Refurbished Everex Laptops at Walmart

You can't beat these prices:

Everex StepNote 15.4" Widescreen Laptop PC w/ 1.5 GHz VIA C7-M processor, Refurbished at Walmart for $398 as of February 27, 2006.

	15.4" diagonal TFT screen with DiamondBrite Technology
		Active-matrix widescreen LCD offers WXGA resolution of 1280 x 800
	1.5 GHz VIA C7-M processor with 256 KB cache)
		For quick, efficient operation
	512 MB of DDR2 SDRAM
		Ample memory has 533 MHz speed and can be expanded to 2 GB
	Spacious 60 GB hard drive
		Store your MP3s, JPEGs, files and more
	Versatile DVD+/-RW dual optical drive
		Burn your own DVDs and CDs on a variety of blank media formats

Additional Features:

• Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
• Graphics: S3 UniChrome Pro with Chromation CE video display engine
  
• Audio: AC'97 with headphone/line-out jack and microphone/line-in jack
• Wireless LAN: IEEE 802.11b/g
  
• Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps LAN
  
• Fax/modem: Built-in 56K v.92 with 1 x RJ-11 telephone jack
  
• I/O ports: 1 x DB 15-pin VGA port, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x DC-in jack
  
• Pointing device: 2-button glide pad
  
• Software: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2, CyberLink Power DVD, CyberLink Power2Go, Norton Internet Security (trial version)
  
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
  
• AC-DC adapter: 65 watts
  
• AC adapter measurements: 4.25" (L) x 1.75" (W) x 1.13" (H)
  

I plan to ditch Windows XP Home and install Linux. However, to preserve the license that has been granted for using Windows XP Home with the Everex, I will backup the drive if it doesn't come with restoration cds. I'll probably use Xubuntu. Xubuntu linux runs well on the Satellite 5205-S703.

I'm very surprised that I can't find any published attempts to install linux on this beast. To be sure, my attempts will be published. In my research I found positive reviews about the efficiency of the processor, which is good. If worse comes to worse I can always use Puppy Linux or Damn Small Linux to brute force the laptop into being something useful. When in doubt, install linux!