Zonbu And The Crew!
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Lately I have been working on my Zonbu box and while it is still very much in the beta stages in some areas, this has some real potential I believe. What I have found amusing however, is all of the morons out there who are NOT part of their target market whatsoever, trying to point out why it’s silly to pay for software that you can get for free - does this sound familiar? Yeah, Linspire went through the same thing back in 2001-2002. So to clear the air once and for all regarding Zonbu and its overall value. I will be pointing out the following:
You can either purchase a new Dell for your parents, kids, or whomever. Then download the desired software, hope to heck that they do not break something or install some sort of nasty malware and then find everyone looking at a huge repair bill. For the causal user, the regular PC is just too much for them.
Possible costs:
- Low end Dell box - $519 (w/17 in monitor) + (end up with more PC than the person needs for their modest use)
- Microsoft Office - at least $130 or pay someone to install Open Office, $50+ or more for their time. After all, Joe User has no clue where, how or even what Oo even is.
- Find out that some malware has infected the system, removal and repair - $100 or more.
- Lost data due to not backing up after unexpected hard drive failure - $priceless
Or instead, for those who have modest computing needs, buy a Zonbu.
- Cost for ‘PC-like box’ $370.95
- Compaq flat screen at Best Buy - $115
- Dynex mouse and keyboard combo at Best Buy - $34
- Malware costs - $0
- Support costs should something break - $0, Zonbu will actually replace your machine for up to three years.
- Automatic, remote, secure data back-up.
- Inclusion of popular Open Source software such as Evolution, Firefox, IM client, music client and the Open Office suite.
- Data loss due to product failure - $0 and its impossible so long as you have an active broadband connection.
Total for the Dell with general costs with MS Office and repairs: $749 (If the user is hip enough to understand how to download and install Open Office, subtract $130).
Total for Zonbu with general costs, Open Office and free repairs both remote and by mail: $519.
Remember each option is including monitor, keyboard/mouse and an office suite. While the Dell is going to be a faster box, it will also use more electricity and cost more. Most users simply do not need this. Especially the casual user. The Dell will also provide you with more hard drive space. Again, consider the market. For people checking their mail and browsing eBay, a 160GB drive is rather silly.
[tags]Linux,Windows, Dell[/tags]
6 Comments
Wolfhard
July 31st, 2007
at 7:23am
Hi Matt!
The whole concept sounds great but I saw that the Zonbu doesn’t have a harddrive - the data is SOLELY stored on Amazon’s SS3 service.
If you want to listen to an MP3 you first have to download it over the Internet - every time (if it’s not in the cache)??? That sounds very bad regarding speed…
So what’s your experience with this?
Martin Williams
July 31st, 2007
at 2:51pm
Where are you getting the $370.95 price for the Zonbu? Is this price including on the subscription plans?
Matt Hartley
July 31st, 2007
at 10:22pm
Wolfhard: It’s difficult to determine this entirely as it is still very much beta. But it seems that the CF card allows me to have a ‘real’, localized Home folder that syncs with the SS3 service.
Martin: Yeah, that is with the subscription pricing.
Mr. Zonbu
August 1st, 2007
at 4:37am
Matt,
Good piece, and I agree entirely. People are missing the point.
I was interested enough to order one and I’m using it for 30 days as my home desktop replacement to see what happens. So far it’s been a very good experience with a few “gotchas” but no serious show-stoppers.
I haven’t even delved in to the software value yet but I have to generally agree with your math. People don’t value their own time or the potential data loss viruses and spyware cause. If you’re the guy friends and family call when a PC breaks, the Zonbu can be a godsend.
You can read more about my experiences with it on my blog:
http://mrzonbu.wordpress.com
-Mr. Zonbu
mspellman
August 7th, 2007
at 8:37pm
The concept is great but there are issues, especially with networking and the banshee music player.
Network shares won’t stay connected, can’t be mapped or mounted, banshee won’t import your networked music if you wish to do so without copying the actual files over.
Don’t screw up your initial login or the machine shuts down.
That’s all I have had time to tinker with so far but I am sure there is more.
Read all the online reports from misc. ” Beta testers and reviewers???”
I guess they didn’t test or try much.
Yeah I know it’s Beta software but I did pay $300.00 + on someone else’s good word.
I think they will sort it all out and develop a fine product but don’t know how the market will react to a product that just isn’t quite ready for prime time.
Shame on you Pirrillo and Hartley
Matt Hartley
August 7th, 2007
at 9:45pm
mspellman: I am sorry to hear that networking and streaming over the network was not working out as expected. But I would point out that both Chris and I were clear in which market we claimed this was good for, as we never said anything about advanced networking needs.
Again, I am sorry about this and would point out that if you utilize their support option, I am willing to bet they will help you resolved this issue. Because this is open source in use here, it is bug reports that yield solutions to problems like this.
And finally, and I quote:
“If you are not fully satisfied with Zonbu, we have a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Please email us at contact@zonbu.com to get a Return Merchandise Authorization. Then simply return your device to us and we will fully reimburse you for the cost of the device and the hassle-free plan you signed up.”
http://www.zonbu.com/plans/commitment.htm
I’d suggest doing this for a full refund - you can’t possible be upset about a promise like that??