Outpost.com offering a 1.1GHz PC with Linux pre-installed
Monday July 08, 2002 - [ 06:38 PM GMT ]
Topic - GNU/Linux -
- by Tina Gasperson -
Outpost.com, also known as Fry's Electronics, has quietly posted a $399 system manufactured by GQ, and running ThizLinux
5.0, a distribution created in Hong Kong.
Fry's house brand, GQ, is serviced by a company called BTC (Behavior Tech
Computer) that is headquartered in Taiwan. A BTC representative in California,
USA, says that the PCs loaded with ThizLinux have been online for about a month
and are selling well, especially since it is an "entry-level" system.
Here are some of the specs:
CPU: Intel® Celeron® Processor 1.10 GHz
Chipset: VIA VT133
Memory: 128MB PC133 SDRAM (expandable to 1 GB)
Two DIMM slots for 168-pin SDRAM memory modules
Support for 100/133 MHZ memory bus
Maximum installed memory is 2 x 512MB = 1GB
Hard Drive: 20 GB Ultra hard drive
CD-ROM: 52x CD-ROM
Floppy Drive: 3.5" 1.44 MB FDD
Operating System: ThizLinux Version 5.0
Bundled Software:
PC-Cillin2000 provides automatic virus protection under Windows
95/98/NT/2000
SuperVoice is data, fax and voice communication software
MediaRing Talk provides PC to PC or PC to Phone internet phone communication
3Deep delivers the precise imagery and displays accurate color in your
monitor
It was not described how a system running ThizLinux could also run
PC-Cillin, SuperVoice, and MediaRing Talk, all Windows software. Maybe ThizLinux
is a Lindows competitor, although there doesn't appear to be any information about ThizLinux running Windows apps on its site. The BTC rep we spoke with seemed to think the mention of Windows software on Outpost.com is in error.
ThizLinux says it has an .ISO version of its desktop operating system available
for free download, but apparently you have to enter a product code and other
personal details to get to it -- even though ThizLinux writes on its site: "We
also welcome other Linux users who feel interested in our products, to register
as our online members."
ThizLinux company representatives were not available for comment.
The ThizLinux Website (#18733) by Anonymous Reader on 2002.07.08 13:58
By reading the website, I assume that the reason company officials aren't available for comment is they don't speak english
The site reads like it was translated using Babelfish.
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Software is what that comes with the mainboad? (#18743) by Anonymous Reader on 2002.07.08 15:41
It looks like the sort of bundle that PC Chips [pcchips.com.tw] supply with their motherboards... So the CD is probably just in the box with the rest of the computer and nobody thought to take it out. Even though it is useless with a Linux operating system.
PC Chips cheap integrated boards are often used as the basis of cheap entry level systems - so that might be the case here. The system manufacturer has installed Linux - but also supplied the CD which came with the motherboard.
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Bundles Windows software? (#18751) by Anonymous Reader on 2002.07.08 16:34
Actually, I kinda like the idea of them bundling Windows software. Everyone thinks M$ windows is so advanced only because they never have to install it, and that Linux is so difficult because they do (and no matter how simple it is, it's something they've NEVER had to do with an M$ OS). So perhaps if they decide they don't like linux, which is fine since no OS is for everyone, and try installing Windows, they'll now run into all the issues:
First, they need to buy the OS, which would be at least 50% of the cost of the system itself.
Then then need to buy productivity apps (MS Office?) which would be about 150% the cost of their system :)
THEN they'd either have to install all of it themselves and realize they just wasted a whole lot of money, or pay even more to have someone else install it for them.
I say we bundle more Windows software with each Linux-based system! :)
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It is $299 at Fry's Electronics (#18776) by Anonymous Reader on 2002.07.08 21:29
I've been seeing this on the Fry's add in the newspaper for some time, and for 100 dollars less than what they sell it on outpost for. No rebate required. They usually display it on the top of the front page next to an XP machine that costs about a thousand dollars more.
Really really cool to see these guys doing this. Just wish they would use a more well known distro and include open office.
I'm really curious what the video chip they are using on this is. I doubt its an nvidia, but I wonder if its a DRI supported chip.
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What? (#18790) by Frapazoid on 2002.07.09 1:09 | User Info |
What kind of name is Outpost.com for Fry's
electronics, anyway? Howabout this creative
little DNS: "www.fryselectrons.com"
Nice, but no, thats too easy to find,
isn't it?
That info would have saved me several
trips to fry's, and it is a very long
drive :(
-Frapazoid
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ThizLinux on Ebay (#18792) by Anonymous Reader on 2002.07.09 1:54
I've been seeing MANY Laptops (high end P4s) being sold on EBay that have ThizLinux installed. That was the first I had heard of it. Go to ebay and search for "Linux Notebook" or something and you should see what I'm talking about.
Pre-installed Linux w/bundled Windows apps?? (#18821) by surfimp on 2002.07.09 11:26 | User Info | Home Page |
I can only assume these machines are being aimed at the so-called "pirate" market, i.e. the people who are purchasing (in their mind, at least) a basically OS-less machine in order to install some version of Windows off of a CD they already have (i.e. "piracy" vis a vis the Windows licensing agreement). This offering from Outpost.com, coming as it does with Windows applications on CD despite having a preinstalled Linux OS, is simply a more boldfaced example of this practice, which Walmart.com has been "accused" of as well with it's Microtel/Lindows system.
Until one of these companies starts selling a system with a MAJOR Linux distribution preinstalled, I'm going to have a hard time believing that they're not simply trying to find a way to sell low-end PCs to this so-called "pirate" market without having to pay the Microsoft tax. And I suspect Microsoft is feeling the same way--although they'd probably make the same argument even if these systems came preinstalled with RedHat, SuSE or Mandrake.
User Manual (#18826) by DCallaghan on 2002.07.09 12:42 | User Info |
If you'd like to check out ThizLinux a little before you buy, you can download an English version of their manual. http://www.desknote.net/downloads/ThizLinux/thizli nux_eng.zip
Thiz Linux (#18830) by Anonymous Reader on 2002.07.09 13:40
Well we can fault them for bad english. But how good is your Chinese? Linguistis aside, Thiz may not be a major distro but, it shows that Linux is starting to get mindshare with Ma Frickert :) That is a good thing.
As to the piracy issue. What piracy? Not from the Thiz or Fry's folks. The end user maybe. I don't condone stealing but consider that the maker of the product has been CONVICTED of piracy themselves in France. And CONVICTED of monopoly tatics here in the US. The fact that someone offers a product as bundled does not constitute an act of piracy.
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...Contracts, Maybe?... (#18873) by Anonymous Reader on 2002.07.09 19:35
It may be that Frys is under contract to distribute certain software with the PC systems it sells... chances are the contract writers never thought Frys would sell a non-windows system.
