Wal-Mart to sell build-your-own computers

Reuters reports that Wal-Mart is preparing to put "build your own computer counters" in 1200 of its 3200 stores, with plans to do so in at least 1400 by the end of the year.

This could prove to be pretty interesting, I wonder if the're going to color code matching components?

{My real hope is, prices should come down on a lot hardware.}
 
Maybe everyone will take up building their own computers as a hobby, not just to have some extra PC's around the home, but to hand them out as gifts on a key chain ~ like I do!


changed link to point to our news article

rom, what are the specs on that thing?

The Shimafuji SEMC5701 board is powered by a MIPS-based SoC from NEC, and is best known for its use in the wall-wart-sized Teacube, T-Cube, or Tangerine Cube from Personal Media Corp.

Shimafuji's SEMC5701 measures just 2.05 x 2.05 x 1.77 inches (52 x 52 x 48mm). It is based on an NEC Vr5701, clocked at 266MHz or 333MHz. It includes 16MB of Flash, along with 64MB of RAM. I/O interfaces include 10/100 Ethernet, USB, CompactFlash, AC97 audio, and a D-sub 9 RS-232 serial port. The board also offers a D-sub 15 video port, and supports VGA (640 x 480), XGA (800 x 600), and SXGA (1024 x 768) resolutions. It includes an RV5C348B real-time clock. The board accepts 5V DC input, and operates at 0 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Here's a reference list of small systems that can serve as ready-made platforms for prototyping applications, or as the basis of application-specific Linux-based systems and devices.

Walmart is ok for some things. But build your own comp. parts. What kind of quality could they sell for less.
And the other problem is that they seldom have an extended warranty. Why, so they can sell them for less. And try to find a knowledge staff. You want a what processor? Capable of what? And it has to fit a what? Nah, I will pass. 

If walmart can offer the same parts as I would get at newegg for cheaper prices then I'd definately buy from them.

walmart, gonna have alot of unhappy hillbillies who blew up a homebuilt computer :-0

i can see it now. a trailer with a mainboard on blocks on the front lawn...

while many people rail against wally world much as they rail against any other large company, look at the bright side.
wal-mart gives a lot of poor people a way to stretch their budget a little better than with regular supermarkets. the only reason i personally don't go there much is because i prefer shopping at costco for the basics because they are even cheaper.