Using Open Source to Make Money on Generic PCs

Using Open Source to Make Money on Generic PCs

Jun 8, 2006
1 minute read
eWeek content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

Say youre in the business of making PCs. And, you want to make money at this business.

Its not easy. There was a time in the 90s when you could slap some cards into a motherboard, put a generic gray case around the electronics, stick an ad in Computer Shopper, and start cashing the checks.

That was a long time ago.

Today, margins on “white boxes”—generic PCs from non-brand-name vendors—are razor-thin.

When everyone in the world bundles Windows XP with their PCs, why not try something different so you can stand out from the crowd? Do these companies want their PCs to be just another pink flamingo in a flock of flamingos?

Besides, with XP Home Edition OEM (original equipment manufacturer) version running around $80 per copy, Windows alone makes up a big part of the price of any PC. When customers take only ten seconds on the Web to find the best-price for a computer, every dime matters.

Now, the well-known Australian open-source business, Cybersource Pty., has an idea on how to stand out and increase reseller margins: the Cybersource Systembuilder Margin Doubler Toolkit.

/zimages/5/28571.gifRead the full story on Linux-Watch: Using Open Source to Make Money on Generic PCs

eWeek Logo

eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site's focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.