How Cheap Can A PC Be?

geoff lane writes "Ballmer wants a $100 computer. OK, can we build a reasonable PC for just $100 and a copy of Linux? The rules are: It's assumed that a monitor, keyboard and mouse are already available. Ethernet connectivity must be provided. All components must already have Linux support. All components must be new and currently available. The result must be electrically safe for the home. Is it possible?"

Comments

Re:Shenanigans

[DoraLives]

1. Why didn't you just tell us instead of spending 4 paragraphs beating around the bush?

Dear Mister Coward: I'm a fucking writer and I'd like to make at least enough money from my writing to maybe buy beer for next weekend. But I'll further elaborate for you, my lazy, greedy, unknown buddy, just because I'm a Nice Guy. The book runs to over thirty thousand words. I sincerely apologize because I wasn't able to condense that into four paragraphs for you.

2. Why hasn't the great secret been known on the web for years?

Beats the fuck out of me. I do not know.

Yes, you can get a free PC if you rob someone's house, or scrounge through the trash behind failed dot-coms, or set up phony charities which purport to send computers to needy children, but other than that you have to pay at least 20-some bucks on ebay to get a used beater.

You are an asshat, and you know it which is why you posted AC. What you just said is one of the weirdest combinations of sour grapes, misplaced cynicism, and general dopiness I've seen in quite a while. Better that shit resides in your head than mine. The rig I described in my previous post was acquired in none of the ways you mentioned, despite your "other than that" pontification to the contrary. The book DOES mention dumpster diving, but it's a MINOR SOURCE for free machines. Very very minor. The rest of your bogus rationales do not appear anywhere in the text of the book. Perhaps YOU need to write a book and tell US how what you mentioned really works. You sound suspiciously familiar with it.

As in dollars???

[Mulletproof]

Wait... You mean people actually PAY for that stuff???? Got mine from a friend of a friend of a friend...