[TriLUG] official Linux on a laptop for under $500?
Rob Lockhart
rlockhar at gmail.com
Tue Dec 21 19:29:52 EST 2004
Just got this in my inbox. Pretty cool, albeit still more expensive
than I would have thought, epecially for only 1GHz and 14.1" display.
Regards,
-Rob
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1744052,00.asp
Linspire, Wal-Mart Partner on Low-Price Linux Laptop
Linux & Open Source Header
Linspire, Wal-Mart Partner on Low-Price Linux Laptop
By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
December 20, 2004
Not too long ago, the sub-$500 computer was a dream, now it's a CompUSA
commonplace. And now, thanks to a partnership between Wal-Mart and
Linspire Inc., the sub-$500 laptop is also a reality. ADVERTISEMENT
Walmart.com is selling for $498 the Balance laptop, which runs the
Linspire (formerly Lindows) Linux-based operating system. The laptop
comes fully equipped with the Linspire 4.5 operating system with a
KDE-style GUI, an Internet suite and a Microsoft file-compatible office
suite, and can be used with both dial-up modems and broadband connections.
Wal-Mart and Linspire claim that the Balance notebook is the
lowest-priced laptop currently on the market to include a complete
operating system and office suite.
The laptop comes with a Via C3 1GHz processor and 128MB of RAM, which is
expandable to 512MB with SODIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory
Module). Since Linspire recommends 256MB for optimal performance with
Linspire 4.5, upgrading the memory would be a worthwhile option. The
laptop also includes a CD-ROM drive, a 30GB hard drive, an RJ-45
Ethernet jack and a 14.1-inch LCD screen.
The package also includes OpenOffice.org, a Microsoft file-compatible
office suite, and the Linspire Internet Suite. This software package,
based on Mozilla, includes an e-mail client with spam blockers, a Web
browser and a built-in firewall.
The laptop also includes a three-month subscription to CNR (Click and
Run) Warehouse. This is the company's Web site of Linspire-optimized
open-source software.
Continuing its user-friendly marketing approach, Linspire claims that
the laptop is easy for new Linux users to use. The Balance's Linspire
interface is designed to look and feel like Windows.
The system's keyboard includes "hot keys," which gives users one-touch
access to e-mail and the Internet. The laptop also comes installed with
multimedia tutorials and a Quick Start guide to make setup easy.
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