China DOS Union

Lindows, the Linux software developer, is once again challenging Microsoft by launching the Lindows Media Computer entertainment software, similar to Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center. PC maker Idot is a small company very experienced in online direct sales, and it will be introducing a Lindows Media Computer system.

According to Idot, the new computer will come with some home entertainment features, including DVD playback and digital music recording and playback. The new product will officially go on the market early next month, priced at $330 without a monitor. In a statement, Lindows CEO Michael Robertson said the company's goal is to use lower-priced PCs to replace some home entertainment devices. He said: "Computers retailing for under $350 will, in addition to their normal personal computer functions, also have features such as DVD player and CD player capabilities."

The launch of the above multimedia PC seems to be a response to Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center, but these PCs do not have some of the features found in Microsoft's product, such as TV program recording and remote control. Idot's PC product is based on Via Technologies' budget processor, similar to the Lindows PCs sold at Wal-Mart, with an added DVD drive and some bundled software. For its DVD recording and playback product, Lindows uses Elegant's etDVD program.