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PC purchases traditionally involve choosing a Windows operating system. But now your OS choices are broader. Walmart.com, the online arm of the world's largest retailer, is offering a line of ultrabasic Microtel PCs equipped with a Linux-based OS from Lindows.com. We took a look at the $299 Sysmar701 with LindowsOS 1.1, an interesting entry-level PC somewhat hampered by LindowsOS 1.1's odd mixture of polish and omissions.

Our Sysmar701 had an 850-MHz Duron processor, a 10GB hard drive, 128MB of RAM, a 22X-52X CD-ROM drive, a Trident Blade video card, a modem, an ethernet card, a keyboard, and speakers, but no floppy drive or monitor. Owners also may download any three pieces of Linux software in the Lindows.com online Click-N-Run Warehouse software library for free (via their own existing Internet connection).

Streamlined

Our Microtel system booted straight to LindowsOS 1.1, a KDE 3 desktop modified to remove some friendly features that would be unfamiliar to Windows users. Version 1.1 limits Linux's inherent security by essentially logging you in with administrator privileges, which could allow a user to inadvertently open the PC to outside attack or cause some system damage.

Despite this model's humble hardware, with Linux in charge it zips right along, doing a good job of Web browsing, e-mail, and office work. The desktop contains familiar, Windows-like icons. The Start menu is neatly organized, but most of its folders contain only a single entry, Add, which when selected takes you to Click-N-Run. There (for $99 annually) you get easy, unlimited access to downloads of more than 1600 software packages. However, we were not always directed to exactly what we needed. For instance, OpenOffice.org's office suite wasn't categorized under Word Processing.

Lindows.com tracks what you download; even if you let your subscription lapse, your software remains accessible to you--for as many personal PCs running LindowsOS as you like. This is convenient, but it feels odd to pay for access to a collection of software that can mostly be found for free elsewhere on the Web.

As advertised, it took us exactly one click to download and install each software package we selected on Click-N-Run, including OpenOffice.org, GnuCash personal accounting software, and RealPlayer 8. Thanks to the included Wine software, which makes it possible for Windows applications to run on Linux, we even installed Office 2000 straight from the CD-ROM. However, most other Windows software--including games--will not run on this system.

Final Verdict?

Right now the Microtel Sysmar701 with LindowsOS 1.1 is a workable, inexpensive PC for users who aren't wedded to Windows and whose needs are simple. However, whether this is an awkward but promising entry in an emerging field or just a footnote in PC history remains to be seen.

SUMMARY

Microtel Sysmar701 List: $299 Walmart.com

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