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Lane Fox promises sub-£100 PCs

Refurbed Linux boxes for all

Martha Lane Fox is promising £98 computers to tempt the last remaining digital refuseniks in UK to get online.

The machines, refurbed by Remploy, will come complete with telephone support, monitor, mouse and Linux software.

Lane Fox, David Cameron's Digital Champion, told the Financial Times (subscription link): "Motivation and inspiration are still two of the biggest barriers [to using the internet], but clearly perception of price is another big deal for people. A good price point is certainly part of what helps people get online."

The boxes will include a mobile dongle from three for £9 a month. Remploy hopes to sell 8,000 machines this year – so it will take a while to equip the millions still without PCs.

Race Online is using a variety of channels to market, including charities and job centres, in order to avoid cutting prices for existing suppliers.

The quango is still recruiting resellers and other partners to help with the push.

Race Online 2012 aims to push the nine million people in the UK who have never used the internet to start using online services.

The quango believes that using online services will save consumers money and improve access to work. ®

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