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Everex decides to take the fight to ASUS

The ASUS Eee PC has had the market to itself for the past few months when it comes to sub-$400 sub-notebooks. The two-pound Eee PC 4G comes with a 7" 800x480 widescreen display, 630Mhz Celeron M processor, 512MB of DDR2 memory, a 4GB solid-sate disk (SSD) running Xandros Linux.

The Eee PC, however, is finally getting some competition in the form of the two-pound Everex CloudBook (formerly known as the NanoBook). The CloudBook also retails for $399 and comes with better specs than ASUS' popular Eee PC.

The CloudBook features a 1.2GHz VIA C7-M ULV processor, 30GB (4200RPM) HDD, 4-in-1 media reader, two USB 2.0 ports, DVI output, a 1.3MP webcam, 4-cell battery (good for 5 hours of battery life) and the gOS V2 "Rocket" operating system. Like the Eee PC, the CloudBook has a 7" 800x480 widescreen display, 802.11g wireless and a 10/100 network port.

"The overwhelming success of our gPC desktop generated countless inquires from customers seeking additional Open Source mobile platforms," remarked Everex General Manager John Lin.  "With the launch of the new CloudBook our vision remains the same:  Provide mainstream users with their favorite applications wrapped in a no-compromise, low-cost, consumer friendly product."

ASUS had better get on the ball with its second generation Eee PC because Everex is definitely upping the ante with comparison to the Eee PC -- especially when it comes to storage space. The Eee PC maxes out at 8GB of storage space and that is with the $499 8G model. The Eee PC might have the advantage of faster response times with its SSD, but it’s really hard to ignore 30GB of storage space in a device of similar dimensions – even if the HDD only spins at a mere 4,200 RPM.

Everex was able to incorporate a 30GB HDD and longer battery life in a form-factor that mirrors the Eee PC (9.06" x 6.73 x 1.16" for the CloudBook vs. 8.9" x 6.3" x 1.3" for the Eee PC) -- even the weight for the two devices is exactly the same.

The first shipments of Everex CloudBooks are already on their way for sale on Wal-Mart.com. Wal-Mart.com sales will begin on January 25; however, there is no indication that Wal-Mart brick and mortar stores will carry the CloudBook.

The introduction of the CloudBook marks another missed opportunity for Microsoft to win over an expanding portion of the computer market. If the Everex CloudBook turns out to be as popular as the Eee PC (with Wal-Mart’s backing, that shouldn’t be a problem), Microsoft might find itself in the position of trying to rethink its strategy on inexpensive, lightweight operating systems for ultra-mobile devices.

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Even though a bit thick :)
By Clauzii on 1/9/2008 8:22:24 PM , Rating: 2
I like the design with the speakers possibly getting a bigger cabinet for better Bass. I'll have to hear them first though. And even if it's no first, the opening is nice to grab-it-by, if the hinges are ok with that.

So which CPU is best, Celeron or C7?




RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By Chadder007 on 1/9/2008 8:32:07 PM , Rating: 2
Thats what I would like to know. Hopefully Anandtech will review each. :D


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By TomZ on 1/9/2008 8:57:46 PM , Rating: 2
My guess is that the Celeron is going to be faster. Most of the Via processors are generally pretty slow.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By overzealot on 1/9/2008 9:07:39 PM , Rating: 2
Strange, my guess was going to be that the VIA was slightly faster - very close in performance IMO.
I'm only using Sandra scores to approximate a comparison, though.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By sprockkets on 1/9/2008 9:16:15 PM , Rating: 2
Seeing how I can encode in realtime mpeg4 and mp3 video with my tuner card on a 1.2ghz Celeron based on core arch, and if I try doing the same on a 1.5ghz VIA C7 processor it just manages to encode 3 frames or less a second, I'd say VIA's C7 sucks.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By elpresidente2075 on 1/9/2008 9:35:08 PM , Rating: 5
FYI, the Celeron in the EEE (the obvious comparison) is not Core-based. C7 vs Celeron in this instance, the comparison is much closer. I too would like to see a direct comparison for real numbers though.

Of course, your Core-based Celeron would blow both out of the water, but then again it costs 3-10 times as much.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By Gravemind123 on 1/9/2008 11:27:44 PM , Rating: 1
Although it isn't Core based, it is still Pentium M based, and Core was based heavily on that design. The Core based processors gain a small amount over the Dothan core Pentium M.

The CPUs will probably end up being close, as VIAs CPUs have poor amount of instructions processed per clock. According to Whetstone benchmarks I had found the Celeron M based on the Dothan core scored nearly twice as high at the same clockspeed as a C7M, same was true of Drystone score. These are the only comparative values I could find for the two differing architectures.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By drebo on 1/10/2008 10:38:38 AM , Rating: 2
I guess it's important to note that the C7 in the Cloudbook is clocked at nearly twice what the Celeron in the EeePC is clocked. And battery life doubles.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By sprockkets on 1/15/2008 1:30:06 AM , Rating: 2
OK, I'll clarify, it was the first gen D201LGY board, which was core arch (which people say was PM), not core2. You know, how Intel likes to mess around with names.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By stmok on 1/9/2008 9:10:41 PM , Rating: 5
The following is what I found to be the approx performance equivalents using Sisoft Sandra 2007

VIA C7 1.0Ghz = Intel PIII 466
VIA C7 1.2Ghz = Intel PIII 560
VIA C7 1.3Ghz = Intel PIII 606
VIA C7 1.5Ghz = Intel PIII 700
VIA C7 1.8Ghz = Intel PIII 840
VIA C7 2.0Ghz = Intel PIII 933

Please note: I only compared the FPU and ALU numbers. This is the closest I can get them.

Also note: Sisoft gives you a ballpark idea of how a CPU performs. It does NOT reflect usage or user experience.

In non-FPU intensive apps, the VIA setups feel faster than the PIII ones. They seriously lag in FPU area though.

This is what VIA is gonna be addressing in their next processor, called "Isaiah" (or VIA CN). It'll be a 64bit capable solution similar to AMD64 or EMT64 capable processors.

I estimate that the next generation ones will be a lot more closer to the performance of Intel and AMD CPUs...Well, at least the late PIII or early P-M era.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By Clauzii on 1/9/2008 9:19:21 PM , Rating: 2
Thanks a lot :)

Well, for a laptop I would use mainly for writing, this should be ok :)


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By TomZ on 1/9/2008 10:35:14 PM , Rating: 2
Intel will probably crush Via for next-gen processors for these types of devices with Menlow:

http://www.dailytech.com/Intel+to+Develop+New+CPU+...


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By stmok on 1/10/2008 1:22:53 AM , Rating: 2
Oh of course!

VIA's processors were never meant to compete with Intel's or AMD's in a head-on comparison.

The main goal is to develop a low cost CPU that adequately does the job for the consumer. Low power, low cost, in a relatively small footprint. Its an interesting concept that many fail to grasp.

However, the current situation with more processor hungry applications like HD video playback has made both the C3 and C7 become long in the tooth. They are woefully inadequate for the task.

This is what VIA's next processor hopes to address.

On paper, this newer CN processor sounds impressive compared to their current C7, and they claim...

VIA CN
= 2x VIA C7 (in Integer Performance)
and
= 4x VIA C7 (in Floating Point Performance)

Whether that be true or not, time will tell. (They say its projected to come sometime in THIS quarter. But knowing VIA, I'm guessing about a year before we see a Mini-ITX product from them based on this CPU.)

I'm estimating that it'll match a PIII pretty closely, in clock for clock performance comparison. But it'll be beaten by a P-M and newer.

That's OK. As long as someone can offer a 2Ghz fanless solution, I'll be very happy.

I'm just getting tired of midtowers, etc. Need something the size of a novel, but silent as a mouse for 24/7 operation...And LOTS of them!

That would be cool.

What annoys me currently, is that their (VIA) drivers for their IGP features are poor. (It doesn't matter if its Windows or Linux. The choices are poor or unstable for the user).

If Intel can offer something of the same price range, then I wouldn't hesitate to give them a shot. (Intel support in Linux is FAR superior in the IGP department. They are very active in supporting open source. And it shows when you install a distro with an Intel IGP based system. Everything works out of the box!)


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By Samus on 1/10/2008 2:21:47 AM , Rating: 2
its very funny to me that Via cpu's are low heat, energy efficient now, when the roots of Via's cpu's come from Cyrix, the first cpu's ever made to require a heatsink/fan ;)


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By adntaylor on 1/10/2008 3:01:52 AM , Rating: 4
Although VIA own Cyrix's designs, they also bought Centaur Technology who designed the IDT WinChip which was a very cool running design for the time - IIRC it didn't even need a heatsink. The C7 family is based on an evolution of the IDT (Centaur) design, not the Cyrix one.

Confusingly VIA branded their first Centaur-designed part the "Cyrix III". Helpful.

In fact, the only company shipping CPUs based on a Cyrix design is AMD - the Geode LX / GX & older series are all derived from the Cyrix MediaGX.

BTW if you're holding out for VIA to release the Isiah to save themselves, they promised it would be launched in H1 2006... I think they're a bit too cash strapped to realistically release a new x86 CPU family these days, but I could be proven wrong in 2008! Even if they do, my guess would be that Silverthorne will make their lives very difficult.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By 16nm on 1/10/2008 9:36:38 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
VIA's processors were never meant to compete with Intel's or AMD's in a head-on comparison.


Whether or not VIA's procs where ever meant to compete with Intel's is irrelevent. The fact is they do directly complete and fail miserably. Both companies are making small low power, low cost procs for this market. The difference is that Intel's are more powerful, cost less and draw less power! VIA - the last chipmaker to get crushed under the foot of Intel.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By djtodd on 1/10/2008 11:09:33 AM , Rating: 2
Intel needs to develope more robust micro, nano, and picoATX form factor boards using their chipos before they can truly crush via. VIA has a very large portion of a niche market with ultra small form factor products. The first that comes to mind is carp-pc's. Almost every car-pc is running a via board. That's not to say they are great products, but they have very little competition in that market.

I would love to see intel, or amd for that matter push the nano and pico atx market forward.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By TomZ on 1/10/2008 2:31:09 PM , Rating: 2
Are you familiar with the Intel D201GLY series?

http://www.dailytech.com/Intel+D201GLY+Available+i...

This product/price crushes VIA in that form factor. Cost is around $65 retail which includes the pricessor.


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By Clauzii on 1/14/2008 6:02:34 AM , Rating: 2
More like $90,- but still pretty nice. Thanks for showing me this nice alternative :)


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By onwisconsin on 1/15/2008 6:06:37 PM , Rating: 2
The price at Newegg dropped to $65 since the article was published ;)


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By Clauzii on 1/16/2008 6:01:15 AM , Rating: 2
Ah, ok :)


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By Xenoterranos on 1/11/2008 11:29:46 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
The first that comes to mind is carp-pc's


Although I've never tried it, a fish-based PC might not be that bad of an idea...


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By Clauzii on 1/16/2008 6:03:49 AM , Rating: 2
ROFL


RE: Even though a bit thick :)
By drebo on 1/10/2008 10:43:00 AM , Rating: 4
quote:
However, the current situation with more processor hungry applications like HD video playback has made both the C3 and C7 become long in the tooth. They are woefully inadequate for the task.


One wonders exactly how much HD playback you'll be doing on a screen that's 800x480.

Complaining about that is like the people who complain that the GeForce 8300 can't play Crysis on max settings at 1280x1024. It just doesn't make sense. Choose the appropriate tool for the job and you won't ahve a problem.

Low-power, low-cost for highly-mobile applications, big power, big cost for applications which need it (games, video encoding, etc).


These just don't really interest me...
By BigToque on 1/9/08, Rating: 0
RE: These just don't really interest me...
By tayhimself on 1/9/2008 8:48:34 PM , Rating: 2
I just don't see the market for 19" LCD TVs. Yet there is a market for them. This is not for you. Move along. Thanks!!!!


RE: These just don't really interest me...
By BigToque on 1/9/2008 9:08:22 PM , Rating: 2
I can think of a number of places where a 19" tv would be great.

Maybe you could help me understand where devices like this would be used I might appreciate them. I just don't see it as being for anything but a small niche in the market (maybe a portable test tool for technicians). Where else would they be useful?


By elpresidente2075 on 1/9/2008 9:40:26 PM , Rating: 2
A student would find this immensely useful. Having been one for some years, and having used a 15" laptop for the last 2 in a mobile capacity, I definitely can say that this market would embrace such a device.

Basically anyone who needs to be mobile with their computer more than once a week and must carry it on their back. Try taking a 15" to class with you all day for a week or two, and you'll understand the market for these smaller devices.


RE: These just don't really interest me...
By helios220 on 1/10/2008 9:42:25 AM , Rating: 2
While there clearly is a market for these devices, what is the harm of the original poster not being interested?

Personally I'm not interested in these devices either, they are far too big to be on my person at all times and the size to performance compromise just doesn't entice me, the keyword being me, not trying to tell everyone else what they should or shouldn’t like.

In regards to students, a very light laptop would have been nice but back when I was in College a device of this nature wouldn't have cut it, as an Engineering student I was running Matlab/Simulink, LabView, Catia etc. and there are too many OS and performance constraints, even if you do get XP installed.

Regardless of my personal tastes, there is clearly a market segment that does have interest in these devices. I am interested in the concept but am certainly waiting it out for now. I think that there is at least some if not a lot of DT readers who just fail to see why the Eee and competitors have been getting so much coverage recently. But I suppose no one forces you to read the articles.


By Nightskyre on 1/10/2008 10:21:34 AM , Rating: 2
It's not a problem the OP isn't interested in this product.

The issue is the common forum predisposition to waste space and time in order to inform everyone who has better things to do (in this case, read relevant posts) that they aren't interested.

Combine this with the OP's shortsightedness regarding the usability of a device (ANY device falls into this category - someone's not interested in anything) and you get a very annoying situation.

The first comparison that comes to mind is this:

There's a line of people waiting for a video game to come out outside a Game Stop. I walk up to them and tell them how video games are stupid and there are better things to do with their lives.

Is this true? Not to them, but it is to me (Not really, I'm playing devil's advocate here). However, it doesn't provide anything positive to either party and is just a waste of time.

This is the internet. Unless you're famous, nobody cares what your opinion is. Were the original post simply "What is the market for this?" this thread would have a completely different flavor.


RE: These just don't really interest me...
By porkpie on 1/10/2008 1:30:51 PM , Rating: 2
On the Internet, if you're going to offer up a silly opinion like there's "no market" for a device like this, expect to get it knocked down. That's what forums are for, right?


By helios220 on 1/10/2008 3:33:25 PM , Rating: 3
I'm not the dude’s defense lawyer, but what he actually said was:

quote:
I just don't see a market for these kinds of devices.


Which if interpreted as a blunt 'factual' statement would of course be absurd. However, the qualifier "I just don't see" indicates that it may be more a personal opinion which is quite different.

I just don't see the market for PC power supplies that are in the Kilowatt range these days, it seems grossly unnecessary to me. Yet there is a market, people still buy them whether or not it makes sense to me. Clearly it is my civic internet forum duty to inform all those who think differently than me that:

(1) You are wrong
(2) You are bad person
(3) You may be gay
(4) I hate you

It's the forum way.


By Ichigo on 1/9/2008 9:06:56 PM , Rating: 4
Which is clearly why you're not making any money off the market; you don't believe it exists.

Apparently ASUS has a bunch of people under mass hypnosis.


RE: These just don't really interest me...
By rickon66 on 1/9/2008 9:38:59 PM , Rating: 2
Desktops offer no portability - a very astute observation!
Just because you are not interested makes this an invalid worthless product?
What is your point?


By elpresidente2075 on 1/9/2008 9:44:03 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
Just because you are not interested makes this an invalid worthless product?


That is certainly not what the OP implied. They merely do not understand the usage model of such a device.

Education, not flaming, is what is needed here.


By deeznuts on 1/10/2008 1:07:26 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
That is certainly not what the OP implied. They merely do not understand the usage model of such a device.

Education, not flaming, is what is needed here.
If you reread the OP, it is what he is implying. He already contemplated the answer to his question of what the potential uses are, and shot them down.


RE: These just don't really interest me...
By HammerZ on 1/10/2008 4:13:16 AM , Rating: 3
FWIT, Asus sold over 350,000 EEE PC's from the middle of October to December 27th. Obviously, there is a market for these kind of devices.


RE: These just don't really interest me...
By Spivonious on 1/10/2008 9:03:21 AM , Rating: 2
Just out of curiosity, did you mean FWIW? Or is FWIT a synonym for that?


By HammerZ on 1/11/2008 2:08:51 AM , Rating: 2
FWIW = For what it's worth


By HammerZ on 1/11/2008 2:10:50 AM , Rating: 2
Damn. Need an edit button. Yes, I meant FWIW. :) Typo


Hrmmm
By Jedi2155 on 1/9/08, Rating: 0
RE: Hrmmm
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 1/9/2008 8:18:39 PM , Rating: 2
2 pounds


RE: Hrmmm
By Clauzii on 1/9/2008 8:24:58 PM , Rating: 2
In Danish Kroner=2.500,-. Very cool, even I can afford this ;)


RE: Hrmmm
By elessar1 on 1/10/2008 1:53:19 PM , Rating: 1
Here in Chile yu could have it for CLP$299.000, thats like USD$600 in the current exchange rate.

But...it is a Packard Bell!!!!

http://www.pcfactory.cl/ficha.php?id=acf86a40-6b7d...

So, everex is not building them, is probably a Chinese generic PC manufacterer who build them for everex / Packard Bell.

Greetings from Chile...

elessar


RE: Hrmmm
By Gul Westfale on 1/11/2008 12:15:36 AM , Rating: 2
the machine is based on a reference design from VIA. VIA built this as a tech demonstrator to show what they can do (low power and all), and i guess someone simply licensed the design and manufactures it and then sells it on to third parties. or perhaps VIA itself is selling them on to PC vendors? no idea, but it's good to see some competition for the EEEPC.

perhaps in 2 years we will be able to get these machines with slimline DVD drives and more RAM for $300? i hope so.


RE: Hrmmm
By rickon66 on 1/9/2008 9:33:05 PM , Rating: 3
READ the article B4 commenting - the weight is mentioned TWICE


RE: Hrmmm
By Jedi2155 on 1/9/2008 11:25:10 PM , Rating: 2
Sorry, I did scan it for the weight, but I was looking numbers rather than word.


RE: Hrmmm
By pugster on 1/10/2008 9:01:10 AM , Rating: 2
I agree. Another thing about this pc is that there is no touchpad for mouse. I'm surprised that no manufacturers are making these umpc's with intel's silverthorne processors.


RE: Hrmmm
By drebo on 1/10/2008 10:54:53 AM , Rating: 2
Have you ever seen a 1.8" hard drive?

Aparently not, or you wouldn't have made such a stupid comment.


I wouldnt use Gos
By Merry on 1/9/2008 9:35:04 PM , Rating: 2
For a start gos is, well pants. I thought i'd give it a go and was thoroughly disappointed. Its just Ubuntu with a different window manager, one which is harder to use than KDE or GNOME, or probably much else for that matter.

I've used Linux (Ubuntu if you must know) solely for over 18 months now and i just feel the distros they are using on both the eeepc and this are flawed regardless of hardware, though this latest Walmart offering seems the worst in this regard of the two




RE: I wouldnt use Gos
By elpresidente2075 on 1/9/2008 9:51:53 PM , Rating: 2
Judging by the fact you've used linux solely for the last year and a half, I'd say you aren't the type of person who buys a computer at Walmart either. These os' are designed with complete noobs (to use the phrase) in mind, and as such have limited functionality to limit risk of killing it. They know that the biggest problem with any computer system is it's users, so what they are doing is limiting the amount of problems the users can cause by default. It's good for surfing the net and typing papers, and that's all it needs.

The first thing you and I would do with it of course would put Ubuntu (you) or Windows (me, sorry. I don't like fighting my computer) on it and have all the functionality we need.

Remember, it's for the noobs.


RE: I wouldnt use Gos
By marvdmartian on 1/10/2008 10:31:46 AM , Rating: 2
That being said, should we be selling them OLPC's then??? I mean, it doesn't get much simpler than X's and O's, right?? ;)

You know, the biggest problem I'd have with this would be the ultra-tiny screen. Man, once you've gone to needing bifocals, reading monitors is a much bigger chore than it used to be, especially tiny ones!! :(


RE: I wouldnt use Gos
By rhangman on 1/9/2008 11:36:09 PM , Rating: 2
You can always install another OS. For instance in Europe where it is made/sold by Packard Bell, it comes with Win XP installed. Not sure what you get in Korea (TGIC Digital MX Nanobook).

As for the weight, the reference design from Via is supposed to be under 850g, so 2 pounds would be an over statement.

As for the CPU, I have a 1.5GHz C7 that I use as a server (http, ftp, mail, amule) and also sometimes for media playback. Plays back standard 1/2CD Xvid encodes fine, just don't expect HD playback, although the chipset in the nanobooks should support hardware MPEG-2/4/VC-1 decoding at some level. Really depends what you are using the device for, but I would think most wouldn't be doing anything really CPU intensive, although I guess it does have DVI out for more serious use.

Personally if I were a manufacturer, I would have ditched Via's right module thing and installed a larger screen. Here it looks like the installed a webcam instead, which they could have squeezed in above the screen probably.


RE: I wouldnt use Gos
By defter on 1/10/2008 2:49:59 AM , Rating: 2
You have used Linux for 18 months and are complaining about a windowmanager??

You know, you can easily install your favourite windowmanager regardless of distribution...


RE: I wouldnt use Gos
By ET on 1/10/2008 4:42:55 AM , Rating: 2
Sure he can, but as another poster answered, this is meant for noobs. Giving them a windows manager that's less convenient than others is not a smart thing.


RE: I wouldnt use Gos
By Merry on 1/10/2008 7:59:18 AM , Rating: 2
Thats exactly what I meant.


7" LCD = No Sale
By fatbaldandhappy on 1/9/2008 8:23:49 PM , Rating: 1
It was looking good right up to the 7" LCD. Had it been a 9 or 10 incher this would be very tempting.




RE: 7" LCD = No Sale
By Clauzii on 1/9/2008 9:21:06 PM , Rating: 2
But probably also use more power.

We just can't get everything - yet.


RE: 7" LCD = No Sale
By rsasp on 1/9/2008 11:31:59 PM , Rating: 2
nope, 7" LCD is just the right size for this type of laptop because it can be hold on to by one hand, and the other hand uses it to operate the laptop, and on 9"-10" LCD is too big for that, you need to use your lap, which means you need to sit down :P


RE: 7" LCD = No Sale
By HammerZ on 1/10/2008 4:18:19 AM , Rating: 2
7" is fine. However, the resolution is disappointing. Only if it was higher like 1024x600 or so.

I didn't see a pointing stick or track pad in the pictures. That would be the bigger deal breaker if you have to lug a mouse everywhere to use the device.


RE: 7" LCD = No Sale
By thornburg on 1/10/2008 8:41:56 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
I didn't see a pointing stick or track pad in the pictures. That would be the bigger deal breaker if you have to lug a mouse everywhere to use the device.


I second this. Has anyone used one of these things? How do you move the pointer?

Please tell it isn't mousekeys... :-(


RE: 7" LCD = No Sale
By Chris Peredun on 1/10/2008 9:09:21 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
I second this. Has anyone used one of these things? How do you move the pointer?


It's a little odd to explain - but there's a "tiny touchpad" on the top right hand side of the plastic panel above the keyboard, and the far left side sports a pair of mouse buttons. It does take a bit of getting used to, but rest assured there is an integrated pointing device of some manner.


By Gravemind123 on 1/9/2008 11:33:15 PM , Rating: 2
I'm hoping that competition will cause Asus to release an updated eee PC, hopefully with a larger 9'-10' screen and maybe find some way to update the integrated graphics to a newer Intel solution and also perhaps give a bit more CPU power if possible within the confined space. If not an upgrade, maybe a price drop. I'm going off to college next year, and I would love to bring an eee PC, a Cloudbook or similar with me.




By 91TTZ on 1/10/2008 11:36:21 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
'm hoping that competition will cause Asus to release an updated eee PC, hopefully with a larger 9'-10' screen


Wow...A 9 to 10 FOOT screen?


By deeznuts on 1/10/2008 1:10:00 PM , Rating: 2
Dude scan hardware and CES sites. 8.9" Eee on the way. 1024x600 apparently.


Asus eee is still better IMO
By xNIBx on 1/10/2008 1:11:45 AM , Rating: 3
Asus eee doesnt have any moving parts. The fan doesnt work most of the time, so most of the time the laptop is completely silent and with no vibrations. This a pretty big advantage. Having something so small and so quiet is really cool.

Hard disk = moving parts = heat + noise + heavier + higher power consumption + movement + reliability issues.

Also asus eee is prettier and has better gui. It probably has faster cpu and faster gpu(gma 900).

Asus eee has 2 disadvantages, the resolution of its screen and its keyboard. The keyboard cant get any significantly larger without increasing the size of the laptop but the screen can get bigger and get higher resolution without increasing the size of the laptop.

So what i would like is an asus eee with maybe a bigger screen that is 1024 pixel wide(so that most web pages dont need horizontal scrolling).




RE: Asus eee is still better IMO
By JoshuaBuss on 1/10/08, Rating: -1
RE: Asus eee is still better IMO
By xNIBx on 1/10/2008 5:32:23 AM , Rating: 2
Yes, but it could have been lighter if it didnt use a hard disk or use the weight saved on something more useful(battery for example).


RE: Asus eee is still better IMO
By misuspita on 1/11/2008 4:27:21 AM , Rating: 2
Yes, but if it had not used a HDD the weight saved would be veery small (have you seen a 1.8" harddisk?) and instead loose the main thing that makes this somewhat different from the Eee: 30 vb 2-4-8 GB of memory. Huge difference f you don't want to carry anything external to the device, like a card or external harddrive. or a mouse for that matter :)


Am I blind?
By stugatz on 1/9/2008 11:19:28 PM , Rating: 2
How much RAM on the CloudBook now?

This could be an interesting product that would be easy to find a niche market for. And as each new generation of products like this comes out, we may be closer to the merge of UMPC, Tablet, and laptop, with some actual usability in everyday life.

I do like the price enough that I just may have to get one to play with though




RE: Am I blind?
By EnderJ on 1/9/2008 11:47:11 PM , Rating: 2
It has 512MB. Looks like they cut the memory in half between the prototype phase and release.

quote:
Additional Preinstalled and Linked Software
Mozilla Firefox, gMail, Meebo, Skype, Wikipedia, GIMP, Blogger, YouTube, Xing Movie Player, RythemBox, Faqly, Facebook and OpenOffice.org 2.3 (includes WRITER, IMPRESS, DRAW, CALC, BASE)

Hardware Specifications
1.2GHz, VIA C7®-M Processor ULV, 512MB DDR2 533MHz, SDRAM, 30GB Hard Disk Drive, 7" WVGA TFT Display (800 x 480), VIA UniChrome Pro IGP Graphics, VIA High-Definition Audio, 802.11b/g, (1) 10/100 Ethernet Port, (1) DVI-I Port, (2) USB 2.0 Ports, (1) 4-in1 Media Card Reader, (1) 1.3MP Webcam, (1) Headphone/Line-Out Port, (1) Microphone/Line-In Port, (1) Set of Stereo Speaker, (1) Touchpad, (1) 4-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery


Cheapo Brand
By Quiescent on 1/10/2008 9:33:18 AM , Rating: 2
Everex is known for being a really cheap brand. VIA processors ARE slower than you think. In fact this VIA processor, specifically, is slower than the celeron processor on the Eee. As I've said before, the Eee's Celeron is underclocked to 630mhz. And for the things I do on my Eee 4G Surf, it doesn't need the stock clock speed of 900mhz. In fact, as I've said before, it opens Office Word, Powerpoint, and Excel in less than two seconds. The speed of the SSD card is extremely nice. When Asus made their Eee's, they did a good balance. So their $400 priced 4G is worth every penny. And mine, being $350, will be worth just as great.

Asus DID NOT skimp on anything. I imagine that Everex did.




RE: Cheapo Brand
By rhangman on 1/11/2008 1:01:49 AM , Rating: 2
The Via should be at worst 65% clock for clock as the Intel chip. So that would make it the equiv of the eee being clocked at ~800MHz, something that would reduce battery life, certainly make it louder due to the fan running more and possibly making it overheat.

Via also has some other advantages, like being able to change states within a clock, so no lag when changing power states. Also they have an encryption co-processor which could come in useful for on the fly HDD encryption since something so small would be easy to lose (or for someone to steal). Doesn't sound like this has been incorporated in the OS though.


By Joz on 1/10/2008 11:50:34 AM , Rating: 2
Or any of VIA's other older and newer designs.

Would you idiots please start doing research before you post.

http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=5&Arti...

http://www.geek.com/vias-c7-m-powered-tongfang-not...

VIA CPU's are not designed to compete with Intel or VIA at anylevel performance wise. VIA's CPU strength lies in very low power consumption, low heat and small size (package).

Personaly, I would gladly take a room full of servers, and replace them with C7s.




By Quiescent on 1/10/2008 6:58:36 PM , Rating: 2
Doesn't matter. This Everex Subnotebook is in direct competition with the Eee. Thus this means that ALL THE SPECIFICATIONS are in DIRECT COMPETITION with the Eee's specifications, including, BUT NOT limited to, the VIA Vs. Celeron processor.


Neat machine
By Trippytiger on 1/10/2008 12:04:06 PM , Rating: 2
This is pretty cool to see. Competition for the EEE can only be a good thing. Maybe this will drive Asus to drop their prices a little bit - I could probably rationalize a 2G Surf if it were in the sub $250 range! Even if that doesn't happen, it's nice to see that a cheap ultraportable laptop market is developing. Hopefully more manufacturers will also start to get involved.

I think it will be interesting to see if Everex release any lower-end CloudBook models as well. If they were able to cut costs (and improve battery life!) by dropping the 30GB hard drive for a smaller flash drive like in the EEE, then they'd really have my attention, even with that offset screen and strange touchpad setup.




RE: Neat machine
By misuspita on 1/11/2008 5:07:06 AM , Rating: 2
I really wish to see this coming to Europe, but seems we're stuck with the Packard Bell version, 600 euros. At least that's the price I managed to find. And that is not good for them. Compared to the Eee, I mean. Darn


All I can say is...
By HaZaRd2K6 on 1/9/2008 8:19:31 PM , Rating: 2
This is great news. A competitor to the Eee PC with more storage space and basically the same footprint. ASUS had better have something really nifty up their collective sleeve. Plus, this can only drive costs down as each company tries to out-manoeuvre the other.

The only thing that really stopped me from picking up an Eee PC was the fact that it only had 4-8GB of storage and I wasn't about to pick up an SDHC card to expand it. This looks like it'll be a great alternative (if they ship it to Canada, that is).




Online Apps
By Floorbit on 1/10/2008 11:50:47 AM , Rating: 2
Wouldnt ask a newbe to use these online apps.This is googles start into the operating system areas.Simply putting a bunch of websites onto an operating system wich store your work,and its software online (using 'web apps in a browser)is certainly a secondary option.Never a first.
It is quite elusive to consider this interactive eye-candy for the beginer.Although if configurable,I would run everything w/o the web connections.Perhaps install Open Office then run that.Something around the house,and 'use'the web browser.I wouldnt consider the online apps,with there 'online storage,and web connectivity/interactivity something as a household word -literally.
Must be what is stealing all my cheese.




Pointing Device?
By rangerdavid on 1/11/2008 11:28:56 AM , Rating: 2
I don't see a trackpad, trackball, eraser-stick-IBM-thing, nothing. Am I seeing this thing right?




Screen resolution
By Penti on 1/12/2008 7:23:15 PM , Rating: 2
I wish they would have higher resolution even the Sony C1 Picturebook from like 2001 had 1280x600, 8.95" screen. It can't be that expensive now.

But i guess Opera could resize the websites.

Regards

Penti




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