Low-Cost PCs in 2008 - Expected 13 Million
February 26, 2008
DigiTimes is reporting that the low-Cost PC market in 2008 should reach 13 million units, with many of those including ultraportable laptops (or netbooks, or notebook UMPCs, etc.):
Acer has already placed additional orders of around one million units with Wistron, while Hewlett-Packard (HP) has placed orders for two million low-cost PC with the company. Quanta will also act as one of Acer’s OEMs for low-cost PCs, noted the sources, adding that vendors may even place more orders in the second quarter.
The computers mentioned:
- HP Compaq 2133
- Asus Eee PC
- Acer’s 8.9″ Offering
The included chart has Acer’s 8.9″ notebook shipping in April, with the HP Compaq 2133 shipping sometime between March and May, with Asus shipping their second-generation Asus Eee PC in May.
More Info About Acer’s 8.9″ Budget Laptop/UMPC
February 25, 2008
We’ve been hearing some rumblings about an Acer 8.9″ laptop/UMPC that would compete in the UMPC market for a while.
This little bit was mentioned in a DigiTimes story today:
In additional news, the company will launch its low-cost notebook line in the second quarter this year. The devices will feature an 8.9-inch panel and a choice between flash or hard drive-based storage. Pricing will be set at around NT$15,000 (US$479.25).
This reflects similar comments made around two weeks ago on CNA English News.
In theory, it’ll be similar to the Asus Eee PC or the HP Compaq 2133
Everex CloudBook: In Stock at Wal-Mart, First Impressions
February 22, 2008
Earlier today, we mentioned that Wal-Mart had the Everex CloudBook listed on their website. They are now showing the 7″ Asus Eee PC competitor as being in stock and ready to go.
Meredith Farkas has posted her initial impressions after having received her pre-ordered CloudBook. She was impressed by the display and the keyboard, but not so much with the preloaded software. For her, it’s a definite secondary computer/laptop: I bought this computer so that I wouldn’t have to lug around my 15-inch MacBook Pro at conferences. For that, this machine will definitely meet my needs. I can connect to the Web, I can use Open Office, and all on something that is ridiculously light……. If this was someone’s primary computer, it would be a disaster.
Jamfish has also received her CloudBook and has unboxed it and started using it. She seemed to echo some of sentiments that Meredith and others have expressed: I’m enjoying my Cloudbook. Though rough around the edges, I like the portability of the machine, and that I can have an easier handle on it than most laptops(the hole is actually more helpful for holding than people might think!). It has a very clear screen, touchpad is actually a fun convinience, and I’m learning to type faster on this thing by the hour. The gOS(like on any developing Operating Systems), could use some tweaking, but, hasn’t given me too many problems that I can’t handle
All via CloudBooker
HP Compaq 2133 - Entry Level - $499, VIA?
February 22, 2008
I mentioned an article on CNET about how maybe the Palm Foleo wasn’t such a bad idea. There was a single line in the article that mentioned the would-be UMPC laptop (or subnotebook or whatever) from HP, the HP Compaq 2133, and Kevin Tofel at jkOnTheRun mentioned it while I ignored it.
The line was this: The 2133 from HP will have an entry level model priced at $499, and will have a Via processor, we’re told.
I ignored it because I’ve now heard speculation, rumors, and “insider” information that it will have AMD, Via, or Intel CPUs.
Kevin has been paying attention to UltraMobileLife, which is sponsored by VIA and features entries from VIA employees writing in an official capacity. A VIA employee posted this:
While I can’t make any comments about which platform HP would be using for a UMPC, I can certainly say they would be a welcome addition to the UMPC market……..
……Me? I’m hoping for a super thin 9″ mini-note with HSDPA built-in.
It’s a very interesting comment. The way my mind works, it almost sounds like the author of that entry is writing in such a way as to maintain an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). If they knew it wasn’t a VIA CPU, they probably would have said - they certainly wouldn’t have been prevented from disclosing that it’s not using a VIA CPU - other entries about other UMPCs, etc., mention VIA CPUs and non-VIA CPUs (of course they all deal with released or officially announced product).
Kevin points out that it still leaves wiggle room to use Intel CPUs in would-be higher-end versions of the 2133. It also matches the original comments made about such a device which first generated all of the interest in this device, namely that it would be competitively priced and that there would be no question for many people about buying.
$499 - that could be a no-brainer for many and that would definitely pit it against the Asus Eee PC. It would be slightly disappointing to some who would decide they needed something a little bit more powerful and perhaps move up to the Fujitsu P1620. HOWEVER, if you have both VIA and Intel CPUS (as Digitimes reported), you could have something that creeps up in the $600-700 range that is more powerful, and would appeal to those who want something a little bigger and more powerful than the Eee PC…..
Buy an Everex CloudBook From Wal-Mart?
February 22, 2008
I’m slightly confused. Either the Everex CloudBook is delayed or it’s not delayed or it’s for sale or it’s not for sale.
You can clearly see it on Wal-Mart’s Website, and it’s showing “OUT OF STOCK” (may never have been in stock to begin, may have been just somebody adding the SKU information for an upcoming shipment). Wal-Mart is selling it for $399 with a $98.88 2-year service plan. They’ve got all of the right specifications listed, etc., so it looks like it’s not an accident or based on vague information. No idea if it will show up in the brick & mortar stores or if it will be online only.
Meanwhile, CloudBooker is reporting that ZaReason is not going to carry the CloudBook. You may remember that ZaReason was selling pre-orders of the CloudBook, before “selling out” of them (they never had them in stock apparently).
Turns out they lost money refunding some of those pre-orders, as CloudBooker has this message sent to would-be CloudBook buyers: Due to the amount of money we have lost granting refunds (due to bank transaction fees) we can no longer sell the Cloudbook.
This is a train-wreck of a launch so far. It’s got a little potential, just sounds like there is a lot of confusion amongst its partners. Wal-Mart will straighten that out pretty quick, if history is any indication.
Hands On: HCL MiLeap Y Series Tablet PC (Tech Ticker)
February 21, 2008
Tech Ticker has put together a quick hands on of a new convertible Tablet PC/Laptop (really a UMPC given the 7″ display). It’s the HCL MiLeap Y Series Tablet PC.
The MiLeap Y series is manufactured by HCL Infosystems and appears to initially be targeted towards the Indian market. It’s based on Intel’s Ultra Mobile Platform and starts at around $763 USD. The 7″ display is a widescreen touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024×600 and it swivels to lay down flat over the keyboard like a Tablet, or up with access to the keyboard, like a laptop/notebook.
It’s very similar to the Fujitsu Lifebook U810 - while the U810 has a smaller display (5.6″), they both share the same CPU/platform - Intel’s A110, an 800MHz processor designed for mobile devices.
Palm Foleo: Not so dumb?
February 21, 2008
Over at CNET, Erica Ogg writes that the Palm Foleo may not have been such a dumb idea after all, in light of the recent spate of sub-11″ laptops or would-be laptop UMPCs.
She mentions that many see the Asus Eee PC as the catalyst for the sudden interest by both consumers and manufacturers in this segment of the market, but that perhaps the Palm Foleo should be given a little more credit.
Read more
HP Compaq 2133 Roundup
February 20, 2008
Continuing our trend of discussing the Asus Eee PC’s competition, Several articles have started popping up about the HP Compaq 2133, including a very interesting one about what might be under the hood of the 2133. We should almost treat these as rumors at this piont, but it seems like the news/information is coming from several different places with good reputations, so there is probably a lot of truth to it.
With that said:
DigiTimes: DigiTimes mentions that the Chinese-language Commercial Times is reporting that Inventec is building a business-oriented UMPC for Hewlett-Packard, with a launch around April and a price above $630 USD. They mention the use of an Intel Penryn 45nm CPU, and Windows XP.
UMPC Portal on the other hand mentions something else. Chippy over at UMPC Portal has a theory (as well as some interesting sources) - that in order for the 2133 to compete across several markets (from Asus Eee PC to MacBook Air), the 2133 would need a VIA’s C7 or Isaiah CPU platform, as well as their Chrome400 graphics system, and that such a system could scale up to 2GHz. As they mention, if this indeed came to pass, it would be a huge deal for VIA, both in terms of actual orders/income, as well as publicity.
Finally, James Kendrick has posted his thoughts on the HP 2133. He mentions that while it has the same display size as the Fujitsu P1620, the 2133 has a larger bezel around the screen, allowing for a larger keyboard. He also thinks they need to go with AMD rather than VIA or Intel, and that if the device is going to run Vista, it should have 2GB of memory to do it well (and I agree, 2GB of memory these days is cheap).
