VIA's 1080p-lovin' VX855 chipset emerges in MacBook Air knockoff

We've already seen one legitimate laptop maker botch up its specification sheet within the past 24 hours, so we certainly wouldn't put it past a KIRF-maker to pull a similar trick. At least on paper, Top Crown Technology Limited's simply-titled 3G Notebook includes a 1.3GHz VIA Nano CPU, the newfangled VX885 Media System Processor, a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display (1,024 x 576), Chrome9 graphics, a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD, 3-in-1 multicard reader, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3.5G WWAN and a pair of built-in speakers. The only problem is the backwards Apple logo and the absolute assurance that this thing will be just marginally less craptastic than the "world's cheapest laptop." For shame.

[Via NetbookNews]

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:19PM]

Wonder if the hinge holds better on this baby.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:42PM]

Why do you need a hinge?

You know that this is just for carrying around!
Just like that sealed in battery, Apple hinges have a limited amount of "Open-Close" uses before the hinge must be replaced. Hinges are consumable parts...

Noob!

[doubleofive Posted Mar 17th 2009 8:59PM]

@iGoon #2

I can't wait until the day you get a broken hinge.

Trust me, I've been there.

[EpsilonNot Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:23PM]

Hm, I would be tempted to buy it for the reverse-Apple logo alone... use it in public to confuse anyone who happens to recognize Apple's logo... ("Hey, something's off here...")

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:39PM]

No.. see its because the laoptop is open... so the logo is reversed.. see? open close open close... this is why "ABMULANCE" is spelled backwards!

"But it has XP on it"...

NO, I am running OSX but it is emulating XP so that I can use MS software...


i...c

[conscious Posted Mar 17th 2009 11:25PM]

then it that case it's upside down.

[Alphathon Posted Mar 18th 2009 4:36PM]

@Epsilon-not: lol, +1

@iGoon#2:
"No.. see its because the laoptop is open... so the logo is reversed.. see? open close open close... this is why "ABMULANCE" is spelled backwards!"

You fail at humour*, analogy, common sense, grammar and spacial awareness all at the same time!

"ABMULANCE" is reversed on the front of ambulances so you can read what it says in your car mirror. Just out of interest how does an ambulance having mirror writing on it in any way relate to the difference between a laptop being open and closed?

If it were because of open/closed-nes (I know its not a word, I just couldn't think of a better one - kinda tired) it would be upside down, not mirrored horizontally.

Appart from anything else, it's just not funny.


*I'm British, and I'll spell it with a "u" if I want to damn-it

[Ruben Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:26PM]

If you want to look like a douche bag in public, at least buy the real thing.

At least this has more ports then its sibling.


I wonder if Apple will count these towards their sales, considering this latest news: http://www.osnews.com/story/21148/Apple_US_Mac_Sales_Down_16_Windows_PC_Sales_up_22_

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:30PM]

Oh my... The perversion is so strong i want to make love to it!!!!!!!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 7:53PM]

hey does anyone notice that this 1080p device only has a resolution of um .. 576p.. just mentioning

[j3ff Posted Mar 17th 2009 8:28PM]

I think they mean it can play 1080p content when connected to the appropriate TV or monitor.

[gradoman Posted Mar 17th 2009 8:14PM]

Video out..?

[KO Posted Mar 17th 2009 8:16PM]

yeah... 576 lines is pretty useless. How soon till we get 1920x240 "superwide" displays? We can use em to play Tetris sideways like on old Ericsson phones.

[Ruben Posted Mar 17th 2009 8:16PM]

1080p would be via video out. The hardware itself can play 1080p media that works on a hardware accelerated media player. Thats why this is actually interesting; unfortunate that this hardware is presented in such a silly way.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 8:24PM]

576x1024 is a perfect 9:16 ratio, so there are no black bars when playing back movies.

[j3ff Posted Mar 17th 2009 8:30PM]

...except when the movie has a 2.4:1 aspect ratio (like most do).

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 11:51PM]

1024x574 is also rather useless if you want to play older games (hardware's plenty capable) at 800x600.

[Hydra Posted Mar 17th 2009 8:44PM]

Wouldnt it be wonderful if this ran osx86 fully supported hardware. The backwards apple makes me think so..

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 9:37PM]

...these knockoffs never cease to amaze me. Who builds these things?

[EpsilonNot Posted Mar 17th 2009 10:40PM]

As far as I know one can't run OSx86 on VIA processors, but only Intel? Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, though.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 17th 2009 8:54PM]

What.. one substandard knock-off a week isn't good enough?
(I'm looking at you Dell)

[Jacob1 Posted Mar 17th 2009 9:21PM]

Funny, it's obviously a cheap piece of crap, but it still has 3G and a card reader, no Apple laptop has either built in. I'll only consider an Apple when they deliver on those and other features (well actually I don't give a crap about a card reader, but 3G, ESATA, and HDMI are a must have for me)

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 18th 2009 1:10AM]

Yeah your XPS has all those features you want and IMO look cooler than the Apple!

I love that laptop you have!

[Sofunnytom Posted Mar 17th 2009 11:03PM]

Anyone else notice the read link says that the 3.5g WWAN is a "USB Dongle"? It's not built in.

But I find this comical.

[Oli D Posted Mar 18th 2009 3:55AM]

That resolution... Its.... HORRIBLE!!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 18th 2009 11:23AM]

That's a pretty sexy looking KIRF...

[kingu Posted Mar 18th 2009 8:21PM]

Operating System: Windows XP (Home), Linux (Canonical / Ubuntu 8.04) kernel support 2.6xx (depends on customers)
:)
Loose the XP home and apple logo and im all for it. Perhaps do something to the resolution and i would line up.