Zonbu's subscription-based PC reviewed

PC Mag has gotten its hands on the semi-infamous Zonbu desktop -- a Linux based, environmentally friendly, ultra-small, ultra-cheap PC which is being launched this month -- and they've issued the first field report. The system, which we mentioned back in May, is based around a Via chipset and has no internal storage save for 512MB of RAM and a 4GB flash drive used for the OS. The $99 computer is meant to be used in conjunction with a $12.95-a-month service, much like a mobile phone (with a two year commitment and all), and provides 25GB of storage space on Amazon's S3 servers. The reviewer seems impressed with the speed and stability of the computer, OS, and included apps, but underwhelmed with the online storage process (slow, small), and lack of an included optical drive. The critique also covers a "community" version of the Zonbu ($250), which axes the subscription and adds root access to the computer -- which PC Mag seems to feel is a more sellable option for the new company -- although overall they recommend the system to anyone with basic computing requirements. Of course, you could just get an Apple TV for around that price and hack it, but that might not be up your alley, so check the read link for the whole, exciting breakdown.

[Thanks, Corine]

[e_rocm @ Jul 7th 2007 2:40AM]

"you could just get an Apple TV for around that price and hack it"

Or you could just buy a PC from Dell or retailer for less than $300. You can find them on sale nearly every week.

[anon @ Jul 7th 2007 3:58AM]

Not sure if you read the thing or the site properly, but one of the things Zonbu is pushing for is low power usage, although of course user still has to add on the monitor. But instead of sucking down 300+W for a Dell, this thing probably can run under 60W.

The idea is that if people mostly only used computers for browsing the 'net, make Skype calls, or even watching some DVDs, then this is sufficient power to do all that. You don't need quad-core CPUs to download and watch porn.

[anon @ Jul 7th 2007 4:01AM]

PCmag reports: "It used 8W in standby and 11W in use playing DVDs or making a Skype call, using our Kill-A-Watt power monitor."

so pretty impressive power usage.

[e_rocm @ Jul 7th 2007 5:32AM]

Just because your computer has a 250W - 300W power supply does not mean that it is burning that much consistently. It will only use what it needs to run all of its components. With Linux or even Windows configured correctly you can have a low power consuming PC. No need to pay a monthly fee for a stripped down PC, or hack an AppleTV to get an efficient low cost computer.

[Russ @ Jul 7th 2007 3:39AM]

interesting.. this has been attempted back in dial-up days (see 3Com Audrey, Sony eVilla, Virgin Webplayer). maybe the broadband market is ready for this. i know most engadget readers/enthusiasts would prefer own their PC, and have free choice of broadband provider - but if they get their pricing right I'd probably something like this to my mum..

[ZioKendo @ Jul 7th 2007 4:22AM]

This device may use 11W, but then you need to hook-up this to a LCD display (35-50W). And of course you need to pay for the display, too, that brings the price at an higher point - correct me if i'm wrong.

At a 200/300$ price point you could just buy an used/refurb 2yo centrino laptop with a battery, a real hard disk, an optical drive, a powerful cpu, a 15" LCD included, and the power consuption would be probably lower, or almost the same, as this appliance + display.

(or at 500-600$ you could take a step forward and take a brand new laptop).

So i'm sorry, this Zonbu is simply pointless, in my humble opinion.

[anon @ Jul 7th 2007 4:40AM]

I don't really think that it's a good implementation, but I think it's a step in the right direction regarding power usage.

Sure, recycling is great, but there's only so much "second-hand" laptop stock available. New computers are being made all the time, so I think if companies are starting to be more focused on making machines that are "sufficient" for the needs rather than overkills, then it's all for the better.

re: LCD, a new 19" LCD would look a hell lot better than 2 yo 15" LCD on a cheap laptop that's probably starting to get pretty dim.

[Ziokendo @ Jul 7th 2007 5:03AM]

Well, anon. To be honest, i still use a more than 3yo acer centrino 1.3ghz (first series, the ones with 512kb L2 cache) with windows XP, it runs just fine, and i'm pretty sure it's better than a crippled via-epia diskless machine.

As for the LCD, you can hookup a 24" LCD display to it (not sure how much v-ram this zonbu has) and turn off the integrated panel, probably keeping a power consumption of about 20W, which is not 11w, but still near.
But at least you can actually watch a dvd, and do a lot of other stuff that you can't do with that diskless zonbu (like working on your summer vacation video).

As for the software "sufficient" for your needs, as far as i understand, you can install the same software running on this zonbu on any pc. If it runs on a slow via, why can't it run on a more advanced cpu.

But again, i realize we probably have different point of view.

[Duff @ Jul 21st 2007 9:42PM]

Let's not forget that the used laptop comes with some of it's hardware life used up and no warranty or data protection.
Will the person you buy this used laptop from guarantee it for 3 years and backup your data every day and push upgrades on all it's software automatically and for free as they become available?
Ultimately you get what you pay for.

[pennyk @ Jul 9th 2007 7:43PM]

If you're concerned about energy-efficiency just get the VIA-powered Everex notebook on for $399 (monitor and HDD included)...

[jay @ Sep 5th 2007 6:12AM]

wireless

[Vladimir Nedelkovski @ Sep 5th 2007 6:16AM]

Geek on!!!

[Mark403 @ Sep 5th 2007 6:23AM]

yipee

[Collin @ Sep 5th 2007 6:28AM]

This post wins :D.

[Akira @ Sep 5th 2007 6:49AM]

nanika atare

[eric @ Sep 5th 2007 6:44AM]

pick me!

[Daniel Roberts @ Sep 5th 2007 7:13AM]

Your good people...

[Fascia @ Sep 5th 2007 7:31AM]

OMG HI GUYZ

[Dave Bakker @ Sep 5th 2007 7:35AM]

This would be super to win just before school.

Dave

[Armond Clark @ Sep 5th 2007 7:43AM]

Zonbu!!..I likey likey....

[flygun @ Sep 5th 2007 9:26PM]

i want !!

[john.curran @ Sep 5th 2007 8:35AM]

Want it.

[tmeister @ Sep 5th 2007 8:15AM]

I don't care what it is, winning is good!

[flygun @ Sep 5th 2007 9:24PM]

i want!!

[NMagsaysay @ Sep 5th 2007 8:32AM]

zonbo rules

[shot @ Sep 5th 2007 8:33AM]

What is Zonbu?
But it doesn't matter!
SONNANO KANKEINEI!!

[fernando medina @ Sep 14th 2007 11:01AM]

i need one

[Lars @ Sep 5th 2007 8:45AM]

And so.

[chunma @ Sep 5th 2007 7:29PM]

Zonbu PC!

[HQ @ Sep 5th 2007 9:20AM]

Hello everyone new to this.. just wanted to add that linux run PC's are smoother then windows run PC's and specially on laptops/tablets etc.

just wanted to post! hope everyone is doing well!!

"Engadget to me is like the first cup of JAVA in the morning!!"

[Greg @ Sep 5th 2007 10:08AM]

That Zonbu sounds really interesting. I must've missed the post about it. I could think of several uses for it.

[KeeganX @ Sep 5th 2007 10:40AM]

Juice... not thirsty.

GO ENGADGET FREE STUFF WOO WOO!

[mccand @ Sep 5th 2007 10:47AM]

The PC sounds like a fun toy!

[Genesis @ Sep 5th 2007 10:53AM]

Charged up Zombie!!...

[tom @ Sep 5th 2007 11:20AM]

cool stuff. love it

[Paul Bastian @ Sep 5th 2007 11:49AM]

mine!

[Rob Coursen @ Sep 5th 2007 12:11PM]

Service oriented subscription models are the future and should be supported from XBox live to the iPhone, we pay anywhere from $50 to north of $250 for our darling little Cable services which just in the last couple of years have actually gotten it, and started providing enhancements to their deprecated business models.

Just can't wait to see what else is coming down the pipe.

[Ellis @ Sep 5th 2007 2:31PM]

Hooray, Zonbu!

[jatilq @ Sep 5th 2007 8:43PM]

thank you for the contest.

[Linda Peters @ Sep 5th 2007 10:53PM]

would love to have this

[randycur0962 @ Sep 6th 2007 1:11AM]

Hope I'm lucky!

[randycur0962 @ Sep 6th 2007 1:10AM]

My PC is outdated, would love to win.