Haleron introduces $189 Mio Smartbook

haleron mio smartbook

Think that the only new thing PC maker Haleron has up its sleeve is that Ocean OS for netbooks? Think again, because it looks like Haleron has added a dirt cheap Smartbook to its line of mini-laptops.

The Mio Smartbook is a low power devices with a 7 inch display. It sells for $189, although it looks like you have to order 3 or more units, which makes it look like this price may be intended for resellers.

The device has a 266MHz ARM-based processor from VIA and supports 128MB to 256MB of memory. It has 1GB of flash storage space and supports up to 4GB. There’s also an SD card slot and 3 USB ports for adding additional storage or peripherals.

If those specs sound pretty week, that’s because this device basically has the guts of a smartphone. It just happens to be shaped more like a laptop. The Mio Smartbook runs Windows CE 6.0 and gets up to 6 hours of battery life. It features 802.11b/g WiFi, Ethernet, and an optional 3G USB modem. I don’t see any dimensions, but the smartbook weighs about 1.5 pounds.It’s available in red, pink, silver, green, and black.

The product page makes it sound like the laptop could also run Windows XP, Linux, or Android, but that’s simply not true. While Linux and Google Android might be viable operating systems for this device, Windows XP doesn’t run on ARM-based processors. With a glaring error like that on the official web site, all I can say is order at your own risk.

via Netbooked

Posted on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009, 4:51 pm by Brad Linder

alpha 399.5

Yet another Alpha 400 clone. I for one actually *want* an Alpha 400, but only if it's 79-89 dollars etc. Even at 110, i'd rather save up and get a used Eee or Dell Mini 9.
John Morris

Looks like they have changed their mind on the quantity thing. The website just let me put quantity one in a cart for $189.

But I'm not going to complete the transaction. A little underpowered for my taste and WinCE is a dealbreaker. I'd want a wee bit more in the CPU dept than an ARM9@266, at least the 256M RAM option (512MB would be better) and more flash. I like low prices but not if the specs get cut too much to remain usable.
John Morris

Looks like they have changed their mind on the quantity thing. The website just let me put quantity one in a cart for $189.

But I'm not going to complete the transaction. A little underpowered for my taste and WinCE is a dealbreaker. I'd want a wee bit more in the CPU dept than an ARM9@266, at least the 256M RAM option (512MB would be better) and more flash. I like low prices but not if the specs get cut too much to remain usable.
pratfall

I agree with John Morris, this thing is a crappy hammer in search of a nail. Why use a 266MHz ARM when the Cortex A8 is available? Heck, there's a 1.2GHz ARM in the Sheevaplug, and that thing only costs $100. Dump the Windoze tax in favor of a faster CPU, and we might be talking.
pratfall

I agree with John Morris, this thing is a crappy hammer in search of a nail. Why use a 266MHz ARM when the Cortex A8 is available? Heck, there's a 1.2GHz ARM in the Sheevaplug, and that thing only costs $100. Dump the Windoze tax in favor of a faster CPU, and we might be talking.
chris

And they charge 15$ extra for Linux instead of crappy Windows CE. Make it 99$ with Linux and I'd consider it.
BoloMKXXVIII

Just another piece of crapware to sully the name of ARMbooks.
This is depressing. ARMbooks only have a limited window to gain traction in the market. Stuff like this does not help at all.
chris

And they charge 15$ extra for Linux instead of crappy Windows CE. Make it 99$ with Linux and I'd consider it.
BoloMKXXVIII

Just another piece of crapware to sully the name of ARMbooks.
This is depressing. ARMbooks only have a limited window to gain traction in the market. Stuff like this does not help at all.

Haleron introduces $189 Mio Smartbook

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