14 DAY TRIAL // Another personal computer vendor is walking on Dell's steps, Everex, by unveiling its latest PC with Ubuntu Linux-based open-source productivity applications and Google-based Web 2.0 software, which costs only $198.
The machine, called Everex Green gPC TC2502, comes with famous applications from Mozilla, Skype, Google and OpenOffice.org. It uses gOS Initial G, a Ubuntu Linux 7.10 based operating system, that features a simple and intuitive Enlightenment E17 desktop interface, themed around Google. GOS is independent from Google, and "Google Apps" is not bundled with the operating system. The company chose Enlightenment because it needs minimal resources for its interface, rather than GNOME or KDE. You should be happy to hear this: the system comes with a lifetime of free revisions and updates!
John Lin, general manager of Everex, stated: "There has been a latent demand for a consumer-friendly Linux operating system, generating countless inquires from customers seeking an alternative PC experience. The vision behind gPC was to provide mainstream users with all their favorite applications wrapped in a no-compromise, low-cost, consumer-friendly product. We're simply giving the people what they want. Everex enlisted the collective intelligence of users throughout the world. Customers love Google products, so we added them. Hackers want administrative privileges, so we provided it. The ultimate potential of a mainstream, open-source PC is tremendous."
The gPC is powered by a VIA C7-D processor, at 1.5GHz, that only draws a maximum of 20W. The system doesn't make too much noise, working somewhere around 28dB. GPC comes with 512MB of RAM, a 80GB hard disk and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW. It also has the following ports: an RJ45 Ethernet port, six USB 2.0, a serial, an RJ11 and parallel port. For graphics, the system uses a VIA UniChrome Pro chipset on the motherboard, which uses 64MB of the system's memory.
As pre-installed software, you will have Mozilla Foxfire - Firefox with Google Pack included -, GIMP, Xing Movie Player, Skype, and many other applications.