Hello all,
Microcenter just decided to support desktop Linux in a much bigger way.
Though they've had desktop linux machines in the past, they've generally
been random configurations, very low-profile, and very
non-advertised...you had to find a posting on a hot deals forum
somewhere to even know about it, usually.
The latest Linspire newsletter was written by Kevin Jones, VP of
Microcenter Merchandising. He reflects that to offer such a product
without having sales and support staff who can demo it on the floor for
customers is to do it a disservice. He also notes an customer survey
that says that 75% of their customers would be open to trying desktop
linux. (75%!) He claims that MCenter now offers desktop linux
configurations (based on Linspire, I'm fairly certain) with trained
sales staff to let customers demo software and make ease-of-use
evaluations.
I think this is a big step forward. I saw a sample config of a desktop
Linux machine for $300, at a more modern configuration than the
organization posted to the lists recently (retropc, i think?)...and
Microcenter is also a much more "known" retail chain. In Chicago, most
people who're looking for budget computer deals are heading to either
Fry's (out in the burbs) or Microcenter. Though a good deal from Dell
can land you with an XP Home machine for about the same price, most
consumers are still buying computers by walking into a store and looking
around and asking questions...something I tend to forget most of the
time, living online as much as I do. If this is sold as a "computer +
operating system + office suite for $300" ...the price difference
between 'nix and MS becomes a major selling point.
Here's the specs on the $300 model:: 1415; AMD® Sempron Processor 2200+
(1.5GHz); 256MB DDR-333 RAM; 40GB 7,200RPM Hard Drive; Combo
DVD-ROM/CD-RW Drive; Integrated S3 Pro Savage 8 Video Chipset; 10/100
Network Adapter; Linspire OS v4.5; Monitor Not Included
Here's the full newsletter: http://www.linspire.com/linspireletter
More from Linspire: http://tinyurl.com/ak5wm
Prices ranges (according to the second article) from $200-$500.
As an interesting side-note, I'd suggest that a major retail chain
shifting to include Linux and quoting an internal customer survey to
state that three quarters of their customers would be open to switching
is a very solid argument for teaching open sourced software in community
technology centers. Though this may not signal the beginning of the
revolution of 'nix conversions, it most certainly signals a future in
which the cross-platform capacity of your skillset is as important as
the skills themselves. Though of course, Macintosh building OS X on the
Darwin core (which is a BSD, if i remember right) is also a strong
indicator of this.
D.
--
Dave A. Chakrabarti
Projects Coordinator
CTCNet Chicago
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(708) 919 1026
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