1. Home
  2. Embedded Programming
  3. YouTube - $98 Linux Laptop from China - The HiVision MiniNote
  4. Page 2

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

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. 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?

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.

formatting link

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).

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.

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany

--
"it's the network..."                          "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog  Info for designers:  http://www.speff.com
Reply to
Spehro Pefhany
Loading thread data ...

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.

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 > The Staples website doesn't have anything under the usual $700 ceiling.

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

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".

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

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.
Reply to
Joerg

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.

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@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog  Info for designers:  http://www.speff.com
Reply to
Spehro Pefhany

Simple. Different applications. You don't need 160G to surf the internet and the money can be better spent elsewhere.

Was your mp3 player $100?

Reply to
AZ Nomad

I don't 'need' a lot of things, but it's sure nice to have all that information and familiar applications at hand, and the cost delta doesn't really seem to be significant for a HDD. That much flash is still pretty expensive.

No, of course not. But it didn't cost many hours of work or tanks of gasoline either, and it's made a lot better than the $20 knock-offs (which won't hold hundreds of podcasts).

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany

--
"it's the network..."                          "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog  Info for designers:  http://www.speff.com
Reply to
Spehro Pefhany

I guess you're ideal laptop has a 160GB hard drive; a playschool busybox chicklet keyboard a 256x128 black and white screen a 200mhz pic

2M of ram

Your ideal laptop is a $20 cell phone duct taped to a 160GB hard drive.

Reply to
AZ Nomad

Now in Target stores in St. Paul, Minnesota: ASUS 8.9" Eee 4GB PC Netbook Computer with Linux - Black - $299.99

formatting link

Reply to
Pete Bergstrom

ElectronDepot website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.