Wal-Mart debuts $498 Linux laptop

Walmart.com and Linspire on Monday unveiled a Linux-based laptop priced at $498.

The computer, dubbed Balance, comes loaded with the Linspire operating system and the OpenOffice.org office suite, the companies said.

The companies said Balance is the lowest-priced laptop currently available with an operating system and an office suite. It features a VIA C3 1-GHz processor, 128MB RAM, a 30GB hard drive, a CD-ROM drive and a 14.1-inch liquid crystal display. The software includes a built-in firewall to protect users from viruses, spam and pop-ups.

The laptop launch comes as part of Wal-Mart's efforts to market low-priced consumer electronics. The retailer has sold other inexpensive PCs and notebooks, some of which come without operating systems.

The Balance laptop is available at Wal-Mart's Web site.

Nice start..

but that laptop could get cramped quickly. Add in the lifespan of such a weak system and it gets expensive quickly.

[202567676114204908075970046337]

Did Walmart pay for this ad?

.

[Not Bugged]

Can't find this on Walmart.com

I can't find it on Walmart.com....
Intrestingly as it runs a Via C3 I wonder if it runs hot like normal laptops. And whats teh battery life like? Not bad for an in car GPS/DVD/MP3/[p0rn while driving] installation ...

[nmcphers]

Follow the link in the story!

It links to Linspire, which links to Walmart.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3504708&cat=179113&type=19&dept=3944%20%20

[foxmulder881]

Low-end system specs

I understand it is a budget laptop but relaity here people. This piece of hardware would only be suitable for college students or someone for general word processing. Those low-end system specs won't get you far if you're serious about your IT. Especially the low amount of RAM.

[smkatz]

who do you expect to use this?

Honestly. This would be a great toy. It's reliable (unlike Windows). How many people have told me how they just want a computer that works. They just wish laptops were cheaper. That is the market for this.

--Sam

What is low about these specs for IT professionals?

I've never really needed more than 500MHz to compile anything in a reasonable amount of time.

128MB is also quite satisfactory.

Unless you are looking for a gaming machine, a graphic design machine, or something for running engineering simulations, I dont see why these specs would not be appropriate.

So that's why I just bought one.