It looks like Bestlink’s Alpha 400 linux-based UMPC might become the “cheapest” mini laptop you will be able to own at $250 and possible sale at $180.
With the recent explosion of UMPCs by big manufacturers, this sure looks like its going to be another hit.
Especially since a lot of desktop applications are being developed as web counterparts including Microsoft Office, there’s no need for the laptop user to carry all his applications on the laptop, maybe on a 8GB SD card.
What might be better is if they included a WiMAX card, which should be coming soon from Sprint and make the world go crazy for the mini-laptops and the super fast broadband internet connection.
The Alpha 400 is based on a 32-bit XBurst CPU from Ingenic Semiconductors clocked to 400MHz. Based on an “industry standard” RISC-based architecture (possibly MIPS?) the chip reportedly runs Windows CE as well as Linux. It also uses SIMD (single instruction, multiple data) instructions to accelerate media performance, and uses an “xburst” pipeline. Fabbed on 0.18-micron technology, it boasts low power requirements and a small footprint, Ingenic claims.
The Bestlink Alpha comes with 128MB RAM and 1-2GB of internal flash. Storage options including 32GB of memory via the provided SD card slot, as well as a USB-attached hard drive with up to 160GB. The 7-inch TFT “truecolor” (typically 24-bit) screen offers 800 x 480 resolution, says Bestlink.
Broadband Internet access is available via an Ethernet port or an optional WiFi dongle for one of the two external USB ports. Other USB-based options include GPRS, CDMA, and ADSL, and there are also earphone and mic jacks and a mouse port. The 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.3 inch laptop weighs only 1.5 pounds and is available in six colors.
