BenQ has added
two new models to its not-in-America Joybook series. Both the S73 and S61 include Intel Core Duo processors and DVB-T
tuners for digital TV in supported markets. The S73 (pictured) has 1 14.1-inch widescreen display, ATI X1600 and DVI
out. The S61 has a 12.1-inch display, weighs 3.3 pounds (without battery, heh, heh). Pricing and ship dates have yet to
be announced.
This reminds me: I'm in the market for a ~$1000 ~12" laptop. What are my options besides that Turion 64 barebones kit from MSI and the Apple iBook? I'm pretty much platform agnostic since the thing will most likely end up running Linux anyways (or at least dual booting in the case of a Mac.) Also, I don't care if it's sold natively in the US. Importing things does not scare me. The one feature on my wishlist is s-video out. I wonder what price point the 12" benq thing will come out at...
John, if your running ubuntu get the ibook, mine loaded up real nice and clean. BUT if your running any distro of linux then youll find it hard to get the airport extream working, the driver base is just cruddy for it. Also don't buy BenQ products they are made with slave labor. (Actually apple is only slightly better, most components are made by guys making less then $1 an hour)
Benq Joybooks have a dumb name, but they are great products. Slave labor is a relative term. A buck in China is a lot better than what they were making. That's the way every country begins their economic climb. Most Apple computers are made by BenQ or at least they were before Benq started pushing its own brand. Taiwan is so dominant in computer manufacture that you can't get around their use of "slave" labor from China.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
john @ Mar 10th 2006 11:40AM
This reminds me: I'm in the market for a ~$1000 ~12" laptop. What are my options besides that Turion 64 barebones kit from MSI and the Apple iBook? I'm pretty much platform agnostic since the thing will most likely end up running Linux anyways (or at least dual booting in the case of a Mac.) Also, I don't care if it's sold natively in the US. Importing things does not scare me. The one feature on my wishlist is s-video out. I wonder what price point the 12" benq thing will come out at...
boe @ Mar 10th 2006 12:20PM
I'm hoping to see a lot of new laptop designs soon! I need to standardize on about 3 laptop models for my company.
My requirements are for all 3 a mininimum of 2 GHz mobile processor (I don't consider a dual 1.x processor a 2 GHz.
I'd like a super light unit -12-14" under 4lbs
A mid weight with more power, 15" under 6lbs
A DELUXE powerful unit with 17" but still under 9lbs.
It seems like most laptops are just a tad heavy or too slow for me to consider.
Dave @ Mar 10th 2006 12:26PM
John, if your running ubuntu get the ibook, mine loaded up real nice and clean. BUT if your running any distro of linux then youll find it hard to get the airport extream working, the driver base is just cruddy for it. Also don't buy BenQ products they are made with slave labor. (Actually apple is only slightly better, most components are made by guys making less then $1 an hour)
Steve @ Mar 11th 2006 7:23AM
Benq Joybooks have a dumb name, but they are great products. Slave labor is a relative term. A buck in China is a lot better than what they were making. That's the way every country begins their economic climb. Most Apple computers are made by BenQ or at least they were before Benq started pushing its own brand. Taiwan is so dominant in computer manufacture that you can't get around their use of "slave" labor from China.