Everex Releases CloudBook Ultra-Mobile PC

by Jerry Jackson

Just when you thought the Asus Eee PC was the only low-priced ultraportable subnotebook on the market, Everex today launched their much anticipated Ultra-Mobile CloudBook (model CE1200V) featuring the latest Linux-based open source operating system from gOS.

(view large image)

Measuring 9" in length and two pounds in weight, the Everex CloudBook is designed as an all-in-one mobile computing solution. Featuring a 1.2GHz VIA C7-M ULV mobile processor, the laptop averages five hours of battery life on a 4-cell, lithium-ion battery.

The most impressive features, when compared to other subnotebooks like the Asus Eee PC, are that the CloudBook features a 30GB hard drive, digital video output (DVI-I), 4-in-1 card reader and a higher resolution 1.3MP webcam.

Everex experienced some success last year with their budget-priced gPC desktop computer sold at Walmart stores around the US. With the launch of the CloudBook, Everex is positioned to bring yet another low-priced success on their hands. The CloudBook CE1200V will be available in late January at Walmart.com for $399.

Features and Specifications

• Operating System: gOS V2 Rocket
• Processor: 1.2GHz VIA C7-M ULV Processor
• Display: 7" WVGA TFT Widescreen (800 x 480 native resolution)
• Preinstalled and Linked Software (gOS version): Mozilla FireFox, gMail, Meebo, Skype, Google Documents & Spreadsheets, Google Calendar, Google News, Google Maps, Wikipedia, Google Product Search, GIMP, Blogger, YouTube, Xine Movie Player, RhythmBox, Faqly, Facebook and OpenOffice.org 2.3 (includes WRITER, IMPRESS, MATH, DRAW)
• Memory: 512MB DDR2 533MHz SDRAM (1GB Max)
• Hard Disk Drive: 30GB, 4200RPM PATA
• Graphic: VIA UniChrome Pro IGP
• Audio: VIA VT1708A High Definition Audio Codec with built-in speakers
• WLAN: 802.11b/g
• LAN: 10/100 Ethernet
• I/O: (1) DVI-I port, (2) USB 2.0 ports, (1) RJ45 Ethernet port, (1) Headphone/Line Out jack, (1) Microphone/ Line In jack, (1) 4-in-1 Media Card Reader (Secure Digital, Multi-Media Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO)
• Battery: 4-Cell (14.4V, 2200mAh), rechargeable Lithium-Ion
• Dimensions: 9.06" x 6.73 x 1.16" (W x D x H)
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Warranty & Support: 1 Year Limited Warranty with 24/7 Toll-Free Technical Support
• MSRP: $399.00

*Specifications subject to change

To learn more about Everex, the CloudBook and their entire line of computing products, visit www.everex.com. For information on gOS or to download a free copy of gOS Rocket see www.thinkgos.com.

 

I guess its time to compare to the famous EEE machine from Asus... any opinions ?? The hard drive and battery life are killer (I have a u6 for 1700 that doesnt have that kind of battery life!!) ...

 

DAMNIT, I just bought the eee yesterday... I wonder if I should quickly cancel my order...

 

It looks like everex has an Eee-PC killer here! It offers much more bang for the buck than the Eee, with the 30GB HD and the 5-hour battery life. Unfortunately, the everex has a distinctive "cheap" look when compared to the Eee.

Still, I'd take this over an Eee-PC any day.

 

The startup is going to seal the deal, whichever one boots faster is going to get the business, in my opinion. But everex is not known for building high quality stuff, I think ASUS will keep the market for a while.

 

Nice one,but I didn`t understand what OS it uses?Anyone can explain?

 

Interesting...I'm not so much excited about what it brings to the table as much as what it will force asus to bring to the table on their EEE refresh...for the same price.

 

I'd like to know how this processor will stack up to the one in the EEE and its REAL battery life, not the overexagerated claim all manufacturers make. I hear Via's processors are very slow. The HDD may not be SSD but has a lot more capacity, which I think is a good trade-off. Must be a 1.8" HDD?

And I also like its card reader can read memory sticks unlike the EEE, because those are the only cards I have.
: )

Looks very interesting, will be keeping an eye on this one.

 

I think they did the right thing choosing VIA for their platform. Looking forward to a NBR head-to-head review.

 

Just google gOS and you'll understand. It's a version of Linux customized by the big G.

 

gOS would be based on Ubuntu.
I found it here..cmiiw

 

I'm quite happy with my black Eee PC 4G. I actually used it tethered to my Motorola Q as my primary notebook while at CES. (More on that in an upcoming article.)

Although I'm interested in the new CloudBook, the fact that it uses a traditional slow hard drive and a slow VIA processor means it likely won't perform as well as the Eee PC. That said, we'll have to wait and see.

 

One of the biggest features of EEE is that it supports Linux AND Windows XP (multiple OS'es that is), so if this as you called "killer" does not have such support, I don't think it will be a "killer" at all...

 

We'll definitely try to get our hands on this little guy to do a head to head with the Asus Eee PC. I agree that'd be a great face off. It's nice to see another entry in this budget subnotebook space, i'd love for someone to have a go at the $300 price point though (and have larger than a 2GB drive for storage).

 

Looks like this notebook has some high potential.

 

Spec is like oqo model 02 indeed. But oqo equips with 4500mAh (standard) li-ion battery and it lives only 2.5 hours or so. It would be interesting to see how good Everex CloudBook's battery life is.

If it's what they claimed, it must be EEE killer for sure!

This is based on VIA nanobook design, so it should work with Windows XP flawlessly.

 

via are pretty efficent but if these are the same via cheaps that came with the desktops that walmart was selling they are extremely slow I think pc world did a review on it and said that it was useless

 

That's why I'm eager to get a review unit of the CloudBook but I doubt the performance. The older VIA processors don't compare favorably to Intel or AMD processors with the same MHz or GHz rating. The 1.2GHz VIA processor might be significantly less powerful than the 900MHz processor in the Asus Eee PC.

We'll just have to wait and see.

 

seeing as there's no touchpad, what medium of input does it have besides hooking up a USB mouse?

 

There's a touchpad...more of a thumbpad in the upper right corner of the keyboard tray. It looks extremely tiny, even smaller than the EEE's. The two mouse buttons are in the upper left corner.

 

Here is a review of it and it DOES run Windows XP

http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1063

 

wow. that looks terrible compared to a normal touchpad.

 

This Everex laptop looks like an excellent product and a designed competitor for the Eee. Looks like Asus has some work to do.

 

These are quite interesting. The Via Nanobook version (reference design) with the detachable module next to the screen (i.e VoIP handset) is a very good idea.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/08/hands-on-with-the-packard-bell-easynote-xs-nanobook/

 

There are already first impressions/reviews out there...you just have to search for the Packard Bell EasyNote XS20. Granted that version's a lot more expensive (also comes with XP pre-installed), so it appears the U.S. market once again gets the better end of the deal.

 

I wonder about empty space below the screen? Is it for battery placement?
Does anyone have any idea about that...

 

Looks to me like when you fold the screen down, that plastic piece in the back (where the speakers seem to be) juts up through it. Battery might be one suggestion. Look at an Asus w3j or so for an example of that.

 

i like dis one...

 

If you need this type of device, I think the $299 EEE makes the most sense.

Will 4, 8 or 30 GB really make a difference for cloud computing? No.

I'll probably pick up both, but I suspect the EEE will have better build quality and that the Everex battery life will be a lot closer to what we are used to.

 

wow that is much better then the EEE PC. I mean the EEE is "sexier", but that one can run XP (lookin at the packard bell video review) quite well, and has a hard drive at around 13-14 gigs free after the OS and everything

the mouse positioning is different though. its neat how you can hold it like a big controller kinda, but i dont know , may be too weird

 

I think the best thing about my EEE is "no moving pats". Even if I hadn't bought the EEE, the only thing that appeals to me is the 30GB storage which is quickly remedied by shoving in a 16GB SDHC card.

Oh and I think that the touchpad design is horrendous. Why keep it in the most inconvenient place? It'd be far better if they had moved the keyboard up and kept the touchpad underneath.

 

Everex forgot to put the right Shift key or they realized keyboard is small enough only good for touch typing? (hope its not the drunk eyes playing tricks on me )

Check this image
http://www.umpcportal.com/gallery/v/packardeasynote/pb-umpcportal/IMG_5205.JPG.html

 

That's the UK version, which I think has an extra key below Backpace and above Enter

The US version should be the "| \" button in between Backspace and Enter, and the "| \" button you see in the picture should be a shift.

What I really want to know though, is why it's limited to 1Gb RAM. Is it because the motherboard only recognizes up to 1Gb? If so, I think that's an absolute deal breaker compared to the EEE.

This thing also desperately needs bluetooth...

Amol -- shoving in a 16Gb SDHC is not a remedy; I can easily shove in a 16Gb SDHC into the CB and it'll have 26Gb more than a EEE 4G again.

 

Yeah, but then again, the Eee would be using all flash memory, whereas the Couldbook uses a 1.8" slow hard drive. The trade off is less speed and reliability for more storage. Personal preference, really.

 

I guess... But that's the least of my worries.

I'm really concerned about why it doesn't support 2Gb sticks and the performance of the VIA CPU and the integrated GPU with the mobo.

From what I've been reading, its performance in XP wouldn't stand a chance against EEE.

 

3 minutes to boot?! To heck with that. I want to see a head to head review, but so far I am leaning towards Asus. The only thing I like about the cloudbook is the hard drive, but I can work around it, especially if I just stick to linux.

 

Cloudbook looks fast enough to run most of the things I would need it to run. It is a tiny computer after all. You can't be expecting it to work like a laptop. i think both companies have done a decent job of making a small computer.

but those pictures on engadget are truly confusing. some show a normal positioned touchpad, some show a webcam, and some show a phone/keypad instead of the webcam. are there multiple models?

 

i like the specs on this laptop much better than the eee. but what processor is it using? is it being sold online already?