Sub £200 mini laptop launched
Just don't hold out for Wi-Fi
The mini laptop market has expanded yet again with the launch of a 7in machine costing under £200.
The miniBook: 7in display, 2GB storage and an SD card slot
Called the miniBook, it measures 222 x 165 x 30mm, weighs in at 650g and sports a 7in, 800 x 480 pixel display.
The PC’s based on an 32-bit CPU and has 128MB of DDR 2 memory. You’ll also get 2GB of NAND Flash storage capacity.
An integrated SD card slot is a nice feature, whilst the miniBook also has three USB ports. Linux comes pre-installed, which no doubt helps to keep the machine’s price down.
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g is supported, but buyer beware because UK supplier CNM – the machine’s assembled by an unspecified Chinese firm - has admitted that Wi-Fi connectivity can be dodgy.
Wi-Fi isn't great
CNM states that: “Some miniBooks have been experiencing issues connecting to certain wireless routers, or if connecting have not been able browse to the Internet due to an Invalid IP Address error”.
The firm said the fault’s caused by the fact that the miniBook doesn’t support channels 12 or 13. An Ethernet port is included on the machine.
Users will get around three hours of battery life from the miniBook.
The miniBook is available online from Maplin and priced at £170 (€215/$330) – but only until 2 September, when the price will presumably increase.
COMMENTS
Not got a scobbie..
I hope its got Firefox 3 on it as web surfing with 2 on a 400MHz, 128MB PC is not going to be happy surfing time...
I noticed this in my local Maplins, the keyboard looks odd at first glance. That's because it has none of the usually localised symbols on the keys. ie like the £ above the numbers for example.
Quite honestly this is another Chinese manufacturer and British importer who really have no idea what we UK bods want in a small laptop.
2GB storage, 400MHz CPU and 128MB RAM really is far too low a spec. for modern web surfing and emailing.
It'll be half-price by Jan....
Wireless channels
'Anyone with any sense uses...'?
Anyone with any sense checks what channels the neighbours' kit is using, and what their own equipment can support and then chooses the channel that causes least conflicts while supporting all of your devices.
By avoiding the 'sensible' channels suggested I get a much more reliable stable connection.
Actually, the 'Eurobook'...
Is the EXACT SAME SH!T as the rest...
think that's cheap?
Aria have a similar laptop, the Eurobook, on pre-order for £140.
http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Laptops/The+Eurobook+7%22+Laptop+MiniBook+and+Accessory+Pack+?productId=33234
you can get it for about $120...
as the Impulse NXP-9000
http://www.alibaba.com/product-tp/101509462/World_s_Cheapest_Laptop.html?
Assuming that you but 100 or more of them...
It may even have a VGA output.
(Maybe it won't crash if you press the [Fn]+[F5] keys... )
That said, I have the Bestlink model, and the WordProcessor(AbiWord 2.4.5) is OK if a it dated. It can handle a 200 pages(A4) wihout too much problems.
The fact that you need to update the OS(using a path from a Dutch page, and deigned for the SkyTone branded mahine, because the OS recovery/updater doesn't work) to be able to use WPA-encrypted networks is another matter...
I've written a 'review' of the machine in my Forum, at:
http://totallytrygve.com/phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=18
If they can fix some of the problems, it would end up as a replacement for my aging Psion netBook. (Won't replace my S3c, though. Nothing can beat that. Unless someone have a S3mx they want to sell... )
