News - HP's Android-powered mini-notebook reappears as the Compaq Airlife 100

[HEXUS]

Is this the PC industry's answer to the Apple iPad?

Read more.

[cptwhite_uk]

Fairly impressive so far. But the crucial factors are still to be anounced:

Does it have a workable res: read 1024x768 minimum
Is it less than £200: read why would I buy this instead of a netbook if it's more than £200-225
How much does it weigh, what are it's overall dims?

[mikerr]

Does it have a workable res: read 1024x768 minimum

I don't think that's as important as in a netbook (and most netbooks are under thast spec with 1024x600)

Is it less than £200: read why would I buy this instead of a netbook if it's more than £200-225

That, however is the killer - anything less useful than a netbook should be cheaper... which doesn't leave much pricing room...

[scaryjim]

... anything less useful than a netbook should be cheaper...

Not sure how you make this out to be "less useful" than a netbook. It's got all the pedigree to be a great internet device and it can't be too long before someone produces a reasonable office suite for Android...

Biggest issue with this for me is that it's not tablet convertible. I can't see a touchscreen working well if you have to reach over a keyboard to use it...

[Brewster0101]

I think at £200 - £300 price break this will sell. There will be alot of people looking at google and the new OS. Android works better on mobiles than Windows mobile, so in theory it will work better on a mini notebook too.

All it needs to do well is internet apps, office apps and its just as good as a Microsoft offering.

As long as there was an office app out soon that works with files upto Office 2007 then I would buy this over a Microsoft OS Mini notebook. I love Android os on my phone, its very slick and just works.

[[GSV]Trig]

Why not have a screen that folds back with a switch on it that disables the traditional keyboard then it can be used as a tablet, its already got the touch screen...

[usxhe190]

Sorry, I have to call this - it won't sell. It's not a laptop but looks like a laptop. It has a touchscreen but it's not a tablet.

To PC manufacturers: KISS.