Philippine computer seller Qube is preparing to launch a new netbook called the Qube M1 on December 20th. The netbook will come with an option of Linux Mint, Windows XP, or Windows Vista. What’s interesting is that Qube will load pretty much any version of XP or Vista on there for you, from Windows XP Starter Edition to Windows Vista Ultimate, although the Windows Vista Ultimate Edition license will cost you almost as much as the netbook hardware itself.

When you go to configure the netbook, you’re also told that it has a 1.6GHz dual core Intel Atom processor, but I’m pretty sure that’s a typo and that this machine comes with a standard Intel Atom N270 single core CPU.

Here’s a rundown of the rest of the specs:

• Display: 8.9 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel
• RAM: 1GB
• Storage:80GB 2.5″ SATA HDD
• I/O: 3 USB ports, mic in, headphout, RJ45, Express Card, SD/MMC/MS card slot
• Webcam: 1.3MP
• Connectivity: 802.11b/g WiFi
• Battery: 2600mAh Li-ion battery
• Weight: 1kg or about 2.2 pounds
• Dimensions: 250mm x 183mm x 18.3 ~ 28.8mm or about 9.8″ x 7.2″ x 0.7″ ~ 1.1″
• Price: Starting at 15,999 Philippine pesos or about $327 US

thanks Cakkes!

You know how the other day we were talking about whether netbooks were a threat to Microsoft because so many of the little laptops run Linux? Yeah, apparently the answer if you happen to live in the Philippines is no. Because one of the top netbook makers has decided to stop offering a Linux option in the Philippine market.

Manila Bulletin reports that an Asus official said at a recent event that the company will only be selling Windows-based Eee PC netbooks in the Philippines from now on. He says the response to Linux in the region has not been positive, so Asus will focus its efforts on Windows machines.

One of the reasons companies like Asus looked to Linux in the first place is because the open source operating system provided a way to help keep the price of low cost ultraportable computers down. But Microsoft is now making discounted Windows XP licenses available to netbook and other “ultra low cost PC” makers. Add to that the fact that Asus is now pumping out millions of netbooks a year, which helps drive down the manufacturing costs per unit, and it’s easier for the company to offer Windows on a $300 or $400 machine than it was a year ago.

There’s no word yet on whether Asus plans to go Windows-only outside of the Philippines.

When Blue Digital Systems announced the Deep Blue H1 in April, the little laptop’s $400-ish price tag was par for the course. But less than half a year later, you can pick up a far more capable laptop like the Acer Aspire One for less money. So it’s not surprising to see that the company has decided to drop the price on the VIA C7-M based computer. I am a bit surprised at the extent of the price cut. You can now pick buy one for about Php 9,995 or $215 US. For about $250 you can get a version that runs Windows XP instead of Linux.

The Deep Blue H1 is still underpowered as netbooks go. It has a 1GHz VIA C7-M CPU and a 7 inch, 800 x 480 pixel display. But it does have a relatively roomy 40GB hard drive. And it’s hard to beat the price.

via Eee PC.net

So it  turns out that when I told you the Neo ViVid V1100 was an MSI Wind clone destined for the Philippines, I was wrong. While PC Corner certainly had a picture of an MSI Wind lookalike on the product page for a while, it has since been replaced with the photo shown above.

I can’t say I’ve seen any mini-notebook that looks quite like this one, and I can’t say I’m impressed. The speakers are a bit too prominent for my taste, and the case looks a little cheap. But that makes sense, because this ain’t exactly the most expensive netbook money can buy. PC Corner is charging 19,990 Philippine, or about $440 US.

Here’s what you get for your money:

• 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU
• 1GB RAM
• 120GB HDD
• 8.9 inch display
• 3-in-1 card reader
• WiFi

No word on whether this computer will be available outside the Philippines anytime soon. Or ever.

Update: As jkkmobile and Joanna Stern kindly pointed out in the comments, it looks like this is an Amtek Elego/Sylvania G Meso style device.

thanks k!

Asus Eee Hacks spotted a product page at PC Corner for a new PC that looks awfully familiar. The Neo ViVid V1100 MiniNote is basically a rebranded version of the MSI Wind laptop available in the US and Europe.

This is hardly the first time we’ve seen the Wind pop up under a different name. Russia’s got the Roverbook Neo U100, the Czech Republic has the Mivvy M310, and in the UK you can pick up an Advent 4211.

The ViVid V1100 should be available in the Philippines on August 19th for PhP 22,999.00 or about $525 US.

Update: Looks like this is not an MSI Wind clone. Oh, and it’s cheaper than expected too.