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Thread ID: 15031	2002-01-26 11:47:00	Would people buy PC's with linux installed?	Guest (0)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
32953	2002-01-26 11:47:00	Hi, As a student I make my money by selling PC's. I try to sell top end PC's, high performance superb quality componentry etc, but I can't compete with large companies for a slice of the low-end market simply because they can get parts cheaper. If I were to install a linux-based system I could be a heck of a lot cheaper than the likes of the PC Company. I really dislike the PC company, they sell things that break after minutes of use, and you can't get floppies out of the drive... I know 16 people who have bought PC's from them, and not one (I kid you not), not one, kept it for over 3 months without having to return it to have things fixed... the smarter ones got their money back before it was too late. I don't want to have customers getting something like that, so I still pay for quality components, which makes my PC's more expensive. Linux would be the ultimate option to become cheaper. But here's the problem... Linux is hard to use, getting easier I grant you, but still nothing like as easy as windows. People can't play games on it very well (limited titles), but I think that with a low budget PC the customer won't be intending to play games, and there are a few that could be bundled with linux. On a PC with 128MB ram, and a cheap Duron CPU, with integrated Graphics and sound, linux can do anything you would expect windows to do on such a machine; email, internet, word processing, spreadsheets, etc. Is it sellable??? If your looking at buying a PC I'm particularly interested in your answers, would you buy a linux based machine? Thanks for your answers! Erin	Guest (0)
32954	2002-01-26 12:31:00	Erin Salmon, I would prefer you to convince me why I should buy a PC with Linux installed than you to give me the downers. See where I am getting at? You have already said what's wrong about it but tell them what's good about it and what it can do for them and you maybe selling computers with Linux installed. I too am into building computers and selling them off at reasonably prices.	Guest (0)
32955	2002-01-26 13:37:00	Hi Erin, If Linux is as hard to use as you say, no I don't think a low end computer with Linux installed would be that popular, as that is the type of computers that newbies would buy. I would expect to find Linux on a high end computer, that a more experienced computer would buy. Plus I think most people to expect to have at least Windows XP when they are buying a new computer. It would be hard to compete with that! Regards, ALAN :-)	Guest (0)
32956	2002-01-26 14:27:00	Hi Erin, Re the PC Comany. I bought this machine from PC Co in April of last year and have NEVER taken it back for anything. It works like a charm. Best puter I ever had. I spent three months shopping around before purchasing, and no one, I mean NO ONE, could match the specs or price that PC Co were offering. In my area, they are still way out in front. The only thing that I was a little displeased about at the beginning was the length of time it took for delivery. 3 weeks after the expected date. But as for the machine, it buzzes along. I am my own worst enemy when it comes to breaking things. Now we've set the record straight.... Cheers. Graeme D McGill	Guest (0)
32957	2002-01-26 14:46:00	Id have to agree with you there Graeme. While no longer recognisable as such, this computer was originally a PC Company computer, and the only problem Ive ever had, was with a floppy drive which they just replaced for me on the spot rather than trying to fix, and it was even just outside the warranty. As to Linux on a computer, unless I was a computer junky (heaven forbid ;-) I wouldnt want a computer with Linux, because its just too damn difficult to learn to use compared to Windows. The cost in a new machine these days is not in the operating system, and while Linux fans are all too fond of quoting how free linux is... Linux is only free if your time is worthless. I would much prefer paying an extra $100 for a computer I can use from the word go, rather than save a little bit but have to spend weeks learning something I already know how to do under a different environment. Having said all that, do you sell components? Im always looking for cheap components ;-)	Guest (0)
32958	2002-01-27 02:33:00	Some of the larger companies: IBM, Compaq, Gateway (at least) tried offering either installed Linux or put both on to be selected for installation. I'm not sure whether it was lack of demand, or major (illegal) pressure from a Certain Company, but I don't think that they still do. IBM are working on Linux for servers. Trouble is, most who are interested in Linux enjoy the 'whole experience' including installation. It's not advertised as the 'easy no-brain option', so it might not appeal to students :<) . I'd say, though I'm not a marketing expert, you might try to sell on hardware quiality and backup, because you can't compete on price unless you can buy components in thousands. That's why the corner store, which buys 6 cans at a time from the wholesaler, pays more per can than the supermarket (whicj buys by the [pallet-load from the manufacturer) can sell it for. Advertise that you will install Linux (you'd be best to stick to one flavour) and see who bites. The other thing you could do is do multiboot installations. Even I (he said humbly) have had troubles with that. Again, anyone who like Linux can install it as the only OS. You will find that universities will have poublished 'supported' or 'recommended' specifications for hardware and software for student's computers. Guess what. Canterbury had a short fling with OS/2. Unfortunately, probably because of IBM's incompetence in the whole sorry history of a Good OS, that did not last. Now UC recommend Windows NT.	Guest (0)
32959	2002-01-27 08:27:00	I want a machine that sits between my cable modem and a small growing home network of windows based PC's. This machine idealy would be mail-server, router/firewall, ftp +web server, data storage for network, and printer. I would like to be able to easily install linux software for other purposes, as it becomes available compatabity with a digi-cam would be a plus.... is this possable, and how much coin would it take?	Guest (0)
32960	2002-01-27 10:42:00	Greetings Chris, As far as I know you can do all of those things under mandrake except for the digi-cam, which has a 'maybe' status... I have successfully set up a firewall, mail server, data storage, and a printer, but I know the others can be done under mandrake (which is really easy to use...) As for the Digi-cam, there are programs on the net the boast linux compatibility with all digital cameras, so you probably could get that going if you looked around a bit. AS for the hardware, I reccommend something at the top end of the pentium range, like a 200mhz, with a decent amount of ram, and as much hard disk as you require. There is a possibility I may have just such the thing coming in soon, but it may not happen, it'd be a 233MMX with 160MB SDRAM, and a 10GB hard drive, integrated 1MB graphics and a 56K modem... Just the box, just what you need, I'll let you know if it's available. :) Erin	Guest (0)
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