Wal-Mart Breaks Price Barrier with $498 Linux Laptop

[Nomad559]

$498 Linux Laptop Running Linspire

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.

[SHRED]

1. A Wal-Mart ad?

You know better...don't you?

[Renew Deal]

6. This is actually useful info.

Even though it's Walmart. Walmart is the one big retailer that has been pushing Linux machines.

[ClintonTyree]

2. I wouldn't care if they were giving it away...............

I still wouldn't set foot in the Devil's Haberdasher. I'll pay more and go somewhere else. To me it's not the extra money spent, it's knowing that I didn't pay to send American worker's jobs overseas and didn't support their right wing agenda. Wal-Mart can kiss my ass.

[leftyandproud]

3. damn that is a good deal!

most laptops are $1k+...and with a full Linux OS and program collection pre-installed? damn damn damn..I want one!

[Renew Deal]

7. It really is.

1.0 with a 14.1" screen. Look that up at IBM or HP. I bet this is cheaper.

[Deja Q]

4. And for $800, Best Buy has a laptop...

Hewlett Packard, FWIW.

256MB RAM (Linux or otherwise, 128MB is still a joke)

1.5GHz CPU (Okay, it's a Celeron, but I'd put it over VIA's fifth-rate clone processor any day)

40GB hard drive

15" monitor...



Is "Linspire" the new name for "Lindows"? :crazy: Lindows always looked like a half-baked subscription-to-get-anything deal.

I can foresee a ton of people buying that doorstop of a laptop... nand returning it a week later.

[Mend]

5. Stay away from Malwart....

I am sure all the computers will come down in price after a few more months of the genius-in-chief running the economy into the dirt.

[benburch]

8. You can buy a decent used IBook for less than $550.

And you won't have to support slave labor to do it.

[Deja Q]

9. The iBook is 100% made in the USA?

Yeah, right.

[benburch]

11. Nope, but it is made by Apple.

Which is a company devoted to ethical business practices and which donates nearly 100% of its political money to Democratic causes, and which has Al Gore on the board of directors.

[Deja Q]

10. Also, why is a 'barrier'? Is it to keep little spermies out?

I wish more things had $500 barriers. That way insurance, housing, you name it, would all ultimately be far more affordable.