• First Android-based Netbook is Chinese

    First Android-based Netbook is Chinese

    Abhinna Shreshtha, May 12, 2009 1443 hrs IST

    Alpha 680 will take low-cost computing to a new high

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For years, companies have tried to get the perfect combination that would assure optimum functionality at the lowest possible cost. Indeed, it has become the Holy Grail for PC manufacturers.

A Chinese company called Skyzone is now entering the fray with the Alpha 680 netbook. The Alpha 680, slated to be released in three months time, is already generating interest with its alleged $250 price tag, the ARM CPU it runs on, and its preference of Google's Android OS over the ubiquitous Windows XP.


Also Read: Laptops versus Netbooks: What 's the Difference?



But will the Alpha 680 set the low-cost computing world on fire? Currently, the majority of netbook manufacturers prefer Intel's x86-based Atom processors. ARM processors are more commonly seen in smart phones and other MCDs. The Alpha 680, however, is only the first of 10 netbooks slated to be released this year and featuring an ARM chip. Both chips have their own sets of pros and cons, but one clear advantage that an ARM chip has is that offers a longer battery life.

Now consider the OS, the Alpha 680 will be the first netbook running on an Android OS. Does this mean the Google-Microsoft rivalry is set to spill on to low-cost PCs too? "Windows XP is an OS that many users are very comfortable using, especially in India. Linux was thought to be the ideal OS for netbooks and other low-power, low-cost PCs, but people still prefer Windows XP. In such a scenario, the Android OS will find it difficult to cement its place," said Diptarup Chakraborty, principal analyst at Gartner. Last year, around 75% of all notebooks ran on Windows XP.

The price is a strong differentiator -- a basic netbook with Atom processor and Windows XP starts from around Rs. 15000. The success of the Alpha and in fact other netbooks that will use the ARM chip and a non-Windows OS could rest on two factors --- the marketing support they receive and the applications that they can run.

An interesting fact - an ABI Research report predicted that non-windows OSs would overtake Windows XP in the netbook segment by 2012, with the research organization considering Android as the top contender. 

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(1) Comments
Ali Adams
,Poland, on May 12, 2009 03:05 PM
Remember­ last year, last race, last corner? Remember how both­ Toyotas posting almost identical times on that last lap­ to use as evidence that there was no foul­ play? Remember the year before, the 17 points gap that­ evapourated within two races? I speculate Mr E promised­ Ferrari the title in return for keeping the McLaren­ drivers in the show and how Kimi didn't even look­ excited by achieving his dream of becoming a world­ champion? Do­ you remember when three drivers (not sure but I think­ in '97 MS, JV and Frenzen) posted +0.000 in­ qualifying and Murry had to say "trust me there is­ no fix"??? Did you notice how surprised Button­ was when he got pole position yesterday when he clearly­ didn't expected? I bet Button asked for #1­ status in return for his 50% pay cut. I bet Ruben was­ told whoever is on Pole would be allowed to win the­ hence his BIG shock yesterday. I bet Mr E manipulated­ the Button's time yesterday. Nick Fry said: "We had to split the strategy" Rubens didn't have a choice to switch to 2 stopper. Please­ prove me wrong just so I can enjoy real F1 again­ :( Ali
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