AMD Personal Internet Communicator ($200) vs Apple Mac Mini ($499)

[Kenyon Karl]

The following news items ought to set off a rather noisy argument on the 
GNHLUG mailing list, particularly if each participant focuses on their 
'crystal ball!' ;-)

To add relevance to the debate, we must expect Bill Gates to release a 
'starter' version of Windows for the PIC, and that Michael Robertson 
will try to release a 'full featured' version of his easy to use 
Linspire distribution of Linux for that same machine. To add even more 
relevance, I would like to focus our debate on New Hampshire's legendary 
'cheapskate' attitudes instead of the very real problems of the 'third 
world.'

To add a third dimension to the debate, we must remember that lots of 
small computer dealers (like Dave Ecklein in Rumney - 
http://www.diacad.com) currently sell reconditioned IBM-PC style 
computers for $200. Even better, Wincycle in Windsor VT 
(www.wincycle.org) uses donated machines and volunteer labor for even 
lower prices, and even FREE for local schools and non-profit 
organizations. Since Linux can be installed so cheaply and is often well 
suited to older machines, we must imagine that we can somehow overcome 
issues like vendor training and customer acceptance!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*
AMD Personal Internet Communicator (PIC)* - By the end of the decade 
there will be more than 1.3 billion PCs on this planet (there's about 
575 million now). That growth will largely come from emerging markets 
and AMD's visionary CEO believes he has the device that can make it 
happen - the Personal Internet Communicator (PIC). His '50x15 plan' 
calls for 50% of the planet to be on the net by 2015 and many of these 
will be using his sub $200 machine. Come hear more from AMD, one of the 
platinum sponsors of the Summit (Desktop Summit Feb 9-11th 2005 - 
http://www.desktopsummit.com).

**/Jan 05, 2005 - Michael Robertson of Linspire (http://www.linspire.com)
/

---------------------------- vs 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Apple unveils $499 PC* 
<http://news.com.com/Apple+unveils+499+PC/2100-7354_3-5532008.html?tag=nl>
(http://news.com.com/Apple+unveils+499+PC/2100-7354_3-5532008.html?tag=nl)
Apple chief Steve Jobs delivers the goods, showing off a budget PC ....
C|net News - January 11, 2005

*Mac Mini a maxi deal? Depends what you want* 
<http://news.com.com/Mac+Mini+a+maxi+deal+Depends+what+you+want/2100-1042_3-5533989.html?tag=nl> 
(http://news.com.com/Mac+Mini+a+maxi+deal+Depends+what+you+want/2100-1042_3-5533989.html?tag=nl) 

When it comes to Apple Computer's new Mac Mini, beauty is in the eye of 
the person holding the wallet.
C|net News - January 12, 2005