Aussies! Grab a sub $200 Linux desktop - today only!

By David M Williams
Wednesday, 25 March 2009 18:32

Opinion and Analysis

Impulse-buy retailer Zazz.com.au has sold computers in the past, but today's deal is a special one to my heart. For less than $200 including freight you get a Dell Optiplex desktop computer with Ubuntu Linux loaded and guaranteed fully working. However, you only have today to go for it.

Zazz is an irreverent Australian on-line storefront that flogs off a product for 24 hours only (or until sold out, whichever comes first) before switching to the next item at midnight.

It is undoubtedly heavily influenced by Woot, with its "One day, one deal" mantra, and is equally as popular with both sites running forums that run amok with crazed non-product postings, promoting fun, friendship and contests.

The community is definitely as much a part of Zazz as is the product and it's easy to see why Zazz has remained strong while other Woot-derivatives in Australia have fallen by the wayside.

Today's Zazz - for Thursday 26th March - is a Dell Optiplex desktop computer. If you read this after Thursday then you've missed it; Zazz might well be selling a poker chip travel set or a Big Brother bean bag instead.

Specifically, the computer is a Dell Optiplex GX520 and while not new is refurbished and is still supported on Dell's web site. It runs a Pentium 4 3.0GHz processor, contains 1GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, a DVD reader/CD writer combo, six USB ports, plus integrated audio, video and ethernet.

What is most impressive is that Zazz are selling this machine with Ubuntu Linux pre-installed. Someone else will have gone to the effort of loading it on and ensuring all drivers work. You will receive a fully-working Ubuntu system in the mail just as if you'd gone with that other, brand-name, operating system!

Best of all, the whole price - including freight - is less than $200. Specifically, $179.70 and they take PayPal as well as credit card payments. Here's a chance to use your lazy cash from e-Bay sales.

You may buy additional computers, up to three, with the price reducing $9.95 (including freight) for the second and third machines.

You need to supply your own monitor, keyboard and mouse - but to get a fully working and relatively modern Ubuntu Linux desktop computer sent direct for less than $200 is undoubtedly a great deal.

So, no excuse; if you've wanted to check out Linux or if you've considered setting up your own home server or media centre, or you want a second computer for the children or student or partner in your life get to it. You've only got today.