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NorhTec Gecko Surfboard is neither gecko nor surfboard (it's a keyboard PC)
It's still a bit early to call it a full-on trend, but it looks like there will be at least a few keyboard PCs on hand at CES next month, including this newly announced Gecko Surfboard form NorhTec. While it doesn't pack a built-in screen like ASUS' Eee Keyboard, it does have a considerably lower $99 price tag, which certainly makes it quite a bit more attractive as a second (or third) PC. Of course, that price also means quite a few more trade-offs, but the 1GHz Xcore86 processor and 512MB of RAM will at least let you get the basics done, and NorhTec boasts that the PC consumes just 5W of power. No word on storage just yet, but the Surfboard will boot from either an SD card or a 2.5-inch hard drive, and it even includes a composite video out to let you hook it up to your TV for a proper 1982 experience (don't worry, it has a VGA port too). You'll also be able to get it loaded with Windows XP, but that will cost you an extra $50 over the $99 Linux version. Head on past the break for a video.
NorhTec shows off sub-$300, AA-powered Info Pad tablet
Upstart NorhTec has already manged to pull off a pretty impressive feat by actually getting its $200 Gecko EduBook out the door, but it looks like it's now setting its sights a bit higher, and has taken to the intertubes once again to show off its now-in-development Info Pad tablet PC. As you might expect, this one is more or less just a tablet version of the EduBook, right down to the same 1GHz Xcore86 processor and rechargeable AA NiMH batteries for a power supply. Of course, it does also get a new 8.9-inch resistive touchscreen to make up for that whole lack of a keyboard part, which will apparently only bump the price up to $295.95 (making it the least expensive x86-based tablet, according to the company). Head on past the break for the video overview, and look for the tablet itself to be available in November or December.[Thanks, Jesse]
Norhtec's $199 Gecko EduBook, and its AA batteries, now available
You thought it wouldn't happen; you thought it couldn't be true. A $199 netbook that runs on the same batteries your fully-motorized LEGO AT-AT eats for breakfast? That's right, the updated Gecko EduBook we showed you last month is now available for purchase -- on two conditions. First: that you don't mind giving your credit card number to someone in Thailand. Second: that you don't do a spit-take when you're quoted a shipping fee. The laptop is indeed selling to individuals for a nickle less than $200, but if you're looking to outfit the entire class of 2017 with a fleet of these you can get that price way down to $160. A bargain, for sure, but just how well is that Xcore86 system on a chip going to cope with Windows XP, and who's the brave soul willing to risk a couple Benjamins (plus s&h) to find out?[Via Digital Home Thoughts]
Next Gecko netbook to have bigger screen, AA power, $200 price?
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]
