Today Everex officially unveiled the rumored Cloudbook, which uses the VIA Nanobook platform. It’s an interesting device in that it might be the first real competitor to the Eee PC.
There are several distinct differences between the Eee PC and Cloudbook. First, the Cloudbook uses a 1.2GHz VIA C7-M ULV Processor. The processor combined with a 4 cell battery apparently results in a 5 hour battery life. While this hasn’t been independently verified, 5 hours is approaching at a (or at least my) sweet spot for ultra mobile devices. The Cloudbook also uses a traditional hard drive instead of SSD memory, and as a result comes with 30GB built in. It runs gOS, and will cost $399.
The dimensions of the Cloudbook are: 9.06″ x 6.73 x 1.16″ , while the Eee PC is 8.86″ x 6.46″ x1.4″. As a result, the Cloudbook is just a hair larger, but nearly the same size.
Oh, and the Cloudbook will be available for purchase at Walmart.com on January 25th. Will it somebody reach stores?
Personally, I think it’s a great thing. The Eee PC has had plenty of time to cement itself as the leader in these low cost ultra-portable notebooks. But, a lack of competition might lead to less innovation and/or higher prices. The arrival of the Everex Cloudbook not only presents this competition, but it has some differences to the Eee PC- in hard drive space, processor, and in running gOS. More importantly, having distribution in Walmart means that more eyes will see and enter this part of the industry.
Several weeks ago, when the Cloudbook began to be rumored, I set up a sister site to EeeUser called Cloudbooker. If you’re interested in the device and want to discuss it, I hope you choose to visit there. It would be great to develop a community behind the device to find out more about it and gOS in general, like we did and continue to do here at EeeUser.
