[sharky]

FROM CONSUMER REPORTS:


Wal-Mart’s $300 computer



LOOK FAMILIAR? Screens for the Lindows computer resemble Windows screens, but unfamiliar file names and icons reflect big differences.


Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, now offers a line of 9 desktop computers through walmart.com that are noteworthy on two counts: They’re among the cheapest, with some priced around $200, and they’re the first widely available machines driven by something other than Windows or Macintosh OS X.

We weren’t impressed. The computer we tested was OK for Web browsing, e-mail, and letter writing, but not much more. And anyone who equates "low-priced" with "basic and easy to use" will be frustrated. Instead, we recommend that you spend another $200 or so for a low-priced Windows computer, like the ones in our June 2003 desktop computers report (available to subscribers).

We tested the $298 Microtel Sysmar742 (since replaced by a slightly different model). It uses Lindows, an operating system that looks and feels like Microsoft Windows but is based on the Linux operating system. (Linux is a free operating system intended to be updated and improved by volunteers.)

Windows, Lindows, what’s the difference? At first glance, the Lindows desktop may seem familiar. But the Lindows directory and file-naming conventions are very different. In addition, the computer didn’t detect or install a memory-card reader plugged into the USB port. Attaching a scanner, digital camera, or PDA will be difficult or impossible.

Can I use Windows programs? No. The manufacturer says Lindows can only "somewhat run a limited number" of Windows programs. You may not be able to open, view, or use documents from Windows applications, but most photo or music files should work fine.

How do I get software? You can download most software from the Lindows library ($99 a year). The computer comes with a word processor, a digital music file player, Netscape, and little else. Installing non-Lindows software can be tricky. There is no Lindows version of Quicken, Outlook, or other such applications.

Where do I go for tech support? You call one number for hardware problems, another for software. Neither number is available around the clock. Our computer crashed several times during tests, and its built-in help system didn’t help much.

[twotugs]

I have one of the $200 jobs. Initially, I took the hard drive from my old computer, made it primary master, and kept the Lindows drive as secondary master. I never intended to use Lindows as my main OS, just something to play with.

I agree with the Consumer Reports review, to a point. Lindows (and Linux in general), is not as easy to use as Windows, nor is Lindows quite the deal it makes itself out to be. I didn't buy into the special little "Click and Run" library deal (apparently, no one else is either; they've halved the price to $50 and cut out some of the available software in the library). Since I've had this system, I've wiped the Lindows drive and installed Red Hat 8, Slackware 9, and recently went back to using Lindows (it's the only distro that recognizes the sound card right off).

I don't like Lindows, but it's not the worst OS in the world. 98 crashed on me pretty regularly. And I'll take 98 over Me any day! I like Win2k, and I took the advice I read on The Register (Buy the cheap box, wipe the hard drive, and install whatever you want on it). Not the most legal way to do it, according to M$, but I've already paid for the OS, and the HD it was installed on is the same one I'm using now. I don't have a high-end system, but I don't game, use CAD apps, or host sites on this thing so low-end is fine for me. When I'm ready to take over the world, I'll get a Mac G5.

It's a $200 computer. I've dropped another $150 for more RAM, DVD-ROM, and a modem I never use. So I'm up to $350 for a cheap little box that still costs less than the least expensive eMachine at WalyWorld. The OS it comes with isn't great, but that was never the main attraction for me anyway.

[gotrootdude]

First of all, you don't have to run the click & run stuff at all in order for free software. Apt-get is a part of lindows and works great to install software. Lindows is an extremely stable version of linux. For help and support, you can always just check on the linux forums and newsgroups. I find consumer reports to be very bias and just plain wrong with thier report on lindows PC's and thier value.