Leopard? Vista? Is Linux Becoming The Ross Perot Of The Debate?
With all the attention that Leopard (MacOs X 10.5) is getting in some circles as the preferred alternative to a Microsoft world, it seems that the Linux train, which had already arrived in other segments, is silently creeping up on consumer America. As Gizmodo points out look at the two products ready for the Christmas season - the $200 Linux desktop at WalMart and the $3-400 Asus EEE ultra portable Linux laptop. They’re attacking first at the pocketbook and then at the experience.
Asus released their highly anticipated eee PC, a 2lb Linux-derivative laptop that runs just $400. The reason they get the plus? Early reviews have been quite positive. (We’ll give you a full rundown next week when the verdict’s in.)
Then Wal-Mart starts offering the Everex $200 Linux PC. Since 5% of the Wal-Mart computer buyers are looking for their first computer, why not try something without an Apple or Microsoft badge of approval?
Linux is already a staple in corporate America and government running some of the very websites that users interact with daily, and has made its way into appliances including some cell phones. Why? Because it’s cheap and stable, 2 things that are prerequisites.
But no longer the fussy ugly duckling, the Linux user interface has matured over the years to be just a friendly as Windows and Macs and sports a deep network of support online. The experience is becoming less and less painful, something which is more and more desired in a world with constant Internet Explorer virus/malware attacks and Windows security holes. And literally with a few keystrokes or mouse clicks, you can add a variety of new, stable, powerful, and (most importantly) free software to your machine to take the place of Office, iTunes, Windows Media Player or even Freecell. Even your mom can use it. Dell has already been selling desktops and laptops with Ubuntu Linux - breaking the Windows-only stranglehold they’ve had for years. And there’s a $300 Linux Laptop coming to Wal-Mart soon from the same guys behind the $200 PC.
Linux has already been pushed as a way to bridge the digital divide both home and abroad. Who knows - maybe someday soon YOU will have a positive Linux experience that will make you want to save your Vista and Leopard money for something else - maybe gas money?
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