MUST READ: Congress demands answers from Google over Glass privacy concerns

Topic: Linux

Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

Summary: Guess who's been missing from the Linux revolution? Senior citizens.

Sean Portnoy

By for Laptops & Desktops |

Guess who's been missing from the Linux revolution? Senior citizens. At least that's what KiWi PC is arguing with its new desktop.

Created by the folks who brought us the PeeWee PC for children, the KiWi PC runs a customized version of Ubuntu via an Intel Atom D510 processor, and comes with 2GB of RAM, 250GB hard drive, and a 19-inch monitor. You also get a color-coded keyboard as part of the $499.99 price.

A "Me Menu" provides easy access to frequently used Websites and applications, and icons and text are larger to make them easier to see for the visually impaired. There's also a software hub that makes it simpler to download Linux programs -- at least grandchildren better hope so, or they'll be getting calls to help Nana or Pop-Pop to "fix" the computer for them.

According to KiWi PC's makers, "Until now, there has not been an easy way for senior citizens to navigate the internet and stay connected to friends and family." That may not be true, at least based on what I've seen the last few times I've frequented the Apple Store. It looks like seniors have found a way to surf the Web and stay connected. It's called an iPad.

Topics: Linux, Hardware, Open Source, Operating Systems, Software

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Talkback

96 comments
Log in or register to join the discussion

  • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

    The price is a little steep for a Linux PC running on an Intel Atom D510 processor, it needs to be about $100 cheaper and then I'd actually probably get one for my kids. At $500 however, you might as well get a tablet.
    Socratesfoot
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

      @Socratesfoot
      A tablet would be worse for seniors they need bigger not small and compact. They need an over sized keyboard and a screen large enough to inlarge the text so the web pages dont look stupid. There seniors, not dummies.
      Stan57
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

        @Stan57 Yes, They're senior, and they are there. So there.
        RWooten1@...
        Reply Vote

      • Why do Seniors need over sized keyboards? My 85 year old finghers are the

        @Stan57
        weirml@...
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

      Sure seems that folks always try to present a negative to a positive if it makes some ones life just a little bit better.

      Part of purchase is 24/7 Support for one year.
      h-t-t-p://www.kiwipc.com/
      daikon
      Reply Vote

    • Just visited the site, the total was only $425

      @Socratesfoot
      Maybe I missed something, it was $380 for the pc+monitor and $45 for the highlighted keyboard, $425 total.
      ~doolittle~
      Reply Vote

    • agree it could be cheaper or beefier...

      @Socratesfoot <br>I agree with the price being too high, especially when you can get a PC bundle at your local retail store with dual core processor, 4GB RAM, 500 GB HD, 20" monitor, keyboard, mouse.... I saw a Dell bundle last week at Staples for 459.99 with all the above. Blow off Windows, add a free Ubuntu and all is right with the world with more of everything. I am sure one could make similar systems w/ Ubuntu or some other distro.<br><br>I do not think a 10.1" tablet would work as well. They tend to gravitate to larger screens not smaller due to eye sight.
      devlin_X
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

      Keep Such sharing ideas in the Future as well

      <a href="http://www.kreditkontroller.se/sms-lan-trots-betalningsanmarkning.html">Sms l?n trots betalningsanm?rkn</a>
      user202
      Reply Vote

    • smallville leather jacket

      Like this p.c
      http://www.celebswear.co.uk/products/Smallville-Superman-Shield-Black-Jacket.html
      tylerbrad99
      Reply Vote

  • another nail in M$ coffin

    The Linux revoulution is in full swing!
    Linux Geek
    Reply Vote

    • Yeah right - 1 down 1.2 billion to go

      @Linux Geek Keep dreaming, Linux at 0.85% is nowhere near over 300 million Windows 7 installations. Windows is growing, Linux and OS X are flat like pancakes.
      Mr. Dee
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

        @Mr. Dee <br><br>Nonsense. Even Steve Ballmer has mentioned that Linux has about 4-5% marketshare in desktops.<br><br><a href="http://www.osnews.com/story/21035/Ballmer_Linux_Bigger_Competitor_than_Apple" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.osnews.com/story/21035/Ballmer_Linux_Bigger_Competitor_than_Apple</a><br><br>I've made test of Linux markeshare in Finland and Sweden and noticed that non-geek/non-IT-blogsites about 6-8% of visiters are using Linux. Windows got about 84-86% marketshare.<br><br>You can also take a look at Wikimedia statistics:<br><br><a href="http://stats.wikimedia.org/wikimedia/squids/SquidReportOperatingSystems.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://stats.wikimedia.org/wikimedia/squids/SquidReportOperatingSystems.htm</a><br><br>

        Then there is W3schools history of markeshare of Linux (2003-2010)

        http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp

        Are you making money by spamming M$-FUD?
        Matsi66
        Reply Vote

      • Even at 1% or less...

        ...it keeps threatened windoze fanbuis like @Mr. Dee coming back for more.<br><br>Wasn't it Ballmer that said Linux was a "cancer"? My oh my... :O
        LTV10
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

        @Mr. Dee It goes without saying that M$ pays for FUD. And that most of it can be rejected as out and out lies. If M$ didn't have a death grip on the manufacturers they wouldn't sell 25% of what they do. Every Linux box sold as a Window box and was modified. So they may sell a lot but not many are being used. And the governments around the world have all turned open source. So your lies are unimpressive.
        FewClues@...
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

        @Mr. Dee
        In my house, my wife and a daughter have linux. My daughter has both a notebook and HTPC. This cuts down on my "tech support" calls in the family. My son and other daughter use windows. I use all of the above.
        Ubuntu has made computers easy, inexpensive and relatively safe.
        Open Office makes working with MS Office documents happen and the vast amount of free programs (or apps in today's speak) has something for everyone.
        It is time to open your eyes. Soon, Ubuntu will be on tablets as well.
        Remember, not that long ago Mac's only had about 4 or 5% market share.
        MS is the elephant. You eat the elephant byte by byte.
        coachgeorge
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

      @Linux Geek Orly? Explain this one to me, I would love to hear how a computer for the elderly running Linux is a nail in the MS coffin. I bet it won't sell well (despite it being a good idea but a little pricey). I bet senior citizens still choose a big ole Windows laptop over the kiWi PC. Why? Because they have heard of Windows. My Grandmother has never touched a computer a day in her life but she knows what MS and Windows are, which I am afraid is going to be a nail in the Linux coffin.

      The elderly won't recognize Linux and will therefore stay away from it.
      Bates_
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

        @Bates_
        Right-on! Plus, that keybord looks down right dorky!
        eargasm
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

        @Bates_
        I think most seniors have never heard of Windows, they need a simple UI for email and browsing with NO VIRUSES... For them, it is a computer and nothing else. This is how non technical users look at a computer...
        prof123
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

        @Bates_
        Explain this one to me. My aunt (who had never used a computer a day in her life) had heard of Windows. One of the first questions she asked when I set her machine up is how she'd protect herself from the viruses.
        There are plenty of seniors out there who would have the exact same question. My aunt is currently using Xubuntu without incident, happily.
        The elderly will recognize Windows and will therefore stay away from it.
        tmsbrdrs
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Linux for seniors? KiWi PC builds a Linux PC for grandma and grandpa

      @Linux Geek
      Must be a rusty nail. Because, it keeps breaking. But, thanks for playing!
      eargasm
      Reply Vote
CNET Join | Log In | Privacy | Cookies Close