If you’re going to put out a cheap netbook with substandard specs, based on the often-rebranded Skytone Alpha 400/3K RazorBook 400/netbook of many other names, that’s fine. Heck you could even try to tell me it’s a good netbook because of its low price. Most of these mini-notebooks sell for $250 or less. But please don’t try to tell me it’s the best. Because with a 7 inch, 800 x 480 pixel display, a 400MHz Xburst CPU, it clearly is not.
But that hasn’t stopped one company from naming their cheap netbook with just those specs the “Best PC007” (PDF link). So much for truth in advertising.
via Pocketables
One problem I’ve noticed with your generally exellent site is a tendency towards obsessing over netbook specs. This is reflected in your Product Database and also with comments like “cheap netbook with substandard specs”. Netbooks – to a greater extent than with standard laptops – are about fitting in with particular ways of working and practices or lifestyles.
The Best PC007/Razerbook etc. are amongst the smallest of the breed and for the right person (e.g. smallish hands, unfamiliar with computers, on a tight budget etc.) could be an ideal first laptop. Why denigrate it here at a site that proclaims the benefits of ultra-portables?
You seem to have a similar issue with Windows CE where you focus on its shortcomings against the larger operating systems instead of obvious benefits such as simplicity and rapid boot time.
I still use old Psion Series 5 on occasion. Compared to modern netbooks it’s almost certainly “substandard” but it beats them all for portability and screen visibility in sunlight. Horses for courses. I’d certainly welcome a move towards focusing on usability against specs at Liliputing.
I certainly think that netbooks like this have a place. But with a retail
price of about $250, I don’t see much reason why someone would choose one
over an Eee PC 2G Surf which you can pick up for about $299. Both have 7
inch displays, but the 2G Surf has more memory, a much faster CPU, and can
run Windows, Xandros, or practically any Linux distro you would throw at it,
while the Best PC007 is locked down to a single custom Linux distribution.
As for Windows CE, I’ve pointed out on numerous occasions that there are
real benefits to the operating system. It’s light weight, taking up very
little space, and with the right hardware support, it has instant on/off
capabilities. Again, my issue is with price. I just don’t think those two
features are good enough to justify charging the same price for a netbook
running Windows CE as one that can run Windows, Linux, or even OS X.
I realize that some people make similar arguments about netbooks. Yes, you
can get a full sized laptop for $400, so why spend the money on much slower
netbook with a cramped keyboard? But in that situation, it’s clear what
you’re paying for: portability. If instant on/off or an OS that only takes a
few MB of disk space are important to you, by all means, buy a Windows CE or
Razorbook. But for less than $50 more, you can get a far more capable and
customizable machine in the same small form factor.
According to the Encyclopedia of BoloMKXXVIII:
Advertising: Legalized lying, also see falsehood and fraud
Truth is not connected to advertising. Never has been and never will be.
Truth in advertising? Haha isn’t that an oxymoron? By the way I really enjoy your site – very well written articles.