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    $99 Cherrypal Africa Netbook Now Available

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by Jamison Cush, Dec 31, 2009.

  1. Jamison Cush

    Jamison Cush Administrator NBR Reviewer

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    [​IMG]
    The sub-100 dollar laptop is now a reality in the form of the Cherrypal Africa, a $99 seven-inch laptop intended to help developing countries and low-income persons connect to the Web.

    The bare-bones netbook can run either Linux or Windows CE, and while underpowered compared with other netbooks on the market, it’s ideally suited to bridge what Cherrypal founder Max Seybold calls "the digital divide."

    The Cherrypal Africa is powered by a 400MHz processor, and features 256GB RAM and 2GB of flash memory. Other specs include Wi-Fi b/g networking, one USB 2.0 port, two USB 1.1 ports, and a four-hour lithium battery. In Cherrypal’s own words, it’s "small, slow, sufficient." It’s also environmentally friendly. Cherrypal claims they designed the Africa to consume the least amount of power possible, using fewer parts than other manufacturers.

    The Cherrypal Africa is available for purchase worldwide from the Cherrypal website.

    Earlier efforts to produce a laptop to sell for less than $100 were unsuccessful. Nicholas Negroponte tried in 2006 through the One Laptop per Child organization before ultimately settling on a $199 price point.

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2015
    Jamison Cush, Dec 31, 2009
    #1
  2. Oberkanone

    Oberkanone Notebook Evangelist

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    Can't wait for a review.
     
    Oberkanone, Dec 31, 2009
    #2
  3. Coin3

    Coin3 Notebook Guru

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    Did I read that right? 256GB of ram?...

    I guess this would be useful if you absolutely need the internet for something and your computer broke during a crysis.
     
    Coin3, Jan 1, 2010
    #3
  4. mew1838

    mew1838 Team Teal

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    Cheaper than most cell phones. Can't complain.
     
    mew1838, Jan 1, 2010
    #4
  5. Red_Dragon

    Red_Dragon Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Crisis :p Unless Nomad is coming :eek:

    But anyway, this could still be good for Linux.
     
    Red_Dragon, Jan 1, 2010
    #5
  6. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    Are USB 1.1 ports substantially cheaper than 2.0 ports or something? It would seem easier to just make them all 2.0.

    Aside from that it sounds like a decent device at a great price point.
     
    jonlumpkin, Jan 1, 2010
    #6
  7. SoundOf1HandClapping

    SoundOf1HandClapping Was once a Forge

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    That could be your baby's first laptop.

    Also, when I first started reading this, I saw the original poster's name was in red and almost the same shade as someone who got banned. So I thought it was a spam post.

    "$100 laptop. Sure, pull the other one."

    And then I saw he's an admin.
     
    SoundOf1HandClapping, Jan 1, 2010
    #7
  8. Rami

    Rami Notebook Consultant

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    I'm very interested how it would preform with a minimal Linux distribution. Or with the upcoming Google Chrome OS.
     
    Rami, Jan 2, 2010
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  9. tianxia

    tianxia kitty!!!

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    $99 for 256gb of ram? i'm in.
     
    tianxia, Jan 2, 2010
    #9
  10. danieljdsn

    danieljdsn Notebook Consultant

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    danieljdsn, Jan 2, 2010
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  11. Linuxperiment

    Linuxperiment Notebook Consultant

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    That's a dirt cheap laptop, and definitely a true "netbook" haha. I can't imagine anything else running on it.
     
    Linuxperiment, Jan 3, 2010
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  12. Ness

    Ness Notebook Guru

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    it's 256 mb, misprint
     
    Ness, Jan 3, 2010
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  13. elijahRW

    elijahRW Notebook Deity

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    FFR ^^

    You read it right...
    no kidding :eek:

    I saw this exact same typo in a Bestbuy add a long time ago :D
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    elijahRW, Jan 3, 2010
    #13
  14. Gregory

    Gregory disassemble?

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    Do you think it could manage playing a DVD with that 400MHz processor? If so it would be a nice alternative to similarly sized (and priced) portable DVD players.

    Edit: Scratch that. I can't imagine how a DVD would even get onto it unless was extremely compressed, which would make it a bit inconvenient for that use.
     
    Gregory, Jan 3, 2010
    #14
  15. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    If anyone thinks that 256MB RAM is not enough, then one can get this, with 64kB RAM, at the same price. :eek:

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jan 4, 2010
    #15
  16. elijahRW

    elijahRW Notebook Deity

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    256 is plenty for that "notebook" IMO :rolleyes:
     
    elijahRW, Jan 4, 2010
    #16
  17. Rorschach

    Rorschach Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    >.> Wel I thought I would check out their website and this is what I see...Obviously they are talking about their other laptop model offered but what the heck does this mean? Does this laptop not really exist and then I found this on their blog
    http://cherrypal.com/GreenOpenFair/...and-is-a-promise-or-understatement-by-design/
    They are saying they advertise this cherrypal africa and then ship you a atom based netbook...for 99$? Can a moderator even confirm this is legit? Seems rather scamlike.

    The 7" Cherrypal Africa was designed with developing countries in mind. The Cherrypal Africa is offered with following minimum technical specifications, however, we reserve the right to ship models with larger screen sizes (8.9" or 10.2") and faster processors (up to 1.6 GHz, 1 GB DDR, 40 GM Hard Drive). There is no choice of color. If you wonder how and why we do this please check out our GOF blog. Here are the minumum technical specifications: 400 MHz processor, 256 MB DDR / 2 GB NAND-flash and runs Windows CE or Windows XP. Here are some more basics: Screen: 7 inch high-resolution TFT .(800 x 480 pixels) LAN:10/100M Ethernet Access WIFI: IEEE 802.11 b/g Ethernet RJ-45 Keyboard: QWERTY 86 keys Mouse&Touch pad:build-in touch panel, set two shortcut key,and support usb port mouse USB Port: USB 2.0 x 1 (aid external memory) USB 1.1 x 2 (aid keyboard & mouse only) External Memory : SD card , U-Disk , USB-HDD Card port: SD / MMC card slot (8GB) Battery: 7.4 V 1800Mha built in Lithium battery 1800MAH Last time:4 HRS Sound effect:build-in realtek sound effect chipset, Built in 2 x 0.5W Built in speaker 1 x microphone Weight:1.2kg Size: 213.5 x 141.8 x 30.8 mm
     
    Rorschach, Jan 4, 2010
    #17
  18. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Must be on a really tight budget if they cant afford USB2.0 controllers

    Im surprised they still manufacture USB1.1.
     
    flipfire, Jan 4, 2010
    #18
  19. clogui

    clogui Notebook Consultant

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    Seems intresting but if I got the minimum thing can I update the processor ??
    I have an intel celeron 2.26 Ghz L3 2M
     
    clogui, Jan 5, 2010
    #19
  20. elijahRW

    elijahRW Notebook Deity

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    Atom processors are soldered to the mobo, unreplaceable!
     
    elijahRW, Jan 5, 2010
    #20