Wal-Mart and the $199 Google PC
It seems that Wal-Mart is about to put a $199 Linux PC on store shelves. The PC, made by Everex, features a 1.5GHz VIA C7-D processor, 512MB RAM and a 80GB hard drive. It runs the gOS version of Ubuntu 7.10 with the Enlightenment window manager. The installed Google apps, Docs, GMail, etc. run under the Firefox browser. To get more details about it click the Sphere Related Content button at the bottom of this article.
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My take is that while it’s an interesting idea I don’t see it doing well against Windows PCs. Let’s face it, most people who buy a PC at Wal-Mart want to surf the Internet for ‘entertainment’ purposes, have access to work or school documents, and play PC games. I only see this computer filling one of those roles well. The Windows Vista PC that’s about $100 more will fulfill these roles adequately.
The second problem would be support. Plenty of people have a relative that’s at least a Windows power user but few can claim one who’s a Linux desktop expert. You just don’t see a lot of middle ground in the Linux world, you either know it and love it or you don’t touch it. This might dissuade some non-technical buyers.
Lastly, I can’t see the typical poorly manned, poor customer service, discount at all costs Wal-Mart electronics department as capable of selling it. Maybe if it was at Best Buy or somewhere like that, but not at Wal-Mart.
Ultimately, this PC will be bought by Linux fans or people who Linux fans push into buying it.
Do you agree or disagree? Do you think it heralds widespread acceptance of the Linux desktop or is it doomed to flop? Leave me a comment and let me know.
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