Comments on: $130 Android Laptop

By: Robyinno

Robyinno — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:04:00 +0000

I think is ready to replace , for example Genesi Efikamx Smartbook is a Cortex A8, freescale imx515 and 10,1 inch display, with Ubuntu 10.10, 512MB of RAM and 16Gb of SSD http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook

By: Charbax

Charbax — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 05:02:00 +0000

In reply to Phlegon. Yep, I'm waiting too, and with Motorola Atrix 4G basically proving ARM Powered laptops are a mass marketing possibility, it winning "Best of CES 2011", I'm pretty sure we are getting nearer.

By: Charbax

Charbax — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 05:01:00 +0000

In reply to Warrenbzf. Are you able to use the CR-48 as your main laptop now? Sounds cool to be on that pilot program. I'm waiting for them to have an ARM Powered Chrome OS pilot program.

By: Charbax

Charbax — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. The $130 price he was quoting is probably a bit high. At CeBIT 2010, about 9 months ago, I filmed some $65 Android Laptops, based on similar VIA ARM9 processor level, with the 10" model at around $90 in bulk back then. Sure ARM Cortex, more/better RAM and I/O highers the price, the idea is once mass manufactured, it could be still closer to $150 than $200 for consumers. If Google wanted to pre-load Chrome OS on those ARM Powered laptops, they could probably subsidize them and sell them at $99 making money later on advertising, that is, if they are able to feel fully confident people will fully use them as their main laptop.

By: Warrenbzf

Warrenbzf — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Yes these will be more popular than x86/MicroSoft powered netbooks. I would suggest them to everybody! Not sure if they’re powerful enough for full time use, but we’ll see in the coming months.

I’m using Google Chrome OS on their CR-48 netbook pilot program, and it is super simple. The only thing that it needs is printing, and access to flash cards so that I can upload pictures/videos. Both of those features are in the development build, which is probably two months away from being finalized.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 03:58:00 +0000

I think the problem is that its $130 for 1000 pieces. So when the consumer buys it it’ll be a bit more. And then if you do the upgrade you recommend, the Cortex processor, the RAM and fast I/O, its gotta be over $200 when it gets to the consumer. Like look at the Toshiba AC-100… Like my Asus netbook cost about $350 with an N550 and full Windows with 13 hour battery (wifi off, brightness down, typing in notepad lol.) Why would I get an Android laptop instead of a netbook?

By: Phlegon

Phlegon — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 02:48:00 +0000

Charbax, to be honest, I’ve been waiting for stuff like this, it’s just that most manufacturers don’t have the vision and foresight to make a very good and compelling product with a very responsive user interface.

I’m getting fed up of my hot-running Intel dual-core laptop and would like to jump onto some powerful, cool-running, long-lasting ARM variant running linux/chromeos/android.