Linux Mint Is In
Linux Mint is a derivative of the Ubuntu Linux operating system and has long been the number four home operating system behind Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS and Canonical's Ubuntu. With Ubuntu 11.10 Canonical pushed out the Gnome interface seeming to favor a mobile phone and tablet computer friendly interaction (called Unity) instead of the traditional desktop that most computer users are familiar with. For over six months Linux Mint has surpassed Ubuntu in downloads at Distro Watch as Linux users are moving away from Ubuntu because of this interface change.
After careful consideration Panther Computers now offers Linux Mint 12 as an alternative to Windows instead of Ubuntu.
Holiday Hours
Panther Computers Will be closed December Saturday the 24th through Monday the 26th reopening on Tuesday the 27th at 9am. We will also be closed Saturday December 31st and reopening normal hours on Monday the 2nd.
Hard Drive Shortages - Price Increases
Update: It is still projected to be summer time before production and supply chains recover from the impact of the flooding. Prices are still high, but we have adjusted our Panther PC prices to reflect the cuurrent market conditions so have stricken our earlier note of a "surcharge".
Due to the extensive flooding in Thailand, hard drive manufacturers are unable to produce sufficient quantities to meet market demands. All manufacturers are impacted and expected to be so until the first quarter of 2012. Panther Computers is securing lines of supplies, but many sources are rationing to prevent hoarding.
As in normal supply and demand economics, with the supply limited and demand increasing, prices are skyrocketing. Our cost on hard drives have jumped 300%, therefore our hard drive prices and all Panther Computer systems will have price increases to offset our increased costs.
At current supply and cost levels this equates to between $40-$60 per HDD or system. We are keeping the prices on the systems pages as they should be for normal market conditions, but pricing will be $40 more for systems for 500GB HDDs and $60 for 1TB HDDs and larger.
If hard drive prices get close to the cost for a similar sized solid state hard drive, we will begin substituting the SSD technology to give our clients better value. We do have limited supplies of refurbished and used drives for repairs or resale. As prices fluctuate, this article will be updated.
PCWorld Article (http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/242913/thai_floods_hit_q4_hard_drive_production_says_research_firm.html)
A Change In Our Approach
Panther Computers has decided to make our 7th Anniversary present permanent and provide our cash strapped economy free diagnostics. How can we do this? Will we adopt the hook you and crook you that some competitors do? Never!
Free Diagnostics
The Panther Computers store has been open for seven years and we are giving you, our customers, a birthday gift from us. Between March 31st and April 30th 2011 you can get a free diagnostic. Thats right, don\'t pay a diagnostic fee to find out your computer is dead. Only pay if you decide to get it fixed. Happy Birthday to us, and thank you for allowing us to serve you all these years. (computers brought in prior to March 31st are not eligible)
Introducing Cymophane
Panther Computers is increasing its value to our customers by adding Cymophane to our Panther Tuneups and on all new Panther PCs. Cymophane is a gemstone that is commonly known as "cats eye" thusly the name of our new application to give you insight to information about the applications installed on your PC. The Cymophane shortcut will be inside the Panther Utilities folder starting 2/11/2011.
Free Second Opinion
Panther Computers is now proud to be the first to offer you a FREE second opinion on hardware issues. Due to the high incidence of competitors misdiagnosing equipment due to inexperience or fraud, we will now double check any computer at no cost to you. Before you let them fix it, bring in their diagnosis or a receipt for a diagnostic fee within 7 days and we will verify their diagnosis for free.
Antivirus Rogue
There is a company out there, God knows who they truly are, that produces a virus that acts like an antivirus program that falsely tells you you have dozens of infections and that you need to pay them to activate their program to clean the infections. Technically they are right, you are infected...by them. Do not provide them any identifying information or credit card details, they are (in my opinion) crooks and the FTC should have long since found a way to close them down nd seize their assets.
Lenovo Solution Partner-Reseller
"We are pleased to confirm that your application has been approved to participate in the Lenovo Partner Network program as an authorized Lenovo Solution Partner-Reseller (Lenovo Reseller)."
Panther Computers is now your local Lenovo Solution Partner-Reseller. We have been recommending the Lenovo brand for some time now and have pursued this relationship to provide you the best possible solutions in name brand servers and laptops. So come by or call today for the solution that meets your needs and a value unmatched by any box store.
Is The GeekSquad CyberStupid?
Here's a video of an undercover investigation by a Portland TV stationFake Microsoft Calls
Dinners being interrupted by sales calls and political candidates is bad enough but now there\'s a renewal of a scam that is out for your money and your computer. Calls are being made impersonating Microsoft and possibly other well known companies in an attempt to gain remote access to your computer. The scenario unfolds as follows.
