Wow. Now this IS interesting and a very viable competitor to the Zonbu, at least in terms of price and features. Desktoplinux.com is reporting that Everex is shipping a new $199 PC pre-loaded with a customer (Google inspired) version of Ubuntu 7.10 called gOS.
Everex is following Dell, which pioneered the broad release of Linux-powered desktops and laptops to the consumer market in the United States. Since Dell’s first moves, other PC vendors such as Lenovo and HP have explored broader Linux PC releases.
The Everex Green gPC TC2502 includes popular applications from Google, Mozilla, Skype and OpenOffice.org. It runs gOS Initial G, which in turn is based on Ubuntu Linux 7.10 The gOS operating system features a simple and intuitive Linux Enlightenment E17 desktop interface with a Google-centric theme. The system comes with a lifetime of free updates and revisions.
And the hardware spec is quite reasonable and offers more a tad more oomph than the stock Zonbu (although likely at the cost of higher power consumption and some fan noise):
At the heart of the gPC TC2502 is an energy-efficient 1.5GHz, VIA C7-D processor. This CPU draws less than 2W on average (with a maximum of 20W). Operating at a mere 28dB, the gPC also ranks as the quietest Everex desktop computer ever produced. It also includes 512MB of system memory, 80GB hard disk drive and DVD-ROM/CD-RW optical drive. The system also comes with six USB 2.0 ports; an RJ45 Ethernet port; an RJ11 port; and a serial and parallel port.
These are VERY interesting days. I might have to order one of these to do a bake off.
You can read the full article here: http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS7114714037.html
-Mr. Zonbu
