Litl Webbook video hands-on

After seeing the Litl Webbook teased along with its not-so-teasing $699 pricetag, there's no way we could let CES slip by without checking out the easel-like device. And that really is the coolest thing about the Webbook: its 12.1-inch screen flips around to take it from regular laptop into a tent-like, digital photo frame of sorts. Jump past the break for our hands-on impressions and some video.

Litl Webbook hands-on

In clamshell mode the laptop's quite comfortable to use; the big keys are bouncy, but fun to type on and the screen has excellent viewing angles. Powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU the laptop runs Litl's own user interface atop a Linux core, which is centered on a Web card design -- you can add interactive widgets (or cards) to the grid-like home screen. The interface was a bit confusing to use at first, but we got the hang of getting to the Firefox browser for hitting some Web sites and adding cards. Other than the browser and some preloaded widgets -- like Flickr, weather and a cute alarm clock animated with birds -- there isn't much additional software. No office suite or multimedia players here. But that's because Litl doesn't intend the device for power users, it's meant more for consuming Web content and viewing multimedia as a second or even third device in the home.

Litl really shines when you fold the screen over (about 270-degrees) and stand it up like a tent. The user interface automatically adjusts to an alternate card mode that let's you view the widgets at full screen. But because it isn't a touchscreen you can only change the displayed card by turning the wheel that's on the top hinge. The set up is a bit wonky, and though we got the hang of it, we wished we could just reach out and touch the screen (out of habit we actually tried to a few times). So, what's the point of this mode? Basically just to display content, like video or photos, similar to the HP DreamScreen or Chumby-like device.

We get what Litl's trying to do here and they do have a very nicely designed product. But the question is at $699 do you really need something like it when you can snag a netbook that can do lots of the same things at $399 in addition to a digital photo frame for less than $150. We do appreciate that the Webbook's price includes an unconditional two-year warranty -- yes, you can do anything to it and they will replace if for free (Litl trusts you). To sum it all up: cool concept, nice design and software, but with a high price tag.

[ijames99 Posted Jan 7th 2010 5:29PM]

Webbook?

[litlphil Posted Jan 7th 2010 5:50PM]

Hi, it's great that you "get" our product. We think the device shines in easel mode as well, it's definitely a focus for the litl webbook. BTW we'll be delivering a lot more functionality thorough 3rd party apps on our Flash-based channels platform soon and these will be added seamlessly without users installing anything. You don't have to spin the litl wheel on the webbook to cycle through channels in easel mode - that's why we put a wheel on the remote control. You might have noticed our fine LCD - 178-degree viewing cone and very bright - though it's a major cost driver and needed to make viewing content in easel mode enjoyable from anywhere in the room. The litl webbook is a new approach to web content, and it's developing fast. Stay tuned.

[Lare2 Posted Jan 7th 2010 6:06PM]

So this is basically an OLPC and a Chumby smashed together with an overprice tag attached........ Brilliant

[tacomenace21 Posted Jan 7th 2010 6:13PM]

I really tried to like this product but I just can't get past the price. I would really like this for maybe 100 to 200 dollars. The OS is pretty neat but I would think that a netbook running Jolicloud OS would do a much better job looks somewhat similar and you have the option to run multimedia or open office along with pretty much anything you want or need. For me to even consider this product it would have to come down at least 400 dollars.

[kpgalligan Posted Jan 7th 2010 6:27PM]

I first saw this when they were giving it away on some talk show recently (I was home for x-mas. The parents watch that sort of thing). I looked it up, and saw the price tag. It looks like something that should cost $200. I love linux myself, but considering the lackluster adoption of linux in the home market, that's going to be interesting.

In any case, I predict fail. Sorry. Drop the price in half. I'm trying to imagine the size of the market that wants casual web browsing only, with a custom UI, no touchscreen (is that correct?!), and willing to shell out $700 for it has to be extremely small.

[Cydoniac Posted Jan 7th 2010 7:03PM]

A good concept crippled by a horrific pricetag.

[Twinnie Posted Jan 7th 2010 7:11PM]

It's too expensive and I don't really dig the style of the hardware. It might be for some people but to me it looked like an out-dated view of the future, maybe something out of Star Trek.

I did like everything else though, that alarm was great.

[Rohan Posted Jan 7th 2010 9:54PM]

I WAS RIGHT!

[savagemike Posted Jan 8th 2010 4:05AM]

That is pretty nifty... don't like the layout in normal mode though.
Screen looks small and keyboard looks huge... makes me feel like I am wasting space.
That alarm at the end was really awesome though.

[keithwwalker Posted Jan 8th 2010 1:15PM]

wow, $700 for a clock. Does it have radio?

[RicoTrevisan Posted Jan 9th 2010 5:03AM]

I'm sure you heard this once or twice, but make that screen a touch screen and you might have something great.