Lindows Releases Inexpensive Subnotebook

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Lindows Releases Inexpensive Subnotebook

Posted by michael on Thursday February 20, 2003 @06:22AM from the install-debian-promptly dept.

los furtive writes "As of March 1st $799 will get you this Lindows 2.9lb subnotebook with a VIA C3 933MHz Processor, 256 megs ram and a 20 gig HD, a 12inch screen, USB 2.0, firewire and of course the Lindows OS. Pre-orders have already started."

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Yet for $699... by wo1verin3 · 2003-02-20 06:26 · Score: 5, Informative

Yet for $699 you can get this Dell Inspiron with a Celeron 1.6, GeForce2Go 16mb video, and more.... add 128MB to bring it up to the same price and you can load on your own Linux Install. Why are we doing Lindows marketing for something that isn't really that great of a deal if you shop around?
1. Re:Yet for $699... by BMonger · 2003-02-20 06:41 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Also $699 is the "base price"... if you try to configure a system for $699 it's almost next to impossible. I tried to configure that system and there is nothing on the first page that tells me that switching out an option will either lower or raise the price. Clicking continue gives me a price of $1,277... I have no idea where they get their $699 prices from... frankly I find Dell's pricing scheme very misleading.
2. Re:Yet for $699... by evilviper · 2003-02-20 06:53 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  My Sotec notebook is 4LBS, has a built-in combo DVD/CD-RW, 256MB of RAM, 20GB HD, etc. All that was $750, and it has a 1.2GHz Celeron, not a piece of crap VIA-C3, which performs like it's less than half it's own clock-speed.
  
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3. Re:Yet for $699... by cdrudge · 2003-02-20 07:01 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Follow the grandparent's link, click the blue "Recommended Systems". Right under the phone of the laptop there is a link that says "Inspiron 2650C starting at $699". Click it. That takes you to a page that has the laptop for $849 - $150 rebate = $699. You can customize it from there.
  
  This link takes you straight to that page. Here is the same laptop that is $806-$150 rebate (not shown on that page but on another that leads to that page). The extra $$$ off is due from their Employee Purchase Program that anyone can get thru.
Competetive comparison by BMonger · 2003-02-20 06:32 · Score: 4, Informative

I don't know all the much but their iBook comparison is off... I think they have Powerbook and iBook specs combined into one notebook... the iBook has a G3 chip not a G4 and I don't think it has PCMCIA slots either...
idot computers manufactures them by net_bh · 2003-02-20 06:34 · Score: 5, Informative

Here is the CNET news item
Here is a link to the Idot website.
Here is a link to the Gearzoo website.

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Re:Graphics chipsets by BMonger · 2003-02-20 06:36 · Score: 4, Informative

From http://idot.com/TheStore/Desktop/787Spec.asp?Produ ct.id=787&Cate.id=2

Integrated Savage 4 AGP 4X graphic core (up to 16MB Video Memory)
Re:Kinda expensive by binaryDigit · 2003-02-20 06:39 · Score: 5, Informative

Yeah, but it still beats an iBook by 50% (pricewise, anyways)

Nope, the chart is wrong, they were comparing to the PowerBook, NOT the iBook. The iBook only costs $999 in a comparable configuration (the lowest end).
Re:I'd still rather have an iBook by binaryDigit · 2003-02-20 06:48 · Score: 5, Informative

For one it wouldn't be slower, the VIA C3 is best about 2/3 the performance of a celeron at the same clock rate. So given that Macs tend to perform better than comparable clock speeds, the Mac will typically outperform it. You also get a more stable OS, stable in the sense that you don't have to worry about compatability issues. You get a built-in cd, which for some people is a significant plus (though some don't need it as well). Also notice that there is no mention of battery life. Also, where do you take your Lindows machine if you're having problems? Apple has places everywhere to do repairs, etc. You get MacOSX with several built in apps (iPhoto, iMovie, etc) that are arguably better (usuabillity, integration, not necessarily more powerful) than anything you are going to get for free for Lindows as well.
Re:Graphics chipsets by kriston · 2003-02-20 07:00 · Score: 5, Informative

All Via C3s are low power/low heat. The 933 MHz model is exceptionally fast for its power and heat requirements. The chipset is the integrated Via ProSavage (the old S3 stuff) which has specific acceleration support for MPEG (DVD) decoding. I build systems based on this processor and they are excellent for everything except 3d gaming, and I've never seen anyone expect to do 3d gaming on a notebook PC for under $2500, anyway.

KRis

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Kriston
Re:933 MHz C3 isn't that good by mrklin · 2003-02-20 07:02 · Score: 5, Informative
I would say it is better than that. I use a VIA C3 900 Mhz processor in a Shuttle small form factor PC (SV24) at home. It uses so little power that it does not require a CPU fan.

It is sufficient enough to do the following without problem:
- Decode MPEG-2 i.e. playback DVD or VOB files.
- Encode and decode MP3.
- Generally Office tasks and web surfing.
- Even gaming (with older games like Counterstrike) if paired up with a decent graphic card.
What it does not well (at least for me):

Encode MPEG-2.

Handle or manipulate large files (800+ MB high bitrate DivX file, apply Photoshop filter to a TIFF file etc, etc). (This is with 512 MB RAM and a large fast driveXP.)

New games that are CPU intensive.

If you have to seriously ask 'Will this have enough power for my (insert task here)?' then a C3 is probably not for you.

$800 is too much to pay for that anyway although I like its hardware specs (both firewire and USB).
Cheapish, ultralight pc. by juuri · 2003-02-20 07:16 · Score: 4, Informative

Standard laptop PeeCee parts so enjoy putting whatever OS on it you want:

PC-UM10 from sharp

Sharp 2.9lb laptop: P3-600, 128meg ram, 20gig drive

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Re:Kinda expensive by Greedo · 2003-02-20 07:33 · Score: 4, Informative

And the iBook (even the cheapest) has an internal CD drive (or DVD/CD-R), which you'd have to buy seperately if you wanted one of these Lindows notebooks.

Not to knock them ... it looks like a reasonably good price for a half-decent system. You aren't gonna play Doom III on it, but if I needed a tiny, light, mid-range powered, Linux notebook, I'd be interested.

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You've gotta be kidding me... by maynard · 2003-02-20 08:33 · Score: 4, Informative

You can't run Linux apps on an iBook.

$ make clean; make; make install

Or for that matter, just install fink.

I've been running Linux and BSD on my home machines since '94. Finally got sick of maintaining those installs instead of doing work with the computer (and happen to need MS Office to exchange xls spreadsheets with my CPA)... what did I buy? I Macintosh. Why? Because OS X has all the 'NIX software I could possibly want, very easy system management (meaning I'm not wasting my time dicking around with the computer), and the readability of the fonts are simply better than anything out there. Claiming there's no "linux" software, when just about everything includes source and will compile properly under OS X, really misses the point. Also, the battery life of a powerbook is excellent. 5 hours/charge for the 15", 4.5 hours/charge for the 17". I absolutely love this computer. Apple finally did it right. Of course, I used to love the NeXT Station on my desk many years back, so call me biased. --M