Lanyu eBook LY-EB01 eBook 7 inch netbook reviewed

The Lanyu LY-EB01 eBook is a dirt cheap, 7 inch mini-laptop available in China for under $100. This makes it one of the cheapest netbooks around, but it’s also one of the least powerful, thanks to its 266MHz ARM-based processor. If you have a smartphone, odds are it has a faster CPU than this netbook. Heck, some calculators are probably more powerful.

So what exactly can you do with the LY-EB01 eBook? Shanzai.com just happened to be close enough to Shenzen, China to pick one up, and the site has posted the first detailed review I’ve seen of this laptop.

They purchased a single unit for the equivalent of about $98. The machine is pretty tiny, and weighs just 1.3 pounds. It runs Windows CE, which should look familiar to anyone who has ever used Windows before, and the user manual is in English. Shanzai found the speakers to be loud, but tinny, and the touchpad to be pretty responsive. The keyboard is small and cramped, but what did you expect from a 7 inch netbook? And the battery is non-user removable.

Despite the slow, energy efficient processor, the computer is reportedly pretty responsive thanks to the light weight operating system. Shanzai is splitting the review into two portions, so make sure to check back tomorrow for more information. In the meantime, you can find a number of photos and software screenshots in part one of the review.

Update: Part 2 is up, complete with a video. While the build quality and price were right, Shanzai was much less impressed with the Windows CE operating system. Read the whole review for details, or check out the video after the break.

Posted on Monday, August 24th, 2009, 2:09 pm by Brad Linder

Mikez

That review reads: 800×600 – 7 inch screen (a “standard” resolution).
Not the 800×480 of most of the original 7 inch screen models.
Mikez

If they could be held to <$100 inside of the US. . .
We may have reached the “bubble pack 'em” and hang
them next to the calculators at the check-out line point.
pratfall

I don't get what's with the huge bezels around 7″ screens. At that size, the keyboard is going to be compromised anyway, I'd rather a 7″ with a thin bezel and a less-touch-typeable keyboard in a more pocketable form factor.
http://listeningtoreason.com wanorris

It's possible that the rest of the components wouldn't fit without using special undersized ones which would increase the cost. Still, most of the guts ought to be phone parts, so even a 7″ case ought to be voluminous.

Maybe they're sourcing an off-the-shelf keyboard from somewhere instead of building one custom?
ricord

It would be interesting if it is running with AA cells!!!!
jelo

I did a little bit of web searching and I'm guessing this is not available in the USA? At least not through the regular channels…
thunder42

my netbook will not connect using wifi even though it says im connected with exellent strength.using the lan line it connects automatically.please help
zladymadonna

hi Thunder42, I can't connect my ebook to my PC also. I wonder if they have a 1-800 number in the US for help.
lorigrove

I am wondering the same thing. Mine will connect with with the Ethernet cable but not wifi. If you figure it out please help!!!!
zladymadonna

Hi,

I took my netbook to a computer store and the guy who owns the store could not even figure it out.

I ended up sending it back. UPS said if would cost $140 to send it back to China (I only paid $116 for
it.

I went to USPS (post office) and had to pay $44 to send it back.

If you send it back, write to Michelle Chen. She is the one I dealt with. She was no help. Write a message
in the contact us in the bigboxstore website.

Good Luck
Donna

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Jamila

US buyer. The power cord for this netbook does not work. Received product, ran for a few hrs on the battery and have not been able to charge ever since. I would be weary of this product if purchasing for use in the US.
brianl50587

TFT LCD Screen 2GB lauyu 7inch..hi i purchased 2 of these netbook with the purpose of travelling and emailing and photos home. my fault somewhat i did not know what WIFI was and just believed i could plug a wireless modem in and away i go..could anyone help me can i disconnect WIFI and then plug in a modem. i'll look next time
thank you Brian
Tom

so i could download videos on this thing? What about writing papers and downloading google chrome?
Tom

so i could download videos on this thing? What about writing papers and downloading google chrome?
http://www.tagged.com/chrisbelltillman Sonny

Guess what i did with mine?? I took one of my old iPod stickers (the apple) and put it on the front, then I installed ubuntu on it, and then i tweaked it to look like mac.

I fooled all of my friends.. what a shame.
Cleverbear450

Where can i buy one of these online??
I am from the UK

Lanyu eBook LY-EB01 eBook 7 inch netbook reviewed

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