Following up my previous post I’ve been down to my local Maplin to check out this Elonex One T (one two) look-alike. The first thing that struck me was how small it was – obvious you may say, but I think it’s got something to do with this really looking like a proper laptop.
This is a long way off a full review, as I was stood in the shop for only a few minutes, but here is a quick run thro’ of what the laptop is like.
Keyboard:
This was a pleasant surprise. The keys have a ‘real’ feel and look to them and seemed to be a lot more robust than those on my eeePC (my nephew managed to bust the arrow keys on mine in a short space of time playing games). However, typing was a little odd, mainly because the ‘real’ key shape means that the top surface of each individual key is even smaller than those on the eeePC.
Mouse Touchpad:
This was a touchpad for movement, with a button either side. This is an odd departure from the established format of button beneath the touchpad and would take some getting used to…. I’ll be plugging in a USB mouse I think.
Screen:
Although similar to the eeePC in most respects it seemed easier on the eye. No problems here.
Software/Operating System and Speed:
Software seemed to be as the description on the Elonex website for the One t. I opened up the word processor, email client, web browser and software installer/update programme. Much of the software was branded XiP.
Word processor was Abi Word. This took a fair few seconds to open, was basic but usable fonts included chinese symbols.
Web browser was Firefox Bon Echo.
The desktop environment was icon-based with a toolbar at the bottom and tabs at the top. It had the feel of lightweight Linux desktops (Puppy Linux, Slax, that sort of thing). Some of the dialogue boxes had an elderly ‘Gnome’ feel about them. The overall feel of the desktop environment seemed a little disjointed – a fairly smart looking desktop, but individual applications varying in aesthetic feel.
Speed was hard to gauge. It was apparent that emphasis was on the selection of a lightweight desktop and applications. The choices have been tailored to the machine’s abilities, and this appears to have paid off as the laptop was quite usable. I only opened up two applications at a time though.
Price:
In the shop at £169.99. At this price it seems a reasonable alternative to a PDA. A threat to the eeePC? I’m not so sure, especially if the extra £40 to £50 is not a problem to you. However, many people like me have only paid £100 (£110) for an Elonex One, then upgraded for free – I reckon I’m getting a bit of a bargain.
Although from the outside, both laptops look identical except for branding, we don’t really know what Elonex will do with the operating system and software. Things may well be very different…..
Tags: cheap, CnM miniBook, elonex, laptop, maplin, one two, onet elonexone, review, small
As this is my first post I hope you forgive any small errors. Nice to see that our new product the CnM Minibook has caught your attention. This is just the first of a new range of minibooks on its way to the shop shelves. ( You can expect bigger faster and more powerfull products very soon.) The important thing to understand is the target audience for each of these products.
Minibook
Technical Specification
Model No.: MINI LAPTOP NEO
Storage drive type: Nand Flash 2GB
Processor: 32 Bit CPU
System RAM: DDRII 128MB
LCD screen size: 7-inch
Operating system: Linux
Wireless connection : WI-FI
I/O ports 3 x USB host sockets;1 earphone/line_in socket
Card slot Push-Push SD card socket
Mouse control: Touch Pad
Keyboard : Standard 80 KEY
Display
Display Type: 7-inch TFT
Widescreen Display: Yes
Max Resolution: 800 x 480 ( WVGA )
Networking
Other com options 10/100MB Ethernet port
Wireless LAN supported: Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g) USB Dongle
Audio
Audio input: Microphone
Audio output power: Built-in microphone and dual speakers
Other Touch mouse pad
Operating System / Software
OS Provided: Linux
Software: Web browser; Flashplayer; Office; PDF viewer; email
Battery and Power
Technology: Lithium Battery
Installed Qty: 1PC
Capacity: 2200mAh 3.7V
Working time: 3 hours
Product Dimensions
Shipping Weight (in kg): 650g
Size: 222(l) x165(w) x 29.5(d) mm
Manufacturer Warranty
Service and support: 1 year warranty
If your intrested I will keep you up to date with the new products before you see them for sale, and im sure your feedback will be of great use.
I have a number of questions, some related to your test and some are just straight-forward questions:
1. Did you manage to test its on-line facilities?
2. If so, then have you tried any flash content? Some reports of read of other brands of this same machine say that the machine is capable of loading flash but not embedding it in web pages. I’m hopeful that Elonex have improved the very basic OS on this machine.
3. Could you smell any evidence of a Bios when you tested it?
4. Does anyone know if this will work with a mobile broadband modem? I have the large white one on 3-mobile, as it works great on my eeepc. I’d like to think that it’ll work on this as well, but…you know…
Just throwing these questions out there to see if anyone cares to comment
Thanks for this. Do you know if the Mini Laptop Neo is the same as the Elonex One t, both software and hardware?
Do you have any further details about the OS and software (names, version numbers etc), and scope for adding new software.
Thanks for your comment
# thekanester Says:
August 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm edit
I have a number of questions, some related to your test and some are just straight-forward questions:
1. Did you manage to test its on-line facilities?
Sorry, no. It was not connected.
2. If so, then have you tried any flash content? Some reports of read of other brands of this same machine say that the machine is capable of loading flash but not embedding it in web pages. I’m hopeful that Elonex have improved the very basic OS on this machine.
3. Could you smell any evidence of a Bios when you tested it?
Sorry again, didn’t look. Was just getting a feel for the speed and the software. I take it you’re talking about ability to change settings on boot etc?
4. Does anyone know if this will work with a mobile broadband modem? I have the large white one on 3-mobile, as it works great on my eeepc. I’d like to think that it’ll work on this as well, but…you know…
Be nice to think so – I’ve got the same setup (eee and 3), and apart from connectivity issues relating to three’s network, its a fantastic combination. Seem to think I’ve read somewhere that support is built into recent kernels…..?
Just throwing these questions out there to see if anyone cares to comment
Just wanted to say I’ve found this site very useful leading up to the distribution of the Elonex and I think an unofficial forum would be a great idea.
Jim
This isnt the Elonex ONE, it was infact CnM’s own laptop: http://www.scan.co.uk/product.aspx?ProductId=26112
Just a tad better specced than the E-ONE, I agree with Jaykay, you need a forum
Oops let me correct myself *apologies* o.0 It is the same laptop isn’t it! the specs are still found on the link above.
Anyone had any luck on getting a 3g dongle working with this machine? It really would be the ultimate travel toy if it does!
Have a look at http://linuxlaptopforum.ark2webdesign.co.uk/index.php/topic,58.msg190.html#msg190
Hmmm, I’ll have a go I think but in Firefox and IE it looks as though punctuation is showing as characters ant it is hard to read.
Thanks for the pointer
David