Everex hatches plans for sub-$300 "gOS" Wal-Mart laptop

Everex -- riding high on the semi-propulsive steam that is currently buoying the company into the public eye (due to its Ubuntu-based, $198, "gOS" Wal-Mart desktop) -- is about to take things to the next sub-level. According to reports, the company plans to launch a line of ultra-cheap laptops next year, ranging in size from 12.1-inch to 17-inch, starting at under $300. Like its desktop brother, the portable computer will feature the company's custom operating system, which puts the emphasis on Google webapps with familiar icons, and a launch-bar with links to the ubiquitous portal's content. "The intent of gOS is to take [Linux] to the consumer and do what Steve Jobs did with Mac OS X-- to take an alternative OS and package it for the consumer," says David Liu, founder of gOS -- though it's clear they've got an uphill battle for the hearts of Wal-Mart buyers. There's only one question on our minds: will the laptop be as hideously ugly as the desktop?

[nxtwothou @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:37AM]

...and how will it compare to the Eee?

[bob @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:01AM]

It will be about 65x the size... tons of empty space... you'll be able to put your cigarettes, Little Debbie cakes and Toby Kieth album inside it, it will be so big...

[SHopkins @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:42AM]

If they can put together a $300 VIA-based 12" similarly speced as the gOS desktop, it might be a great option for middle/high-school students, older folks, non-professional parents, or anyone who's portable computer isn't their main work computer. It would be perfect for my wife who uses her laptop for working on her masters (word, very rarely excel) and the web (yahoo mail, facebook, myspace, shopping).

What would really sell me is if the OS booted from a small (1 or 2gb) flash drive for speed but still had storage in the 40+ gb range from a standard 2.5" hard drive. A bluetooth connection for tethering to a mobile phone's connection would put one of these in my bag, but that's probably a feature for a completely different target customer.

The one thing they'll need to get past is alot of the web-aps being useless when away from an internet connection. A desktop can be much more dependent There will need to be more local programs and perhaps mirrored local/online storage. If they stick with the web-aps model they'll need a launcher that launches the web-aps in their own window instead of a browser window to increase the transparency.

[Jon @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:48AM]

Isn't aesthetics a subjective subject? Some people find ThinkPads beautiful (I do), some people don't. Similar with Macbooks.

And if the laptops are cheap, who cares if it is ugly. Some people just want something that allows them to get work done, not admire its shell all day long or arguing in forums on why their PC looks nicer than others. These people won't drop 2-3 months wages for it.

[ethana2 @ Nov 2nd 2007 3:04PM]

I just want a really cheap Linux PC I can carry around until I can amass $4,000 for a sweet Linux tabletPC from emperor or system76 or something..

I'm looking for a placeholder.

[Reader @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:51AM]

Sweet, maybe I can rid myself of this $10 Walmart gift card I have had for ages.

[Michael @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:56AM]

So, how come these people can make a commercial laptop under $300, but the OPLC people are always increasing their price? I think Wal-Mart needs to get in the action!

[AT @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:13PM]

If it is anything similar to the eeePC then I think they have me sold. I just need a cheap, easy to use laptop. And if this is under $300, then I'm good to go! When will it be out, though?!?

[BizReporter @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:42PM]

Funny, I already bought a sub-$300 notebook from Gateway with Windows Vista Home a few weeks ago. After spending nearly a month using and tweaking Vista, I've decided to partition its 80 gig HDD to set aside 20 gigs for Gutsy this weekend. This will allow the wife to stick with Windows, and me, to use something actually functional on the paltry 1.6 GHz Celeron M. At any rate, it sounds like the Gateway I bought will one-up this Everex effort. Of course, I applaud Everex for the effort.

[RealMinot @ Nov 2nd 2007 3:04PM]

I purchased a Compaq about a year ago today at Walmart for 399. and it has been a fabulous machine. Although I fall into one of the lower income brackets I'd rather pay an extra $100.00 for the devil I know (Windows and Compaq/HP) then the devil I don't.

[TIMMAH! @ Nov 2nd 2007 6:19PM]

Acer Aspire 3690-2970 Intel Celeron M 520 15" Widescreen Notebook PC $299.99
(6.4lbs; 15.4"; 1.6GHz; 512MB RAM; 80GB HDD; DVD-ROM/CD-RW; 802.11b/g; Vista Home Basic)

Was on sale at CompUSA this week. I think Everex needs to start at sub-$200 if they want to be selling these underpowered units...

[oZpublic @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:15PM]

cant wait to see the keyboard layout
how many keys of back slash will this one have

[Sofiaa @ Nov 19th 2007 12:14AM]

[... ]i am also cant wait to see layout so where is that. http://www.electrocomputerwarehouse.com/
[...]

[Sam @ Dec 10th 2007 5:19PM]

This is why i hate reading Engadget

Every time I buy a gadget (my Eee) they have to go and find some company that does better for half the price and make me feel dumb.

This thing better be crap or im done with this site.

[pmiller77 @ Jan 8th 2008 10:27AM]

If it is anything like the nc1500, i bought it is worth paying a little more to get a notebook that won't fail after a few months, and customer service who don't care about their products or your service!