Bewildering. We're pretty sure that's the only way to describe our adventure at Smartbook's CeBIT booth. First off, let us just clear up that there are absolutely no smartbooks on display -- don't forget that this is the company that's going after Qualcomm's jugular for using the term smartbook in the first place. Now that that's out of the way, the German outfit introduced two new 11.6-inch laptops at the show, both which are clearly a rip on Apple and Sony laptops. What's confusing there? Well, the fact that they are actually nice. First you have the Atom N280-powered Razor that's clad in a brushed aluminum that feels impeccably similar to the unibody MacBook. Sure, it will run like a last-generation Windows 7 netbook, but it felt seriously solid in hand. Next up is that ULV-packing Logo we told you about last week, and with a glowing power button embedded in its circular hinge there's no doubt that it was Sony VAIO "inspired." Again, the make is actually quite good, and we were shocked to feel how sturdy the chiclet keyboard was. Both KIRFs the Smartbook Logo and Razor should go for about 699 Euros when they become available in Europe this spring. Not amused yet? The pictures of the Swarovski covered netbook below should just about do it -- and we have video proof after the break, if you're into that sort of thing.
@SonicEarth Maybe the aluminum? That's the only thing I think looks Macbook-esque. But even that doesn't really have a Macbook feel. I really like the scree/keyboard/side views of the Logo but that top lid is freaking hideous. And it goes from being all nice and sleek to looking like they stole the lid from a ten year old ThinkPad.
I'm looking at that sony fake on my real sony and it's amazing how many things are identical like the dots on the trackpad. But what they heck where they thinking with that keyboard layout having the home key where the enter key should be? I've never seen such a stupid thing before.
What's the deal with these integrated fingerprint scanners? Mythbusters proved that they are 100% unreliable and insecure and can be bypassed with even a photocopy of someones fingerprint on regular paper. Useless. Other than that, I like em :P Esp the Swarovski one.
@fourthletter LOL, yes, but that's not the point -- it's a false sense of security. There are also other methods to bypass them which do not require a copy of someone's fingerprint.
Very nice looking, and well constructed from your description/vids. Too bad they have netbook internals though. I'd seriously consider the Logo if it wasn't for the weak specs and the goofy looking hinge.
@JustThatUglyGuy I dunno its sort of nice but it feels like they're trying to cram too many ripped off design elements into one package like a strange KIRF chimera.
At least Sony doesn't have to worry about being sued because if Apple sues them it'd be an admission that elements of this hideousness come from Apple.
how dare you say such things! Everyone knows that apple is the only company who invents anything usefull, so general rule of thumb, if its good then its apple's. After all their new moto is "Hey, theirs a patent on that"
Why does everybody think Apple invented everything or we Americans that shallow in electronic innovation until the last year you really hardly saw Apple products in Europe besides England. Definitely not in Germany only in the last six months have you seen Apple section in stores and they are mostly empty, most people here could careless about a computer that cost twice the amount of the rest but has less compatibility. As for copying well lets be honest I would take a German KIRF any day compared to a Chinese one.
@TheOne living in Germany I have to say you where I live are Apple Stores... also Apple sections in Saturns, and the last time I was in a Saturn there were many people. Not that I like Apple or their lawsuits in any way, but well.. they start selling overpriced stuff here, too :/ And I wondered even more that it seems like the iphone is the most common "smartphone" among students...
I bought a German venta humidifier. It cost more than an iPhone! Not really worth it. I am yet to find computers or consumer electronics from Europe that are anywhere as good as Apple in their category. Usually you get B&O type stuff. If you're into that sort of value. I even owned one of their cordless phones once. Like the venta, not worth it....
@Kaboof Like I said only recently Saturn had them first but they where mostly in the back of the computer section and nobody really paid any attention to them. Within the last year they have actually made proper sections with in Saturn and some Media Markts but again most are empty because they do not see the purpose of buying a overpriced lower hardware items just because they look cute.
As for IPhones I live in Heidelberg and frequently go to Mannheim, Stuttgart-Tubingen area, and Karlsruhe and most people have Nokia's I do see a bunch of ipod touchs but not so many Iphones especially since where I am at O2 is the most popular company. Eplus/Base is the most popular around the Köln Düsseldorf area and both of these companies do not carry the Iphone
I thought I would just say how I like the new video format you guys use. The logo thing at the end is very cool. Sleek, simple, and professional looking... :) Great job guys!
There's nothing german about these devices except of the price... I'am german (that's why my english is so bad ;) ) but this company is a shame for our country...
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posted March 2nd 2010 4:23PM
Swarovski crystals seriously? i assume the target demographic is like 6 years old an female?!
@Xstream get it and the ladies will melt for you
@GWEEDOspeedo somehow i think it is more likely that the men will melt for me not the ladies
@Vaio
That's how everyone knows what VAIO is lol
By that indented green light. I have a VAIO FW290, a good VAIO unlike some of the new ones.
Please explain how this is a MacBook ripoff as I fail to see it.
@SonicEarth Anything that looks sleek is a rippoff of an Apple product, duhh. Drink your kool-aid.
@SonicEarth Maybe the aluminum? That's the only thing I think looks Macbook-esque. But even that doesn't really have a Macbook feel. I really like the scree/keyboard/side views of the Logo but that top lid is freaking hideous. And it goes from being all nice and sleek to looking like they stole the lid from a ten year old ThinkPad.
@SonicEarth
There is probably over 50 Apple patents on which this laptop is infringing. Thats how
@SonicEarth
The Razor is Macbook AIr on the outside, and slightly Black Macbook esc on the inside.
@SonicEarth
Engadget find hundreds of excuses just to say Apple on their articles.
@SonicEarth
Yeah, mostly looks like a Vaio.
@HawtDawg
Lol!
@HawtDawg
...on which apple has infringed from Nokia.
@SonicEarth
The Smartbook Razor looks like a MacBook. The other two don't.
@SonicEarth
Engadget forgot who started the modern chiclet keyboard trend
@Nitesh
That doesn't look sleek it's looks like a brick. The Sony KIRF on the other hand, it's rather nice.
Kinda cool they ripped off both Sony and Apple
@SonicEarth
I think because the second one is coloured white - somehow its Apple'ish.
I guess Apple patented the colour white too?
I'm looking at that sony fake on my real sony and it's amazing how many things are identical like the dots on the trackpad. But what they heck where they thinking with that keyboard layout having the home key where the enter key should be? I've never seen such a stupid thing before.
700€ netbook? No chance
...MacBook says: "You stole my keyboard!!" - gets hammered badly.
@user0938
Except the MacBook's chiclet keyboard was originally found on the Vaios.
@Prevacator ..dohh .. that's why it's getting hammered.
What's the deal with these integrated fingerprint scanners? Mythbusters proved that they are 100% unreliable and insecure and can be bypassed with even a photocopy of someones fingerprint on regular paper. Useless. Other than that, I like em :P Esp the Swarovski one.
@DoctarPeppar
So essentially avoid people who try to get you to photocopy your finger tips. No problemo
@DoctarPeppar
Who the heck has a photocopy of your fingerprints....... Except for the police........ It was like that when I got there I swear!
@fourthletter
LOL, yes, but that's not the point -- it's a false sense of security. There are also other methods to bypass them which do not require a copy of someone's fingerprint.
expensiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!.. for those specs.. looks over performance doesnt work for every company you know!
Very nice looking, and well constructed from your description/vids. Too bad they have netbook internals though. I'd seriously consider the Logo if it wasn't for the weak specs and the goofy looking hinge.
Thats the best looking netbook i think i've ever seen..
@JustThatNerdyGuy
Have you seen a vaio x? The most beautifully designed NetBook ever. IMHO. I love mine. Worth it :)
@JustThatUglyGuy
I dunno its sort of nice but it feels like they're trying to cram too many ripped off design elements into one package like a strange KIRF chimera.
@Broderbund
yeah but they've got the best design elements from a Macbook air and a sony Vaio, whats not to like?
At least Sony doesn't have to worry about being sued because if Apple sues them it'd be an admission that elements of this hideousness come from Apple.
@JS
Sony invented the chiclet keyboard. NOT Apple.
@Prevacator
how dare you say such things! Everyone knows that apple is the only company who invents anything usefull, so general rule of thumb, if its good then its apple's. After all their new moto is "Hey, theirs a patent on that"
When i looked at that logo one i kept wondering where that vaio logo is even though i know its not a vaio...impressive
so, that wasn't a sony vaio in the main image? *slightly gutted*
Why does everybody think Apple invented everything or we Americans that shallow in electronic innovation until the last year you really hardly saw Apple products in Europe besides England. Definitely not in Germany only in the last six months have you seen Apple section in stores and they are mostly empty, most people here could careless about a computer that cost twice the amount of the rest but has less compatibility. As for copying well lets be honest I would take a German KIRF any day compared to a Chinese one.
@TheOne living in Germany I have to say you where I live are Apple Stores... also Apple sections in Saturns, and the last time I was in a Saturn there were many people. Not that I like Apple or their lawsuits in any way, but well.. they start selling overpriced stuff here, too :/ And I wondered even more that it seems like the iphone is the most common "smartphone" among students...
@TheOne
I bought a German venta humidifier. It cost more than an iPhone! Not really worth it. I am yet to find computers or consumer electronics from Europe that are anywhere as good as Apple in their category. Usually you get B&O type stuff. If you're into that sort of value. I even owned one of their cordless phones once. Like the venta, not worth it....
@jaffreywali
I imported a cuckoo clock from Germany...best damn thing in the world.
@Kaboof Like I said only recently Saturn had them first but they where mostly in the back of the computer section and nobody really paid any attention to them. Within the last year they have actually made proper sections with in Saturn and some Media Markts but again most are empty because they do not see the purpose of buying a overpriced lower hardware items just because they look cute.
As for IPhones I live in Heidelberg and frequently go to Mannheim, Stuttgart-Tubingen area, and Karlsruhe and most people have Nokia's I do see a bunch of ipod touchs but not so many Iphones especially since where I am at O2 is the most popular company. Eplus/Base is the most popular around the Köln Düsseldorf area and both of these companies do not carry the Iphone
I thought I would just say how I like the new video format you guys use. The logo thing at the end is very cool. Sleek, simple, and professional looking... :) Great job guys!
logo fn/ctrl key placement FAIL
This company is just a reseller of cheap chinese netbooks, which are relabeled as "smartbooks". If you search google a bit you will find some german websites warning not to buy these fakes.
For example this is the one with all the swarovski crystals on it: http://shanzai.com/index.php/bandit-gadgets/notebooks-a-netbooks/263-caszh-netbooks-get-even-cheaper
or visit http://www.caszh.com/
Here's more evidence: (it's written in german)
http://www.netbooknews.de/11346/smartbook-ag-oder-wie-ein-2-mann-unternehmen-die-it-welt-in-aufruhr-versetzt/
or this one:
http://www.netbooknews.de/11306/wie-man-chinas-gunstigstes-netbook-fur-2000-euro-verkauft/
There's nothing german about these devices except of the price...
I'am german (that's why my english is so bad ;) ) but this company is a shame for our country...
Anyone who uses Swarovski crystals in a device will be meeting with my fist.
Please tell me that touchpad is not a textured one. When are laptop designers going to finally realize that textured trackpads are NOT a good idea?
Engadget has the WORST videos, they barely show anything and are mere seconds long.
Someone please explain?
How is this article not a KIRF edition?
It's a nice laptop, so what it's look like a apple or Sony, main thing is it's cheap and not Overpriced like apple(garbage)