The $150 PC - bit-tech.net Forums

The_Pope · 19th Oct 2005, 09:12

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2005/10/19/150_dollar_pc/

When I think my parents' machine is a pathetic 600Mhz Celeron-II, deals like this make me wish they were available in Australia, where they live.

crayfish · 19th Oct 2005, 11:19

Ebuyer do a similar PC. Reviewers say they've got XP on it with little trouble

acidfire · 19th Oct 2005, 11:20

You could have someone in the us or canada order it, and for just alittle more (or alot, not sure what it would cost to ship) have someone ship it to them.

If I had the cash I'd order this in a heartbeat, perfect for running a small webserver from home, with a ram upgrade atleast.

The_Pope · 19th Oct 2005, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by crayfish

Ebuyer do a similar PC. Reviewers say they've got XP on it with little trouble

The eBuyer machine may have 256MB, but it's virtually double the price

Still pretty cheap, but not DIIIIIIRT cheap

eek · 19th Oct 2005, 12:03

Given the price differences between here and the US (i.e. something costing $100 in US will pretty much be £100) that ebuyer PC is def a bargain in my book!!

Tomm · 19th Oct 2005, 13:01

What's the rationale in using Linspire which you have to pay for, rather than a free Linux distro?

Nedsbeds · 19th Oct 2005, 14:10

Because it is aimed at people who have no clue about linux (probably never heard of it!) I presume that linspire is made up to make it as easy as possible for people to understand, coming from XP . Maybe even with some degree of support?
that's the rationale.

blue_lawnchair · 19th Oct 2005, 20:51

Just curious, has anyone had any experience with Linspire? I mean is it worth the paying less for this desktop vs. one a little higher with Windows?

Kipman725 · 19th Oct 2005, 21:47

nice pc for the cash, definatly needs 512mb of ram though which would only cost another £24 and is well worth it. Would be better off with an option to have No os aswell to save money as linspire (or lindows as it used to be called) still costs money. I can understand the linspire choice though its like linux xp. (abit with no BSOD:P)

mobius9 · 19th Oct 2005, 23:13

frys used to take this one on sale occasionally for $99. My friend bought one, and after a ram upgrade, it runs hl2 with onboard graphics. Not too shabby for the price at all.

serial_ · 20th Oct 2005, 03:04

Rofl, nice post mr. pope. Can I call you mr. pope?
That makes me want to kick myself for still using this p3 c'd @560.

- serial_

dataBoy · 20th Oct 2005, 11:17

I saw that one too, It's pretty interesting and your right, hardly makes it worth while to scrounge my old PC graveyard to put together a media server or the like, but then I saw an ad in the New York Times for this HP

http://h71016.www7.hp.com/html/bt/index.asp?jumpid=ex_R2910_go/np8/kimSMBnewspaper/NYPost_mcc|BCUX

I think that if the bottom line is your first priority then the Frys/Outpost looks pretty good. But for value this offer from HP got my second look with AMD Athlon 64/512 MB RAM, XP *Pro*, 15" Flat Panel and 3 year on site warantee

(standard disclaimers apply)

OneSeventeen · 20th Oct 2005, 17:15

As for the questions about linux distros, Linspire is XP themed, but charges for installing software.

Ubuntu uses a package management application that looks just as simple to me, and will allow you to add the software free of charge, without ever touching the command line.

But then again, Linspire has been around for a while, so I wouldn't be surprised if Ubuntu grows and becomes the default windows-to-linux distro that large companies go with.

Since Linspire charges for distribution of free/open source software, I wouldn't be surprised if they actually paid Fry's/Outpost.com to put it on the systems, kind of like how Microsoft and Sony loose money each time they sell a gaming console, but in the case of Sony, the money is made up when the owners buy game after game.

Cool price though, looks like a great start for a Car PC!

19th Oct 2005, 09:12	#1
The_Pope Geoff Richards Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 2,089	The $150 PC http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2005/10/19/150_dollar_pc/ When I think my parents' machine is a pathetic 600Mhz Celeron-II, deals like this make me wish they were available in Australia, where they live.

19th Oct 2005, 11:20	#3
acidfire Supermodder Join Date: May 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 254	You could have someone in the us or canada order it, and for just alittle more (or alot, not sure what it would cost to ship) have someone ship it to them. If I had the cash I'd order this in a heartbeat, perfect for running a small webserver from home, with a ram upgrade atleast. __________________ "And when he gets to heaven, To St. Peter he will tell; One more soldier reporting sir, I served my time in hell. "

19th Oct 2005, 13:01	#6
Tomm I also ride trials :¬) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fallowfield, Manchester Posts: 2,233	What's the rationale in using Linspire which you have to pay for, rather than a free Linux distro? __________________ Carrot cake cheesecake Shuttle SN85G4V2 \| A64 3200+ / Apple PowerBook 12

19th Oct 2005, 14:10	#7
Nedsbeds Badger, Slime, Weasel!! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Worcester Posts: 1,806	Because it is aimed at people who have no clue about linux (probably never heard of it!) I presume that linspire is made up to make it as easy as possible for people to understand, coming from XP . Maybe even with some degree of support? that's the rationale. __________________ Wedding photography in worcestershire

19th Oct 2005, 20:51	#8
blue_lawnchair Multimodder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 79	Just curious, has anyone had any experience with Linspire? I mean is it worth the paying less for this desktop vs. one a little higher with Windows? __________________ Zip it up and zip it out.

19th Oct 2005, 11:19	#2
crayfish Amazing scenes! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: UK Posts: 599	Ebuyer do a similar PC. Reviewers say they've got XP on it with little trouble

19th Oct 2005, 12:03	#5
eek CAMRA ***. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: in meh own little world Posts: 1,520	Given the price differences between here and the US (i.e. something costing $100 in US will pretty much be £100) that ebuyer PC is def a bargain in my book!!

19th Oct 2005, 21:47	#9
Kipman725 When did I get a custom title!?! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 1,753	nice pc for the cash, definatly needs 512mb of ram though which would only cost another £24 and is well worth it. Would be better off with an option to have No os aswell to save money as linspire (or lindows as it used to be called) still costs money. I can understand the linspire choice though its like linux xp. (abit with no BSOD:P) __________________ Sn45g game server mod My Electronics Site Hardware: 3400+ Sempr0n, 1GB RAM, 1.28TB local storage, x1950pro,Razer Viper,M$ comfort curve 2000,L70S + 17", Fujitsu 17" CRT Audio: HD-650's, PE congress amp, Sound Blaster AWE64, Soundblaster 24bit

19th Oct 2005, 23:13	#10
mobius9 Supermodder Join Date: May 2004 Location: San Diego, Projects: 4 Posts: 347	frys used to take this one on sale occasionally for $99. My friend bought one, and after a ram upgrade, it runs hl2 with onboard graphics. Not too shabby for the price at all. __________________ Boompack Crimson - Mini Project Log Boompack micro - mini project log Boompack mini project log mobius9.com

20th Oct 2005, 03:04	#11
serial_ Multimodder Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 194	Rofl, nice post mr. pope. Can I call you mr. pope? That makes me want to kick myself for still using this p3 c'd @560. - serial_ __________________ - Changing the world, one keystroke at a time. - ++Current Project: Tux Files v2.0++ -= Past project: The Tux Files =-

20th Oct 2005, 11:17	#12
dataBoy What's a Dremel? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 1	I saw that one too, It's pretty interesting and your right, hardly makes it worth while to scrounge my old PC graveyard to put together a media server or the like, but then I saw an ad in the New York Times for this HP http://h71016.www7.hp.com/html/bt/index.asp?jumpid=ex_R2910_go/np8/kimSMBnewspaper/NYPost_mcc\|BCUX I think that if the bottom line is your first priority then the Frys/Outpost looks pretty good. But for value this offer from HP got my second look with AMD Athlon 64/512 MB RAM, XP Pro, 15" Flat Panel and 3 year on site warantee (standard disclaimers apply)

20th Oct 2005, 17:15	#13
OneSeventeen Oooh Shiny! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 3,447	As for the questions about linux distros, Linspire is XP themed, but charges for installing software. Ubuntu uses a package management application that looks just as simple to me, and will allow you to add the software free of charge, without ever touching the command line. But then again, Linspire has been around for a while, so I wouldn't be surprised if Ubuntu grows and becomes the default windows-to-linux distro that large companies go with. Since Linspire charges for distribution of free/open source software, I wouldn't be surprised if they actually paid Fry's/Outpost.com to put it on the systems, kind of like how Microsoft and Sony loose money each time they sell a gaming console, but in the case of Sony, the money is made up when the owners buy game after game. Cool price though, looks like a great start for a Car PC! __________________ If God had intended us to use the Metric system we would have been born with 10 fingers and 10 toes. Christian Technology Podcast - Geekons.com