Zonbu launches subscription-based PC, service plans

Alright folks, those of you scrambling to get your palms around the totally green, subscription based Zonbu PC can put away your patience card, as the firm has officially launched the machine and the corresponding service plans to the masses. 'Course, you already know how the court of public opinion feels about it, so it's finally time to pull the trigger (or not) on the variably priced, modestly-spec'd PC. Check it out -- you can snag your very own Linux-based mini PC for just $99 if you're cool with a very awkward two-year agreement.

[Via Electronista]

[Ryhan @ Jul 18th 2007 11:46PM]

Impressive, low-cost device. Though one can get a basic desktop running vista for the same price with enough coupons/rebates...

Why didn't apple try this? Oh right, they did...

[Joshua Susmarski @ Jul 18th 2007 11:48PM]

But why would you want to buy it outright without a subscription when it only has 4gb of storage?

[Jesse S @ Jul 18th 2007 11:50PM]

...What's the subscription for?

[Ryhan @ Jul 19th 2007 12:34AM]

Online Storage, Internet support I believe...

[Rebelde @ Jul 19th 2007 12:21AM]

Im sorry but this computer is cute and all... But it would never catch fire. This is people pc all and aol all over again. Plus They should not market it the 99 dollar computer, if after I paid my 99 dollars plus 315 for 2 years thats almost 400 right off the bat. I prefer to get for 100 more a mac mini and enjoy a true OS.

Linux is turning into big brother.

[kevnaca @ Jul 19th 2007 1:51PM]

Better yet, build a pretty decent computer that will be faster and last longer and you'll won't lose access to your data if your internet goes down.

[LukeA @ Jul 19th 2007 12:36AM]

$99 + $315 = $414, over $400

[Bean @ Jul 19th 2007 12:23AM]

The subscription justifies the low purchase price! You probably end up paying more in the end...

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 19th 2007 12:28AM]

Oh wow, are those PS/2 ports? That takes me back!

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Jul 19th 2007 12:43AM]

Thanks for that, LukeA, as we all forgot how to add.

[JohnTitor @ Jul 19th 2007 1:24AM]

In the specs is says "intel Ultra-Low Power CPU"
I don't that will be good for advertising

[Phoenix @ Jul 19th 2007 2:07AM]

Good idea, bad application. I got a laptop for 700 total, and it'll be good for years. Plus, it's mine, and I've got all my stuff stored away where I want it. I don't want someone snooping around in my stuff, and that's just another way that people are sacrificing their privacy. I for one think that it's not worth it. Besides, they're behind the times with the PS/2 ports. Nothing worth getting has PS/2. It's all USB now.

And how it is green? I'm confused by that comment.

[Leonard Nimrod @ Jul 19th 2007 3:46AM]

Good idea, great application.

You--and others--are thinking of this as an option for you and finding it lacking. If you are reading Engadget you are probably not the target customer.

This device is low-power, has no moving parts. That means no fans. That also means no vents to push air out of. Which also means no way of dirt getting inside.

This is important for developing countries. The low cost of hardware, the rugged design, and use of Linux make this an inexpensive device that can help get even lower income households online.

The subscription model helps with the lack of storage, provides a secure backup and lowers the initial cost. How many people would have been able to afford the car they drive if they weren't able to prorate the cost over x number of months.

Thre use of 4GB NAND certainly is more expensive than if they had used a 10GB HDD but I think their call is just. NAND has no moving parts, uses significantly less power and will help offset some of the CPU speed issues.

I can see ISPs in these developing countries offering this and similar devices as a low cost solution to increase their user-base.

PS: Green, in this sense, refers to it being environmentally friendly. According to Zondu a standard PC uses 1533 kWh/year while Zondu's PC uses 131 kWh/year.

[Rob @ Jul 19th 2007 8:15AM]

Why is it that every time there's something coming out with low specs, people always come out and say "this is not for us, but great for developing countries."? Although I think most of the times is said with good intentions, the reality is that low specs items can work for everybody. From children to senior citizens, everyone can take advantage of a low specs, very little technical assistance, and easy to learn pc. So, it'd also work here in the States as well as any other country interested in saving money.

I wouldn't mind having something like this for the kids and or visitors. Units like this would work perfectly in business settings that store their info on servers, rather than the actual pc the person is working on.

[dobbit @ Jul 19th 2007 8:27AM]

Good points Leonard, but people in developing countries also have other problems -- like internet bandwidth and reliability. I don't think the "store everything online" model is particularly appropriate under those circumstances.

[Steve @ Jul 19th 2007 8:02AM]

According to their "Cancel anytime policy" you can actually get the device for $99 + $310.80 (24 months x $12.95 plan) - $297.85 (prorated reimbursment if you cancel within the first month) which adds up to a grand total of $111.95 for the device. Is anyone going to try it to see if it works?

This thing would be perfect for my parents and the tech-malfunction zone which is their house.

[Nil @ Aug 3rd 2007 3:01PM]

You cannot really cancel subscription, all you data are there. The unit simply does nto really have any reasonable storage, that's the catch. In a sense, it's like IBM terminal to Amazon's S3 service.

Leonard, you say it's good for developing countries? Did you ever try Internet in the developing countries? Especially, in a budget price range?

[h8rain @ Jul 19th 2007 9:47AM]

Right now on www.dell.com/outlet you can buy

Dimension E521 $269.00
AMD Athlon 64 - 2000
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
80 GB EIDE SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
512 RAM
CD/RW DVD Combo

Want a $499 laptop (and because it is a Latitude, it comes w/3yr warranty)
Latitude 131L
AMD Sempron Mobile - 1800
Genuine Windows XP Pro
15.4"
60 GB EIDE Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
512 RAM
CD-ROM
Integrated ATI Radeon X1100

So, the point of this is what? PC are unbelievably cheap, and this is just a dumb idea.

[John Vilsack @ Jul 19th 2007 11:14AM]

This isn't being marketed as a primary machine for the gadget minded folk that peruse this website regularly. This is being marketed as a simple web-enabled, hands-of solution for people that either need a second computer in the house, or don't require much from the first one.

This isn't meant to game. Its meant for people like my grandparents that only use a computer to see pictures of my cousin's kids on the Internet, or need it to email.

Additionally, the subscription service covers storage AND support. No longer do you have to leave it up to your grandparents to click on ANYTHING to update their computer and make sure its not exploitable. When you are paying for the subscription service, they are pushing the updates to you and forcing the computer to install them.

Oh, and hardware is replaced in a day if it goes bad.

Oh, and if you want to install your own OS or programs, or don't need the subscription for support and S3 storage...pony up 250 bucks and you're on your way.

This isn't going to replace my gaming rig. This isn't going to replace my Macbook Pro. What this will do is give me a lost-cost, low-failure rate unit to install in a cabinet in the kitchen so my fiance can browse the Internet when she is cooking.

At under ten watts of draw, and no moving parts, this thing has "wired home" written all over it.

[chris @ Jul 19th 2007 1:05PM]

For $99, I think it would make a nice low traffic home server. Low power CPU? Servers were using lower power CPUs a while ago and serving hundreds of thousands of hits a day... I think this could likely hang. The flash drive at only 4GB is likely plenty of space for a common linux server install, using a NAS mount for user storage space.

The subscription, however, completely puts me off. Until I see it can be had for the near base price, I'll just say... "hey, neat".

I also hate the "developing world" comments. That's just lame at best. OLPCs have hand cranks for a reason... this device still need a wall wart.

[chris @ Jul 19th 2007 1:10PM]

Eh... https://www.zonbu.com/shop/product.php?productid=1 shows the "Desktop" variety which looks like you can get it without a subscription for $249, which without an optical writing drive and with the small local storage, I'd have to say is not a great price.

[DanaG @ Jul 19th 2007 3:59PM]

CompactFlash? Pffft. Give us Cardbus!

[Solomon @ Jul 19th 2007 8:22PM]

I THINK I found the real SFF box manufacturer. Zonbu only loaded it up with Linux and proper drivers. But, I think eBox made the actual computer. It looks just like the eBox-4854.
http://www.compactpc.com.tw/ebox-4854.htm

[chris @ Jul 20th 2007 9:58AM]

Any idea where we can buy this version? This box seems pretty nice... if it's a $100 box.

[Solomon @ Jul 20th 2007 3:17PM]

eBox mentions two distributors in USA. One of them, with an ugly site, is http://www.ewayco.com/, but it looks hard to contact. The other one, who's site was down yesterday, is WDL systems; http://www.wdlsystems.com/ebox/ebox.shtml. You would try getting one here. The suspect model, eBox-4854, is 275$. The cheapest model (@800MHz) is 240$. No wonder Zonbu has to charge so much.

[Geert @ Jul 24th 2007 8:29AM]

I love the idea and I'd use them as the kids pc but I am missing web cam support (as well as WengoPhone or Ekiga) and bluetooth for wireless keyboard and mouse etc. Maybe thats something they can add?

[AD @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:57PM]

Yes - Zonbu is repackaged freeware...but I planned to buy one anyway next month. The size and regular updates made this worthwhile IMO.

But further correspondence reveals Zonbu to be just another marketing-by-arbitrage scheme. To get the updates, you *must* purchase a subscription. So if you're already an S3 user - you'll pay
much more than the cost of the storage, with Zonbu collecting the monthly difference for "space not used". These spreads over many users can add up, and they represent a hidden tax on the unwary.

No thanks. I'll continue to use Jungle Disk with my standard pay as you go Amazon account. I see Zonbu as just another money grab. A middleman fighting to get "his piece" of the S3 revolution.

[Curtis @ Sep 10th 2007 6:10PM]

I think that will be short-lived if Asus releases Eee, $199 notebook computer.