New Laptop running Linspire (Linux) + full program set. = $498

[Capitalizt]

This is great. A stable, secure Linux OS with all of the apps you need for basic web surfing and office work. Would make a great second machine for anyone.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-.../0002669212&EDATE=

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Walmart.com has released the
$498 Balance laptop, which runs the Linux-based operating system Linspire. The
laptop comes fully equipped with the operating system, Internet suite, and
Microsoft-file compatible office suite, and can be used with both dial-up
modems and broadband connections. The $498 price does not require coupons or
rebates and can be purchased immediately at http://www.linspire.com/498.
Wal-Mart and Linspire worked together to offer a laptop that would give
customers the best user experience at the lowest price possible. The Balance
notebook is the lowest-priced laptop currently on the market to include a
complete operating system and office suite -- comparable machines cost
hundreds more even without an office suite or software included.

Hardware specifications:
-- 1.0 GHz processor
-- 128 MB RAM, expandable up to 512 MB with included SODIMM slot
-- 14.1" LCD screen

Included software:
-- Linspire 4.5 operating system
-- OpenOffice.org - full-featured Microsoft file-compatible office suite
with word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation programs
-- Internet suite including email with spam blockers, Internet browser,
and built-in firewall
-- More than 1,900 free software programs for download, with guaranteed
software updates for 3 months

More specifications for the Balance $498 laptop are available at
http://www.linspire.com/498.

 

[Capitalizt]

picture:
http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/64...4453132208_500X500.jpg

 

[pxc]

junk. a VIA C3 1GHz CPU is equal to around a Celeron 700MHz in some things and much worse in other things (MMX, FP). http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20020605/c3-06.html

VIA C3 processor 1.0 GHz
14.1" LCD panel
Lindows/Linspire version 4.5
128 MB memory
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

 

[Capitalizt]

well, it should be a good entry level PC for the basic web and office stuff...no hardcore gaming for sure. Those who want to try Linux may be interested in this package.

 

[pxc]

$50 more at Dell gets a laptop that's 3x faster, has twice as much memory, plus an OS that runs everything.

A C3 1GHz/Linspire laptop is going to need to cost under $400 to be competitive.

 

[GTFan]

Yeah for that price you'd be better off getting a gently used 2-year-old Thinkpad or something equivalent off of fleabay. Or just spend $100 more and get a much better lappy from any of the $600 AR deals that float around all the time. I'd hate to pay $550 or so shipped and get half the laptop that you could find elsewhere for $650.

 

[Jassi]

Even though the stats suck, it will still sell because its Walmart.

 

[MiataPaul]

Originally posted by: pxc
$50 more at Dell gets a laptop that's 3x faster, has twice as much memory, plus an OS that runs everything.

A C3 1GHz/Linspire laptop is going to need to cost under $400 to be competitive.

And Linux distributions are FREE for the most part. Install is as easy as windows, so for $50 more you get a faster machine and one that can run Linux and go back to Windows if it turns out to not be your thing. I love Linux and run it on all but my gaming machine. does every thing my windows machine can. Just wish there was an "easy and quick" photo editor. Gimp is about as powerful as Photo Shop 7.0, but not as easy to use as Photoshop Elements. Open office is as good, if not better than Office, Firefox is available on Linux and there are thousands of free applications without having to go to a lame not open source distribution.

 

[MrNutz]

Originally posted by: pxc
$50 more at Dell gets a laptop that's 3x faster, has twice as much memory, plus an OS that runs everything.

Runs everything, including all the windows viruses and IE spyware that we all love so much! :disgust:

I wouldn't have to think twice about getting this for a relative that will be using it for office apps, internet, and basic games. Just think about it, you can recommend a laptop that you will never have to worry about formating/disinfecting because it was overrun by windows viruses...

 

[JohnDoh]

I bet these are ecs desknotes that dont have an internal battery, anyone intrested id double check if I were you. Kinda defeats the purpose of a notebook having an external battery. But on the plus note the via C3 I bet allows you to run this thing really long time on battery power.

 

[pxc]

Originally posted by: MrNutz
Runs everything, including all the windows viruses and IE spyware that we all love so much! :disgust:

Since i've never been infected with spyware or a virus, i pity you. :disgust:

 

[MrNutz]

Originally posted by: pxc
Since i've never been infected with spyware or a virus, i pity you. :disgust:

I didn't mean me, fruitcake... I meant just about every windows/IE user I know. I actually have a down pat process of disinfecting, dis-spywaring, dis-abling IE, and installing Firefox on every windows machine I come in contact with. To tell you the truth, I don't even trust using IE on my machine, and I know that it is spyware/virus free. :roll:


oh yeah, if you use IE then I guarantee that you had or have spyware.

 

[simo]

I would say screw Linspire and install Fedora but 128Mb ain't gonna run anything nicely, especially on one of those VIA C3 POS's.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: JohnDoh
I bet these are ecs desknotes that dont have an internal battery, anyone intrested id double check if I were you. Kinda defeats the purpose of a notebook having an external battery. But on the plus note the via C3 I bet allows you to run this thing really long time on battery power.

No, these do have internal batteries.

$50.00 more gets you AthlonXP, bigger hard drive, DVD-ROM drive, integrated 802.11b, XP Home.

 

[pxc]

Originally posted by: MrNutz
oh yeah, if you use IE then I guarantee that you had or have spyware.

wrong-o. :disgust:

but that does show i was right about you.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: pxc
$50 more at Dell gets a laptop that's 3x faster, has twice as much memory, plus an OS that runs everything.

A C3 1GHz/Linspire laptop is going to need to cost under $400 to be competitive.

2nd.... thought i have no experience with linspire itself, wine on my gentoo box is nowhere near flawless. Dell has lot better deals imo

 

[MrNutz]

Originally posted by: pxc

Originally posted by: MrNutz
oh yeah, if you use IE then I guarantee that you had or have spyware.

wrong-o. :disgust:

but that does show i was right about you.

How exactly were you right about me? If you don't think you have spyware on your windoze box, then you don't know what spyware is, you don't know how spyware progs find spyware, or you don't surf the net... :roll: