Lenovo Ideapad U8 gets priced, unboxed, reviewed in Chinese

Although Lenovo's slick IdeaPad U8 has been floating around in prototype form for a while, it only made its formal debut at the Olympics recently, and now it's starting to appear on Chinese websites -- Zol.com.cn has a huge unboxing and review, while Yesky says it'll be priced at 4,999 yuan, or about $731. That's a little more than the "smartphone pricing" we were promised, but we're guessing those of you looking to import this Asia-only piece were likely always expecting to throw down some coin for it. Tons more pics in the read links -- we're not going to try and depend on machine translation to understand the review, anyone care to give us the gist?

[Via Pocketables]

Read - IdeaPad U8 unboxing and review
Read - Yesky pricing info

[kccboy2004 @ Aug 29th 2008 2:06PM]

This can stay in Asia.

[contreras @ Aug 29th 2008 2:18PM]

stay in the basement

[OneLove @ Aug 29th 2008 4:34PM]

not sexy enough

[telepheedian @ Aug 29th 2008 2:17PM]

$731. That's a little more than the "smartphone pricing" we were promised

It's pricy, but there ARE smartphones that cost more.

[phanbouy @ Aug 29th 2008 2:17PM]

IdeaPad(TM). Now with better "moisture control".

[Nicky-Larson @ Aug 29th 2008 2:30PM]

Good Looking, nice Specs, but for a MID, I don't think I would pay that much. But looks GOOD tho

[Harry @ Aug 29th 2008 2:36PM]

"Same size as a mobile phone"

"4.8" LCD screen, larger than that of an 'iPone', 800 x480 resolution"

The author went on to comment that the larger screen size is beneficial for juveniles trying to avoid Myopia and senior citizens who have reading difficulties......

"It sports a resistive touchscreen that's composed of two layers. Users can interact with the device with fingers, a stylus or the TrackPoint."

"Operating system: Midinux, a OS based on Linux, developed by Red Flag Software Co.,Ltd"

"No API for third-part software developers."

"Comfortable in hands, ergonomic design blah blah blah"

"2 Mega Pixel camera that can capture pictures/videos as well as streaming video to instant messaging software (QQ), so does the front-sided camera."

"Ports: 1usb, 1 SD card reader, 1 mini-usb, 1 external antenna"

"In-built storage: 6GB, supports up to 4GB of SD"

"Come with a stylus"

174mm * 86mm * 21mm

Based on images, I can see functions like "face recognition", "bluetooth connectivity", "492 MB memory", "WiFi", "Edge" ("Edga" as in the review...)

There is an i-Vision player that plays CMMB digital TV. Other programs include a mobile version of “Mighty Wisdom” (Chinese Bloomberg), RedOffice(supports hand-writing input) and GPS turn-by-turn navigation

Price: below 5000 rmb (usd 732)

[Jon A. @ Aug 29th 2008 2:47PM]

Don't y'all have some Engadget Chinese editors that are awake that can translate this for y'all? 3:00 AM in the morning (China time) should be around breakfast time for geeks.

[rudjery @ Aug 29th 2008 3:12PM]

so, is it better than iphone or not? seems you guys forgot to mention that!

[Rhino @ Aug 29th 2008 3:17PM]

Don't trust any Chinese review. 99.99% of them are based on the amount of money paid by the manufacture.

[Argot @ Aug 29th 2008 4:13PM]

But you trust Engadget when it comes to, lets say Apple reviews?

[Richard Ford @ Aug 30th 2008 10:05AM]

Rhino - you're an idiot.

Chinese net users are more savvy and more engaged that western net users - you =really= have no idea. Come here and you =may= get an idea.

They seek in mobs and trash any site or subject that is seen to be less than honest or deceitful. Go learn how to research a statement before you spout off inaccurate crap.

I would trust a community Chinese review site over any western one any day. Consumers here are much more serious and studious about parting with the little discretionary income that they have.

[Jeff @ Aug 30th 2008 2:30PM]

Did you know that 75% of statistics are made up on the spot?

[xun @ Aug 31st 2008 2:38PM]

4,999 yuan is the high end(not the highest end) smart phone price in China. Treo 650 was selling for about 5,800 yuan few years ago.