Video: ECS T800 netbook brings us to our knees with Android on 1GHz OMAP3

This is quite possibly a better Vaio P... you know, if it actually worked. This non-functional stunner of a prototype is sitting pretty at Computex, an event where OEMs (like Sony, HP, and Dell) shop from the latest ODM (like Foxconn and Compal) designs before tweaking for retail launch. Instead of taking chances with Vista overpowering an Intel Atom processor, however, the ECS T800 on display at Computex is destined to run Android on your choice of 800MHz OMAP3 3440 or 1GHz OMAP3 3450 TI processors. It measures in at 246 x 121 x 20-mm / 800-grams (1.76-pounds) and packs an 8.1-inch display, 512MB of memory, a 2.5-inch hard disk or SSD, and a pair of internal Mini-PCIe slots for WWAN cards. Regarding ports, we're looking at 2x USB 2.0, a 4-in-1 card reader, and an audio jack for your headset. Hey ODMs, we're interested (even if the case for Android on a netbook hasn't been clearly defined) especially if it can be offered for $99 or less through a subsidized carrier agreement. So who's going to bite first, huh? Maybe you Dell now that your Mini 9 netbook has been discontinued. Video after the break.

[Ike Turner @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:24AM]

Android on anything other than a phone = POS

[JeffreDodd @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:32AM]

How do you know this?

Its a linux kernel based OS. It has the potential to be anything really.

[jakem @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:35AM]

Agreed.

I just don't see a market for these things. People expect/want to be able to run Windows on anything with a laptop form factor, not Android, not Windows Mobile, not Linux. We've already seen this with Netbooks so why would these "smartbooks" be any different?

[Theli @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:47AM]

"I just don't see a market for these things. People expect/want to be able to run Windows on anything with a laptop form factor, not Android, not Windows Mobile, not Linux. We've already seen this with Netbooks so why would these "smartbooks" be any different?"

If that was the case, then why are so many hardware manufacturers building these devices?
You would think they'd know more about the market they built than some guys commenting on a blog post...

[jakem @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:18AM]

Oh, I'm sorry Theli. Should I ask for your permission before voicing my opinion next time?

Besides, your logic is totally flawed. Just because a company produces somthing doesn't mean that people will flock to it. Plenty of companies were producing UMPCs a couple of years ago and look how well they did. Was there a market for UMPCs? As I mentioned above, companies tried selling cheap netbooks running Linux and soon found that nobody wanted them. What sort of a market would you say existed for them?

You need to get over yourself.

[Kinger @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:20AM]

Point of Sale?

[Alan Strangis @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:46AM]

@ Theli "You would think they'd know more about the market they built than some guys commenting on a blog post..."

Not necessarily. When netbooks first came out, it was all about Linux, but the MARKET decided overwhelmingly that it wanted Windows (just saying that the proof is in the sales).

[Theli @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:17AM]

Eh... sorry, my post got misplaced. When, oh when will Engadget allow editing/deleting posts?

To me... the fact that they are willing to 'try this again' suggests that they see a difference. I mean, one would think that they would all be discouraged from trailing outside the Wintel comfort zone, given their recent lack of success. Unless there's some killer feature that will make all the difference.

Or, it may not. I'm just saying... we don't know.

[JeffreDodd @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:22AM]

Sold!

I have a Wind running OSX, sure its handy. But I always grab my old Powerbook G4 instead. OSX just is not comfortable on the Wind.

If android has applications like word processing, powerpoint viewing, detail oriented email client, and a decent web browser that runs most web apps (please put flash and java into this browser.) I will def buy a android based netbook

[Ernesttechuser @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:23AM]

Looks good.

It better have an ethernet port, though.

[Eddy Munn @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:25AM]

Ethernet ports are hardly necessary in the age of WiFi, I haven't touched one for a while now.

[Ernesttechuser @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:31AM]

If you don't wish to irradiate yourself the whole time, it's quite useful - I don't really fancy nuking my knackers if I'm working with it on my lap.

When absolute reliability of connection is paramount, it's also vital.

[freehunter @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:41AM]

Has there ever been any proof that WiFi causes harmful radiation to humans? Didn't think so.

[fraliex @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:52AM]

I would think being Google that the browser would be Chrome.

[TareX @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:56AM]

No if it's running Android, the browser can't be Chrome. Unfortunately.

Android is not made for netbooks.... I want a netbook that does the basic functions my PC can do.

[Ernesttechuser @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:23AM]

@ Freehunter.

Use your brain ... Do you seriously think that the microwave radiation does us no harm?

Try looking at some of the research done by the Soviets (or some newer stuff by contemporary Russian sources). It paints a starkly different picture to the propaganda which passes for scientific research elsewhere ....

[Mike @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:43AM]

Word Processing = Open Office
PowerPoint = Open Office
EMail Client = umm, why not use GMail or Google Apps? (or hell, I'm sure Android will fully support Wave when they release it)
Web Browser = Google Chrome
...
flash for android should be out before the end of 2009 (if it isn't already out, cause i have no clue)
and
java? well, lets wait and see what happens with that. hopefully also before 2009 ends.

[OneLove @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:19AM]

i cant hear the guy talking

[jay jay @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:46AM]

flash for android is already out kind of (im running the leaked hero rom and it has a pre release version of flash) :)

[unzarjones @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:23AM]

@Ernesttechuser Ya comrade Erne, we know how the ruskies have never used propaganda like the evil west.

[Jose @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:05PM]

I'll definitely buy one of this when it comes out! I believe in Taiwanese product qualities.

[Weet @ Jun 3rd 2009 1:42AM]

@Ernesttechuser: Do you honestly believe you're NOT surrounded by a wide spectrum of electromagnetic radiation every day, all day long?

[Erb @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:23AM]

Engadget, While your on your knees...

[Johno @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:16AM]

Boom!...Headshot?

[LondonConsultant @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:33AM]

That Android phone is big enough to be a netbook.

[rodney.ha @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:39AM]

Damn, that thing is sleek. But to be honest, I have no interest in Android. So no go for me if it ever came out.

[Kelvinyam @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:39AM]

An inch smaller, you could put this thing in your pocket. Frankly, it's not small enough to use as a phone, and it's too small to use as a net book.

[Gad Get @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:59AM]

I disagree. I could definitely see using this as a phone.

[Kelvinyam @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:16AM]

You mean putting this thing next to your ear? Wow.

[Gad Get @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:09PM]

I kid.

[Theli @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:42AM]

I'd be interested to see what kind of customizations they plan to do to the user interface. The hardware is really nice. Makes much more sense than Acer's supposed Atom-based Android netbook (smartbook?).

[avis @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:51AM]

nice girl behind the camera

[Gad Get @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:54AM]

Like the way she's playing to her own camera in that mirror-like screen?

[kirankonathala @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:27AM]

She looks pretty and the netbook too (oversized iPhone 2G?!) but yeah, a lean version of Ubuntu please!

[Ryan @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:51AM]

Looks good, but how's about that tiny trackpad?

[Lundmark @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:53AM]

This is actually the first good-looking netbook ever built. At least what I've seen so far on this blog.
Let's just hope the build quality is as good as it looks (not the case with Vaio P and the other crap gadgets).

[Lundmark @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:14AM]

Damn, just saw the video. Bottom is still plastic... :-(

[Samunosuke Ode @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:55AM]

For me, android on a netbook wouldn't cut it. I'd rather prefer a lean, streamlined version of ubuntu.

[Onyx @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:19AM]

Does this thing have Bluetooth?

[superhobo @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:06AM]

Maybe I do Dell now...but what about you? Do you Dell now?

[AoMoe @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:17AM]

It is a mock-up. We will wait and see.

[Kinger @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:20AM]

RESOLUTION???

[Ernesttechuser @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:22AM]

@ Freehunter.

Use your brain ... Do you seriously think that the microwave radiation does us no harm?

Try looking at some of the research done by the Soviets (or some newer stuff by contemporary Russian sources). It paints a starkly different picture to the propaganda which passes for scientific research elsewhere ....

[essensial @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:57AM]

Me too, can't understand this boom with Android or in some cases even S60 trying to put on the netbooks or whatever the hell they are being called. Who wants a laptop that small anyway??? what do you do with it??? Browse the internet? Common! Write a document? Common!

I just hope this shit will hit back soon all of the manufacturers of this crap!

[E. Douglas Jensen @ Jun 6th 2009 9:29PM]

I use one about this size: an NEC MobilePro 900 running CE. 1 second from power button to desktop, another second to an open Word document. I write pretty big Word docs on it (92% keyboard), and send and receive email; browsing isn't good cuz of the ear the 900 was built in. All these netbooks are way too big for me. And I don't want to put a P or this or my 900 in my pocket, it goes in my briefcase. With my Kindle and Archos.

[pedro @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:57AM]

I want one! With my choice of a lightweight linux distro...

[Theli @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:03AM]

"Oh, I'm sorry Theli. Should I ask for your permission before voicing my opinion next time?"

No, I'm just saying that you might be wrong and that you probably know far less about this market than the companies who sell the products. Is that really so insulting?

"As I mentioned above, companies tried selling cheap netbooks running Linux and soon found that nobody wanted them. What sort of a market would you say existed for them?"

What I was suggesting is that the hardware manufacturers clearly see this as different from their earlier attempts with Linux netbooks, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

[LongshotX @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:14AM]

Stunning

[lik_on @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:30AM]

Where are arrow keys?!?

[Me4u2 @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:37AM]

This thing = Epic fail!!!

Linux failed on Netbooks, Android would also fail on "Smartbooks"

I have said this earlier... simply make a product with the form factor and looks of the N97, a tegra chip, load android on it and problem solved. No need for netbooks, smartbooks or nettops running android.