Alpha 400 Ultralite Netbook Unboxed

An old but still interesting video -

Alpha 400 pays a high price for low cost

Ross Rubin put to test the Alpha 400 being sold for $170 over at Geeks.com and came away quite disappointed with the considerable compromises made to achieve that alluring price.

As is common with other netbooks, the Alpha 400 has the usual specs - 7", SD card slot, 3 USB ports, small keyboard, and 802.11b. But as is common, too, with the cheaper, non-Intel based so-called EPCs, it uses a 400 MHz MIPS processor, has only 128MB RAM, 1GB SSD, runs Linux (other EPCs run Windows CE) and has no webcam.

But beyond the specs, Rubin had little good to say about the device. Some of the main lowlights of his review include -

The lack of compatibility with x86 architecture means Linux programs need to be compiled specifically to run on it, and if ever many run slowly.

There is no browser-based Flash support.

Limited driver support means even some common USB flash drives are not recognized.

Trackpad buttons are small and stiff.

Rubin's summary says it all - "Perhaps the best thing that can be said about a $170 laptop is that it has a good shot of being 70 percent better than a $100 one."

Original review at Engadget.

Alpha 400 MIPS 400MHz 128MB 1GB 7" Linux Ultralite Notebook

Geeks.com is now selling the 7" Alpha 400 for $189.95. Features include -

Netbook form factor
Linux 2.4 Operating System
MIPS XBurst 400 MHz 32-bit CPU
128 MB RAM
1 GB NAND Flash Storage
10/100 MB Ethernet interface
802.11b wireless
Supports External Hard Drive up to 160 GB
Supports SD Card up to 32 GB
Xiptech application software packages (Xip office, Flash player)
7-inch digital panel 800 x 480 true-color
Keyboard with TouchPad
Supports File Sizes up to 8 MB
Built-in SD Card slot
Battery Charging Time: 4.5 - 5 hours

Uses:
Internet surfing
Instant online communication, chatting
Music downloading and enjoying
Flash movies and games
Picture and image sharing
Languages learning
Personal diary

Office Assistant:
AbiWord, XipTable and PDF Viewer
E-mail management
Daily work plan and management
E-book reader

I/O ports:
Three (3) USB ports
RJ-45 Ethernet port
Headphone in
Microphone in

Dimensions (closed):
1.1 x 8.25 x 5.6-inches

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At $189.95 the price is simply too close to the entry-level but more "full-blown" 7" netbooks like Asus Eee PC 701 sell for. Lower-end netbook appliances (like the Alpha 400) with embedded OS, limited RAM, SSD storage will only start selling once they hit below $100.

Bestlink Alpha 400 - Cheapest Linux-based laptop?

From Desktop Linux -

Hong Kong-based Bestlink is shipping a Linux-based ultra-mini PC (UMPC) for only $250 ($180 in volume), which appears to be the lowest price yet for that market segment.

The Alpha 400 comes with a 7" 800 x 480 display, XBurst Ingenic 400MHZ CPU, 128MB RAM, 1 - 2 GB SSD, SD slot, Ethernet port, 2 USB ports. WiFi is optional. It measures 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches and weighs only 1.5 pounds and is available in six colors.

Pre-installed, open source software includes Xiptech's Xip Word and Xip Table, which is claimed to be compatible with Word and Excel and software for web browsing, Flash support, chat, MPC and AVI playback, photo sharing, paint, email management, an e-book reader, and other basic utilities.

The Alpha 400 is available for order now, for $250, including courier cost, and is available for $180 in quantities of 100, with greater discounts available in higher quantities.

Bestlink website here.