Haier's crazy / crazy expensive laptop

Apparently, in other parts of the world, Haier (a minor brand here in the States) is busy manufacturing highly expensive and totally bizarre laptop computers. The cats over at Engadget Chinese have gotten their hands on info concerning this totally outrageous laptop / tablet PC, apparently an offshoot of the Flybook line, which rocks a Core Duo U2500 processor (coupled with an Intel 945GM chipset), 2GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, 802.11a/b/g, an 8.6-inch widescreen tablet display, plus a fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth, and an option to go all 3G wireless (should you so desire). Apparently, the system folds down into a tablet, replete with handwriting recognition and all, and can be yours for the fantastically low price of 35,999 Yuan (or about $4,790). We wish you nothing but good luck on finding one, and even better luck on footing the bill.

[JC @ Sep 16th 2007 12:13PM]

too cool 4 me......

[SteveMB @ Sep 16th 2007 12:13PM]

I'm still waiting for the AOL Haier MP3 player to come out. Where are you?

[SteveMB @ Sep 16th 2007 12:14PM]

too expensive 4 me.....

[bruckwine @ Sep 16th 2007 12:17PM]

Doesn't LOOK like it folds well though..and for that money it should have a touch screen ;-)

[kyle allen @ Sep 16th 2007 12:23PM]

how do you think it recognizes your handwriteing?

[JC @ Sep 16th 2007 12:24PM]

It does have a touch screen, hence the "tablet pc"

[Zaidyn @ Sep 16th 2007 12:25PM]

Read the article. It does have a touch screen.

[LJKelley @ Sep 16th 2007 12:24PM]

It is a touch screen hence the "handwriting recognition" and "tablet display"

I didn't know Haier was into Electronics. I've had good luck with their AC units.

[bruckwine @ Sep 16th 2007 12:39PM]

Eh I meant hads-on touch as in iPhone - next time I'll be specific. Yes it has a tablet PC but I figure that's pretty much like my treo - fine point/stylus touch.

[kyle allen @ Sep 16th 2007 12:24PM]

replete is my new favorite word

[Zach @ Sep 16th 2007 12:58PM]

Why does this cost so much? Is it in the intended aesthetics? Because it definitely isn't in the specs.

[Panq @ Sep 16th 2007 4:40PM]

I don't see any higher-spec'd notebooks of that size. 8.6"! This thing is closer to a UMPC than a laptop.

[coach @ Sep 16th 2007 1:00PM]

It doesn't even pack draft n-wireless? Only 80 GB space? Why not go for a Alienware laptop then?

[Jared @ Sep 16th 2007 1:09PM]

My Frig maker makes Laptops?

[i.c. weiner @ Sep 24th 2007 9:02AM]

and also tv's

[Paris @ Sep 16th 2007 1:34PM]

I've got a haier microwave oven

[Ryhan @ Sep 16th 2007 1:36PM]

Save us LG!

[uagent @ Sep 16th 2007 1:36PM]

Haha, the same thing I thought when I read the headline. The question is, how much beer does it hold for that price?

[RedBull Runner @ Sep 16th 2007 7:05PM]

They also make some mighty cold window mount air conditioners.


brr.

[cmonkey @ Sep 16th 2007 1:26PM]

There has to be some translation error there. If that's a 8.9" screen, the keyboard is unusably small.

[Jeremy K. @ Sep 16th 2007 1:40PM]

Yeah, it's actually an 8.6" screen. 1999 called and asked for their laptop back (minus the cpu and ram, of course).

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 16th 2007 1:41PM]

ya, but honestly, that's a pretty cool extension to the lcd... I'm already trying to think of a way to mod my current laptop to do that....

[greg @ Sep 16th 2007 2:10PM]

strange it's so expensive because haier products are sold very inexpensively in Germany compared to the japanese/korean/european marques

[hp540 @ Sep 16th 2007 2:39PM]

...then i guess you shouldn't buy anything and go sit in a cave.

Oops, the cave was probably excavated with chinese made machinery contaminated with lead paint.

[Adrian Williams @ Sep 16th 2007 3:17PM]

they didn't tell you how it will clunk out on you in a week
//Haier is a cheap brand known for it's mess ups

[MastaWu @ Sep 16th 2007 4:10PM]

$4000 bucks and you get crappy INTEL GRAPHICS 945 found in entry-level laptops. WOW.

[aron @ Sep 16th 2007 4:23PM]

Er, it's a 1.6kg, 8.9" (seems to say 12" on the original page?) tablet PC (UMPC) with 3G connectivity. What's so bad about it?

[joe23521 @ Sep 16th 2007 6:22PM]

Does this computer remotely automate the washer, dryer, fridge, and dishwasher that should come with it at this price?

[moustacha @ Sep 16th 2007 6:32PM]

that's agreat idea.. a laptop where you can raise the screen to eye level.

[David @ Sep 16th 2007 6:49PM]

Wow, you are the most original, most hilariously blind MadeInChina-disser I have ever met.

I mean, duh, all China ever makes is shit. That's why we keep on buying it, and that's why the trade disparity between these two nations is so great. The US loves to buy Chinese goods because they are shit. Q.E.D.

Why is the world filled with sheep and the metaphorically blind? Last year was the blind hatred of the French. This year it's the blind hatred of the Chinese. Get a life.

[republic_of_cheats @ Sep 16th 2007 7:28PM]

The Chinese simply pirate a western design, and then cheapen it beyond all reason and use every trick to dupe the buyer into purchasing a substandard, unsafe product. The Chinese shouldn't be allowed the market access they currently have in the west, unless and until they get their act together.

Far Eastern Economic Review - "CHINA: People's Republic Of Cheats"
http://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.europe/browse_thread/thread/20c9b7ebde72a9fb/79090852132dc970?lnk=st&rnum=5#79090852132dc970

[joe23521 @ Sep 16th 2007 7:41PM]

How is this laptop a cheap and unsafe product?
Your blind hatred of China is almost as amusing as it is pathetic.

[republic_of_cheats @ Sep 16th 2007 8:05PM]

@joe23521; Go ahead, buy this crap and let us know how it turned out for you. Good luck. LMAO...

[Kyle @ Sep 16th 2007 7:42PM]

Is it just me or does 80gigs of HD space seem small considering the rest of the specs?

[SmellyChingChong @ Sep 16th 2007 7:50PM]

Actually, the products that are designed in the U.S., manufactured in "China or other third-worlds" are okay, as long as quality control can be maintained, but the products that are both designed and made in China, just like that crapbook from haliar, are the "crappiest crap ever created". I mean, who in the fucking hell would want that shit? Over-$4,000 price tag for the "designed&made-in-China" total-crap???? LMAO....

[Chintzy @ Sep 16th 2007 7:56PM]

Actually, the products that are designed in the U.S., manufactured in "China or other third-worlds" are okay, as long as quality control can be maintained, but the products that are both designed and made in China, just like that crapbook from haliar, are the "crappiest crap" ever created on earth. I mean, who in the fucking hell would want that shit? Over-$4,000 price tag for the "designed&made-in-China" total crap?????? LMAO....

[Ethan Fahy @ Sep 16th 2007 11:42PM]

whoa if that's clear plastic for the hinge deal then where is the wiring to get signal to the screen? maybe you pay thousands too much to have a wireless screen 4 inches from the computer. i mean where else is the money going?

[coffeepot64 @ Sep 17th 2007 12:08AM]

"Made in China" is a warning label. That doesn't make us haters. Continuing to buy the same products that can (and may) kill us (or our children) is stupidity at its finest. I am not stupid, but for those out there who think I am hating by protecting myself and my family...you are the haters.

[0blivion @ Sep 17th 2007 5:38AM]

ohnoes. My made-in-china desk lamp is trying to strangle me. please help.

You can do what the hell you like, we don't need to know about your paranoia/xenophobia though. (And no, I don't see how commenting on engadget is protecting your family any.)

Gah. just fed a troll... someone shoot me.

[coffeepot64 @ Sep 17th 2007 7:34AM]

No, no, no, You are mistaken. I am referring to the comments I have read (on this blog) that are bashing people for having a completely rational view of products that are made in china. The tainted food, toothpaste, and children's toys that are being imported. I am not a troll, and you are being overly vicious. You are entitled to your opinion, as am I. I do not believe all things from China are bad, but it is valid to question the safety of a product that comes from a country with such lax safety rules.

[Andrew @ Sep 17th 2007 1:22AM]

That's not expensive, I managed to customize a mac pro to $16,000.