Jewish World Review August 20, 2004 / 3 Elul 5764
Why not take the easy way out?
By Mark Kellner
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com |
How far should you as a computer buyer go in letting someone else "put it
all together" for you? Two recent offers raise this question for more than
just a few of us.
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JWR contributor Mark Kellner has reported on technology for industry newspapers and magazines since 1983, and has been the computer columnist for The Washington Times since 1991.Comment by clicking here.
One to buy, one to skip
First, it was The Walt Disney Co. that rolled out a $900 child-friendly PC.
Last week, Dulles, Virginia-based AOL said they'll ship a PC to your door,
with your choice of English- or Spanish-language software, for under $300,
so long as you commit to a year of AOL's Internet service. Total price for
the basic AOL PC and monitor is around $600, albeit with Internet access as
part of the package.
I panned the Disney offering as way too expensive for what's delivered. The
firm's outside public relations representative says a demo might change my
mind, but that's for the future. A basic look at the components and pricing
of the Disney offering still raise questions in my mind.
For example, at Costco stores recently, I saw an all-in-one Sony Vaio PC
that is good enough for a whole family to use, let alone the kids. The price
was $999, and almost every aspect of the Sony computer outshined the Disney
device.
My point isn't to knock Disney, per se, but rather to suggest that diligent
shopping - at the discount stores as well as at a good computer reseller
such as Best Buy or CompUSA - is very likely to yield more than a couple of
choices that meet, or beat, the prepackaged systems.
The AOL Optimized PC might make deciding a bit more difficult for some
consumers. The basic model includes an Intel Celeron processor running at
2.0 GHz, 256MB of RAM, a 56K modem, a 40GB hard drive, an 10/100MB Ethernet
connector an Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. There's also a 52x CD-ROM
drive, a 3.5-inch floppy drive, a 17-inch CRT monitor, a color inkjet
printer, speakers, keyboard, and a mouse. (For an extra $100, they'll
upgrade the CD drive to a CD-RW and double the hard disk space; that seems a
fair price.)
None of this is flashy, but it's certainly enough for most basic computing
tasks, such as logging on to AOL, which is of course pre-loaded on the
machine.
Also in place is an AOL-branded version of Sun Microsystem's StarOffice
software, which handles word processing, spreadsheet and presentation
graphics. You can configure the AOL software to run in English or Spanish,
and the firm is making an effort to reach Spanish-speaking households with
the new product.
It sounds interesting, and if a family is committed to AOL in any event,
extending that commitment for 12 months (which is an iron-clad requirement
of the PC deal) seems like a fair request.
Again, though, if you wander into any computer store, you might find a
newer, faster, better PC for about the same total price of $586.79, or less.
Buying your own monitor, printer and Internet access would be extras, but
you'd end up with a more powerful machine and no AOL contract hanging over
your head.
These are individual choices, and that's what must be stressed here. AOL
will offer its PC through Office Depot stores, making it easy to pick up and
take home. But while there, a smart consumer might do well to browse some of
the other aisles, walking out with an even greater value.
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