NorhTec's
last attempt at a super-cheap laptop hasn't exactly rocked many peoples' boats -- with its 7-inch display surrounded by the king of all bezels and a $300 price, you don't have to spend much more to get a lot more netbook. Word on the 'net is, though, that there's a new Gecko EduBook on the way, set for debut at Computex and moving up to a netbook-standard 8.9-inch, 1024 x
768 600 LED-backlit screen while also dropping to a sub-$200 price point. That's possible thanks to a new architecture based on an Xcore86 system on a chip, offering a 1GHz processor and power consumption of just 1.2 watts, equating to four hours of battery life on eight NiMH AA batteries or six hours if Li-on cells are used. Full specs are at the read link, a demonstration video below, and, while this little lappy is still far from a powerhouse, it certainly looks a lot more appealing than its predecessor -- and some other low-cost
alternatives.
Update: Michael Barnes from NorhTech wrote in to clarify the history of these and the pricing a bit. The EduBook is completely modular and if you happen to be a small country looking to make a large order you can configure these for well under $150, but for the rest of us individual units should be available in the $195 range. Additionally, more models are on the way, including a 10-inch netbook and even a nettop.
[Warning: PDF read link]
posted May 7th 2009 7:54AM
NICE!
WINDOWSFTW!!!!
I hates me a bezel.
Yeah, definitely for Windows. It looks like pure crap. I can see all the Engadget nerds running out and buying one and saying that they saved big bux and got themselves a great little netbook, just like a family of eight living in some run-down slum in Mumbai would. I've seen Kay-bee toys that looked more solid. This stuff is definitely bringing back memories to the days of early post-war Japanese electronics. Probably has a great warranty: "Our company is not responsible for any malfunctions due to cost cutting in order to offer you a $200 net device."
AA Powered Netbook... Seriously? I can't imagine having to buy new batteries every four hours, or even taking batteries out to charge them.
I think its awesome. You don't have to pay half a netbook for a replacement battery and if I'm not mistaken, the netbook will charge them anyways when plugged in. Plus, their lifespans are higher than li-ion (which only last roughly 2-3 years) even if their capacity is more limited.
I actually don't know where the 3-5 year figure comes from, but Li-ion batteries have about twice the charge-discharge lifespan as NiMH. Li-ion is really the way to go.
http://batterydata.com/
Depends how often you cycle them -- the 3 year figure comes from Li-ion batteries permanently losing 20% of their capacity in 2-3 years, even if they're not cycled at all. The deterioration is only accelerated by cycling them.
If you wear out your NiMH quicker than that, then the cycle life could be a win, but if you don't cycle them much, the NiMH will last longer.
And really, I'd use LSD NiMHs anyway, trading a little capacity for the ability to leave my spares sit for a month and still be fully charged, so the cycle life is actually comparable to the Li-ions.
To clarify: I mean that I'd use LSDs if/when I was running AAs -- but I'd probably get one Li-ion battery, and use the AAs as backup. I don't really care if the battery's dead in 3 years, since I probably won't be using the machine much in 3 years; I'd rather have longer runtime and lighter weight.
You could always buy AA Li-ion batteries. They exist.
if the power converter was in a normal brick form, and it used proper batteries you could make it super thin using that tiny mobo!!! then it would be killer!!!!
eight NiMH AA batteries, amazing
You might need to correct your article, the pdf specs says the screen is 1024 x 600.
This sounds like an interesting netbook, but seems to be several things missing from that $200 price.
Pro:
+ fanless, CPU doesn't need active cooling
+ has an x86 compatible CPU so it can run Windows
Cons:
- 1Ghz Xcore86 CPU, I don't know the benchmarks on this CPU, but it sounds even weaker than VIA 1GHz CPUs
- HD not included (option)
- Rechargeable batteries not included (option)
- WiFi not included (option)
- Looks like the CPU and RAM are on one module so you can't just upgrade the RAM itself
Buy the time you add in those options, it seems this netbook would be over $300. It appears to be a decent looking netbook, but I wonder what the real cost of a usable version would be.
And let's face it... There's not much point in a netbook without WiFi. Internet browsing has got to be a netbook's main function.
he said in the other video that the wifi version was 200 and the non wifi was 150 both loaded with 4gb ssd and linux (there is a plethora of linux apps and games for kids so don't diss it)
he said in the other video that the wifi version was 200 and the non wifi was 150 both loaded with 4gb ssd and linux (there is a plethora of linux apps and games for kids so don't diss it)
I was surprised to see this early announcement on Engaget. Let me clear up some information. The video was made so we could show some customers a prototype machine we were taking on tour in Africa. The final unit will be more solid. So let me state some facts:
The unit is conceived as an ultra low-cost, fanless student's notebook. The Xcore86 CPU is not designed as a powerhouse CPU but is designed to have the advantages of RISC CPU (energy efficiency, low cost, low chip count), while preserving x86 compatibility.
The under $200 price is fully configured -- with RAM, 8GB Storage and batteries. There will be different options for battery power. The AA NiMH is ideal for developing countries because the batteries can be easily sourced and are inexpensive. In 1000 quantity, it is easy to get 8 batteries for $10.00 or so. Therefore, for schools trying to use the Edubooks for several years, they are able to replace the batteries for $10.00.
We have plans for different devices using the Xcore86 and some of these designs will go for 16 hours on a single charge. This relies on more expensive batteries so this would be for a different market.
The reason the Edubook is designed like this is so that when we sell to a developing country, we can sell them the barebone netbook. Let's say that this is $150.00 (but the price is less for large customers), then the customer can bring in the other components for $35.00 or less. Putting the unit together is no more difficult than putting batteries into a toy that children would get for Christmas or putting batteries into a remote control that comes with a TV.
Many parts of the world have tax breaks for Semi Knock Down (SDK). This allows us to ship the barebone netbook into India and other countries. We don't put any margin on the other components so the units can be built and assembled very cheap.
Our price to end-users fully configured will be under $200.00 -- probably $195.00. Dealers will be able to buy the barebones and we will help them source the other components.
OK, so it runs Linux, but what is the driver situation like? Does all the hardware have open source drivers? That's my key requirement for any PC hardware, which is why my home server is a VIA EPIA...
Wifi should be standard on a netbook.
They're just Nickel and Diming you on that, and it's bogus.
FAIL
The interesting thing here is the power consumption. Think of this as a journalist's notebook: lasts a long time and is cheap enough to lose.
I already get 16+ hours from my eee1000 with wifi off and a large battery, and the lowest power consumption I've recorded is 5.3W. At 2W or less, we're into 30-50 hours of work. That is really interesting for a writer who is in the field and unable to plug in (and where wifi is irrelevant anyhow).
yes exactly
I don't think this is ready for primetime yet. I still have high, and maybe unrealistic, hopes for multi-core ARM A9 SoCs, but this one just looks horrid.
Even so, though it might not be ready yet, I still believe that in a netbook battery life should be king. Making really significant strides in that area [by reducing power consumption, not by including really big batteries] should lead to a better experience for everyone; first would be so that you only have to charge a netbook once each day, next every few days, etc. My phone only needs charging about every four days, why is it okay that a typical netbook without large battery wouldn't even last half of one day?
That camera guy needs to learn how to keep his finger off the mic.
To me this isn't worth the 93 dollar savings when you can get the EEE or Aspire one with proven technology and all wifi/ram included.
WOW, that is awesome, finally a laptop that uses AA power!!!!! This will save big bucks over the lifetime of the laptop. I REALLY hope the major manufacturers follow suit.
With the low discharge Ni-MH batteries like the Sanyo Eneloop, using AAs is a long time due.
Direct link to NorhTec's product page:
http://www.norhtec.com/products/gecko/index.html
It does look different from the current crop of netbooks. Removable batteries are a big plus.
Cheers,
Ricky
The only problem is the lack of real 3D acceleration on these things. GMA is so terrible--this is never going to move past a "basic" OS, like XP, or a simple version of Linux, etc.
So much for Windows Aero, Mac OS X's Rendering, etc..
4 gigs, are we in a depression still?
The $195.00 would include WIFI -- 802.11 b/g. There are many different options for WIFI. For example, we there are WIFI/Bluetooth dongles that cost about $5.00 more than standard WIFI. If a customer needed bluetooth, we could offer them that for a slight increase. Adding 802.11n is about $8.00 or so. Some customers might want this, others won't need it. Finally, some telcos might want to have a unit that integrated WIMAX or 3.5g modems. The Telco can buy the unit as a barebones and then add EDVO, 3.5g or WIMAX.
In almost every case, depending on who is distributing the computer, the end user will get a computer that has 802.11, 8GB SD, a set of batteries and the system will still cost less than $195.00. In the developing world with very large orders, it will be possible to get the price down to under $150.00 before shipping costs are added. At the 100,000 quantity, it costs about $6.00 to ship by air and $1.00 to ship by sea.
Therefore, to put a 8.9 inch color computer that can run Windows XP or Linux into the hands of a student in a developing country ( or a developed country for that matter ), this can be done for under $160.00 at 100K units. The same unit would be available to an individual wanting a single unit (fully configured with WIFI, battery, 8GB SD) for under $200.00.
I think this could be an interesting niche player if they can indeed stay within their claimed price—TBD.
But I certainly do agree with insky. I think they only hurt their credibility with that slapdash video presentation. If you want to be taken seriously, take your communication's production values seriously.
This actually looks pretty cool for $199. And it's highly configurable nature...could this end up being the begining of DIY laptops ? Stranger things have happened. Look at the netbook craze...lot's of people thought the Eee initiative was a stupid idea.
I'd be curious about this Xcore86 thing though. It being fanless is a big plus in my book, but does it have the oomph necessary for what I would consider general computing ? Web surfing (including flash), movie playing (standard def WMV/Divx/Mpeg), productivity (MS Office / Open Office) ? Email and music are kind of a given as far as the cpu goes.
Does anyone have any experience with this SOC ? What kind of performance can be expected out of it? Better than the Via C7-M ? I would assume so given that that is what this is apparently replacing. I would also assume that it's performance will be inferior to the now ubiquitous Atom N270 @ 1.6ghz, but if it's got performance equal or better than an Intel A110 (@ 800MHz) I'd definitely be interested in purchasing this device. I have a Fujitsu u810 that runs an A110, and it is perfect for all those things I mentioned (assuming you're running a lighter weight OS like XP as opposed to Vista)...
From a performance comparison, the closest comparison would be the to the AMD LX800. Benchmarking is very close. The LX800 and the Xcore86. The Xcore86 has a few advantages. First of all, the Xcore86 is a Device on Chip so BIOS flash, the NIC, graphics, watch dog timer, clock, north and south bridges are all on a single chip. The Xcore86 uses DDR2 which is less expensive than DDR1.
From an application standpoint, the Xcore86 is similar to the LX800 Geode. The focus is on energy efficiency, low cost, and fanless.
Later this year, you will see ARM9 netbooks coming in around $200.00. These will promise better energy efficiency and lower-cost than the Intel Atom and the VIA C7M. The Xcore86 will provide the benefits of energy efficiency and cost but will also offer the advantage of x86 compatibility.
My god, people posting here think that they are going to be able to buy one. No, its like the OLPC, though I don't know if this company plans to sell to US schools at all. Personally, it would be great if my school gave my (imaginary) child a laptop to use. Though honestly, what does a 2nd-8th grader do with it regarding schoolwork? Can't all this be done at home?
Oooohhhh, that is why its for developing countries- these kids don't have pc's at home.
Mr Barnes, now that we have your attention, could we clarify amongst other things,
1) Order/Pre-order information. I've noticed that some people have ordered single units of your other products;
2) How exactly the wifi is going to be integrated into the netbook. The videos only showed the internal USB port for expansion; would be nice to know if the wifi option is in the form of a USB dongle plugged into that port, or a mini-PCI card whose slot location we have yet to see, and;
3) The exact identity of the Xcore86. I've noticed in a PDF article found elsewhere that the board had an XGI Volari Z9S on it; since this implies that the processor has no graphics capability, and I could see the markings on the processor as well, I can only assume that you're currently using a Vortex86DX with the Volari as an interim measure. Are you waiting for the Vortex86MX to ship before you make the Edubook available?
Two of the three questions were answered offline:
1) Availability will be from July 1; pre-orders will be taken.
2) Peripheral expansion is solely through the internal USB port.
Mr. Barnes... No linux love?
I expect that the majority of buyers will use LInux. There will be a lot of Arm based netbooks hitting the market that will also offer energy efficiency and low cost. Showing XP running demonstrates one of our major advantages.
I am currently using Ubuntu as I type this. We have Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, Puppy, Slax, Kubuntu and other Linux distributions being tested now.
While Linux will run on x86 and other platforms, the reason why we feel that x86 is important is that a lot of what people want these days are binary blobs -- such as Skype, Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Java, etc. While there are certainly Open Source alternatives, many users expect to have access to these applications to run their web based applications.
Having x86 compatibility can make the Linux experience richer as most of the binary blobs run on Linux for x86.
@Whiskey
There is plenty of Linux Love with this device. In the video (if not this one, I'm not going to listen to it again just for this), or one of the other youtude one's, he mentions Linux. I recall that it will be Ubunutu Remix. But, there should be no reason why you can't put any other Distro on it.
@Alwyn Tan
Good questions. Even though this Netbook is probably really meant for surfing and emails, I would like to see it's performance demonstrated in a video, showing SD Video footage being played. I've looked at the other YouTube videos and haven't really seen them show any moving images. I'd like to see more.
@mbarnes
I'd just like to say thanks for fronting up here in these comments. It sounds like a great product and I am certainly looking forward to hearing more. The modularity of this device is a great idea. Good luck.
@mbarnes
Something I've been meaming to ask:
Does the power cord recharge the batteries, or do they have to be charge outside of the laptop?
Thanks.
The batteries charge internally.
A more fleshed-out commentary on the Edubook can be found at:
http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS6735072389.html