[Am-info] Naked PCs from Wal-Mart

[Sujal Shah]

On Sun, 2002-03-03 at 15:36, Mitch Stone wrote:
> I don't honestly think Wal-Mart is trying to reach Linux or other 
> alternative OS users with these offerings. As we all know, at this point 
> individual Linux users (as distinguished from corporate users) tend to be 
> hobbyists who roll their own systems in significant numbers, and I don't 
> picture many of them jumping at the chance to buy a computer from Wal-Mart.
>   I read this as directed to your "number 2" people -- owners of an OEM 
> Windows disk who see no reason to either pay again for Windows or to 
> "upgrade" to XP.
> 

Possibly true, but I think you're very wrong about you assumption about
Linux users... I've been using Linux exclusively since 1997 until very
recently, and I've NEVER built my own system.  In addition, I would
point to the Windows refund day events from a few years ago (
http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9901/25/winrefund.idg/ ) as further
proof that many, many Linux users buy typical OEM systems.

People that build their own systems, in my experience, fall into two
categories:

1) gamers/enthusiasts with specific hardware requirements - for example,
people who want to build Quiet PCs, or over clockers who need specific
hardware combos known to support overclocking hardware.

2) Knowledgeable, cost-conscious consumers.  Typical "cheap" hardware
from Dell, Compaq, et al cut corners that might cause problems or
degrade performance... for example, slower bus speeds, inferior ram
types, etc.  If you know what you're doing, you can often match Dell
dollar for dollar with a hand made system (lots of sites run reviews on
"the ultimate gaming machine" or the "ultimate linux machine" and
include a low cost version.

Sujal

> Yes, this might tick off Microsoft if the trend grows, but two things I 
> notice right away: (1) Microsoft's heavy thumb is still on the scales, 
> restricting in a subtle way what system configurations their OEMs can sell 
> sans Windows, and (2) Wal-Mart is not selling these products in their 
> stores, only on their web site. I'm going to check my Sunday newspaper 
> today, but  I have a feeling they won't be advertising them widely in the 
> mass media.
> 
> On Sunday, March 3, 2002, at 12:14 PM, John J. Urbaniak wrote:
> 
> > Well, I would like to know why Wal-Mart is doing this.  Obviously they've 
> > done
> > some market research and concluded that there is some significant demand 
> > for
> > naked PCs.
> >
> > Now what could the demand be:
> >
> > 1. Folks who want to install an alternative OS, like Linux, or OS/2 or Be 
> > or
> > eCS?
> >
> > 2. Folks who have Windows 98 or NT or ME who want a faster machine, but 
> > don't
> > want to pay for another copy of the OS?
> >
> > I suspect lots of 2's.  It may be counter to Microsoft's license, but I'd 
> > love
> > to see MS try to sue all the Mom's and Pop's out there who already paid 
> > for
> > Windows once and don't want to pay again.
> >
> > I bet this one is making Gates hop up and down like Rumpelstiltskin.
> >
> > John
> >
> 
>    Mitch Stone
>    mitch@accidentalexpert.com
> 
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-- 
------ Sujal Shah ---- sujal@sujal.net

	   http://www.sujal.net/