Dixons stores offer own-brand HSDPA mini-laptop
3G for £350
DSGi, the retailer formerly known as Dixons, has extended is netbook line-up with a new model the integrates HSDPA connectivity.
The Advent 4213 is based on Intel's 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, packs in 1GB of memory and a 160GB hard drive. It has a 10.2in widescreen display, presumably with a 1024 x 600 resolution, though DSGi has yet to confirm this.
DSGi's Advent 4213: HSDPA on board
So far, it sounds a lot like DSGi's Advent 4211 - reviewed here - but the 4213 is no MSI Wind rebadged, as you can see from the pics.
It's USP is built-in HSDPA support, though as yet DSG hasn't said which provider - if any - it's bundled with. All the signs are that it's left up to you to slot in a SIM to enable 3G connectivity over whichever network you prefer.
Not a second Wind
The 1.4kg machine measures 260 x 178 x 28mm, so it's one of the largest Small, Cheap Computers available.
Available now, DSGi stores like Currys and PCWorld want £350 for it.
Netbooks and Mini-Laptops Buyer's Guide
Advent 4213 Photo Gallery
Next page: Advent 4213 Photo Gallery
COMMENTS
@Oommen
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8780125&st=t5550+320gb&type=product&id=1204332500899
This is the only $700 T5550 available on the bestbuy website. At the current exchange rate (which hasn't been 2$=1£ for several months now), that's £400
This is the equivalent priced (added VAT as the best buy price is before sales tax) laptop from dabs, it's just as good.
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=576X&CategorySelectedId=11105&NavigationKey=11105,15,46400000,389210000,42880000,49350000
We could probably find both cheaper.
So, there's no way in hell that it's worth going to the states to buy a laptop, not even to buy 10 laptops, the £250 minimum return flight will outweigh the couple of quid you might manage to save, and that's before you look at a hotel to stay in and any transport to get around.
Mr
350? back in 1998 I flew to Boston, stayed at a 4-star hotel and lived like a king, bought a laptop, touchscreen pda, webcam, the biggest hard disc you could buy...the cost of everything together was still cheaper than buying in the UK! Next in 2003 I did the same thing, same cost ratio....
350 quid...$700 buys you a decent laptop in the states, even at the Dixons equivalent! I just bought a Gateway Dual core t5550 320GB/4GB with bluetooth, webcam and in RED!! For $700 from Bestbuy...try and get that in the UK...I could have got it even cheaper online....
Advent 4213 = rebadged ECS G10IL
This netbook is the rebadged version of the ECS G10IL. The obvious differences are the colour and the keyboard from the reference design... I think I prefer the keyboard from the reference design better tbh.
1 gig a month
There was some small print on the advert saying you're limited to 1Gb a month, whereas Carphone Warehouse gives you 3.
It also proclaimed it comes with 'Genuine Windows XP Home' as if that was an advantage over the Linux their rival gives you.
Small? Cheap? Laptop?
One out of three isn't bad, I suppose.
Incidentally, I'm a bit wary of depending on USB dongles. With a few remarkable exceptions, they always look to me to be far more vulnerable to physical damage.
