Windows XP comes to the Cloudbook... in Taiwan

It's gotta mean something when Windows XP is still making headlines by showing up on relatively standard hardware, but so it goes -- and here's Everex's Cloudbook, now with 100% less gOS. The Cloudbook SC1200T is basically the same as the regular-spec Cloudbook, only with 1GB of RAM and limited availability -- that "T" stands for "Taiwan-only." No word on if Everex is planning on bringing this bad boy Stateside, but really, it's not like we're hurting for ways to run XP on an underpowered VIA C7M, you know?

[Via Liliputing]

[Brian @ May 22nd 2008 4:37PM]

Nice...

[phanbouy @ May 22nd 2008 4:41PM]

Lazy commenter...

[Chris Macdonald @ May 22nd 2008 4:52PM]

Phanbouy, judging by that fact that you've been a reader since february and have already made 1736 comments, you have every right to say that.

[phanbouy @ May 22nd 2008 5:02PM]

touche, Chris.

btw, 1737 is my lucky number

[Reader @ May 22nd 2008 9:21PM]

He may have the comment numbers, but I have the wisdom gained from age.

[Brian @ May 22nd 2008 4:44PM]

You are just jealous that I was first! HA!

[phanbouy @ May 22nd 2008 4:46PM]

ha. at least you admit you're just another "FIRST!!111" lamer

[Pochi @ May 22nd 2008 4:46PM]

100% less gOS. So, 100% more functional.

[jorvay @ May 22nd 2008 4:55PM]

I still can't understand the appeal of xp on this type of machine. The three typical reasons for choosing xp over linux are familiarity, software compatibility, and hardware compatibility.
Familiarity stands true for the truly tech-challanged.
The only software that doesn't have a free, as-good (or sometimes superior) linux equivalent is way too resource-hungry for tiny budgetbooks like the cloudbook (i.e. games and professional software like autocad).
In terms of hardware compatibility; this is hardly an issue with most mainstream computer components these days, and having a linux OS that was custom-made for the computer should eliminate any hardware issues. Heck, I've personally had more driver issues on my PC with XP than I have with Fedora over the last few years.

So, not that I'm anti-MS or anything, but I'm just wondering why a more expensive Windows model is such a big deal for low-resource budget machines. I'll repeat that just to help avoid any undue freakouts: why is Windows so much better for THIS PARTICULAR CATEGORY of computers? I know full well that there are valid arguments in favour of MS for other types of computers.

[YoMomma @ May 22nd 2008 5:34PM]

you know many people who buy these computers get dissapointed when they try to install MS Office or other Windows Software. Maybe they had too many complains from ppl.

[jorvay @ May 23rd 2008 7:45AM]

Exactly: Familiarity and fear of change. Open office is free and very similar in all the positive ways to MS office. It's well enough known and easy to find (just googled "office" and it was the 3rd on the list). So like i said, familiarity, which is fine for beginner computer users, but why would the tech freaks that frequent engadget get so excited about this? (again, speaking generally, not comparing spefically to gOS).

[Ben Belden @ May 22nd 2008 9:46PM]

You make a very valid point, but as a Cloudbook owner I can tell you from experience that the complete opposite is actually true. There were a lot of stories on here a few months ago about how the Cloudbook was having issues, that was because when Everex shipped it with gOS, they didn't include half the drivers they needed. gOS wasn't even custom-made for the Cloudbook, it was shoehorned in and using it shows this. Windows XP on the other hand has a complete set of drivers available giving it more graphic resolution options and a faster overall experience. I actually upgraded the RAM and installed Vista on it, and it is even slightly faster than XP.

[jorvay @ May 23rd 2008 7:47AM]

Thanks Ben, that makes a lot of sense. it's too bad too. I've had such amazing experiences with linux that now I curse and swear at my XP-based computer at work every day. Stupid gOS making Linux look bad. Ah well...

[jorvay @ May 22nd 2008 4:56PM]

Should also note that gOS apparently is rather weak from some of the other comments on here. I've never used it so I don't know. Maybe my question should be more of a broad statement of the budgetbook market, rather than focusing speficially on the Cloudbook in particular.

[Pochi @ May 22nd 2008 6:13PM]

I have used it.

It's horrible.

The end.

[spookthehamster @ May 22nd 2008 5:17PM]

Windows XP is already sold on the Cloudbook under its Packard Bell name in the UK, through PC World stores.

[kccboy2004 @ May 22nd 2008 7:48PM]

I gotta agree (or at least wonder about) with these comments regarding why XP.

If I buy one of these, it will be to
a) pick up mail
b) run skype
c) + webcam
d) slingbox
e) maybe, maybe some form of "office" type product, occasionally (under protest).
f) transfer files from a flashcard (photo's) so that I can email them.

All my storage is going to be done on USB drives and flashcards.

I am unfamiliar with the Linux products, but I figure that as long as I can run the above, I am good.

[PhotiniaOne @ May 23rd 2008 2:14PM]

YEah, as a Cloudbook owner too, i'd say that Gos was just a terrible experience. Don't get me wrong, it's great that Linux got such great attention with these SFF laptops but it just wasn't any good. If you look through the code, their "distro" (if you want to call it that) was a completely hacked up version of Ubuntu so in a way, it was custom made for Everex. Smart choice with the XP.

[Jose @ May 23rd 2008 5:12PM]

Via processors are not that bad. They work well and cool.