Watch Out: Everex $199 PC Sells out, plans $300 laptop

Even as Black Friday has yet to come, Everex has already a certified runaway hit in its $199 Ubuntu-powered gPC TC2502 desktop. Introduced right after Halloween, Walmart sold out its initial run of 10,000 units in two weeks. Walmart.com sold out within 48 hours. The second batch, originally reserved for post-Black Friday, has been released, even as online resellers ZaReason and Newegg have signed on as well. Interestingly, a similar Windows Vista-based desktop, the $299 Everex Impact GC3502 is still available.

While its configuration is nothing to brag about – VIA C7-D 1.5GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 80GB drive, DVD/CD-RW, and 6 USB 2.0 ports, its total package, including a very simple Enlightenment E17 interface enhanced Ubuntu 7.10 Linux operating system with Google integration at $199 (a psychological price point as previously blogged -The $200 tag: Holy Grail for PC pricing?) has made it extremely popular, especially among first-time buyers. The situation certainly does remind one of the Asus Eee PC, which was initially announced at the same price of $199.

And Everex clearly sees the similarity as well. It has announced it will be introducing a sub-$300 notebook. Like the gPC, it will run on what is now being pushed as the gOS operating system, which is based on Ubuntu Linux 7.10. While the prefix “g” stands for green in terms of being energy efficietn, it may very well stand for Google also since a lot of Google web-based apps have one-click access from the desktop.

The sub $300 notebook is expected during the 1st half of next year. While hardware specs have not been announced it would not be a surprise if Everex uses a VIA processor. After all, it has been using VIA chips in its notebook line. Besides it was Everex chair Cher Wang, together with her husband Wenchi Chen, who established VIA Technologies. Just as significantly Cher Wang also founded HTC, which practically created and established the Pocket PC category via the iPAQs it supplied Compaq/HP. Thus, while relatively low-profiled, Everex has access to both the experience and resources to design and produce its own version of the Eee PC. If the iPAQ and gPC product lines are any indication, and they should, it should be interesting as to what Everex will be introducing in the coming months.

Edit - While writing the above, I totally forgot Everex will be releasing its Via-based CE 260 Q1 next year. However a Packard Bell re-badged version, the Easynote XS, which is being launched in Europe, is priced at GBP349 or USD720, more than double the sub-USD300 price. So - it will still be interesting what Everex will bring out next year. :)