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NEW COMPUTERS WITHOUT WINDOWS

"So you want to purchase a new car? Well you're in luck! We have brand new models being offered at fabulously low prices! What's the catch? Well... None of them comes with an engine. But hey! You can always add an engine of your choice after you bring it home!" So how fast would you flee from the showroom upon hearing those words from a car salesperson?

Well Wal-Mart is betting that you won't run for the hills when you see their new line of computers being sold without an operating system. In what many are viewing as the latest marketing ploy to combat sticker shock, both Wal-Mart and Walmart.com have introduced a line of its Microtel brand of computers that come without any software and without a screen. Granted it does bring the purchase price way down (prices start at $399) but it's artificial since you still have to buy what's missing anyway. And why is this being offered at Wal-Mart? The kind of people who buy computers sans operating systems and screens probably aren't looking at Wal-Mart. The technology savvy are more often found frequenting computer mail order houses and flea markets that sell components from which entire systems can be assembled.

So then who's shopping for computers at Wal-Mart? More than likely it's the average person looking for their first computer system. And that's the last person to whom you want to sell a computer with no operating system. A novice really needs to have a computer that comes complete and ready to go. Sure one can buy Windows separately but it will cost an extra $100 or more plus how much is your time worth? For starters, consider that the generic version of Windows purchased separately may not have all the drivers required by your new system, and even an experienced user can take hours loading and setting everything up correctly. There's a lot of value to having the operating system pre-installed and properly configured to all the hardware you buy.

While I tip my hat to Wal-Mart for trying something different, I strongly advise computing newcomers to buy their computers with the operating system already installed and with everything properly set up so that it's ready to run right out of the box.

Routers go wireless

With today's high speed broadband Internet access services such as cable modems and DSL becoming more popular, many are finding they want to have more than one computer in their home or office communicating with each other and sharing access to the Internet. A router lets several computers share the one Internet account but what if those computers are located in different rooms? And what if you'd like to take your laptop out to the back yard and check your email? Wires can get in the way and besides, having Cat-5 Ethernet cables strewn across the living room floor probably won't win you any interior design awards nor the affection of your significant other. Wireless is the way to go and Actiontec has just introduced their latest wireless router and DSL modem combination unit. With a built-in firewall and a range of up to 300 feet, any PC can surf without wires and the clutter of a separate router and DSL modem. Actiontec also offers a wireless-ready router to which you can add a card making it wireless. For more details and pricing, check out their web site at: www.actiontec.com.