New Internet Computer Co., largely owned by Ellison, has had success with sales to large institutional users such as schools that might have a large stock of monitors from outdated computers. The NIC suffers from its computer roots. To be fair, those drawbacks might not matter much to a big institution that has a staff to set up systems and leave them on all day. The NIC is big. The main unit is the size of a VCR tilted on end, but the monitor and keyboard are full-size.
Separate speakers add to the demand for desk space.
The NIC's browser is an older version of Netscape, so limited bookmarks aren't a problem as they are with some other Internet devices. Playing some common video and audio formats also is a problem because Linux versions haven't been produced. If cost is your biggest concern, the NIC might be for you. Like a lot of things in life, however, you get what you pay for. Now the SurfBoard allows you to lie in bed and surf the Web with nary a wire in sight.