Walmart-Xandors

[Dan Jenkins]

> On 4/19/05, Karl Hergenrother <33karl at verizon.net> wrote:
>>Is the summary that no one has any experience with Xandros, but the
>>Microtel PC is probably suitable for an inexpensive desktop?  Sounds
>>like it.

No experience with Xandros, but we have serviced a Microtel. Of 
course, we generally see computers which need to be repaired. 
(Other than the ones we build ourselves, of course. ;-)

It was a basic, cheap clone. A bit wimpy on everything (150 W 
Power Supply, if I recollect), but, for the money, that's to be 
expected. Nothing strange in the system. No proprietary cases or 
components.

I was just curious, so I checked Walmart's web site. They had 
the same system with Windows XP Home ($298), Linspire ($298), 
Xandros ($200) and no operating system ($248).

The specs:
AMD Sempron 1.5 GHx (2200+) CPU
128 MB DDR PC333 RAM (expandable to 2 GB, 1 slot available)
40 GB, 5400 rpm, ATA-100 Hard Drive
CD-ROM
32 MB shared memory video (max 64 MB)
Ethernet
56k Modem
1 PCI slot, 1 AGP slot
no Floppy Drive
4 USB ports, 1 parallel, 1 serial
1 year warranty (return to manufacturer, not Walmart)

The specs varied from OS to OS. Could just be badly written 
descriptions or a real difference. For example, Linspire & 
Xandros were 333 FSB whereas XP Home and no OS were 200 FSB.

Xandros had no modem.
XP Home and Xandros had no floppy drive.

XP Home came with OpenOffice as bundled software.

The description of Xandros from Walmart said:
"Completely avoid infection from all Windows based viruses and 
womrs plaguing the Internet.

Built-in firewall."

So you can see where they're pitching non-Windows systems.

-- 
Dan Jenkins (dan at rastech.com)
Rastech Inc., Bedford, NH, USA --- 1-603-206-9951
*** Technical Support for over a Quarter Century