Over the past six months or so, Asus, Everex, and HP have managed to bring low-cost ultraportable notebooks to market. But dozens of other computer makers have promised to bring out their own mini-notebooks. Some will run Linux, while others will be preloaded with Windows XP or Vista. Some will have flash memory, while others will have hard drives. But every one will be smaller, lighter, and cheaper than most existing laptop computers. Here’s a roundup of some of the computers that have been announced or are already available.



Already available

Asus Eee PC 701 The Asus Eee PC builds on the concepts originated by the OLPC XO Laptop and Intel’s Classmate PC. But unlike those low cost ultraportables, Asus has marketed the Eee PC to consumers since day one. And the success of the original Eee PC 701 has sparked a whole new trend in mobile computing.

Processor: Intel Celeron 800 or 900MHz, underclocked to 571MHz or 630MHz

RAM: 512MB to 1GB

Storage: 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB solid state flash memory

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Expansion: 3 USB ports, 1 VGA output, 1 SDHC card slot

Operating System: Xandros Linux or Windows XP

Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g

Webcam: 0.3 megapixels

Weight: .92kilograms / 2 pounds

Battery: 4 cell 4400mAh or 5200mAh battery for between 2 and 3 hours of battery life (with a claimed battery life of up to 3.5 hours)

Price: $299 to $499

Official Product Page

Cheap, refurbished units now available on Amazon

Dreambook Light IL1 Australia’s Pioneer Computers announced the Dreambook Light IL1 back in February. And while it doesn’t sport a 9 inch screen or next generation processor, it’s sure pretty to look at.

Processor: 1GHz VIA C7-M ULV CPU

RAM: 512MB to 1GB

Storage: 40GB to 80GB 1.8 inch PATA hard drive

Display:7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Operating System: Ubuntu, Windows XP, or Windows Vista

Expansion: multimedia card reader

Connectivity:

Webcam:

Weight:

Battery: 1.1 kilogram / 2.4 pounds

Price: $499 Australian, or about $450 US

Official Product Page



Everex Cloudbook Everex was the second company to release a consumer oriented subnotebook. But many feel that this product was poorly thought out and quickly rushed to market. Early models shipped with software that was not optimized for the computer’s small screen

Processor: 1.2 GHz VIA C7 Mobile processor

RAM: 512MB

Storage: 30GB hard drive

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Expansion: DVI-I output, 2 USB ports, 4-in-1 media card reader

Operating System: gOS Linux (based on Ubuntu)

Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g

Webcam: 0.3 megapixels

Weight: 2 pounds

Battery:4 cells

Price: $399

Official Product Page

HP 2133 Mini-Note In April, HP launched its Eee PC competitor, the HP 2133 Mini-Note. The computer has a sleeker, more professional look than the Eee PC or Cloudbook, but it also weighs close to three pounds, while the competition weighs just 2. The Mini-Note is also more expensive than the competition, but you get a larger screen and more storage for your money.

Processor: 1GHz – 1.6GHz VIA C7 Mobile Processor

RAM: 512MB to 2GB

Storage: 4GB solid state flash memory or 120GB/160GB hard drive

Display: 8.9 inch 1280 x 768 pixel screen

Expansion: VGA output, 2 USB ports, Express Card slot, SD card slot

Operating System: Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Business, or OpenSUSE Linux

Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth on some models

Webcam: VGA

Weight: 2.8 pounds

Battery: 3 cells or 6 cells

Price: $499 through $849

Official Product Page

Coming Soon





Asus Eee PC 900 The Asus Eee PC 900 is already available in Hong Kong, and is set to hit Europe and the US in the coming weeks. This is the second generation Eee PC and features some nice improvements like additional storage space, a larger display, and more RAM.

Processor:900MHz Celeron processor

RAM: 1GB

Storage: 12GB or 20GB flash memory

Display: 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen

Expansion:VGA output, 3 USB ports, SDHC card slot

Operating System: Windows XP or Xandros Linux

Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g

Webcam: 1.3 megapixels

Weight: .99 kilograms / 2.2 pounds

Battery: 4400 or 5800 mAh 4-cell batteries

Price: $549

Availability: May 12th in the US, May 28th in France

Official Product Page

More Information

ECS G10IL This little computer has all the best features of the Eee PC 701, plus one extra treat: HSDPA support.

Processor: Intel Atom CPU

RAM: Up to 2GB

Storage: 80GB hard drive or flash storage

Display: 8.2 or 10.2 inch screen

Expansion: VGA output, 3 USB ports, 4-in-1 multi card reader

Operating System: Linux or Windows XP

Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, HSDPA or HSUPA, Bluetooth, and a 56k modem

Webcam: 1.3 megapixels

Weight: .92kilograms / 2 pounds

Battery: 4 or 6 cell batteries

Price: $500

Official Product Page

Everex Cloudbook Max Asus isn’t the only company looking preparing to launch a second generation low-cost ultraportable. While Asus is building on the success of the Eee PC 701, you could argue that Everex is building on the failure of the Everex Cloudbook which hasn’t gained the traction the Eee PC has. But the Cloudbook Max does look like quite an improvement over the original Cloudbook, and might actually be worth considering.

Processor: 1.6GHz VIA processor

RAM: 2GB

Storage: 80GB hard drive

Display:8.9 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen

Expansion: VGA, S-Video output, 3 USB ports, 4-in-1 card reader

Operating System:Windows Vista

Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, GPS and WiMAX support

Webcam: 2 megapixels

Weight: 2.2 pounds

Battery: 4 hour battery

Price: N/A

Availability: N/A

Official Product Page

MSI Wind While MSI isn’t a household name, the upcoming MSI Wind laptop could change that. The computer has an attractive look, should be available as early as June, and skips over that whole “let’s put a 7 inch screen in a little computer” thing and matches the second generation Asus and Everex computers right from the get go.

Processor: Intel processors between 1GHz and 1.6GHz

RAM: 1GB

Storage: 80GB hard drive

Display: 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen

Expansion: 3 USB ports, VGA output, SD card reader

Operating System: Windows XP Home

Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth

Webcam: 1.3 megapixels

Battery:3 cells

Weight: 1.2 kilograms / 2.6 pounds

Price: Reportedly between €299 and €699

Availability: Should be available in Europe in June. No word on a US release.

More Information

Surcouf La Révolution French online retailer Surcouf plans to start shipping a new computer based on the VIA Nanobook reference design in May.

Processor: 1.2GHz VIA C7 CPU

RAM: 1GB RAM

Storage: 60G hard drive

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel display

Connectivity: WiFi and Bluetooth

Expansion: Optional webcam, 3G, and GPS modules

Price: €399 /$624

Availability: Scheduled to ship in France starting in May

More Information

Official Product Page

Recently Announced

2Go PC The 2Go PC will likely be the first computer to market sporting Intel’s Netbook reference design for the Classmate PC 2. While this computer is intended primarily for educational use, CTL, the company behind the 2Go does plan to sell the laptop to consumers.

Processor: Intel Celeron M 900MHz

RAM:512MB or 1GB

Storage:40GB 1.8 inch 4200 PATA hard drive

Display: 9 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Expansion: SD/MMC card reader, 2 USB ports

Operating System: Windows XP or Linux

Connectivity: 802.11 b/g with support for open mesh

Webcam: VGA

Battery: 4 cells, 3 hours battery life

Weight: Less than 3 pounds

Price: $400 to $500

Availability: N/A

Official Product Page

More Information

3k Longitude This could be one of the least impressive ultraportables announced in recent times. When it was first announced, the machine reportedly has just 1GB of flash memory, although now the product page says 4GB. But the price has also risen from $399 to $499.

Processor: 400MHz CPU

RAM: 512MB

Storage: 4GB flash memory

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel display

Expansion:3 USB ports, SD card reader

Operating System: “Genuine Linux”

Connectivity: Ethernet, WiFi

Weight: Under 2 pounds

Price: $499

Availability: Late May

Official Product Page

More Information

ACi Ultra-mini It’s not clear whether the ACi Ultra-mini will be available outside of India, but I certainly hope so. This little computer features a solar panel that is suppose to help extend the machine’s battery life to as much as 12 hours.

Processor: VIA 1GHz ULV

RAM: 512MB to 2GB

Storage: 40GB HDD

Display:7 inch screen, with a touch screen in the higher end models

Operating System: The pictures seem to show it running Windows Vista

Connectivity: WiFi and Bluetooth

Webcam: Yes

Weight: N/A

Price: Rs 15,000 which is less than $400 US to Rs 22,000 or $549 US

Availability: N/A

More Information

Airis Kira This computer seems to be built from the same reference design as the Nohrtec Gecko (see below), but comes in a variety of pretty colors.

Processor: 1GHz VIA C7

RAM: 512MB

Storage: 2GB flash memory

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Operating System: Linpus Linux Lite

Expansion: SD/MMC/MS/CF card reader

Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, 56kbps modem

Webcam: Yes

Weight: 1 kilogram, or about 2.2 pounds

Battery: 4 hour battery

Price: €299 or about $470

Availability:N/A

Official Product Page

More Information

Blue Digital Systems Deep Blue Blue Digital Systems is a Philippine company that you’ve probably never heard of. It’s not clear if their Eee PC clone will be available outside of the Philippines.

Processor: 1GHz VIA Esther CPU

RAM: 1GB

Storage:40GB hard drive

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Operating System: Linux or Windows XP Home

Expansion: 2 USB, card reader

Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g

Webcam: Yes

Weight:1.2 kilograms / 2.6 pounds

Battery: 4.5 hours battery life

Price: 16,995 Philippine Pesos, or about $405

Availability: N/A

Official Product Page

Elonex One The Elonex One is a low-cost notebook aimed at the UK market. What makes this computer unique are its low price and unique design: the keyboard snaps off and you can use the Elonex One in tablet mode

Processor: Aday5F-300MHz x86

RAM: 128MB or 256MB

Storage: 1GB or 2GB flash memory

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel display

Operating System: Linux

Expansion: 2 USB ports

Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g (optional), Bluetooth (optional)

Webcam: Optional 2 megapixel camera

Weight: 950 grams (with keyboard) / 2.1 pounds

Battery: 3 cell, 2200mAh battery

Price: Starts at £100 or about $200 US

More Information

Fukato Datacask Germany’s Fukato announced the Datacask in mid-April. This computer features a slowish processor, which might be great for battery life. But it also has a mediocre screen and storage capacity.

Processor: 500MHz AMD Geode LX CPU

RAM: 512MB

Storage: 20GB 1.8 inch hard drive

Display:8 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Operating System: Linux

Battery: 3 hours

Price, availabilitym, and other info N/A

More Information

HCL MiLeap X India’s HCL Infosystems is bringing two different computers to market under the MiLeap name. The MiLeap X is a low cost computer that looks like it uses Intel’s Netbook/Classmate reference design. The Y Series is a bit fancier, pricier, and looks more like a UMPC than a laptop. So we’ll just look at the MiLeap X here, but you can read more about both on Eee Site.

Procesor: 900MHz Intel Celeron Processor

RAM: 512MB

Storage: 2GB flash memory

Display: 7 inch 800 x 600 pixel screen

Expansion: SD card reader, 2 USB ports

Connectivity: 802.11b/g

Battery: 6 cell battery good for 4 hours

Weight: 1.44 kilograms / 3.2 pounds

Price: $350

Jisus This little notebook with a funny name comes in a variety of colors, and that’s pretty much its selling point. But it looks like a respectable alternative to the Eee PC, and matches the original Eee PC almost spec for spec, with the exceptions of the screen size (but not resolution), processor and stated battery life.

Processor: 1GHz 64-bit Loongson 2F

RAM: 512MB

Storage:4GB flash memory

Display: 8.9 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Operating System: Ubuntu Linux

Expansion: 2 USB ports

Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g

Battery: “4.5 hours of wireless productivity”

Price: £299

Availability: May 25th

Official Product Page

More Information

Kohjinsha SCC This ultraportable will cost a few bucks more than some of the entry level low-cost notebooks. But its screen flips back so you can use it in tablet mode. And how can you put a price on that?

Processor: 500MHz AMD Geode LX800

RAM: 512MB

Storage: 80GB hard drive

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Operating System: Windows XP Home (not tablet)

Expansion: 2 USB ports, 3-in-1 card reader, VGA output

Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g

Weight: 945 grams / 2.1 pounds

Price: ¥59,800 to ¥59,800 or about $592 to $780 US

More Information

Medion Akoya Mini This is one of the newest entires, and one of the most intriguing. The Medion Akoya Mini has the polished look of the HP Mini-Note, but it will run the Intel Atom CPU and sport a 10 inch screen, which is about as large as you can go and still be considered an ultraportable

Processor: 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Intel Atom CPU

RAM: 1GB or more

Storage: 1.8 inch hard drive

Display: 10 inch screen (unknown resolution)

Operating System: Windows XP or Linux (unknown distribution)

Expansion: 2 USB ports, memory card reader, VGA output

Webcam: 1.3 megapixels

Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g

Price: €399 or about $640 US

More Information

Noahpad The Noahpad is one of the wackiest ultrportables around. At first, it looks like a typical Eee PC clone. But upon closer inspection, you’ll realize that it has a unique keyboard that does double duty as a two-handed trackpad. While the computer has a native 800 x 480 display, you can use the trackpad to drag and drop the screen around and view a wider screen area. Honestly, this kind of thing just makes me dizzy.

Processor: 1GHz VIA Eden C7

RAM: 512MB

Storage: 30GB

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Operating System: Ubuntu

Expansion: SD card reader

Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth

Webcam: 300k pixels

Weight: .8 kilograms / 1.8 pounds

Price: TBD

Official Product Page

More Information

Nohrtec Gecko This notebook is the fist I’ve seen which appears to run Linpus Linux Lite out of the box. Linpus is a light weight Linux distribution designed for computers with small screens. To be perfectly honest, it looks a lot like the easy mode interface Asus designed for the Eee PC.

Processor: 1GHz VIA CPU

RAM: 256MB

Storage: 4GB flash memory or 40GB hard drive

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen

Operating System: Linpus Linux Lite

Expansion: 3-in-1 card reader

Connectivity:Ethernet, WiFi

Price: Reportedly around $300

Official Product Page

Proview Handbook PC-81001

This low cost PC from Brazil is a bit larger than some of the others on the list, with a 10 inch display. But it’s still cheaper than most full sized laptops, and easier to fit in your bag.

Processor: AMD LX 800, 500 MHz

RAM: 512MB

Storage: 60GB hard drive

Display: 10.2 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen

Operating System: Linux or Windows XP

Expansion: VGA output, 2 USB ports, PCMCIA slot

Connectivity:Ethernet, WiFi

Battery: 2600 mAh battery with an estimated 2 hour battery life (if that’s what the company claims, I shudder to think what the actual battery life will be)

Weight: 1.2 kilograms / 2.6 pounds

Price: 800 Brazillian Reals, or about $482 US

Official Product Page

Sungjut TangoX This computer seems to be built from the same VIA reference design used in the Everex Cloudbook. But unlike the Cloudbook, the TangoX packs a touchscreen display.

Processor: 1.2GHz VIA C7-M ULV CPU

RAM: 1GB

Storage: 40GB – 80GB hard drive

Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen

Operating System: unknown

Expansion: 4-in-1 card reader, DVI output, USB ports

Connectivity: Ethernet, WiFi, removable SkypePhone

More Information

Few details available The following companies have all announced plans to develop a low-cost ultraportable computer. But few details are available at this time and we have no pretty pictures to share yet.



Acer Acer is expected to show off its first entry into the low-cost ultraportable market at the Computex show in June. Here’s what we know so far:

Display: 8.9 inches

Price: Less than $300

More Information (but not much)

Dell Dell CEO says the company plans to release an Eee PC competitor. While it’s not clear whether the Dell 500 will be that computer, the company has announced plans for a low-cost computer by that name in India, which could fit the bill.

Operating System: Windows XP or Ubuntu

Expansion: 8-in-1 card reader

Connectivity: WiFi

Price: Rs 24,500 or about $600

Gigabyte M912 Computer maker Gigabyte has also announced plans to develop a low-cost subnotebook. We first heard about the company’s intentions back in January, when it was said that Gigabyte would have something ready to ship by June. We haven’t heard much since then.

Processor: 1.6GHz Atom processor

Display: 8.9 inches

Operating System: Linux or Windows XP

Availability: June

More Information

Still More Information

Update: Cloudbook UMPC has a nice overview of several laptops based on the VIA Nanobook design. This is the same design used for the original Everex Cloudbook.

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