The New Internet Computer (NIC) was a Linux-based internet appliance released July 6, 2000 by Larry Ellison's and Gina Smith's New Internet Computer Company. The system (without a monitor) sold for US$199.[1][2][3]
| Manufacturer | New Internet Computer Company |
|---|---|
| Type | Internet Appliance |
| Release date | July 6, 2000 |
| Introductory price | $199[1] |
| Discontinued | June 2003 |
| Units sold | Less than 50,000 |
| Operating system | Linux |
| CPU | 266 MHz Cyrix MII |
| Memory | 64 MB RAM |
| Storage | 4 MB Flash Memory |
| Connectivity | 10 MBps Ethernet 56K Modem Two USB 1.1 ports |
| Power | 60 Watt Power Supply |
| Online services | NetZero |
The NIC boots from a CD-ROM with a custom Linux distribution developed by Wim Coekaerts. It has no hard drive and no way to install additional software.[1] The system's only non-volatile storage is 4 MB of flash memory.
Ellison planned to sell 5 million units the first year, but fewer than 50,000 units were sold. The company shut its doors in June 2003. PC World ranked the NIC as the ninth worst PC of all time.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Tynan, Dan. The 10 Worst PCs of All Time, PC World, March 19, 2007
- ^ Biersdorfer, J.D. (28 September 2000). "Internet Appliance Eliminates Hard Drive". New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- ^ "CNET's Smith to head Ellison's new firm". American Cities Business Journals. BizJournals.com. 7 February 2000. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
External links
edit- Internet Appliance Eliminates Hard Drive J.D. Biersdorfer, New York Times, September 28, 2000
- Wim Coekaerts is Oracle's Mr. Linux Steve Lipson, Oracle Magazine
- Linux and the New Internet Computer Billy Hall, Linux Journal, February 2001
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