Walmart drops Everev

Wal-Mart will not restock its shelves with the Everex Green gPC or any of its successors, most of which run the Linux-based gOS operating system, the mega chain announced Monday. Citing lack of interest from customers, the store will continue offering the Linux-based gPC, its successor the gPC2, and the Everex CloudBook laptop on its website but will phase out the product from its retail locations. Buyers in this area are simply not asking for this kind of computer, the company says.

Wal-mart brought the $199 Green gPC and $299 gPC running Windows and more memory to approximately 600 stores in late October and sold out its inventory, but will not order more stock, a company spokesperson said. Sales figures for individual items are not revealed. Wal-Mart was the first retailer to stock the inexpensive $199 gPC, as opposed to selling it online. Everex brand manager Paul Kim says selling the gPC online is significantly more effective than selling it in stores.

Everex, or any other computers running the open-source operating system, can be sold at lower prices as the software does not carry any licensing fees with it. The gOS operating system makes more sense in entry-level, low-spec PCs and laptops, as it is not as draining on resources as Microsoft's latest, Windows Vista. Furthermore, the gOS, a variant of Ubuntu Linux, features a user-friendly interface and includes popular programs and applications pre-loaded, though none of them are from Microsoft. The general public represented in Wal-Mart customers likely shied away from the relatively unknown package. It is estimated Linux desktop market share hovers around 1 percent, leagues behind Microsoft and Apple's operating systems, and unlike its extensive usage in servers.

By Electronista Staff