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Wal-Mart calls it quits for Linux machines in their stores

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:14 pm
by greggh
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080310/ap_ ... x_computer
NEW YORK - Computers that run the Linux operating system instead of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows didn't attract enough attention from Wal-Mart customers, and the chain has stopped selling them in stores, a spokeswoman said Monday.

"This really wasn't what our customers were looking for," said Wal-Mart Stores Inc. spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien.
Well, that was fast. :roll:

Edit: They will continue to sell some Linux machines on the website only.

Re: Wal-Mart calls it quits for Linux machines in their stores

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:20 pm
by dann
Then further down in the article you read:
Wal-Mart sold out the in-store gPC inventory but decided not to restock, O'Brien said. The company does not reveal sales figures for individual items.
So obviously it was a failure. I know when I operate a store in the future I will make sure not to stock items that sell out anymore. I mean, come on, I just have to keep putting the back on the shelf after I unload them from the truck.

Makes you wonder what the real storey is here.

Re: Wal-Mart calls it quits for Linux machines in their stores

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:23 pm
by greggh
dann wrote: Makes you wonder what the real storey is here.
You think maybe a little under the table payola from MS?

Re: Wal-Mart calls it quits for Linux machines in their stores

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:58 pm
by davijordan
In any case, I do not think Walmart knew how or wanted to know how to market the linux product You could not expect low paying Walmart employees to be a computer wizard. I would would prefer to have linux only sold by dealers that could really support the product anyway. Linux would therefore have more respect than being a dime store machine.