CloudBook

CloudBook

Manufacturer	Everex
Media	30 GB hard drive
Operating system	Ubuntu, GNOME, AWN-based gOS "V2 Rocket"
CPU	VIA C7-M ULV 1.2 GHz
Memory	512 MB (expandable to 1 GB)
Display	18 cm (7″) WVGA TFT (800×480) on VIA UniChrome Pro IGP
Input	Keyboard, touchpad VIA VT1708A audio
Camera	0.3 megapixel (640×480)
Connectivity	WLAN 802.11b/g Ethernet 100 Mbit/s DVI-I, two USB 2.0 ports Card reader (SD, MMC, MS (PRO))
Dimensions	23×17×3 cm
Weight	0.91 kg

The Cloudbook is an x86 subnotebook, or Ultra-Mobile PC developed by Everex using a VIA processor, chipset, and NanoBook reference design. It competes with the ASUS Eee PC, the OLPC XO-1 and the Classmate PC. The device is categorized as a netbook.

History

Sales of the cost effective gPC TC2502 Everex desktop^[1] left the company with inquiries from customers seeking similar additional Open Source, but mobile platforms. Everex decided to build two systems, a classic laptop, also running gOS v2, called the gBook, and a system based on the VIA Nanobook reference design, which is also used for Packard Bell EasyNote XS.^[2] Its release was originally planned for January 25, 2008, but Everex pushed the release back citing problems with the version of gOS it wanted to use. The delay was needed because Everex wanted to rewrite gOS v2 for the CloudBook so it would use GNOME's window manager instead of Enlightenment 17, making it even more compatible with Ubuntu. The E17's Dock was replaced by the Avant Window Navigator to approach the same looks and functionality as the older gOS versions.^[3][4][5]

Cloudbook was expected to be released in the United States of America on February 15, 2008^[6][7] at Wal-Mart and ZaReason, but was pushed back to February 21 for Wal-Mart (ZaReason received a part of its shipment). The price of the device was set to US$399 and it comes with one year of limited warranty with 24/7 toll free technical support.

Features

The Everex Cloudbook has a uniquely located built-in pointing device (a stamp-sized touchpad) on the upper right side of the computer instead of at the bottom of the keyboard as is common for notebook computers. The design of the Cloudbook is intended so it can be held in one hand while typing, or in two hands when using the mouse-cursor control, with the left thumb controlling the two "mouse buttons", and the right thumb the small trackpad, both mousepad and keys are placed directly under the screen. This design was chosen so the system could even be used when standing and walking around, instead of only when sitting. The CloudBook is sold as an Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC) because of this feature, even though it does not have a touch-screen. There are plans to release a version with a touch-screen in the future.

Software

The CloudBook comes with a completely new version, (compared to the version used in the gPC) of the gOS Linux distribution (based on Ubuntu) and application software from Mozilla, Skype, Facebook, faqly^[8], OpenOffice.org and Google. Originally gOS came with the Enlightenment 0.17 as the window manager, but the new CloudBook version V2 "Rocket" will be based on GNOME . Though the pre-installed operating system is gOS, Everex has released Windows XP hardware drivers, making it more simple to install Microsoft's Windows XP. However, Everex warns that any software outside of the original gOS will not be covered by warranty (though the hardware's warranty will be unaffected).

Cloudbook MAX

The next generation of CloudBook, when available in 2009, was said to have a processor running at 1.6 GHz, a 80GB harddrive, touchpad and WiMAX. However the company has ceased operations and therefore this version is unlikely to ever be released. ^[9]

See also

• Everex green computers
• Sony U-series small laptop with a side mounted pointing stick
• Palm Foleo
• Ultra-Mobile PC
• Nokia N810
• Internet appliance
• Sylvania g netbook by gOS and Osram Sylvania based on the same design as the Cloudbook and also using gOS, the newer gOS 2.9 (escape Pod)
• Picobook Pro netbook based on the design of the Cloudbook.

References

1. ^ Wal-Mart sells out of the $200 Linux gPC – Engadget
2. ^ Packard Bell Easynote XS20 – Notebook Forums and Laptop Discussion
3. ^ http://www.zareason.com Site explaining the rumor
4. ^ http://www.tuxmachines.org/node/24070 Message at tuxmachines about the gOS on gnome rumour
5. ^ http://cafelinux.org/gosforum/index.php/topic,308.msg1351/topicseen.html#msg1351 conformation by the development team to use Gnome
6. ^ computerworld.com
7. ^ http://www.everex.com/ Everex website announcing the new launchdate of February 15, 2008
8. ^ gOS – Features web apps on a desktop
9. ^ Everex – The Alternative PC Company

External links

• Picture of the CloudBook
• Everex home page

Media

• Laptopmag CloudBook Diary
• Review by LinuxDevices