CyberNerd Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 Is this true? http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/09/rm_asus_launches_minibook/ UK PC company RM - formerly Research Machines, 1980s school-computer buffs - is to bring Asus' tiny Eee PC, launched last June, to these shores - for a mere 169 quid. The laptop will be branded the RM Asus MiniBook. The 890g, 22.5 x 16.5 x 2.1-3.5cm unit is based around a 7in display, has 256MB or 512MB of memory, a choice of 2GB or 4GB of solid-state storage, and a 900MHz Intel Celeron M processor. The unit has an integrated 0.3-megapixel (VGA) webcam and 802.11g Wi-Fi, along with a 10/100Mbps Ethernet port and an on-board dial-up modem. RM also said it plans to offer an optional 3G datacard for the device. There are earphone and microphone ports, an SD card reader and three USB 2.0 ports too. The MiniBook will run Linux, open source operating system fans will be keen to hear, and RM touted the laptop's 15s boot time. We're more impressed with the price: £169 ($344/€245) for for the 256MB, 2GB model, rising to just £199 ($405/€288) if you want a MiniBook with 512MB of RAM and a 4GB Flash drive. The machine's pitched at schools, but we can see plenty of folk considering the MiniBook as a simple, inexpensive web surfing device. Both models are due to go on sale over here on 1 November. ®
FN-GM Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 I tell you what its a good looking machine. I think it is more suitable for domain environments though.
Joedetic Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 Shame it doesnt say which distro...it'll probs be branded ubuntu i would have thought.
dhicks Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 > I think it is more suitable for domain environments though. RM seem to be positioning the device for pupil ownership. I imagine they're thinking to sell class / yeargroup job lots at a time. The implication would seem to be that you can word process, etc, locally on the PC and interact with the schools VLE via the wireless connection. I've only seen pictures of the Eee and OLPC but... I reckon the OLPC hardware is better thought out. Draws little power (anyone know how much power the Eee needs?), snazzy flip screen and stylus input (there's one picture on the Eee website with what looks like a stylus, but no other mention anywhere), more suitible networking, looks more robust. How well will the Eee's wireless work in classroom-at-a-time situations (the OLPC has a peer-to-peer mesh network)? How robust are the keyboards (I find laptops in schools have a magical tendency to lose keys from the keyboard)? 2.5 hours or so battery life isn't all that much, but I reckon it'd just about scrape through a day of intermittent use if recharged every night (one more thing for pupils to forget to do). That said, the Eee PC looks like it will actually be available right here very soon, and the OLPC is mainly for other countries. The OLPC OS sounds a tad wobbly - still lots of memory leaks a few months ago, although that might be fixed by now. Hmm. First person to buy a classes worth /has/ to report back on how well they work! -- David Hicks
russdev Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 Yes it is true and seem perfect as 'word processing tools' in SEN? Here we have some very old word processing machines student takes them to class types it saves what typed. Then you connect printer and it prints document. See this laptop filling this area an updated version of that. Russell
FN-GM Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 Manufacturers Pre installing Linux seems to be catching on, Dell etc. Maybe you will have more choice of what OS you will get on a computer now?
Midget Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 will MS create a version of office for linux (without just using crossover) ? *welds wings to a pig in antisipation*
webman Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 Looks like you need matchsticks strapped to your fingers to use the keyboard effectively (Reminds me of a Simpsons episode where Homer works from home, gets fat, and tries to call for help: "Beep. Your fingers are too fat. To obtain a special dialing wand, punch the keypad now" )
bossman Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 @TeddyKGB: why would a company like RM be getting desperate? As they are getting the lions share of the BSFs at the moment i don't call that desperate i call it good managment, a little like Microsoft. But then i don't see you moaning and wittering on about them.
plexer Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 I was sure it was mash and not punch so a quick google revealed that it is: To obtain a special dialing wand, please mash the keypad with your palm now Also from the same epsiode: To start press any key, where's the any key? Love it. Ben
bizzel Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 I heard from our RM reps that it's going to be a re-branded Asus EEE PC, they didn't let on what OS it'd be running though. I also hear it's going to be demo'd at BETT this year and is aimed firmly at students.
dhicks Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 > I heard from our RM reps that it's going to be a re-branded Asus EEE PC, > they didn't let on what OS it'd be running though. RM's website seems to reckon it'll be running Asus' Linux distribution - trimmed down, tabs-based interface, selection of applications, web browser. Looks okay, quite usable, although there's probably no reason why you can't replace with your own if you wanted. I've found Slax to be great for this kind of thing - a distribution that's made for customising and adding your own bits to. -- David Hicks
plexer Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 Web browser and open office would make it really usable. Ben
Geoff Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 Edubuntu is an obvious candidate too. http://www.edubuntu.org/
Domino Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 It is a ASUS eeepc on the second page here theres a few screenshots http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/Hands_on_with_the_ASUS_Eee/ i was thinking it would be a good for a "web-only" laptop trolley. for VLE, mymaths,linguascope, etc. Cheap too!
russdev Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 Well if you want to see one in next month then come along to EduGeek october Conferance as we will have one for people to play with. In fact they are like gold dust at moment so not many of them in UK. Russell
Butuz Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 Yep these look good to run openoffice or the like. Paritularly handy for us as these little laptops could connect to our Terminal Server and give a full wammy interface. Veeeeryyyyy interesting. Hope to get one to try soon Andrew
linuxgirlie Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 Well I just put an order in for one to have a play around. Looks interesting, won't arrive till after 1st November though. Jo
russdev Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 Yes as there is only few of them in UK. Shipment due in any day dam mother nature apparently have delayed it. Yes we are trailing one in SEN department. Russell
wesleyw Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 The only downside I can see at present would be a lack of a PCMCIA slot so I could put a wireless card in it? Wonder if they will do a 6 and 9 cell battery could last the entire day then! Wes
russdev Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 It has wireless in already. http://www.rm.com/_RMVirtual/Media/Downloads/miniBook_handheld_conference_flyer.pdf Russell
wesleyw Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 Excellent! Just need a bigger battery now, I suppose there is always the 16 way battery packs that Bretford make? Wes
russdev Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 Also might be interested but probably not. This is what we arelook at them for it as we want to replace these machines. http://www.rm.com/Secondary/Products/range.asp?cref=RA929480 Russell
MkII Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 Yes we have a ruck of alphasmarts that these would be great replacements for. Far superior in every way.
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