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Sub-$100 Laptops Have Finally Arrived
Roman Phalanx writes "OLPC had promised that it would be possible to mass produce a sub-$100 laptop. The folks at OLPC tried to realize that dream by re-imagining what a laptop looks like. How large of screen and keyboard it has. What OS runs on the laptop. Now that OLPC has decided to super size their systems to run Windows XP, the $100 price point has slipped beyond their reach. A Chinese firm has realized that dream. Taking the best from both the OLPC and EeePC. They ditched x86 compatibility and switched to a MIPS architecture to further reduce production costs. HiVision has managed to create a UMPC that sells right now for $120.00. They say they have refined the manufacturing process and have learned from building this laptop how to mass produce a laptop that will sell for $98.00." (More below, including a link to a video of the device.)
"The new HiVision MiniNote is due out in October of 2008. TechVideoBlog has footage of one of these Mini Notes being shown off at a trade show in Germany. They have managed to borrow a unit overnight for a while and have done a quick review on it.
Overall it looks pretty good. MIPS based processor, WiFi, 1GB flash storage, it runs Linux, has 3 USB ports, Ethernet, SDHC card reader, audio in and out, multi-tabbed Firefox browser support and Abiword for word processing. Running a custom Chinese Linux distrubution named Xip.
Overall performance seems snappy and no problems connecting to WiFi. Other than the lack of a webcam and the Adobe Flash Player it seems perfect. For $98 it looks like quite a value."
Overall performance seems snappy and no problems connecting to WiFi. Other than the lack of a webcam and the Adobe Flash Player it seems perfect. For $98 it looks like quite a value."
No flash? That's a feature, not a bug!
Game! - Where the stick is mightier than the sword!
Color me unimpressed.
I too refuse to be satisfied until it comes with my happy meal.
Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
Most flash can be simulated. Most people can do it by banging their head hard on a desk three times. For IT people it is easier - get somebody to stand behind you to repeat the incredibly stupid term "interweb" and your head will hurt just as much as if you've seen nearly any flash content on the net.
The HiVision site is down (slashdotted)... Site must be hosted on a sub $100 server.
Which is even MORE amazing since the dollar is worth HALF what it was 5 years ago!!!
You know, I should be watching, interested in the video and the technical details and how it handles and all, but I watch the video, and listen to the guy talking, and I just start laughing...
"It has *real* Linux... looks like Linux, uhhh, some kind of Linux is here..."
Ignore my retarded parents. I was adopted.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, watch it -- I'm huge!
"some kind of Linux is here..."
New slogan for /.? Or at least new annoying meme?
My turnips listen for the soft cry of your love