Hands-on with the Packard Bell EasyNote XS / Nanobook

Well, we've finally gotten some face time with the Packard Bell EasyNote XS / Nanobook / Cloudbook / FIC CE260. Sure, it's hard to keep tabs on the various re-brands and name changes of this thing, but one thing is for sure -- it's got the potential to give the Eee a run for its money. The ultraportable feels pretty good -- if a bit plastic-y -- in your hand, and it seemed to handle XP with relative ease. We kind of wish we'd seen some gOS on this puppy -- but hey, you can't have it all. Check the gallery below and see it yourself.

Gallery: Hands-on with the Packard Bell EasyNote XS / Nanobook

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[Paul G. @ Jan 8th 2008 11:44AM]

Wouldn't surprise me if that thing is made up of refurbed parts from the Eee PC. Fond memories of owning a Packard Bell...

[phrank @ Jan 8th 2008 11:56AM]

I kind of agree with you there. I've always known Asus as producing quality stuff in the 10+ years I've been aware of them. Packard Bell on the other hand... not so good.

I own an EEE and love it. I finally put XP on it and it runs great. I wish Packard Bell a lot of luck because the EEE is a tough porduct to compete against. Competition is good though. I definitely welcome it.

[TKWarrior @ Jan 8th 2008 11:52AM]

I was so hoping the PB brand would be no more after the acquisition. No luck I guess. Does anyone have good memories of owning one, other then learning how to build your own PC after it died?

[Ray @ Jan 8th 2008 1:56PM]

I actually had a great experience with their 386/25Mhz machine from Costco back in the early 90s. It came with a 386DX/33Mhz chip instead of the 25 Mhz indicated on the box and the manual. It was huge, in a full size all metal desktop case. It was a solid performer with no hardware conflicts. It was unlike all the newer PB models that followed, which got smaller, sported more plastic, and came with "integrated" proprietary hardware that made upgrading and troubleshooting close to impossible.

[cobb @ Jan 8th 2008 12:15PM]

these companies need to learn that screen size is one of the most important things with these ultraportables. The screen needs to fill out the whole front bezel. I'm not apple sackrider, but if they come out with one of these I guarantee they will fill the whole bezel with a screen.

[spam_from_engadget @ Jan 8th 2008 12:27PM]

I hear that the next Eee will have an "8 or 8.9 inch" screen, which sounds exactly like they've filled the available space like you (and I) want. (Has this been on Engadget yet? I think I read it on umpcportal or somewhere.)

[Mike @ Jan 8th 2008 12:23PM]

If you noticed, there's a phone beside the screen (in some of the pictures). Part of the reason why the screen doesn't come all the way to the edges is because they've kept some flexibility in the design. I would love to see how that phone dealie works.

Is that mouse even usable? Why not use a keyboard embedded nub?

[cobb @ Jan 8th 2008 12:27PM]

Yea I saw that, seems kind of gimmicky

[marc @ Jan 8th 2008 3:21PM]

I think the trick would be that the phone is removable and has a 3g (or better) chip, so you would have phone access and constant internet access. I'll be interested to see how this plays out versus the wimax eee

[YoJIMbo @ Jan 8th 2008 12:28PM]

Why, in the name of God, would they use the Packard Bell branding? Seriously, that kills it for me... they were he worst of the worst. Their marketing department needs a brain transplant.

[Rex @ Jan 8th 2008 1:51PM]

It is marked as Packard Bell in the UK. In the UK Packard Bell is having a comeback although it is long since dead in the USA. In the US this will come out as the Everex Cloudbook or Everex CE.

Here is more about the cloudbook. http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/10/everexs-nanobook-becomes-the-cloudbook-gets-gos/
Info about Packard Bell in the UK
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packard_Bell#Rebuilding_the_brand_in_Europe


P.S.: If my comment is entered multiple times, I'm sorry. This new system has not worked well for me. I have always been requested to confirm my comment even though I am using my password.

[Chebwa @ Jan 8th 2008 12:29PM]

"We kind of wish we'd seen some gOS on this puppy -- but hey, you can't have it all."

Huh...? Isn't gOS, in its current state, a total pile of garbage? Don't wish for something different just to be different. XP is great.

[bob @ Jan 8th 2008 12:40PM]

I was wondering why he said that too. I'm guessing it was sarcasm. I hope.

[Teebo @ Jan 8th 2008 12:48PM]

1. Don't use the name Packard Bell. That's branding gone wrong. The name is forever stimatized in the USA as "bad quality".
2. Remove the phone keypad on the right
3. Stretch out the screen to the right
4. Make it compatitive in pricing with the EEE, and I'l buy one(provided the above 3 are done).

[Superevil @ Jan 8th 2008 1:47PM]

These companies need to understand we want ultraportables but we also don't wanna be whipping out the magnifying glass to see the screen. If you have to skimp somewhere else. Give us the option to purchase it with a minimum of RAM and HD but make them replaceable. I would spend 400 on this if it came with 256mb ram and a 10gb HD because thats stuff I can replace later down the road with I have a bit more cash in hand.

[richard @ Jan 8th 2008 1:28PM]

is that veronica belmont's hand? ;D

just kidding... -.-

[Gordon Ng @ Jan 8th 2008 2:35PM]

I know! Engadget has gotten a lot of milage out of her coverage at CES.

[EdMercer @ Jan 8th 2008 1:57PM]

The Packard Bell is the one with the webcam on the side and the horrible "mousepad on the right, mouse buttons on the left" kink. But what is the branding on the one with the mousepad where it belongs and a (detachable?) Skypephone besides the screen ? Is it a Via concept or is it headed to market ? I hate the way PB dealt with the mousepad, but I'm sold on the Skypephone version !

[achoi02 @ Jan 8th 2008 6:35PM]

the screen resolution looks like 1024x768 rather than the correct widescreen aspect ratio, unless the screen was tilted

[gib786 @ Jan 8th 2008 7:08PM]

is this not just the same as the belinea? the belinea can be found here - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/133791

[bplo @ Jan 9th 2008 8:38AM]

Holy sht, the Belinea is 400 Pounds (aprox 800 dollars) and people still buy it... Are they mad?

[Ed @ Jan 9th 2008 5:54AM]

Holy Shit.

Packard Bell still exists? I remember back in the day actually preferring Tandy to Packard Bell, and that was SAYING SOMETHING.

It's hard to remember now, but on most Packard Bell models you could bypass the CMOS password by holding down 2 or 3 keys.

[engadget @ Jan 9th 2008 2:38PM]

Hehehe :) "Small is beautiful"... They didn't waste much time searching for a slogan. :+)

[nxtiak @ Jan 29th 2008 4:25AM]

Wow, this thing has DVI output