| [News] Wal-Mart shipping PCs with Lindows preinstalled | ANN.lu |
| Posted on 15-Jun-2002 15:12 GMT by Teemu I. Yliselä | 45 comments
View flat
View list | |
Newsforge reports: "In a move that appears to be a coup for Michael Robertson et al, Wal-Mart's online store is offering eight different Microtel PCs with LindowsOS included. The computers sell for USD$299 to $599 and ship in one to seven days."
|
|
| List of all comments to this article |
| Wal-Mart shipping PCs with Lindows preinstalled : Comment 9 of 45 | ANN.lu |
| Posted by Darrin on 15-Jun-2002 18:42 GMT | As much as I like to see Walmart offering a choice of OS to PC purchasers, I really don't think Walmart realise what a bad idea this is. To those of us who have had the "pleasure" of shopping at Walmart, we know that the goofballs that work in the PC/electronics section have a hard enough time unlocking the cabinet that holds the Platstation games and will have no clue when it comes to answering technical questions about the pros and cons of Lindows. Your average Walmart customer isn't exactly "clued up" on computers either. Most computer-savvy people wouldn't be seen dead purchasing an actual computer from Walmart (I just get cheap media, cables and components from them) as their range is feeble to say the least.
So what's going to happen? Well, Bubba Thibodeaux is going to pop in with his family and see a computer system for $300 with a sticker for "Lindows". He will assume, due to his 3rd grade education. that Lindows IS Windows and buy the machine. At some point he will discover that not all Windows programs will run on his machine (especially Deer Hunter XXIII which he purchased at the same time) and bring the now cockroach infested machine back to the Customer Service Desk for a refund... probably whilst aiming his hunting rifle at the head of the girl behind the desk. Cheapskates too will probably demand a refund when they discover that despite saving a few bucks that Lindows is not 100% Windows compatible and their pirate copy of Micro$haft Orifice 2000 wont run.
Even though Lindows is an excellent idea, Walmart is not the place to sell it. Lindows to me is a product aimed at business/home owners who have a limited list of software which they wish to run and have some fairly educated people on hand to take care of any technical/software problems. Walmart greeters aren't exactly noted for their technical skills.
Also worth noting is Lindows is still in an early stage. It isn't free - it costs $99 and it's going to need constant updating/patching to run Windows software... with no guarantee that a particular title will ever be supported.
Still, it's a neat idea... but it kind of reminds me of what MOS was trying to do to OS3.1. I see Microsoft has a lawsuit pending on Lindows too... :)
That last line was meant to be humourous before anyone starts a flame war. |
|
| List of all comments to this article (continued) |
|
- User Menu
-
- About ANN archives
- The ANN archives is powered by #AmigaZeux. It was updated daily (news last: 22-Oct-2004; comments last: 18-May-2005).
ANN.lu was created, previously owned and maintained by Christian Kemp, www.ckemp.com.
- Contribute
- Not possible at this time!
- Search ANN archives
- Advanced search
- Hosting
- ANN.lu was hosted by Dreamhost. Sign up through this link, mention "ckemp" as referrer and he will get a 10% commission on any account you purchase.
Please show your appreciation for any past, present and future work on ANN.lu by making a contribution via PayPal.
|
