May 10, 2005
Via Plans $250 PC
Via plans to launch a $250 PC in September or October that will include a 1 ghz processor and 128MB of memory. Currently Walmart sells a Linux PC with 128MB and an AMD processor for $199 and a Intel/Windows combo for $320. Via is innovating by using a read only flash memory to store the application and operating system. This protects the PC from any viruses, but also limits upgrades.The proposed price for the Terra, which includes a monitor, is achieved by picking components with cost in mind. The system, for instance, will run an older 1GHz processor from Via, Pradhan said. It will also come with 128MB of memory, about one-quarter the amount found on typical desktops these days, and a small drive.
