everex
Latest
VIA offers a cheapo gPC "dev kit" motherboard
Been dying to cobble together some code for one of those high-falutin', big-ticket Everex gPCs, but just couldn't scrape together the $199? Well friends, fear not -- your spot in the poor house won't keep you from writing that killer app, thanks to VIA's generous offering of the $60 "dev board." What can you expect from this package? Well first off, it's not a package, it's a mediocre motherboard with a "bundled" CD of the gOS. The Linux-based gOS addition isn't really too impressive, considering it's open source, free, and available for download from Everex's site... but hey, who's keeping score? Slap on a case, power supply, hard drive, optical drive, memory, keyboard, and mouse, and you've got yourself a real honey of a system. If you can do it for less than $200 -- you've made out like a bandit.[Via LinuxDevices]
Everex hatches plans for sub-$300 "gOS" Wal-Mart laptop
Everex -- riding high on the semi-propulsive steam that is currently buoying the company into the public eye (due to its Ubuntu-based, $198, "gOS" Wal-Mart desktop) -- is about to take things to the next sub-level. According to reports, the company plans to launch a line of ultra-cheap laptops next year, ranging in size from 12.1-inch to 17-inch, starting at under $300. Like its desktop brother, the portable computer will feature the company's custom operating system, which puts the emphasis on Google webapps with familiar icons, and a launch-bar with links to the ubiquitous portal's content. "The intent of gOS is to take [Linux] to the consumer and do what Steve Jobs did with Mac OS X-- to take an alternative OS and package it for the consumer," says David Liu, founder of gOS -- though it's clear they've got an uphill battle for the hearts of Wal-Mart buyers. There's only one question on our minds: will the laptop be as hideously ugly as the desktop?
Everex's $199 green PC: attention ignorant Wal-Mart shoppers
Make no mistake, Everex can build 'em some kind of ugly. Still, they have learned to spin their gear as green, not underpowered, which counts for something. The TC2502 gPC (that's "g" as in "green," not crap) is out cluttering Wal-Mart shelves with a low, low $199 price tag. Inside, you'll find a 1.5GHz VIA C7 CPU sitting daintily on a Mini-ITX motherboard. A Linux OS, 512MB of memory and an 80GB of disk are tossed in just for kicks. So why that huge-ass case? That's the best part. Research indicates that Wal-Mart shoppers equate the size of the system to its capability. As such, Everex swaddled all that nothingness in a 2-foot by 2-foot monument to plastic. Now go ahead, Greenpeace, we beg you, rip it apart and let us know just how much non-recyclable polymer and dangerous PVC and BFR this pup really contains. [Via Gadget Lab, thanks Rob G.]
FIC's CE260 and 261 UMPCs get the FCC treatment
We'd heard that Everex / FIC was going to be the Stateside OEM for VIA's NanoBook, and it looks like that hunch was right on the money -- two NanoBook variations, the CE260 and 261, have just shown up the FCC's all-seeing database with FIC branding. Nothing revolutionary in the docs -- and no word on what's to come for that expansion bay -- but we've always liked the NanoBook's design, and we're stoked to see it finally hit the US.
Everex rolls out $300 IMPACT GC3502 PC
Everex looks to be lowering the already low barrier to entry to its line of IMPACT desktop computers, with the company today introducing its $300 GC3502 model, which it's touting as an ideal back-to-school PC. Helping it in that department is the pre-loaded OpenOffice software, which shouldn't be too taxing on the system's 1.5GHz VIA C7-D processor and 1GB of RAM. Rounding out the specs, you'll find an 80GB hard drive, a DVD/CD-RW combo drive, integrated Ethernet (no WiFi), and VIA Chrome9 HC IGP integrated graphics. Needless to say, gamers need not apply, but those less demanding can get the system now exclusively at Wal-Mart.
.jpg.cf.jpg)
Engadget Chinese tracks down VIA NanoBook's US OEM: Everex
Our brethren over at Engadget Chinese just went hands-on with the Via NanoBook at Computex. Better yet, they seem to have unearthed the other, US-bound OEM: FIC (First International Computer) as it's known in Taiwan, or Everex as we know 'em Stateside. Makes sense given Everex's penchant for VIA C7-M procs in their StepNote series of laptops. The FIC CE260 they played with even had a prototype Skype-phone module in place of that oddball world clock insert seen previously. Also new is a date: they were told to expect the unit to show up in China and Europe (presumably under the Packard Bell branding) sometime in August. Engadget Chinese has tons of pics and first-hand impressions so be sure to click the "read" link below for a quick trip across the Pacific.
Everex intros VR2000J and XT500J StepNote laptops
Neither of Everex's latest StepNote laptops are apt to stop the presses, but they do offer Windows Vista and all the basics for those not interested in flashy extras. Up first is the XT5000J, which chooses the 1.6GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 processor to handle the number crunching, and also packs a 256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 graphics card, 17-inch WXGA+ display, 1GB of RAM, 120GB SATA hard drive, dual-layer DVD writer, and built-in speakers with an included "subwoofer." Furthermore, you'll find Ethernet, 802.11b/g, a 56k modem, FireWire, PCMCIA, four-in-one flash card reader, a trio of USB 2.0 ports, and a paltry 2.4-hours of battery life. The lesser-spec'd VR2000J rocks a 15.4-inch WXGA display, and opts for an Intel Core Duo T2080 running at 1.73GHz. Moreover, this lappie offers up Intel's GMA950 graphics set and four hours of battery life, but other than that, most everything else mimics its sibling. The 17-incher looks to be priced at ¥129,800 ($1,087), and while the VR2000J doesn't seem to carry a price of its own, you can probably assume that it will run a few hundred less.[Via Electronista]Read - Everex XT5000JRead - Everex VR2000J
Everex busts out budget-priced StepNote NC1501 laptop
Everex has trotted out a new laptop that's low-power in more ways than one, with its StepNote NC1501 promising to consume less energy at the expense of some more processor-demanding tasks. Like the company's previous NC1500 laptop, this one packs a 1,280 x 800 15.4-inch display, along with a 1.5GHz VIA C7-M processor, 512MB of RAM, a 60GB hard drive, a DVD burner, and built-in 802.11b/g WiFi. Also getting a much needed upgrade this time is the battery, which now comes in the 6-cell variety with a promised 4.25 hours of operating time (as opposed to 1.5 hours on the earlier model), although it looks like you can still get one with a lower-power 3-cell battery if you like. If that sounds like a trade-off you're willing to make, you can grab one of these now at Wal-Mart or Best Buy for $500.[Via Laptoping]
Everex's StepNote VA7500J: another cheap Vista laptop
If you're looking for a Vista laptop on the cheap, but Everex's $500 StepNote VA4101M actually slides in under your budget, the company has released a new model with all the upgrades that $70 can buy. Specs on the StepNote VA7500J are almost identical to its recent sibling, including a 15.4-inch, WXGA display, 512MB of RAM, a 60GB hard drive, integrated graphics, and 802.11b/g. In fact, the only difference between the two units seems to be the CPU, with the 4101M rocking a 1.46GHz Centrino M while the 7500J sports a 1.5GHz VIA C7-M. Not much else to say about this bargain basement notebook, other than the fact that's it's only available in Japan for a cool 69,800 yen ($570).
Everex StepNote VA4101M: first Vista-equipped laptop under $500
The barrage of notebooks flying our way with Windows Vista pre-installed and ready to "wow" has included a rather wide range of models and choices, but we've yet to come across a pre-fab unit sporting Microsoft's latest OS and demanded less than $500 -- until now. The Everex StepNote VA4101M is the proud owner of a $498 pricetag, a 15.4-inch WXGA display, and Vista Home under the hood, but what this unit lacks in price, it makes up for in weak componentry. Users will likely be let down by the paltry 1.46GHz Intel Celeron M 410 processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, 60GB hard drive, and lack of Bluetooth, but hey, you get what you pay for. Notably, Everex did manage to include a dual-layer DVD burner, 802.11b/g, Ethernet, 56k modem, VGA out, and a trio of USB 2.0 ports. So while you won't buy much horsepower for half a grand these days, Everex's latest StepNote can get your feet wet with Vista without breaking the bank, but waiting on that CPU to catch up with your clicking finger just might negate any value that was here.[Via Laptoping]
Everex kicks out Vista-equipped IMPACT desktops
Once Japan's own CTO brought a lappie to American shores under the Everex moniker, we knew a similar desktop wasn't too far behind, and now it looks like the company has waited for Vista to make its "debut" before loosing them Stateside. The IMPACT series desktops are admittedly lacking in the style department, but they do offer average components for everyday computing if you're not concerned with fashion, and Everex even gives the polarized CPU camp a choice between Intel and AMD. The GE6315J houses a 1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM, dual-layer DVD burner, 8-channel onboard audio, four USB 2.0 ports, audio in / out, VGA out, Ethernet, Intel's 945G Express integrated graphics set, Vista Home Premium, 250GB hard drive, a ho hum collection of peripherals, and a 19-inch WXGA+ LCD to finish it off. The AMD-powered GM3515J packs an Athlon 64 3500+, NVIDIA's GeForce 6100 graphics set, up to 160GB hard drive, two USB 2.0 ports, and otherwise mimics its Intel-based counterpart. As expected, both of these units are slated to go on sale tomorrow alongside Windows Vista, and while no hard prices were available, you can tell by looking that these shouldn't demand too steep a premium.[Via Impress]
Everex teams with VIA for NC1500, the "world's most energy efficient notebook"
We try not to get embroiled in these "world's bestest" sort of arguments, mainly due to the sort of research and journalistic integrity it would require on our part. That's why we're not going to get caught up in this "world's most energy efficient notebook" claim of VIA and Everex regarding the new StepNote NC1500 from Everex, but it is what it is, and we sure wouldn't mind some sort of performance-per-watt showdown between Intel, AMD and VIA, all vying for our holiday laptop dollar. However, the biggest news about the 1.5GHz VIA C7-M lappy is its price. Going for a mere $498, and coming to a Wal-Mart near you, the NC1500 packs in 512MB of RAM, a 60GB HDD, DVD burner, 1,280 x 800 15.4-inch LCD, 802.11b/g WiFi and includes VIA UniChrome Pro integrated graphics. Not a powerhouse by a long shot, but at 5.3 pounds, with a 1.5-inch to 0.9-inch taper, it's pretty hard to complain about this unit. Of course, we found a way: Everex includes a 3-cell lithium-ion battery that "averages +1.5 hours of mobile computing." Ouch.
