You can have your computer and save money, too

November 12th, 2008 By Lou Dolinar

Ever wonder how much money you could save on computing if you put your mind to it? PCs and Macs can be fabulously expensive if you want peak performance and bells and whistles. But a fairly modest investment is good enough for the basics of Internet and office applications.

---

Content from McClatchy-Tribune Information Services expires 90 days after original publication date. For more information about McClatchy-Tribune Information Services, please visit www.mctdirect.com .

---

Similar stories from PHYSorg:

Money management sites promise financial salvation

Mar 17, 2009 | 3.7 / 5 (3) | 0

'Sleep talking' PCs save energy and money

Apr 24, 2009 | 4.8 / 5 (16) | 6

Stop counting sheep (and hitting snooze)

Jan 19, 2009 | 3.8 / 5 (4) | 2

Electronic health records are valuable but won't be a panacea

Apr 29, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

IBM Accelerates Virtual Desktop With Breakthrough Solution

Sep 16, 2008 | 4 / 5 (13) | 1

• twango - Nov 13, 2008
  • Current rank
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Rank: not rated yet
  • rate
  Here we are, 24 years after the Mac was introduced, and still reading articles that are oblivious to anything but PCs.
  
  There's plenty of good, free software for Macs too. It takes about a half-hour to find and write about.
  • flag
• raron - Nov 13, 2008
  • Current rank
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Rank: not rated yet
  • rate
  How is it possible to mention Adobe photoshop in an article about cheap computing, and not mention GIMP, or GIMPshop? http://www.gimp.org/
  http://www.gimpshop.com/
  
  They are open source and available for Windows, Linux and Mac's, and in most cases, more than good enough for the casual user. And the more advanced ones too, I'd say.
  
  • flag
• h0dges - Nov 13, 2008
  • Current rank
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Rank: not rated yet
  • rate
  And the Acer Aspire One! Awesome laptop!
  • flag
• raron - Nov 13, 2008
  • Current rank
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Rank: not rated yet
  • rate
  h0dges: I couldn't agree more!
  
  Currently running Ubuntu 8.10 on it (A110, 1.5 GB RAM), with compiz. Amazing stuff! I followed some hints from this guide: https://help.ubun...One110L, in particular the video 3D and wireless stuff. Works like a charm! And "the cube" works without distorted windows and smooth turning!
  
  There is also an Ubuntu 8.10 umpc (ultra mobile PC) install I haven't tested yet: http://cdimage.ub...release/
  Maybe I won't, in a while at least. I really like it as it is now, even though there are some minor issues with the low screenheight resolution (1024x600).
  
  • flag