[TriLUG] official Linux on a laptop for under $500?

[Rob Lockhart]

Just got this in my inbox.  Pretty cool, albeit still more expensive 
than I would have thought, epecially for only 1GHz and 14.1" display.

Regards,
  -Rob


http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1744052,00.asp

    
Linspire, Wal-Mart Partner on Low-Price Linux Laptop

    
Linux & Open Source Header


Linspire, Wal-Mart Partner on Low-Price Linux Laptop
By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
December 20, 2004    

Not too long ago, the sub-$500 computer was a dream, now it's a CompUSA 
commonplace. And now, thanks to a partnership between Wal-Mart and 
Linspire Inc., the sub-$500 laptop is also a reality. ADVERTISEMENT

Walmart.com is selling for $498 the Balance laptop, which runs the 
Linspire (formerly Lindows) Linux-based operating system. The laptop 
comes fully equipped with the Linspire 4.5 operating system with a 
KDE-style GUI, an Internet suite and a Microsoft file-compatible office 
suite, and can be used with both dial-up modems and broadband connections.

Wal-Mart and Linspire claim that the Balance notebook is the 
lowest-priced laptop currently on the market to include a complete 
operating system and office suite.

The laptop comes with a Via C3 1GHz processor and 128MB of RAM, which is 
expandable to 512MB with SODIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory 
Module). Since Linspire recommends 256MB for optimal performance with 
Linspire 4.5, upgrading the memory would be a worthwhile option. The 
laptop also includes a CD-ROM drive, a 30GB hard drive, an RJ-45 
Ethernet jack and a 14.1-inch LCD screen.

The package also includes OpenOffice.org, a Microsoft file-compatible 
office suite, and the Linspire Internet Suite. This software package, 
based on Mozilla, includes an e-mail client with spam blockers, a Web 
browser and a built-in firewall.

The laptop also includes a three-month subscription to CNR (Click and 
Run) Warehouse. This is the company's Web site of Linspire-optimized 
open-source software.

Continuing its user-friendly marketing approach, Linspire claims that 
the laptop is easy for new Linux users to use. The Balance's Linspire 
interface is designed to look and feel like Windows.

The system's keyboard includes "hot keys," which gives users one-touch 
access to e-mail and the Internet. The laptop also comes installed with 
multimedia tutorials and a Quick Start guide to make setup easy.