Re: YouTube - $98 Linux Laptop from China - The HiVision MiniNote

On Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:13:45 -0700, Joerg
<notthisjoergsch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Spehro Pefhany wrote:
On Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:42:19 -0700, the renowned Joerg
<notthisjoergsch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Spehro Pefhany wrote:
On Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:36:22 -0700, Joerg
<notthisjoergsch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Spehro Pefhany wrote:
On Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:24:03 +1100, Don McKenzie <5V@xxxx> wrote:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=bKQbN6tpYXw

$98USD Laptop running Linux

Don...
Cheapest offer price I've see to date is $75 @ 5K for a netbook
w/Linux.

IMO, the netbook market is about to explode with many, many suppliers
coming online. I just got an MSI machine (The Taiwan-based motherboard
maker) and it's pretty usable. Typing on it now, as a matter of fact.
;-)

That explosion will only really happen once they show up at places like
Walmart and CostCo. And maybe have a bit more battery runtime.

I think the developed countries will go for a $200-$300 netbook that
is very light and compact and has maybe 3 hours of battery time (not
much beyond what is now available). ...

I've heard many users complain about the short battery time. I am one of
them. In fact some even didn't buy laptops because they don't think it's
worth it to have a machine that quits on you after 2-3h.

Sure, but it depends on how you intend on using it. In the Asian
market, there are a bunch of notebook computers that have no batteries
at all. Just kind of a portable all-in-one desktop. ...


That is essentially how I use my laptop. Go to the client, plug it in,
work, go back to the hotel, plug it in, check email. The battery life
just ain't there for any serious off-grid work.


... They can use
cheaper components and still and up with a light and small unit. With
netbooks, there's a real trade-off between ultra-portability,
performance (both speed and HDD capacity) and weight. IMHO, SDD are
not quite there yet in capacity for most of us packrats (but getting
to within 10db). Heck, my little MP3 player has 160G capacity, why
would I settle for less on a netbook?


Yep. Plus we should remember that a mere 15 years ago it was possible to
work with roughly the same productivity as today (less a big chunk of
the web) on a machine that had just a few ten MB and <100MHz x486
processor. Most of the "progress" in software is simply bloat.


The Staples website doesn't have anything under the usual $700 ceiling.
Dell does. So ...

No longer on the website (staples.ca). 499 CAD Maybe it was test
marketing (online only and only one demo unit per store). It's the 10"
MSI Wind.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSI_Wind_PC


Quote "... first listed for pre-orders on May 9, 2008 ..." and already
taken off the shelves? That sure does not sound good.


It was fine for running Dev-C++ compiler and a field solver for
working out some Helmholtz coil impedances, for example, and handled
Skype nicely. Built-in Bluetooth, three USB ports (not Dell's 2),
webcam etc. The Synaptics touchpad isn't very good (maybe needs
tweaking), but it works nicely with a Logitech Bluetooth laser travel
mouse (no dongle required).


Was as in "was"? Did you already replace it? I wouldn't mind sub-optimal
pointing devices and such as long as the battery holds >5h. Otherwise
I'll just keep buying what you described above, "miniaturized desktops".

Nah, I bought it for one overseas trip, which is now over, and I don't
expect to use it much for the next little while. Maybe surfing the net
in Starbucks by times. Asus is claiming full-day computing on some of
their new EEE netbooks, so maybe they'll actually work for >5hrs. But
the weight is creeping up with all those batteries, to almost 1.5Kg,
so I'm not sure I like the trade-off. BTW, even the little Wind would
drive an external 24" 1920x1200 display, albeit a bit sluggishly.

Kawasaki would be a nice name on a laptop :-)

Don't confuse it with the motorcycle maker, of course. ;-)

This market is probably going to explode in the next year or two,
IMHO, for ultra-portable 2nd notebooks, and primary computers for
younger kids.


I seriously doubt it. They probably all want the next cool iPhone or
some GPS gadget. For reasons that completely elude me.

The iPod and I guess the iPhone are kind of complimentary even so---
very small and light, battery life of tens of hours and a teeny-tiny
display. I can see the modern road warrior with a 15-17" WUXGA laptop
with discrete graphics, a 10" 800x600 netbook, and an iPod/iPhone. The
netbook cost about the same today as an HP WinCE Ipaq did a few years
ago, but it actually is useful. In another year or two they should be
"awesome", as the kids say.
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@xxxxxxxxxxxx Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
.

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