Telikin Infomercial - Computers for Seniors

[JerryF]

Just saw this infomercial this morning. It's a computer designed for seniors that:

... provides Email, Web Browsing, News, Weather, Entertainment and adds full computer capabilities including Video Chat, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, DVD and CD player, Games and more.

The reason I post this is that Telikin is a fork of Tiny Core Linux. Linux is spreading!

http://www.telikin.com

[catweazel]

https://i0.wp.com/www.bookwormroom.com/ ... yboard.jpg

[151tom]

.

[JerryF]

https://i0.wp.com/www.bookwormroom.com/ ... yboard.jpg

catweazel, loved it!

[JerryF]

I know a couple that bought one and they like it and when I came over to look at it I have to say that it is pretty decent.

The only thing I find wrong with it is the price and it's an all in one type computer.

Everything that a standard user needs is right there and easy to access.

Yes, I agree about the price. Too high.

[BG405]

https://i0.wp.com/www.bookwormroom.com/ ... yboard.jpg

My Mum would have found that amusing .. she was the typical technophobe at first, always worried about borking things by pressing the wrong key.

[whm1974]

Just saw this infomercial this morning. It's a computer designed for seniors that:

... provides Email, Web Browsing, News, Weather, Entertainment and adds full computer capabilities including Video Chat, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, DVD and CD player, Games and more.

The reason I post this is that Telikin is a fork of Tiny Core Linux. Linux is spreading!

http://www.telikin.com

For the hardware these "computers" have, they are way overpriced. I noticed this scam a year or two ago under another name.

[whm1974]

I know a couple that bought one and they like it and when I came over to look at it I have to say that it is pretty decent.

The only thing I find wrong with it is the price and it's an all in one type computer.

Everything that a standard user needs is right there and easy to access.

I wouldn't call what Telikin sells decent at all. The Sable AIO that System76 sells is a much better bargain if you looking for an AIO system.

[JerryF]

For the hardware these "computers" have, they are way overpriced. I noticed this scam a year or two ago under another name.

Yes, very overpriced. They do offer "VIP" support, but that's not included by default.

[whm1974]

For the hardware these "computers" have, they are way overpriced. I noticed this scam a year or two ago under another name.

Yes, very overpriced. They do offer "VIP" support, but that's not included by default.

Does System76 still sell their AIO Sable computer? I can't find it on their site. That system at least has better hardware and is upgradeable for an AIO compared to what Telikin sells.

[BG405]

Apologies if my teardown appears as a rant!

Telkin Elite II Computer Specs, from their website:

All-in-One Design
Virus-Resistant!
Email
Video Chat
Web Browsing
Wireless (WiFi) ready
Games: Built-in and Online
Supports HP Inkjet Printers

Custom Interface + Built-in Apps
Photo Viewing thru Facebook
MS-Compatible Word Processor
MS-Compatible Spreadsheets
Calendar with notifications
Address Book with Easy-Connect
Adobe Flash Support
Text to Speech: Reads Emails to you

21.5” (16:9), 1920 x 1080 Touch Panel
Intel 1037U Celeron dual core processor
2GB DDR3 Memory
32GB Solid State drive
3W Stereo speakers with SRS technology
1.0MP webcam with microphone

4 USB ports, 2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0
4 in 1 memory card reader (optional)
1 HDMI out
Wireless 802.11 b/g/n
Wired keyboard and mouse

Price:

MSRP $1249

$1079

OK then:

• All-in-One Design
  Already an option on many much cheaper devices, which can potentially run Linux.
• Virus-Resistant!
  Same as (most) other Linux distros.
• Email
  Same as above; still needs setting up for the user's account(s) and message rules.
• Video Chat
  Skype?
• Web Browsing
  Firefox? PaleMoon? Chromium? etc. .. nothing unusual here.
• Wireless (WiFi) ready
  That is probably the biggest help for many new users.
• Games: Built-in and Online
  Hmmm .. wonder if this includes Candy Crush Saga
• Supports HP Inkjet Printers
  OK that's a bonus, if that means ALL currently manufacturer-supported models.
• Custom Interface + Built-in Apps
  All DEs are customized, by their respective developers and often the distro developers too .. it's up to the user to change things according to their preferences.
• Photo Viewing thru Facebook
  UGH. If nothing else, PRIVACY.
• MS-Compatible Word Processor
  Ahem .. LibreOffice, OpenOffice ...
• MS-Compatible Spreadsheets
  See above.
• Calendar with notifications
  Not explored the options here.
• Address Book with Easy-Connect
  See above, again.
• Adobe Flash Support
  Nothing unusual here.
• Text to Speech: Reads Emails to you
  Again, unexplored by me.
• 21.5” (16:9), 1920 x 1080 Touch Panel
  Not bad.
• Intel 1037U Celeron dual core processor
  Ugh. A cut-down Celeron, for THAT price ?? Intel even dropped the original name for those processors because it sounded too pants IIRC ..
• 2GB DDR3 Memory
  In a machine costing over a grand? Leave it out!!!
• 32GB Solid State drive
  Like the ones in £70 tablets? Now I'm having to self-censor.
• 3W Stereo speakers with SRS technology
  Adequate if you're not in a noisy environment. Could always attach headphones or speakers, amp etc..
• 1.0MP webcam with microphone
  Adequate.
• 4 USB ports, 2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0
  Better than many machines in this case.
• 4 in 1 memory card reader (optional)
  Optional? For that price?
• 1 HDMI out
  No VGA? Many new machines have both. Some older monitors and TVs (even digital ones) have VGA (and sometimes DVI) connectors but no HDMI.
• Wireless 802.11 b/g/n
  Stick an Atheros card in. If it's a combo you'll get Bluetooth as well.
• Wired keyboard and mouse
  Why wired?

Note also that the feedback shown seems to favour the positive reviews; I haven't looked further as yet so this is just my first impression.

Conclusion:
Whilst this is a great idea and could be a good way of getting people using Linux, it is way too expensive at present.

[whm1974]

Yeah way too expensive. I wonder how many of these they are selling?

[JerryF]

...
Does System76 still sell their AIO Sable computer? I can't find it on their site. That system at least has better hardware and is upgradeable for an AIO compared to what Telikin sells.

Doesn't look like it. The Sable is about 5 years old, so I think they retired that model and have new desktop and laptop models.

I agree, much better hardware that what Telikin sells.

[whm1974]

...
Does System76 still sell their AIO Sable computer? I can't find it on their site. That system at least has better hardware and is upgradeable for an AIO compared to what Telikin sells.

Doesn't look like it. The Sable is about 5 years old, so I think they retired that model and have new desktop and laptop models.

I agree, much better hardware that what Telikin sells.

Well hopefully System76 will have an updated new Sable out soon. Not that I will normally buy AIO systems, but if I had a use case or even just to steer people away from Telikin, I would buy the Sable(2018 model).

[JerryF]

Apologies if my teardown appears as a rant!

Telkin Elite II Computer Specs, from their website:

Code: Select all

    All-in-One Design
    Virus-Resistant!
    Email
    Video Chat
    Web Browsing
    Wireless (WiFi) ready
    Games: Built-in and Online
    Supports HP Inkjet Printers

    Custom Interface + Built-in Apps
    Photo Viewing thru Facebook
    MS-Compatible Word Processor
    MS-Compatible Spreadsheets
    Calendar with notifications
    Address Book with Easy-Connect
    Adobe Flash Support
    Text to Speech: Reads Emails to you

    21.5” (16:9), 1920 x 1080 Touch Panel
    Intel 1037U Celeron dual core processor
    2GB DDR3 Memory
    32GB Solid State drive
    3W Stereo speakers with SRS technology
    1.0MP webcam with microphone

    4 USB ports, 2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0
    4 in 1 memory card reader (optional)
    1 HDMI out
    Wireless 802.11 b/g/n
    Wired keyboard and mouse

Price: MSRP $1249
$1079

OK then:
[list][*]    All-in-One Design
Already an option on many much cheaper devices, which can potentially run Linux.
[*]    Virus-Resistant!
Same as (most) other Linux distros.
[*]    Email
Same as above; still needs setting up for the user's account(s) and message rules.
[*]    Video Chat
Skype?
[*]    Web Browsing
Firefox? PaleMoon? Chromium? etc. .. nothing unusual here.
[*]    Wireless (WiFi) ready
That is probably the biggest help for many new users.
[*]    Games: Built-in and Online
Hmmm .. wonder if this includes Candy Crush Saga :P
[*]    Supports HP Inkjet Printers
OK that's a bonus, if that means ALL currently manufacturer-supported models.
[*]    Custom Interface + Built-in Apps
All DEs are customized, by their respective developers and often the distro developers too .. it's up to the user to change things according to their preferences.
[*]    Photo Viewing thru Facebook
UGH. If nothing else, PRIVACY.
[*]    MS-Compatible Word Processor
Ahem .. LibreOffice, OpenOffice ...
[*]    MS-Compatible Spreadsheets
See above.
[*]    Calendar with notifications
Not explored the options here.
[*]    Address Book with Easy-Connect
See above, again.
[*]    Adobe Flash Support
Nothing unusual here.
[*]    Text to Speech: Reads Emails to you
Again, unexplored by me.
[*]    21.5” (16:9), 1920 x 1080 Touch Panel
Not bad.
[*]    Intel 1037U Celeron dual core processor
Ugh. A cut-down Celeron, for THAT price ?? Intel even dropped the original name for those processors because it sounded too pants IIRC ..
[*]    2GB DDR3 Memory
In a machine costing over a grand? Leave it out!!!
[*]    32GB Solid State drive
Like the ones in £70 tablets? Now I'm having to self-censor.
[*]    3W Stereo speakers with SRS technology
Adequate if you're not in a noisy environment. Could always attach headphones or speakers, amp etc..
[*]    1.0MP webcam with microphone
Adequate.
[*]    4 USB ports, 2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0
Better than many machines in this case.
[*]    4 in 1 memory card reader (optional)
Optional? For that price?
[*]    1 HDMI out
No VGA? Many new machines have both. Some older monitors and TVs (even digital ones) have VGA (and sometimes DVI) connectors but no HDMI.
[*]    Wireless 802.11 b/g/n
Stick an Atheros card in. If it's a combo you'll get Bluetooth as well.
[*]    Wired keyboard and mouse
Why wired?[/list]

Your teardown doesn't come across as a rant at all! As Sgt. Friday would have said, "just the facts".

[whm1974]

I guess their market doesn't tend to look at specs or read reviews before buying?

[151tom]

.

[whm1974]

When I said it was petty decent I meant for the average uniformed user who just buys whatever they see on HSN or QVC.

Personally I wouldn't own either one Telikin or System76 and the cost for either one is a Ripoff imo.

I don'tknow, I've very good things about System76, especially about their laptops. I was considering getting a notebook form them before find a refurbished Thinkpad T430 at Newegg last year.

[151tom]

.

[whm1974]

When I said it was petty decent I meant for the average uniformed user who just buys whatever they see on HSN or QVC.

Personally I wouldn't own either one Telikin or System76 and the cost for either one is a Ripoff imo.

I don'tknow, I've very good things about System76, especially about their laptops. I was considering getting a notebook form them before find a refurbished Thinkpad T430 at Newegg last year.

I've never owned a brand new computer.
I've always used computers that others have discarded or have bought computers for a few dollars and repaired them with spare parts I have on hand.

Pulled a Dell XPS-15Z laptop from a trash pile the other day in like new condition and OK it does need a new battery although it works fine as is using the power pack from another Dell laptop.

I don't need much as I only web search and youtube and pull pictures from the cell phone.

That Dell was a good find, it is amazing what people will throw away.