Not sure if anyone will think this is a good deal or not, but if you just want a secure computer to get online, this would a great computer for you.

And before any comments about how linux is hard to use, this PC has Ubuntu installed, which has a very easy GUI that is really common amoungst GUI based OS'.

Axitron NetSurfer Desktop Computer with Intel Celeron D 336, 80GB Hard Drive, 512MB Memory, and 16X DVD Drive (Ubuntu 7.10 Installed)
Regular: $257.88

Sale Price: $198.95

Key Selling Points: The Axitron NetSurfer series is designed for people who just need a computer to get on the internet, check email, get their news, and more! With Ubuntu Linux and Mozilla FireFox pre-installed you have access to one of the most easy to use and stable operating systems & web browsers. Bonus features include 512MB of memory, 80GB of hard drive space, and a 16x DVD-ROM Drive. Hook up your monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and you're ready to go! Customize Below.

Specifications:

* Model: Axitron NetSurfer Desktop PC w/ Ubuntu Operating System
* Item No: C4004
* System Components:
• Processor: Intel Celeron D 336 2.8GHz Processor
• Memory: 512MB DDR II Memory (2GB Max)
• Storage: 80GB Hard Drive
• Optical Drive: 16x DVD-ROM Drive
• Motherboard: PCPartner RC410MS7-A86C LGA775 Motherboard
• Case: V2 Premier P-20 Micro ATX Computer Case
• Power Supply: Logisys 480W Power Supply
• Video: Radeon Xpress 200 Video Card
• Audio: ALC655 Integrated Audio
• Software: Ubuntu Linux Installed
* Package Includes:
• Axitron NetSurfer Computer System
• Power Cable
• Drivers CD / MB Manuals

Condition: New - Fully Assembled

http://www.outletpc.com/c4004.html

I'm certain some folks are going to knock this deal because "It's a Celeron!" or "It's Linux!" or even "Not enough RAM!"

But I'd point out that most people - maybe not you, maybe not your best friend, but the majority of people - use their computers for little (if anything) beyond email, web browsing, and just maybe a little word processing or checkbook balancing. And for those purposes even the most sluggish Celeron CPU (which this isn't) is more than fast enough, any of the more popular and user-friendly Linux distros (of which Ubuntu is one) are more than adequate, and 512MB of RAM is quite sufficient.

Indeed, many people won't even realize that they're using Linux, and not some flavor of Windows. Nor will they care. Nor should they.

I have a feeling that sometime soon - and I'm talking months, not years - we're going to see computers like this one priced at $199 with a small (15" maybe) LCD monitor. And they're gonna sell better than roses on Valentine's Day.

Sure, I'd rather have a Core 2 Quad, w/3-4 gigs of RAM, a couple of 500-1000 gig hard drives, a 22-24" LCD monitor, a GeForce 8800 video card of some sort, and a choice of several operating systems. But these $199 computers aren't targeted at me. They're meant for my people like my soon-to-be 67 year old mother, who isn't terribly comfortable using computers, but who doesn't mind checking email once in a while, or looking at a website with pictures of the grandkids' birthday party, so long as everything is simple to operate and works right without the need to do any tweaking, modifying, or configuring. Oh, and ideally it shouldn't take up too much space or make much noise.

Green for the OP.

The spec wasn't bad for web surfing. It will be selling like hot cake if they can package the monitor and motherboard/CPU/harddrive together like iMac.

12345Michael54321 said:I'm certain some folks are going to knock this deal because "It's a Celeron!" or "It's Linux!" or even "Not enough RAM!"

But I'd point out that most people - maybe not you, maybe not your best friend, but the majority of people - use their computers for little (if anything) beyond email, web browsing, and just maybe a little word processing or checkbook balancing. And for those purposes even the most sluggish Celeron CPU (which this isn't) is more than fast enough, any of the more popular and user-friendly Linux distros (of which Ubuntu is one) are more than adequate, and 512MB of RAM is quite sufficient.

Indeed, many people won't even realize that they're using Linux, and not some flavor of Windows. Nor will they care. Nor should they.

I have a feeling that sometime soon - and I'm talking months, not years - we're going to see computers like this one priced at $199 with a small (15" maybe) LCD monitor. And they're gonna sell better than roses on Valentine's Day.

Sure, I'd rather have a Core 2 Quad, w/3-4 gigs of RAM, a couple of 500-1000 gig hard drives, a 22-24" LCD monitor, a GeForce 8800 video card of some sort, and a choice of several operating systems. But these $199 computers aren't targeted at me. They're meant for my people like my soon-to-be 67 year old mother, who isn't terribly comfortable using computers, but who doesn't mind checking email once in a while, or looking at a website with pictures of the grandkids' birthday party, so long as everything is simple to operate and works right without the need to do any tweaking, modifying, or configuring. Oh, and ideally it shouldn't take up too much space or make much noise.

Green for the OP.

dc said:spec wise, isn't this better than that <200 WalMart pc in every single way? or did that come with more ram?

They're pretty similar, I think. Both come with 512MB of RAM, and an 80 gig HD. Not sure about the processors, though. And this PC comes with Ubuntu, whereas the WalMart PC has...I think it's called gOS. Not really familiar with gOS.

But none of this matters. One computer is being sold by WalMart - which has 8 trillion stores. The other is being sold by OutletPC.com, which most people have never even heard of, and which doesn't have a local superstore open 24/7.

So WalMart wins this marketing battle. Hands down. And whether or not its computer is actually better just isn't relevant.

Some people are comfortable buying a computer off a website. But the intended purchaser of one of these computers is likely to be unsophisticated about PCs, a little unsure about the purchase, and will value the reassurance of buying from an actual store, located 5 minutes from where he lives, with an easy return policy.