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Print E-mail del.icio.us 15 comment(s) - last by gudodayn.. on Apr 2 at 9:25 PM

  (Source: Engadget)

  (Source: Engadget)

  (Source: Engadget)
Everex shows off next-generation CloudBook notebook

When Everex first announced its $399 CloudBook in during CES 2008, we thought it had a winner on its hands. The device rocked a 1.2GHz VIA C7-M processor, 30GB HDD, 7" 800x480 display, and a 4-cell battery.

The CloudBook promised all of the functionality of the Eee PC and added to it DVI-out support and a relatively spacious 30GB HDD. Unfortunately, what looked good on paper didn't turn out to be such a great idea in practice. Reviews from around the web panned the device.

An evaluation from Notebook Review noted that despite the larger 30GB HDD, the drive's 4,200 spindle speed made it woefully slow in comparison to the Eee PC's built-in 4GB solid-state disk (SSD). In addition, its touchpad interface was seen as overly complex and useless, the gOS operating system was lambasted, overall system performance was poor, and the machine had serious problems with overheating.

Everex is looking to tackle those problems head-on with the new CloudBook Max. The CloudBook Max, like the new Eee PC 900, makes use of an 8.9" display running at a generous 1024x600 resolution. The poor system performance will hopefully be resolved with the faster 1.6GHz VIA C7-M processor and VIA VX800 digital media IGP chipset (2GB of memory is now standard). The HDD has been boosted to 80GB, but it's likely that the drive still spins at a leisurely 4,200 RPM.

In addition to the already standard 802.11a/b/g WiFi, the CloudBook Max adds integrated GPS, Bluetooth and WiMAX. Everex also wisely added a traditional trackpad to the CloudBook Max to replace the torturous input mechanism of its predecessor.

Everex promises four-hour run times with the new CloudBook Max.

"Consumers and mobile workers want to experience the real Internet and all their favorite applications with the same high speed and full functionality whether at their desk or on the go," said Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing for VIA Technologies. "With its ground-breaking design and embedded Mobile WiMAX connectivity, the new Everex CloudBook Max paves the way for truly seamless computing whatever your location."

Pricing is currently not available for the CloudBook Max and the device is expected to launch in the second half of 2008.

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Nice!
By fxyefx on 4/1/2008 6:23:52 PM , Rating: 2
Any idea of about how much it will weigh? It has a much more put-together look to it without that clunky gap between the screen and keyboard area. Also it would be nice if they offered SSD drive options as well - I'm betting that this will hit closer to mark on their stated price points than the Asus Eee has thus far, and no need for lotsa storage for the niche that this product fills (that's what cheap desktops are for).




RE: Nice!
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 4/1/2008 6:25:50 PM , Rating: 3
"Less than 2.2 pounds"


RE: Nice!
By ImSpartacus on 4/1/2008 6:41:05 PM , Rating: 2
It still looks like a brick. Look how thick it is!

I'm not a big fan of these ultra cheap ultra portables, but the EEE has the right idea, but this cloudbook doesn't seem to have the same thing.


RE: Nice!
By deeznuts on 4/1/2008 6:42:13 PM , Rating: 2
At least they learned. Their last effort was horrible.


RE: Nice!
By ImSpartacus on 4/1/2008 8:20:30 PM , Rating: 2
I'll give you that. I'm sure this will be better than the 30GB Cloudbook. Do they use 2.5in HDD's or 1.8in?


RE: Nice!
By gudodayn on 4/1/08, Rating: 0
RE: Nice!
By Calin on 4/2/2008 2:47:00 AM , Rating: 2
"Sony made couple of 10 inch size laptops that had 10x or more the performance of an eeePC"

As the EeePC use a Celeron processor underclocked at 600MHz or so, 10 times the performance would be a 3GHz Dual Core (or a 6GHz processor). At such a slow speed, I don't think Celeron suffers too much from its lower specs.
For the memory, 512MB on EeePC, so 5GB on the Sony?
Hard drive - this probably is a 20x or more difference

Oh well, I wish I was in Taiwan to buy such a wonderful 12" laptop for $600. Unfortunately, I am in Europe, when the 14" laptops start at $700, and the 12" are in a price class of their own


RE: Nice!
By gudodayn on 4/2/2008 4:30:14 AM , Rating: 2
I know what you are saying.....

But when I say 10x the performance, I meant the actual performance and not CPU clock speed for clock speed / RAM capacity for capacity!

It is unfortunate that the wonderful 12 inch laptops dont exist in Europe (maybe they do ~ look harder, look for ECS~).......but I still dont see why people should support buying "something made of left over parts"!!!


RE: Nice!
By afkrotch on 4/2/2008 10:59:15 AM , Rating: 2
Why do ppl always try and compare these two notebooks against something that's larger, 10x the performance, 4x the price, 1/4 the battery life, and so on.

You're also looking at products built for different needs. EeePC or this little Cloudbook I'd haul around town with me in a coat pocket or cargo pocket. Stop in for a cup of joe, do a little websurfing, then be on my way. Bigger pain with something like a 12" or higher laptop.


RE: Nice!
By gudodayn on 4/2/2008 9:25:07 PM , Rating: 2
They are being compared becasue they are trying to eat a piece of the pie!!

Correction:
1. its 10x the performance (celeron 600 Vs CoreDuo 2330)
2. 1.5x the price $400 Vs $600
3. half the battery life (depending on what you're doing)

.......and at 12" weighing only 1.2Kg....guess what, I carry it just like a notepad everywhere I go / do everything you do and more (if I choose to)

Get my drift?

I'm not saying that these mini laptops are no good.....I'm simply saying, cost per performance wise ....... the cost ratio is high!!! very high!!!


gOs
By batman4u on 4/1/2008 7:16:29 PM , Rating: 2
This Ubuntu Based OS that comes with Everex notebook just sucks, its slow, and VIA processors i know they are good but whats in them that makes a every day computing that makes a PC so slow??

i Hope they fix this




RE: gOs
By mmntech on 4/2/2008 3:46:38 PM , Rating: 2
gOS does suck but you could always put a new distro on there. It's good enough for people looking for something basic. Keep in mind these systems aren't really meant to replace a desktop or full size laptop. Rather, they're filling in the gap between PDAs and laptops. They're more then good enough for basic web surfing, word processing, and keeping you organized.

As for the HDD, my aging laptop has a 4200rpm drive and it's more than fast enough for a basic system. I'd rather have the storage than the speed for something like that. A 32gb SDD would cost too much. The Cloudbook is better than the original Eee PC but I don't think it's up to par with the new Eee 900s.


Isaiah ?
By Soulkeeper on 4/1/2008 7:28:07 PM , Rating: 2
according to what i'm reading, that new chipset should support Isaiah

so does that mean we can expect a "max ultra" or "max II" next month ?

C7 is long in the tooth ...

hmmm i hope they don't completely abandon linux just because a couple noobs cry :)

wimax == HSDPA/3G ???




RE: Isaiah ?
By stmok on 4/2/2008 12:17:34 PM , Rating: 2
We will very likely see Isaiah variants for the Cloudbook. (and whatever other name they're known around the world).

I also heard that VIA is partnering up with Nvidia to introduce a variant of the MCP79 chipset for Isaiah...They need to modify it from the Intel bus to VIA's V4 bus.

So VIA will finally get a somewhat useful IGP that is better supported under Linux. (although its via a binary blob).


Crooked keyboard?
By therealnickdanger on 4/1/2008 6:49:23 PM , Rating: 1
Is it just the lighting or did they not mount the keyboard properly for the photoshoot?




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