Fancy a FREE new computer ?

[Viper]

www.metronomy.co.uk/

this is for real it was on the BBCi website at the beginning of the week, a few catches though

[centurion07]

Bargain! I don't see a problem with that. You have to make sure you insert the advertising cd into the pc, it doesn't say anything about actually sitting there & watching them. Same goes for connecting to the net.

[Mad Dave]

a)its on loan
b)they monitor what you use it for, by it logging onto the net
c)you have to stick it on your home insurance
d)i doubt youll be able to stick your own software on


Still a good deal though if you dont mind those conditions.

[puggit]

It's a minute of ads per 20mins - not condusive to gaming.

3mins per hour would be great for tea breaks and loo breaks though

[Viper]

a couple of colleagues with old banger PC's signed up on monday lunchtime, 6000 had been accounted for, there is supposed to be 2 million available !
be interesting to see the outcome





>> Edited by Viper on Thursday 18th December 14:49

[miniman]

It's an interesting concept. I initially thought "I could just rip out the hard disk and stick a new one in and reinstall Windows" but presumably if the PC doesn't log in to their service regularly, they'll be round to get it back. It could get a bit tedious, but it's still a free PC at the end of the day...

[TheLemming]

Viper said:

a couple of colleagues with old banger PC's signed up on monday lunchtime, 6000 had been accounted for, there is supposed to be 2 million available ! be interesting to see the outcome >> Edited by Viper on Thursday 18th December 14:49

2 million PCs?

Cant be, surely...

The sheer cost of the exercise would be mindblowing. Even if you cost then out at £350 per pc as refurbs (and thats a low estimate) then do the muliplication...

[g4ry13]

Or you could just use it for parts and not stick to their contract Do you think they'd come round and repo it if you didn't keep to the contract? They said "disable" what does that mean?

>> Edited by g4ry13 on Thursday 18th December 15:00

[Viper]

miniman said:

It's an interesting concept. I initially thought "I could just rip out the hard disk and stick a new one in and reinstall Windows" but presumably if the PC doesn't log in to their service regularly, they'll be round to get it back. It could get a bit tedious, but it's still a free PC at the end of the day...

thats what i thought as well, it would drive me crazy adverts popping up all the time, doesn't suit me but there's bound to be some here that arent bothered





IBM to give away two million computers to British homes

WHAT THE SUNDAY PAPERS SAID


THE BUSINESS

AMERICAN computing giant IBM is set to unveil plans to give away two million personal computers - worth £800 each - to British households. The move would mark IBM’s return to the consumer PC market. The company aims to generate revenues by showing one minute of advertising for every 20 minutes of computer use.

IBM is working with a British start-up company called Metronomy, which will distribute the machines. The scheme will be spread over the next three years, with the first shipment of 200,000 PCs due to be delivered to the UK early next year.






>> Edited by Viper on Thursday 18th December 15:12

[MilnerR]

I've just registered. I could do with a computer to use as a broadband internet gateway.

[Mr Burns]

Excellent

[/Mr Burns]

[Roadrage]

I smell a scam or some thing nastyer.

wouldent touch with a ten foot pole.

second thorts a few doge names a empty house or two
a quick reinstall.

[simpo two]

Heard of spy software, but spy *hardware*?

[stc_bennett]

It really depends if the adverts are interactive, if they are interactive then its a pain as you will have to sit and follow the on screen prompts.

if they are passie then i think its not at all that bad

[Roadrage]

stc_bennett said:

It really depends if the adverts are interactive, if they are interactive then its a pain as you will have to sit and follow the on screen prompts. if they are passie then i think its not at all that bad

im shaw the softwere could be ajusted to behave corectly. ie no adverts but all so to report back you watched em.

may be prity hard for them to prove legly that you dident watch em.