Forget for a moment that Lindows, a San Diego-based company, has tangled with Microsoft in court over the name and its claim to run such Microsoft programs as Word, Excel and Powerpoint. How does it work? The Via C3 800MHz processor, with 128MB of memory and a 10GB hard drive, is muscular enough to perform all the basic tasks like Web surfing and using Instant Messenger–all with preloaded AOL-Netscape software. You can’t run many store-bought programs, but Lindows offers an alternative with a $129-per-year subscription to its online Click-N-Run warehouse, where you can download Lindows programs like customized Palm sync software. Overall, the machine is an effective, cheap option for experienced users who want a second PC in their home. For those hooked on the software that Bill Gates built, Walmart.com offers a similar computer with Windows XP for $299.
