I don't think that is the same machine - it's similar, but the ports down the side of the screen look different.
However, if it is the same, the spec is disappointing. A 300MHz x86 processor coupled to max 256MB of RAM isn't going to light any fires, even running lightweight Linux. I have a 2G Eee, whose processor runs at 570MHz and which has 512MB RAM, and it's fast enough running a browser and OpenOffice. But I don't think you'd want to go much less powerful.
I have trouble with my Eee on my lap. Because you are not on a flat surface, the feet at the back do not keep it at an angle, and the screen makes it fall backwards.
This thing looks like most of the weight is in the screen, which would be even worse! Still. less than $100, would be a bargain!
'And if the screen half of the clamshell casing looks a little bulky, bear in mind this is a "hard-wearing case" - as Elonex puts it - designed to withstand the rigours of the classroom.'
It also looks like they may have moved at least some of the guts to the lid -- the base is suspiciously slim and the plugs are all on the lid. In fact, engadget's article explicitly states that the guts are in the lid:
Asus identified (created?) a market and now everybody is scrambling to get on board. The more the merrier! Laptops, notebooks, sub-notebooks all sold with Linux on board - heaven on a stick.
Here is Australia we have seen a rash of "manufacturer's cashback" deals as makers try to bring the low-end laptop price as close as possible to that of the Eee PC.
Looks perfect. I'd prefer windows or OS X to linux (more au fait with both of them) but something that's enough to run diagnostics in the field or just check network points are behaving etc looks good. Wonder if I could squeeze win2k onto it (I know XP would be pushing it).
As for the device, if I can fit multiple ethernet cards to it (is there such a thing as a PC Card with multiple Ethernet ports?) I could be interested in buying it as a firewall device. At least it won't burn so much energy..
Which were full blown machines - I used to have 2, one PIII650 which would run XP (sold for a profit!) and another Celeron 500 that sits in the kitchen as a media player and internet access which cost 50 quid.
Add a case that will support them upright and a dinky USB keyboard and you have this device, but with a hard-drive, more memory, larger screen blah blah blah
A review of what seems to be a differently badged version is at www.ocworkbench.com/2007/aware/A-Book-AW-300/g1.htm
At GBP99 I'd definately be interested in using one w/out the keyboard as a book reader - its the same size as a thin trade-paperback. With a 7" screen even textbooks should be readable in a non-painful way. No mention on the battery life, I'll bet it's not be brilliant unfortunately. Guess we'll heve to wait and see if there's any difference in the specifications for Elonex's version.
Can't see the whole unit, but it looks seriously ugly and the spec doesn't look like it will take much of a pounding. My EEE is running plain Ubuntu and its about 60 secs to boot up, but handles well, DOSBOX runs games very well. The spec on that Elonex is obviously going to require a very special build, doesn't seem like it will support Mr Gates offerings, which might keep people away.
==================
EEE - Tricky to get hold of?
Don't know about now, but I tried for about a week at the end of January, to find a 512MB EEE in stores and online, my Missus said "Have you tried ASUS website in the UK?"
"Don't be stupid woman!".
Sure enough she was right, as always, I went to ASUS online store and got a 1024MB/4GB model for 30 notes more than the 512MB model, delivered in 2 days flat!
I agree with John about the specs. I have an OLPC XO-1 which has (for what it's worth) a 433MHz processor and 256MB of memory. The lag starting applications is very noticeable (~10 sec), as is page load on graphics heavy websites. I think that the level of the Eee is about as low as you want to go with regards to specs.
To get extra ethernet ports you just need a USB ethernet adapter (apple seem to think that people will buy one for the new air, but you can get others cheaper).
I have to say though, if that's what you're after you should look at the NSLU2 - it's a linux box that's slightly bigger than a cigarette packet, and you can run full blown debian on it; retails for about £50 and power consumption is so small it's unreal (about 3W with nothing plugged in).
As with the EEE, people will do all sorts of mods - the USB controller has some spare ports that aren't wired to anything; I've put a bluetooth adapter inside mine for example.
Sorry for being off topic, but I thought it would be worth enlightening people!
I have an eeepc. This came with linux installed - so surely whoever keeps track of market share of OS should notch one up for linux. However, not everyone likes linux and some people have put windows on their eeepc. Now these mysterious people who keep track of the market share of each OS wouldn't know that and still think its a linux sale. Ahh how refreshing.
My other computers and ps3 all have linux on but these people dont count them.
Foolish non-penguin fans often attempt to shoe-horn Windows onto these mini-laptops. MS themselves have managed to get Asus to ship these with XP (obviously Vista would be bad) in Japan and soon here :-(.
My question is, isn't XP no longer allowed to be sold from April or May this year? What will happen then?
This machine seems to have twice the RAM, but half the clock cycles, of the old laptop I'm currently running Win2k on. Allowing for a bit of CPU change since it was made in 1999, which tends to close the clock-cycle gap, this might not be a bad machine.
This will make a marvellous digital photoframe, looking at the size and pondering the power consumption. A photoframe that can download the occasional torrent!
Anyway, I'm going to be at the show next Friday and will be heading there with a load of questions, a camera and some eager hands to try it out.
this looks even worse than the eee to be honest, if screens are so expensive they have to use these piddly little ones that mean you get huge ugly bezels wasting space around the edges, surely it would make sense to offer one with a proper lid sized screen? -same with the eee really. yes it would cost more, but surely not that much?
(& yes, i have absolutely no idea how much differing screen sizes would affect the bill of materials)
Paris, as she would also like to see the big picture.
According to something I read on eeeuser.com Asus used the 7" display for the eee because it's a known reliable unit, it's been used in satnavs etc etc for a while. They used the same philosophy when sourcing other components, going with known reliable units wherever possible. Seems like a wise move on the whole.
Velocity Micro Edge Z30 Midsize Desktop (2.66GHz Intel Core i5 750, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit)
Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 1TB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 27" LCD)
HP (Hewlett-Packard) Pavilion p6210f Mini-Tower Desktop (2.6GHz Athlon II X4 620, 6GB DDR2, 640GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Windows 7 Home Premium)
HP (Hewlett-Packard) Compaq Presario CQ5210F Mini-Tower Desktop (2.7GHz Athlon 64 X2 215, 3GB DDR2, 500GB, DVD±RW DL, Windows 7 Home Premium)
Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 500GB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 21.5" LCD)
Elonex punts £99 Linux laptop
James Halliday
Here's more details - assuming Elonex have just slapped their own badge on it. #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 11:48 GMT
http://ec.fontastic.com.tw/clients/showproducts_A9160333734983_big_P11987417213084909.html
Matt Bradley
"And if the screen half of the clamshell casing looks a little bulky" #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 12:07 GMT
Its because the screen half IS the computer (including a mouse controller at the back of the screen). The keyboard is a separate dockable unit.
This looks pretty clever for £99, I have to say. The only thing that's missing from these units is a slot for a mobile simcard, if you ask me
John
Re: Here's more details... #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 12:07 GMT
I don't think that is the same machine - it's similar, but the ports down the side of the screen look different.
However, if it is the same, the spec is disappointing. A 300MHz x86 processor coupled to max 256MB of RAM isn't going to light any fires, even running lightweight Linux. I have a 2G Eee, whose processor runs at 570MHz and which has 512MB RAM, and it's fast enough running a browser and OpenOffice. But I don't think you'd want to go much less powerful.
Peter Gathercole
Looks top heavy #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 12:07 GMT
I have trouble with my Eee on my lap. Because you are not on a flat surface, the feet at the back do not keep it at an angle, and the screen makes it fall backwards.
This thing looks like most of the weight is in the screen, which would be even worse! Still. less than $100, would be a bargain!
Anonymous Coward
Screen half #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 13:28 GMT
'And if the screen half of the clamshell casing looks a little bulky, bear in mind this is a "hard-wearing case" - as Elonex puts it - designed to withstand the rigours of the classroom.'
It also looks like they may have moved at least some of the guts to the lid -- the base is suspiciously slim and the plugs are all on the lid. In fact, engadget's article explicitly states that the guts are in the lid:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/17/elonex-one-englands-100-quid-laptop/
It seems to be a reworking of a far-eastern tablet PC, minus the actual tablet bit (touchscreen) and plus a keyboard. This sounds quite good, really.
Only downside I can see is that it's going to be more than a little top-heavy.
So it doesn't sound quite so good -- as a laptop.
But still:
Remove keyboard.
Fix main unit to the kitchen wall.
Use wireless keyboard and mouse.
Voila: recipe browser and client for network media player.
Smashin.
Ralphe Neill
The more the merrier! #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 13:28 GMT
Asus identified (created?) a market and now everybody is scrambling to get on board. The more the merrier! Laptops, notebooks, sub-notebooks all sold with Linux on board - heaven on a stick.
Here is Australia we have seen a rash of "manufacturer's cashback" deals as makers try to bring the low-end laptop price as close as possible to that of the Eee PC.
It's a good thing!
David Perry
For admins and techs.. #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 13:30 GMT
Looks perfect. I'd prefer windows or OS X to linux (more au fait with both of them) but something that's enough to run diagnostics in the field or just check network points are behaving etc looks good. Wonder if I could squeeze win2k onto it (I know XP would be pushing it).
Peter
Will that pic ever wear? #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 13:30 GMT
It's now the standard laptop story picture :-).
As for the device, if I can fit multiple ethernet cards to it (is there such a thing as a PC Card with multiple Ethernet ports?) I could be interested in buying it as a firewall device. At least it won't burn so much energy..
Anonymous Coward
Reminds me of the Fujitsu Stylistics of old #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 13:30 GMT
Which were full blown machines - I used to have 2, one PIII650 which would run XP (sold for a profit!) and another Celeron 500 that sits in the kitchen as a media player and internet access which cost 50 quid.
Add a case that will support them upright and a dinky USB keyboard and you have this device, but with a hard-drive, more memory, larger screen blah blah blah
Dai Kiwi
Could be a good book reader #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 13:30 GMT
A review of what seems to be a differently badged version is at www.ocworkbench.com/2007/aware/A-Book-AW-300/g1.htm
At GBP99 I'd definately be interested in using one w/out the keyboard as a book reader - its the same size as a thin trade-paperback. With a 7" screen even textbooks should be readable in a non-painful way. No mention on the battery life, I'll bet it's not be brilliant unfortunately. Guess we'll heve to wait and see if there's any difference in the specifications for Elonex's version.
Peter Gathercole
Oops. Pounds not dollars #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 14:17 GMT
I'm sure I used the pound symbol. Still, I guess they are next to each other.
George Johnson
Ugly #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 14:17 GMT
Can't see the whole unit, but it looks seriously ugly and the spec doesn't look like it will take much of a pounding. My EEE is running plain Ubuntu and its about 60 secs to boot up, but handles well, DOSBOX runs games very well. The spec on that Elonex is obviously going to require a very special build, doesn't seem like it will support Mr Gates offerings, which might keep people away.
==================
EEE - Tricky to get hold of?
Don't know about now, but I tried for about a week at the end of January, to find a 512MB EEE in stores and online, my Missus said "Have you tried ASUS website in the UK?"
"Don't be stupid woman!".
Sure enough she was right, as always, I went to ASUS online store and got a 1024MB/4GB model for 30 notes more than the 512MB model, delivered in 2 days flat!
Nick
Re: Re: Here's more details... #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 14:17 GMT
I agree with John about the specs. I have an OLPC XO-1 which has (for what it's worth) a 433MHz processor and 256MB of memory. The lag starting applications is very noticeable (~10 sec), as is page load on graphics heavy websites. I think that the level of the Eee is about as low as you want to go with regards to specs.
Anonymous Coward
@Peter (Re: firewall) #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 15:33 GMT
To get extra ethernet ports you just need a USB ethernet adapter (apple seem to think that people will buy one for the new air, but you can get others cheaper).
I have to say though, if that's what you're after you should look at the NSLU2 - it's a linux box that's slightly bigger than a cigarette packet, and you can run full blown debian on it; retails for about £50 and power consumption is so small it's unreal (about 3W with nothing plugged in).
As with the EEE, people will do all sorts of mods - the USB controller has some spare ports that aren't wired to anything; I've put a bluetooth adapter inside mine for example.
Sorry for being off topic, but I thought it would be worth enlightening people!
paul
Windows Sales? #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 16:16 GMT
I have an eeepc. This came with linux installed - so surely whoever keeps track of market share of OS should notch one up for linux. However, not everyone likes linux and some people have put windows on their eeepc. Now these mysterious people who keep track of the market share of each OS wouldn't know that and still think its a linux sale. Ahh how refreshing.
My other computers and ps3 all have linux on but these people dont count them.
Jon Ramster
Windows XP and these little computers #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 16:43 GMT
Foolish non-penguin fans often attempt to shoe-horn Windows onto these mini-laptops. MS themselves have managed to get Asus to ship these with XP (obviously Vista would be bad) in Japan and soon here :-(.
My question is, isn't XP no longer allowed to be sold from April or May this year? What will happen then?
Dave Bell
Power Comparisons #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 16:43 GMT
This machine seems to have twice the RAM, but half the clock cycles, of the old laptop I'm currently running Win2k on. Allowing for a bit of CPU change since it was made in 1999, which tends to close the clock-cycle gap, this might not be a bad machine.
But how long will the flash RAM last?
James Pickett
Falling over #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 17:11 GMT
If the lid's as heavy as it looks and you take the keyboard away, what keeps it upright?
Apart from that, I'm all in favour!
Steve Anderson
Obvious usage... #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 17:15 GMT
This will make a marvellous digital photoframe, looking at the size and pondering the power consumption. A photoframe that can download the occasional torrent!
Anyway, I'm going to be at the show next Friday and will be heading there with a load of questions, a camera and some eager hands to try it out.
Ken Hagan
Re: Windows XP and these little computers #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 18:37 GMT
"My question is, isn't XP no longer allowed to be sold from April or May this year? What will happen then?"
Embedded Vista?
heystoopid
Libretto #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 18:37 GMT
Libretto , the market has become a just bit more crowded these days !
Rob
lid size = screen size #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 18:39 GMT
this looks even worse than the eee to be honest, if screens are so expensive they have to use these piddly little ones that mean you get huge ugly bezels wasting space around the edges, surely it would make sense to offer one with a proper lid sized screen? -same with the eee really. yes it would cost more, but surely not that much?
(& yes, i have absolutely no idea how much differing screen sizes would affect the bill of materials)
Paris, as she would also like to see the big picture.
bygjohn
re: lid size = screen size #
Posted Tuesday 19th February 2008 19:29 GMT
According to something I read on eeeuser.com Asus used the 7" display for the eee because it's a known reliable unit, it's been used in satnavs etc etc for a while. They used the same philosophy when sourcing other components, going with known reliable units wherever possible. Seems like a wise move on the whole.
Rob Sked
Elonex? #
Posted Wednesday 20th February 2008 12:49 GMT
Fook me, are they still around?!?!?
I still remember their clunky machines in our school library! (Circa 1993)
andrew mulcock
if not for schools #
Posted Wednesday 5th March 2008 06:09 GMT
and it looks like they now have a web site for it.
but your only going to get one if you are lucky, as they are limiting the initial release to 20K units.
http://www.elonexone.co.uk/shop/index.html
and what's this about rubber keyboard, sounds like a ZX spectrum to me.
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~uzdm0006/scans/speccy/