, I didn't actually read it (I don't get my computer advice from Consumer reports, and I refuse to shop at walmart out of principle as well!), it jsut caught my eye.
 
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