CTL's 2go netvertible gets reviewed

Remember that CTL 2go netvertible we hepped you to in the heady, hazy days of mid-October? The folks over at Laptop Magazine have taken a good look at a demo model (the color of "yellow-lime green hospital sheets," apparently) and were cool enough to share their thoughts with us. The device gets kudos for its durability, with the spill-resistant keyboard, shock mounted hard drive and detachable handle earning some points, but the cramped keyboard was deemed less than praiseworthy. When functioning as a tablet, the accelerometer is said to be responsive, so reorienting the screen is a breeze -- although the reviewer did choose to install a few freeware apps to compensate for the fact that Windows XP Home is less than tablet-friendly. If everything goes according to plan, the Linux version of the tablet should retail for $499, with a Windows XP Home version costing about fifty dollars more. Hit the read link for the full review and an exciting video of the appliance in action.

[Zinger314 @ Nov 6th 2008 3:03PM]

The word "netvertible" annoys me so much that it makes me want to brainwash kittens into killing other kittens. :(

[mercurysunblast @ Nov 6th 2008 3:14PM]

Not the kittens!!! They hardly created the word, if anything...you need to brainwash the marketing reps and media for foisting that ridiculous word. Yeah...that's entertainment.

[Giroro @ Nov 6th 2008 9:58PM]

Yeah, 'netvertible' i awful. I think Engadget actually did a poll on this one, but all the choices were bad.

It's much more telling to just call it a tablet (mini-tablet?).

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 7th 2008 10:27AM]

It's unfortunate, but I agree they should have thought of the kittens before coming up with that term.

Now my furred pretties
GO! KILL! KILL! HA HAHA AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!! cough cough cough
AAAAAHHHH HAHAHAHAHAAA!

ehhh.

[htd @ Nov 6th 2008 3:13PM]

it looks like a leapfrog product... too expensive for little kids, too big and childish for adults...

[mercurysunblast @ Nov 6th 2008 3:15PM]

Agreed.

[StalematE @ Nov 6th 2008 6:41PM]

yeah it looks like it should have winnie the pooh on there teaching you how to read.

[avester @ Nov 6th 2008 3:21PM]

A tablet that has a carry handle, is cheap, and can take some hits/spills?

Where do I sign on?

[Chin-Poh @ Nov 6th 2008 3:22PM]

I would like to see more netbook tablets.

[Harvey @ Nov 6th 2008 4:06PM]

Just wondering why the Windows XP Quick Launcher (http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/quicklaunher.jpg) uses Apple's application icons?

For example: "Camera" uses the iPhoto icon; "Pen Input Method" uses the Script Editor icon; "Movie Maker" uses the Final Cut Pro icon; and "Calculator" uses the Calculator icon.

Are these icons being used with Apple's permission?

[Chad @ Nov 6th 2008 4:15PM]

I'm assuming that is one of the "few freeware apps" that were installed on the PC, it has nothing to do with Windows XP.

[Harvey @ Nov 6th 2008 4:37PM]

Chad writes
"I'm assuming that is one of the "few freeware apps" that were installed on the PC, it has nothing to do with Windows XP."

Nope.

The Laptop Magazine article says:
"Intel has created a Quick Launcher that is similar to an easy mode on top of a Linux OS (the Dell Ubuntu skin comes to mind). The launcher contains shortcuts to a number of preloaded applications".

This is the easy interface that is standard on this computer.

Why would Intel and/or CTL use Apple's icons instead of Microsoft's?

[Valicore @ Nov 7th 2008 3:07AM]

Maybe Apple took them from a wikicommons like thing.

[Joshua Walters @ Nov 6th 2008 4:11PM]

Ugh

All I want is a nice netbook type tablet that doesnt look like it belongs in the hands of an 8yr old.

Is that to much to ask?

[Valicore @ Nov 7th 2008 3:09AM]

Apparently, yes. They can make netbooks that look good but are shitty to use. They can make laptops that look like toys but are functional. Try to make it functional and good looking? It's against the laws of marketing or something.

[john @ Nov 7th 2008 4:16AM]

Looks a little funky ... but an Ubuntu Convertible Tablet Netbook, in that configuration, for $500??? And it'll fit in my gadget bag (Maxpedition Colossus). I'm in.

Hope it has SSD options (16GB, 32GB, 64GB), and a 2GB RAM option, by the time I'm buying. That'd be perfect.

Heck, I can probably fit it in my gadget bag at the same time as my work-owned Everun Digital Note.