CnMbook Windows CE Ultra-Portable Netbook only £129.99

I love my original CnM Minibook, but Linux isn't for everyone. So it's just as well the new version, the CnMbook comes with Windows CE, and it's still only £129.99.

I'm wondering however how much you're limited on the storage, like the Minibook. Though through a handy firmware update, you could increase the size of the SD card/USB drive capacity allowed to something approaching reasonable.

CnMbook @ Maplins
CnM Minibook @ Maplins

I was in two minds whether to post this in the Bargain section, but it isn't really a bargain as such.

I've looked at these a few times, but never been entirely convinced given the lowish memory. What's the battery life like on the original?

Not stellar, realistically between 2hrs 30 to 2hrs 45, tho I've never timed it specifically.

I've got one - I think its pretty good for the price (I paid about £110 for it). It did need an upgrade or two though, but the wireless works well, and my Vodafone 3G USB stick worked straight off, although there is an issue with the e mail client - won't send through vodafone (although I can send - using the same settings) from my laptop - weird) and one of the 'apps' from the CnM site gives access to the CLI which is useful.

I do miss SSH and a VPN client would vbe useful (it would probably solve the e mail problem) but for what it is, it's not bad.

I just keep an SD card in it all the time for my storage though, with the added advantage that it is easy to transfer data.

Cheers guys, useful information :) Doesn't sound like it's for me really - if I was going to get a device that small I'd want a better battery life I think. Good to know that people are producing this kind of hardware at a sensible price though - I'm very much of the opinion that most netbooks are overpriced given their relative performance...

Was looking at this earlier, I notice the Linux one is MIPS cpu and the new CE one is ARM.

I also noticed that the CE one has a 4GB flash compared to the 2GB in the linux one.

Couldn't see any mention of relative CPU performance though. Given the identical price and the doubling in flash size on the CE model, I guess I would want to buy the Windows one and run Linux on it ;)

The update on the Linux Minibook allows SD cards/USB drives of upto 32gb

Full specs http://194.150.201.35/cnmlifestyle/cnmbook.htm

400MHz MIPS vs 533MHz ARM.

OTOH, looks like there is a swivel display version out that runs Android!