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One of the launches that will define this year's CES has been announced early by the Chinese OEM.
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Read more.Quote:
One of the launches that will define this year's CES has been announced early by the Chinese OEM.
Someone please tell me what the point of this is? Isnt this basically what netbooks were/are about? except of course different hardware are used in both, but functionalty and purpose are not exactly different.
I'm afraid i'm with looney on this one.. what's the point it's basically just a netbook?
By using smartphone-type chipsets smartbooks can be "always on", and *should* get better battery life from slimmer, lighter designs - judging by the picture this is a lot slimmer than a standard atom netbook.
As to the point: to take market share off Atom and make Lenovo / Qualcom lots of money, of course! I think the target market is slightly different - this is more likely to appeal to business users and techs (it's more like an upgraded PDA than a shrunk-down laptop), whereas familiar Atom / Windows netbooks will appeal more to home users.
EDIT:
Just thought I should say, however, that I'm not overly enamoured of the design. That big round front / top just looks odd. I'd rather have seen the chassis stay tight to the screen / keyboard and had "mouse" input handled by a touchscreen rather than a touchpad.
Personally, I like competition ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by looney
Seriously though, I think Intel have been quite strict as far as Atom is concerned. Not sure whether this still applies, but iirc there were restrictions on how much memory atom systems could have. Intel should always have real competition in each cpu market segment, & then they won't be able to get away with artificial marketing driven limits like that.
the biggest problem for Arm based machines is of course the non-windows platform and the hurdle that causes for mass market adoption. still, the Google phone may start to change that...
Problem with atom netbooks is intel. More competition is always better.
Intel forces manufacturers to use an intel chipset (its cheaper to buy atom+chipset than an atom on it own in quantity...) amongst other things.
I just hope they get flash running well on these new machines, without decent online video (flash) performance, they're a none starter.
The fact that this is more purpose built for mobile web rather than the atom which was a cutback x86 makes it more appealing for me to be honest. It does however, have to hit the correct price point which is about the same as Atom if not cheaper and i dont see that happening.
I don't care, as long as I can install Gentoo on it, I'm happy enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryRW
aidanjt - I can safely say that I wasn't counting you in the bracket of mass market :mrgreen:Quote:
Originally Posted by aidanjt
I am sure 99.9% of people on this site would have no issue whatsoever with a non-windows machine for what this machine should be used for. For the average customer in PC World though, it may put them off if there's an Atom netbook running windows next to it. "Oh, that one's running windows. It must be a proper computer...."
Great point.Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryRW
However this should be sold as a 'it wont blow up for no aparent reason'top.
The lack of viruses and ****ware could make this a good seller.