New Subscription Service for Computersby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 18 May 2007 04:47 AM The Linux-based Zonbox may be the first to offer subscription-based computing. When I think of things to subscribe to, my mind always goes to magazines. From there I can expand my thinking to cable and now music and movie services, but I don't know if I am quite ready to jump on the bandwagon of recognizing computing as a subscription service. After all, we own (not rent) our home and cars. We also own our music and movies (I guess I am too far old school). I thought about possibly joining something like Netflix, but I haven't yet made the leap. So now a company called Zonbu gives us the option of renting, in essence an operating system, complete with software and Internet access. The Zonbox is a small form factor (SFF) PC. An SFF is a small, compact machine that takes up very little space and offers the basics in computing. It usually requires less energy to run than a standard PC machine. The Zonbox comes with a Linux operating system (OS), $2,000 worth of applications, including 20 open source applications, all fully patched and up to date. The cost of the system is approximately $99 (it hasn't been released yet, so prices could change) up front and then $12.95 a month for the subscription fee. The company says that the Zonbox will save users around $10 a month in energy costs. The monthly fee includes such things as unlimited Internet support, network storage space and remote data access. Other features of the system include the following: an Intel compatible CPU, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of flash-based storage, a very basic graphics set, VGA out, audio in / out, WiFi, a Compact Flash (CF) reader, a pair of PS/2 ports, six additional USB ports for peripherals, and built-in Ethernet. Mary Ann Romans writes about her family's money saving secrets in the Frugal Living Blog here at Families.com Related Articles: Computing Review: April 23rd to May 4th Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantcomputers tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags computers, Linux, Subscription service, zonbox Discuss this article
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