A $199 PC at Wal-Mart

I'm thinking they'll get lots of returns once people get it home and realize what they (don't) have.
Wouldn't be too horrid if you really knew what you were doing and didn't want to do too much, but most people who know what they're doing aren't going to buy a computer at Wal-Mart, and I have a bad feeling none of the employees will know how to answer questions on them, if an employee can be found.
Sorry, my Wal-Mart prejudice is showing again!
Gina

 

huh, i'd think that most people who'd buy a computer at wal-mart would be new computer users, but linux isn't really an OS for beginners... takes a bit of experience.

 

I got ridiculed (actually guffawed at) for the E-Machine I bought, but so far....no problems & it's 3 years old, though I don't use it nearly as much as the Compaq which is my REAL work horse.

Still, if someone wants a computer to learn on or for kids to fool around on for school work, the Wal-Mart deal might be great.

 

E-Machines are the best!
Gina

 

Lets face it for most home users an eMachines is more computer then they really need. Then take into account the fact they we replace our puters ever 3 years or so, because there is something better out there, why should I spend big bucks on a top of the line computer.

I don't see the Wally World computer as a good deal, as it dosn't include a modem or floppy drive, not to mention the fact that most new computer users have never even heard of any operating system other than windows. You still need a monitor and printer to go with it. You might as well go to Best Buy, Circut City, or CompUSA and buy one of their package deals.

Bill

 

I don't use a modem or floppy drive. The computer I have now (Mac G4 tower) has a modem (never used) and has no floppy drive. The previous computer I had (first version top-of-the-line Mac G4 tower) did not have a modem or a floppy drive. Floppy drives have been a dead and nearly useless technology for several years now and dial-up modems are quickly on their way out. I hate to pay money for unneeded features.

They need to learn. I think "alternative" operating systems are going to become more popular within the next few years as the population becomes more computer saavy and Microsoft continues to alienate people with their strong-arm tactics and substandard programming. Just this morning one of our Windows exchange servers unexpectedly crashed (no one yet knows why) and ended up taking down somewhere around 80 computers in the company. Many of us had to restart our systems and lost work.

That being said, I agree that the better alternative is to skip Walmart (they can't provide support or any sort of technical knowledge) and go to a store that knows slightly more about their systems. With computers, you often get what you pay for -- except for the processor (the AMD processors are superior and less expensive than the Intel stuff).