If you want windows, buy a pc with windows or build your own. As far as general users using linux, well why are retailers selling it? H'mm curious I wonder why Asus is selling so many ee notebooks.

The review was acceptable as far as the criticisms of the hardware goes - there were some issues that needed addressing.

The problem is with the unmerited slamming of Linux as the included OS.

I would like to ask the author when was the last time he tried to install Windows, either XP or Vista, on contemporary hardware? What did he do when he came up short a few drivers?

Here is the truth - The latest Ubuntu distros will install without ever requiring a driver hunt - this is especially true compared to VISTA where much contemporary hardware is NOT supported and may NEVER be supported, not to mention the horrible BLOAT and INEFFICIENCY.

Here you can get a reasonably fast, feature rich desktop (browser, email client, instant messaging, full office, multimedia) machine for $200 and the author wants to whine about all the Windows programs he can't buy and install.

GIVE ME A BREAK!

That is why the story got a thumbs down from me - TOTAL RUBBISH!

CD Baric

I believe that the article is misleading. Those systems are plenty good for non experts and they will allow users to do what they want, as long as they don't assume that they are working with windows (like the reviewer did). In normal use it is not required to use a command line at all, unless you choose to.

On 3/3/08 I received my Mirus MIRLC420V(ordered via Sears.com on 2/28/08). Its Model No. is similar to the one you tested and evaluated,namely SITLC420. That same day my copy of PCWorld arrived at my home. On 3/4/08 I unpacked the carton, relaxed, and thumbed thru PCWorld Mag. Needless to say, I was shaken re the apparent folly of my purchase. But upon closer reading of your article, Mr. Stafford, I concluded all sorts of discrepancies and biases needed to be addressed. As one who put his money where his mouth is, I feel justified in my rebuttal.

First of all, just because I shop at Sears, etc doesn't mean I necessarily operate on a tight budget. I used Sears as a weathervane to corroboratet that an inexpensive Linux Desktop is commercially viable in a venue that will permit me to surf, eMail and play Solitaire, etc as befitting my senior/retired status. Sears, I'm confident, will subsequently give me leverage should there be rebate problems.

To me, the computer is a tool similar to Sears Craftsman tools that also afford good value. Sears "sales blurb hype" suggested that Freespire/Mirus offers such a value. I'll report on this the future as I slowly progress.

In the meantime I'd like to comment on your comments. Mirus did come with a Manual, unfortunately it was a User Guide for the ASUS Motherboard P5GC-MX/1333. Based on my reading of this same manual, while marginally useful to my info needs, it did describe the quality features of the MotherBoard: product highlights such as- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2; ASUS EZ Flash, ASUS Q-Fan Technology plus more. Most of which I technically didn't really appreciate but sure sounded suspiciously like I'm paying "Fair Prices for Superior products. Keyboard, Mouse and Speakers is a subjective/relative issue; your verdict should not be held as gospel.

Some one else mentioned cumbersome, a non-technical, subjective label signifying, nothing and of NO help to me in evaluating the product, whether you meant hardware, Linux OS or both.

My Sears rebate offer states "allow 8-10 weeks" not your reported 3-4 months. I'm mailing mine in today 3-7-08, I'll report back on my rebate's receipt.. If there should be a problem, I'm sure that I, as a valued SEARS customer will be ok..

Incidentally, one other reason I went with this purchase was to finally abandon my corrupted WinME PC (and its lack of support) so I may use its VGA monitor to complete the FreeSpire/Mirus package. Right now I Ethernet cabled the Mirus to my NetGear Router RT314 and am gaining the courage to see just what I really have as soon as I log on to my cable ISP.

Should I get into trouble, I'll call the 877 toll free number referenced on my packing slip (and also stickered on my desktop's case, despite your assertion that no such support exists for Mirus. I tried calling it last evening, waited 3 minutes for a tech's voice in response. I had also tried earlier that morningduring prime-time but gave up after an hour and ten minutes. The latter, incidentally, is my average chat waiting time when seeking support from my Win-XP's Anti-Virus Security provider, using off-shore techs.

Finally, I surmise you "discouraged" cheap, Linux OS PCs since wanderers such as I, would no longer lean on PCWorld for a constant barrage of "fixes", help, etc. thus reducing my time perusing "Windows"-related ads,etc.

This is my first posting ever to a PC computer-related Forum and I don't know if my snail-paced follow-up postings will be possible and/or of value. I guess time will tell.

With hopeful optimism I'll be usung my Freespire/Mirus to access this site and make my reports. Some one please advise me if I'm taking all this too seriously and I'll crawl back into my shell.

The fact that manufacturers cannot build a great linux machine for cheap is ridiculous. Look at the lime-green laptop; 200 bucks for a laptop! Desktops should cost a fraction of laptops.

If your hardware maker doesn't support Linux then blame the hardware maker. Linux supports tons of hardware but it can never support everything if the manufactures don't cooperate. Most of the world is slowly seeing the benefits of and moving towards Linux. If the US doesn't keep up it will be passed up.

How can you claim a $200 computer isn't
a bargain? If you can get online, send email, shop eBay, write a
letter to grandma, etc, then it's totally a bargain. To expect more
for this price is really naive. And to complain about the low quality
parts is ridiculous. Of course it has cheap components - that's why
it's cheap.

As for the Linux OS, I don't think Mr.
Stafford is a qualified and unbiased reviewer. He clearly knows
little about modern Linux distributions. For example, you don't need
to the command line to run Linux - to admin it, maybe; to install it,
maybe; to use it, decidedly NO. Come on, quit shilling for MS and
admit that Linux is a serious contender. It's not perfect, yet, but
it's certainly worth serious consideration. (Full Disclosure - This
review was written entirely on a Linux box that purrs like a kitten.)