Slashdot Mirror

Punch cards are still readable - admittedly with a third party service (unless you've got a punched card reader in a disused basement somewhere) - for example, this site offers the service.

CD-ROM data is currently readable, and has been for 20 years or so. I still have my old Return to Zork CD (Surprisingly enough, I still occasionally whip it out and toss it in DOSBox for some retro gaming fun - yeah, I'm a weird geek, probably even a dork).

BluRay is a recent development in storage media, and the drives for PCs are only now getting inexpensive enough to call "consumer grade" devices. Those drives are backwards-compatible from BluRay through DVD to CD. I don't see that changing in the very near future.

Admittedly, at some point I'll notice that I need to rip iso images of all my optical media... but you can still buy brand-new VHS players at the big-box stores, so I'm not too concerned about having the rug yanked out from under me.

And we will force...allow OEM's to license the technology for an exhorbi...attractively priced fee. I know nobody here listens to the radio anymore but I do and would love to see HD radio take off. But if a simple handheld radio is $49.99 because of the licensing fees associated with the HD technology how on earth do they expect it to ever go mainstream? That is what most companies are looking for now. A permanent revenue stream where you invent once and license everywhere. I support capitalism and believe it helps mankind strive to improve but when the only motive is greed and not being the best this is what you get.

This page says the Galaxy Player has been out for less than a week. I wonder if the local Test Try store has one for me to try.

Also, they are distinguishable where they are sold: Apple Store or !Apple Store.

And no doubt distinguishable by price.

Think again.
$499 at BestBuy
$499 at BestBuy

While they may still be producing the CPU of the iPad, the Samsung product is not an iPad and can't replace an iPad because it doesn't run Apple iPad software.

There are MANY applications available for both platforms, and there are often equivalent apps (e.g. Apple's Mail app obviously isn't available for the Android platform, but other email apps are).

Also, they are distinguishable where they are sold: Apple Store or !Apple Store.

And no doubt distinguishable by price.

Think again.
$499 at BestBuy
$499 at BestBuy

While they may still be producing the CPU of the iPad, the Samsung product is not an iPad and can't replace an iPad because it doesn't run Apple iPad software.

There are MANY applications available for both platforms, and there are often equivalent apps (e.g. Apple's Mail app obviously isn't available for the Android platform, but other email apps are).

Carriers aren't the only ones.... look at lightsquared's homepage..look at the partners (as lightsquared says they do wholesale only)

Cellular South
Sprint
NetTalk
ClearTalk
Sharp

and the one I found surprising and don't recall reading about.. Best Buy Connect.. provided by Best Buy. They do 3G and 4G access: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Computers+Promotions/regularCat%3Apcmcat214600050004/pcmcat214600050004.c?id=pcmcat214600050004&DCMP=rdr0002322

HP used to mean printers in the minds of many people. That time faded. [...] Dell is where people go for ready-made computers today.

What worries me is that I haven't seen much Dell in the big chains (Staples, Best Buy) as I've seen people just ordering online. Everything is either Gateway (ugh) or Asus and random companies never really popular at the Desktop like "Sony" and the old e-Machines. Lenovo apparently also makes desktops.

The bestbuy site did surprise me showing that while HP has 72 desktop models, Dell has 30 models. Clicking on Dell shows many all-in-ones (14 out of 27 according to the category counters on the left of the screen) but Dell is still offering half of the machines there.

What worries me is that the PC I'm typing on is a mid-level HP, and if we take them out of the equation, the prices will go back up for the small-time sellers. Since I do not see Dells much at Staples, then it worries me that my friends' next off-the-shelf PC's will be reduced to garbage-ish brands. Eventually that will trickle down to a repeat of the maligned "your underpowered PC is NOT ready to run [Vista|Windows 8] with Aero" problem from 2006.

That's how Wal-Mart does it. Best Buy's ones aren't for cost savings at the expense of the usability/reliability was Wal-Mart does, but instead to prevent price matching. You can't price match when no one else in the world sells that model.

And Best Buy had a Toshiba laptop on special for about half what it was everywhere else that I bought, and their specials usually beat everywhere else.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ASUS+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+/+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Brown+Suit/2906406.p?skuId=2906406&id=1218362797990
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220991

You can click both if you want. I looked up a Best Buy special and it was a laptop for $480, and Newegg has it for $600. So why pay more for Newegg?

The concrete with steel roof I work in held up pretty good to the earthquake. I had a portable hard drive fall over at home, but I hardly count that as damage...more poor design.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Seagate+-+FreeAgent+GoFlex+Desk+2TB+External+USB+2.0/3.0+Hard+Drive+-+Black/1335107.p?id=1218251232104&skuId=1335107

It seems available in the US, but still 399.99 for the 16gb

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+TouchPad+Tablet+with+16GB+Memory+-+Black/2842056.p?id=1218358284065&skuId=2842056&st=Hp%20tablet&cp=1&lp=2

So no sell off yet, but I can always deal with waiting until they are in the bargain bin.

Parallel printer cables still sell for 30$ at best buy last time I checked. (Just checked, yup, they still do)

I assume Best Buy won't sue Buy More for its Nerd Herd that mocks Geek Squad. ;)

The $429 16GB Galaxy Tab you're looking at is not the 10.1, but the small-screen kind. The price of a 16GB Galaxy Tab 10.1 with no 3/4G is $499, identical to the iPad 2.

Bezos is, shockingly enough, just protective of his ~5% advantage over the B&Ms...

Although that ~5% may be an advantage, it pales compared to the price differences. For example, a 6' HDMI cable:

$2.99 with $5.14 shipping or free shipping on order totals of $25 or more

vs.

$12.99 plus $5.99 shipping regardless of order total

So, that's at least a 60% discount over the B&M's Internet site if you want the item shipped to your home, so the ~5-10% sales tax break is nice, but not really needed to crush the B&M.

For short cable runs, any old HDMI cable will do. When you get into the 50-100 ft lengths, the cable quality absolutely matters.

HDMI signals may be digital, so there's none of the subjective analog concerns, but it's also a real-time signal, which makes it susceptible to even small delays in transmission across the cable. This isn't a concern in a sub-20 ft cable, but becomes noticeable in the cheap longer cables.

So why is Best Buy charging these prices for cables under 7 feet?

And along with those two there is also the Acer-Iconia Tablet which is just about the same spec as the transformer without the keyboard option.

So they appear to be jumping into the tablet market full force.

From Best Buy's Privacy Policy:

Uses of Information
- Best Buy does not sell, rent or trade your personal information to third parties.
- We use information about you to fulfill your requests, administer various programs, provide services, and for other business purposes.
- Your personal information may be shared with current or future Best Buy entities or subsidiaries. We may also use the information you provide to send you marketing communications.
- In limited circumstances, Best Buy may need to share your information with certain third parties to perform services on our behalf.

The last point applies specifically to the issue at hand, and they haven't broken their written policy.

You can get a nice Samsung from Best Buy for less than $800. The specs are good, and the design is nice.

Samsung - Laptop / Intel® Core i5 Processor / 14" Display / 4GB Memory / 640GB Hard Drive - Aluminum

(Disclaimer: I do not work for Best Buy, I do not work for Samsung. I don't get compensated one way or the other if you buy this unit. I'm a Mac guy too, and recently went through this same decision, and this is what I found.)

Yeah, right, because if they're too cheap to pay for someone to repair their PC in the first place they'll be more than happy to buy all new hardware so they can run a totally new OS.

I've personally seen client receipts that show over $500 worth on new utility software and labor combined that either matches or exceeds the cost of the laptop in the first pace. So YES, replacing a computer can be less costly and provide an upgrade in hardware specs at the same time.

In fact, check out this new Compaq notebook for $329.99. If you get a nasty virus that hoses the OS, it can CHEAPER to throw the fucker in the dumper vs hiring a PC tech to setup the machine, export/import data, and reinstall 3rd party applications.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Compaq+-+Presario+Laptop+/+AMD+V-Series+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+2GB+Memory+/+250GB+Hard+Drive+-+Basic+Black/1271897.p?skuId=1271897&id=1218245812097

Is it cheap? The iPad is a 9.7" touchscreen with 16gb for $400. I can buy a 10.1" 1.6ghz Atom netbook with 1gb RAM and 250gb hard drive for $250. And no, Best Buy isn't running a crazy special, Amazon has two different models of netbooks for ~$250 brand new.

True, the iPad has a touchscreen and those cost a bit, but the netbook has a lot more parts and the cost of a Windows 7 license.

I'm trying to figure out why we're not being flooded by $200 iPad clones.

But my baby can read, because I bought the DVDs!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/As+Seen+On+TV+-+Your+Baby+Can+Read!+Learn+to+Read+System/9924297.p?id=1218196479432&skuId=9924297&cmp=RMX&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9924297

But seriously, most children of any culture throughout history develop language and behavior at roughly the same intervals. Early Childhood Development is easily understood, observed and recorded. It's frankly the reason most schools are broken down by similar grade ranges across the globe (because the human child form develops at predictable levels).

Good luck with that.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Help-Topics/In-Store-Return-Policy/pcmcat204400050028.c?id=pcmcat204400050028
"Opened computer software, movies, music and video games can be exchanged for the identical item but cannot be returned for a refund"

http://walmartstores.com/7658.aspx
"Prerecorded music, movies, and software products must be returned unopened."

http://www.borders.com/online/store/CustomerServiceView_returnspolicy
"Return new books, unopened CDs, DVDs, and electronics, including eReaders, in their original condition."

http://www.target.com/Refund-Policy-Returns-Refunds-Help/b?ie=UTF8&node=13685491
"Some items cannot be returned if opened and may only be exchangeable, including music, movies, video games, software and collectibles."

You mean like this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Squier%26%23174%3B+-+Rock+Band+3+Game+Guitar+-+Black/1601028.p;jsessionid=FB4FAAC09FB260EAD5903AB78859877C.bbolsp-app06-17?id=1218272665437&skuId=1601028&st=rock%20band%203&contract_desc=null

Yes yes, not released yet. I know.

Sorry, didn't post references:

Best Buy:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/GPS-Navigation/In-Dash-GPS/abcat0301002.c?id=abcat0301002

Nissan:
http://www.nissanusa.com/configurator/app?service=external/SelectOptions&mo=2011:alt&bs=alh&tr=_TE_25HYB&ec=KH3&ic=_alt_hyb_GC&us=13|20|27&se=10|13|20|27|3|5&pv=10|13|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|25|26|27|28&pc=13|20&psel=10|13|20|27|3|5&ps=_alt_hyb_GC|1&zp=90210

And the technology package is "$1780", which means something in practice closer to $1400.

that it's more expensive initially (the most expensive phone on the market)

The Nexus S sells for $199. That's the same price as an iPhone 4 16GB, which also sells for $199.

Here's a list of Android phones sold by Verizon. Do you see how many sell for $199.99? If my math is correct, that is basically the same price as an iPhone 4 16GB. Although it seems like they are actually 99 cents more expensive.

Also, the Droid Pro (which looks like a great phone by the way), sold by Motorola, retails for $280. But, those kind bastards give us a mail in rebate of $100.

I hope you now understand how the iPhone is not THE most expensive phone on the market. Is it -one- of the most expensive phones? Yes, yes it is. Although the iPhone 4 32GB might very well be the most expensive phone on the market.

even more expensive in the long run (you can't take your content and your apps and leave for a cheaper/better option when you need or want to upgrade in a few years

You do realize that if I buy a Blackberry, Windows, Android, or Nokia phone, and I purchase apps and content on those devices, and I want to switch to one of the other devices with a different OS, that the same problem exists?

Shoot, the same problem exists within the Android system from phone to phone, because not all apps are compatible with all phones. So if you start off with a top of the line Android phone that has better graphics hardware for games, and you buy games that are optimized for that phone, but you later want to downgrade to a cheaper Android model...you may end up being disappointed.

Wow! Really? Apple's Gross Profit Margin is 41% whereas Microsoft's is 84.8%. Looks like MS has the higher profit margin, at more than twice Apple's. And I didn't know Amazon and Bestbuy were boutique retailers. Or are you just showing your anti-Apple bias?

Falcon

If anybody has info on whether ATT will pull the same thing with this phone as they did with the Nexus One and start charging people using it on their slow edge network the "smart phone data rate" it would be appreciated.

Link to Best Buy's Page

-Mysteryvortex

It's triband (850/1700/2100) HSPA so you should have 3G on both T-Mobile & AT&T.

I just got off the phone with Best Buy's "dedicated Nexus S Help Line at 1-866-813-2021." Where I confirmed the Dec 16th release date, and found out that the pricing will be:

$529 without contract
$199 with 2yr T Mobile contract

The guy on the phone couldn't provide any info about ETFs, (early termination fees) and said that it seems to be a Best Buy exclusive for now. (He said something about Google partnering with Best Buy to introduce the Nexus S)

I'd rather not give Best Buy any money, so hopefully it will come to T Mobile soon.

If anybody has info on whether ATT will pull the same thing with this phone as they did with the Nexus One and start charging people using it on their slow edge network the "smart phone data rate" it would be appreciated.

Link to Best Buy's Page

-Mysteryvortex

• Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
• My Bloody Valentine 3D
• Monster House
• The Jonas Brothers 3D Concert Experience

Odd that the title that is most often bundled with 3D sets - Monsters vs Aliens isn't on the list of titles you can buy. Nonetheless the titles offered aren't exactly movies that sold out 3D theaters for very long. And a lot of what's listed as coming soon isn't likely to bring a lot of interest either.

In the US, that is illegal too. However, they get around this by having BestBuy.com be incorporated as a separate (but wholly owned) subsidiary. So BestBuy.com has one price, and Best Buy has another. Oh, and on http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Help-Topics/Best-Buy-Retail-Store-Price-Match-Guarantee/pcmcat204400050013.c?id=pcmcat204400050013 it's clear that the stores don't match online retailers, like BestBuy.com (or Newegg or Amazon). So they don't have to match their website. It's just as illegal in the US, but they have massive loopholes written into every law to screw the people so that the spirit of the law is never enforced.

it's $229.99 now...

Sure, it technically "runs windows" but

Yes, I'll be linking a system that sells for $329 at best buy in a moment... comes with Windows 7 Home Premium x64

its an integrated memory unaccelerated graphics card,

actually, a lot of the integrated cards nowadays are nVidia or ATI. The one in the system I mention in the next paragraph is an nVidia 6150 (nothing to write home about, but it'll play some games - gets "decent" frame rates in WoW if you turn the sparklies down). Might not be the uber-awesome gamer card of the year, but it is accelerated, in direct contradiction of your claim. In addition, there's an available PCI-Express x16 port if you absolutely have to get a better card. A Geforce 240 GT with a half-gig of RAM can be had for about $120. I'm running one in my current system, and I pull 60s in Dalaran. If you don't know what that means, don't worry - it just means you're not a WoW addict. To those for whom the metric means something: Best $120 I ever spent, gaming-experience-wise, other than my 23" 1920x1080 LCD.

with like 256 MB of memory,

This $329 compaq from bestbuy comes with 2GB, expandable to 4GB.

a[n] 80 gig 5400 rpm hard disk,

the above-mentioned compaq comes with a 500GB 7200 RPM SATA drive.

all the fans are little 1 inch diameter things running at 40k rpm and sound like a small learjet starting up,

standard 80mm case fans, 2. quite quiet, actually.

one available USB port...

try 6 (2 front, 4 rear)... and you don't know how to use a $10 4-port USB hub?

And running linux, I tend to buy from the list of things that works on linux, not "whatever the big box mfgr could buy at the cheapest price"

A surprisingly large number of "cheap" (even on-board) components are directly supported by the latest distros (or kernel, or whatever it is that makes the latest linux "just work"), and function "out of the box" in most cases. I say this as someone who runs Ubuntu on several desktops, and has several servers pushing various domain services in my home networks (yes, plural).

Your off-the-cuff quote displays an ignorance of the current offerings at the big-box stores, and brings the question to my mind of just how out-of-touch you might be with the rest of the market. You haven't a clue what you're talking about. In short, do your research before you open your mouth and spew lies (intentional or not).

--
Your low uid doesn't scare me.

Sure, it technically "runs windows" but

Yes, I'll be linking a system that sells for $329 at best buy in a moment... comes with Windows 7 Home Premium x64

its an integrated memory unaccelerated graphics card,

actually, a lot of the integrated cards nowadays are nVidia or ATI. The one in the system I mention in the next paragraph is an nVidia 6150 (nothing to write home about, but it'll play some games - gets "decent" frame rates in WoW if you turn the sparklies down). Might not be the uber-awesome gamer card of the year, but it is accelerated, in direct contradiction of your claim. In addition, there's an available PCI-Express x16 port if you absolutely have to get a better card. A Geforce 240 GT with a half-gig of RAM can be had for about $120. I'm running one in my current system, and I pull 60s in Dalaran. If you don't know what that means, don't worry - it just means you're not a WoW addict. To those for whom the metric means something: Best $120 I ever spent, gaming-experience-wise, other than my 23" 1920x1080 LCD.

with like 256 MB of memory,

This $329 compaq from bestbuy comes with 2GB, expandable to 4GB.

a[n] 80 gig 5400 rpm hard disk,

the above-mentioned compaq comes with a 500GB 7200 RPM SATA drive.

all the fans are little 1 inch diameter things running at 40k rpm and sound like a small learjet starting up,

standard 80mm case fans, 2. quite quiet, actually.

one available USB port...

try 6 (2 front, 4 rear)... and you don't know how to use a $10 4-port USB hub?

And running linux, I tend to buy from the list of things that works on linux, not "whatever the big box mfgr could buy at the cheapest price"

A surprisingly large number of "cheap" (even on-board) components are directly supported by the latest distros (or kernel, or whatever it is that makes the latest linux "just work"), and function "out of the box" in most cases. I say this as someone who runs Ubuntu on several desktops, and has several servers pushing various domain services in my home networks (yes, plural).

Your off-the-cuff quote displays an ignorance of the current offerings at the big-box stores, and brings the question to my mind of just how out-of-touch you might be with the rest of the market. You haven't a clue what you're talking about. In short, do your research before you open your mouth and spew lies (intentional or not).

--
Your low uid doesn't scare me.

Wrong again.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Help-Topics/Gift-Cards/pcmcat203400050004.c?id=pcmcat203400050004

Lost or Stolen Gift Cards

We can replace the remaining balance on a lost, stolen or damaged gift card, as long as you have the original purchase receipt. Please call 1-888-716-7994.

I thought you were kidding so I went and looked:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketfish%26%23153%3B+-+4'+Toslink+Optical+Cable/7832223.p?id=1142297086861&skuId=7832223

Damn...

Trade it in! Best Buy has an online trade in program where you can get cash or a Best Buy gift card. I got a $200 for mine. You fill out some stuff online, print a pre-paid UPS label, wait about 3 weeks. Same money you'd get from craigslist, none of the emails for interesting trades. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Electronics+Promotions/Online-Trade-In/pcmcat133600050011.c?id=pcmcat133600050011

Really? I've had no problem taking them old towers (with the hard drives removed), video cards, power supplies, and speakers. Do they not abide by the rules they have posted for your state?

To elaborate on what an AC already posted, Best Buy has an electronics recycling program in the US which will take all manner of products, regardless of where they were purchased. Use the drop-down menu on the right to see the rules for your particular state.

Generally they insist that hard drives be removed from computers -- apparently they don't want the responsibility of dealing with sensitive data. They also charge $10 to take CRTs, but they give you a $10 gift card in return. Say what you will about Best Buy's other practices; this is a very useful program.

Their standards statement indicates they don't do anything dastardly with the stuff once they collect it. I'd be interested to know if anyone has direct experience with how they deal with it all.

To elaborate on what an AC already posted, Best Buy has an electronics recycling program in the US which will take all manner of products, regardless of where they were purchased. Use the drop-down menu on the right to see the rules for your particular state.

Generally they insist that hard drives be removed from computers -- apparently they don't want the responsibility of dealing with sensitive data. They also charge $10 to take CRTs, but they give you a $10 gift card in return. Say what you will about Best Buy's other practices; this is a very useful program.

Their standards statement indicates they don't do anything dastardly with the stuff once they collect it. I'd be interested to know if anyone has direct experience with how they deal with it all.

I haven't had TV service in 3 years, all media has been through the XBMC and I've never had a problem with downloaded content not working. 1080p isn't a popular downloaded format, you search for any video content and 480i or similar DVD quality will be easier to find than 1080p. Unless there's a huge jump in cheap bandwidth 1080p will continue to be unpopular, especially with Comcast and Earthlink announcing monthly caps. Who'd want to waste 5gb on 1080p when 700mb 480i DivX suffices?

Like I said support is huge, you start putting the software on dozens of different kinds of hardware and OSes and you're going to have support problems. What happens when you post on a forum "1080p is jumpy"? Now they have to look at the cpu and video card and OS and other software and all these other potential problems, and while people might help you today with your dual core 1.6ghz atom in 5 years time they'll laugh at you and say your PC isn't fast enough and to upgrade.

I agree with one thing you said: "If that's just too much for you by all means keep your old XBOX too." I can give my parents a Xbox with XBMC on it and not worry about support because I know there's no problems with it, can you say the same about your $350 personal computer? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Fragmenting the XBMC is the same mistake Android made: sure the OS is free, but the software that runs on your Android might not run on mine and many have speculated this fragmentation will destroy Android. Windows Mobile did the the same thing for many years and developers had to publish long lists of supported and unsupported Windows Mobile smartphones. That's one of the reasons the iPhone is so successful: every app works on every iPhone.

This will not end well for XBMC, this will push people off Xboxes and on to Boxee and other competitors because why bother with XBMC when you're already running a dual core PC? Might as well upgrade to Boxee or MythTV.

I don't mind the developers making a XBMC2 for modern devices, but to end support for the highly successful XBMC and close the forums and start removing things from the wiki is suicide and I can't believe they don't see that. What would happen if Sony or Microsoft announced they'd no longer support the PS3 or Xbox360 and they're focusing on next gen consoles? Think anyone that read that would buy a ps3 or 360? Sony's a genius when it comes to that: while M$ ended support for the Xbox, you can still buy a brand new ps2 and new games at most retail stores and it's paid off big, with 1.8 million Playstation 2s sold in 2009. Yes, Sony sold 1.8 million 10 yr old ps2s in 2009, and brand new ps2 games are still being released in 2010. See you don't slaughter the fatted calf as soon as the next gen comes out, and the fact that XBMC developers are doing so prove they don't care about their community and will drop you whenever it's convenient for them.

XP is 10 years old. But you can still buy a new computer with XP preinstalled. That says a lot about the current problem with XP. Why is Microsoft still selling licenses for XP if they aren't going to support it properly.

The one problem (as with any solution here) is that 10TB is nearly impossible to back up.

That depends on whether all that data is changed or is only archived. For archiving 2 4TB external drives can be used to store most of the data with a 2TB drive used for data that is frequently changed. What is more problematic, because it takes action, is to transfer old data to new storage and test it.

Currently I've got a Mac and I use Carbon Copy Cloner to backup my internal HDD to external drives but I want to use Ubuntu as well and don't know how it will work with files backed up by CCC. CCC is supposed to do an exact copy but when I tested a backup once I noticed it didn't preserve all of the file metadata such as creation/modification dates and file attributes or permissions. There are 3 user accounts on my computer and each user was able to open files other users owned. Maybe I didn't use the right options when running CCC. So, will I be able to preserve the metadata and if so can Ubuntu work with it as well is something I'll have to find out. However I am able to make 1, 2, 3, or more backups some of which I can keep onsite while archives are kept off-site.

Falcon

Well, you are correct that 60 Ghz will be horrible for distance. However, the wiring just has to be smart. There is gigabit powerline ethernet, which requires no additional wiring. So you could have that, and then a wireless AP (7Gbps) in the room if you really want the wireless/ Meanwhile, you may as well just have a regular ethernet line from that powerline ethernet adapter. Really, that thing is pretty portable on it's own and makes me question why people even want wifi in some instances. The portability of these devices is merely limited to an outlet in a house, which is about the same concept of an AP (which has to be plugged in), except that it doesn't get interference from surrounding wifi channels.

Maybe not in line with their products, but certainly in line with other products. Here is the laptop I bought my fiancee. Perfect for browsing the Internet, watching videos/movies, doing work, and can even play Civ IV with all of the settings turned up to max.

Yet is only $30 more than the base iPad price. Now, I recognize that the iPad and this laptop serve entirely different needs...but the difference is still only $30, and that's assuming you go with the base iPad. Why pay $499 for an iPad that is limited in use when you can pay $529 and get that laptop? Is a shiny picture-book esque interface really worth paying full price for a half-function "appliance"?

Consider for a second that "google" has become a verb, meaning 'to search online'. Then tell me that Google hasn't incredibly overwhelmed the competition so much that it cannot be considered balanced competition. By your very definition, Google is a monopoly, and should be broken up. Granted, I would say that Google is not a monopoly simply because it is the leader, but rather because it uses it enormous cash reserves and image to enter new markets, overtake them, and move on to new markets, in a cycle.

Also, I can easily build a computer, and install Linux on it. Apple conducts anti-competitive practices, and should be slapped for it.

As for examples of where to buy computers with Linux and OSX on them...Well, here goes:

Dell has Ubuntu here

Best Buy sells Apple computers(both in-store and online)

And of course, the Apple Store

Granted, it's only a few, but these are pretty much the main places most people buy computers. Perhaps the reason that Windows is everywhere is because...people prefer it.

You can take your old computers to Best Buy and they will recycle them for you. No need to put them in a landfill. That is where I take all my old tech.

Here are some links:
news article
recycle information

Also note that if it has a screen they will charge you $10 to recycle it; however they give you a $10 gift card to use in the store as well - so it is a wash.

Then you need to find some better retail channels to shop at. It's not clear from TFA whether this is supposed to be an internal or and external drive, but I'm assuming external. Even Best Buy has cheaper 500 GB external drives.

From the original post:

James Kelly shows how easy it is to build a computer and install a complete software suite for US$200 excluding monitor, keyboard, and mouse. You can't even buy the operating system and anti-malware protection for Microsoft Windows for that, let alone have any money left over for hardware and productivity software!

I can buy a retail copy of Windows 7 Home Premium for $179.99 at Newegg, with shipping for another $1.99[0], and Microsoft Security Essentials is free for download[1], and a very reasonable product for many users.[2]

Also, I can get an Acer Aspire REVO at Bestbuy for a nickle under $200, with a copy of Windows XP SP3 included.[3]

I can't wait to see the specs on the $200 computer build outlined in this "outdated before it was published" book... Also, didn't this book come out a while ago? At least 4-6 months ago - are the parts listed even still commonly available?

[0] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716&cm_re=windows_7_home_retail-_-32-116-716-_-Product

[1] http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/?mkt=en-us

[2] http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/mse.asp

[3] http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+AspireRevo+Nettop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Atom%26%23153%3B+Processor/9535434.p?id=1218120545008&skuId=9535434

Well, the one I got for my fiancee (a Toshiba L505D-GS6000) has almost all of those specs, minus the hard drive space and the screen size.

It's also only $580. It certainly isn't top of the line build quality or anything, but it's a hell of a lot of laptop for the price...runs very quiet and fairly cool, has a great looking screen, has a full number pad, plenty of USB ports, an eSATA port...it even has discrete graphics (ATI Radeon 4200), and can run Civilization IV at full detail quite smoothly.

"24K gold-plated connectors help protect the cable's optical lens to ensure consistent signal transfer"

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketfish%26%23153%3B+-+8'+Digital+Optical+Cable/8315147.p?id=1174694191675&skuId=8315147&st=optical

--

The product features section is usually copied word for word from the back of the box, I'd blame rocketfish for that one not worst buy.