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Coby to Release $100 'Midget' Laptop to Sell in Rite-Aid, Kroger
By John Herrman, 4:58 AM on Thu Dec 4 2008, 2,656 views

http://gizmodo.com/5101775/coby-to-rele ... aid-kroger


Just as we're coming to grips with the entire netbook phenomenon, low end manufacturer Coby comes up with something even lamer. "[Midget PCs] are smaller than a netbook but not THAT small." Midget PCs. Lovely.

What's makes a midget PC different than a netbook? If you listen to Coby's marketing director, they're a whole new category of computer meant for leaner times. As far as I can tell though, the PoqetMate-7 and PoqetMate-9 are just netbooks, albeit extremely cheap ones. Coby hasn't offered many specs to ponder, but the models, primarily differentiated by screen size (7in and 9in) will run Linux atop a Chinese Longsoon processor. Past that, I wouldn't expect much more than a Wi-Fi adapter and a few ports, bringing the PoqetMate in line with low-end netbooks like the Asus EeePC 701.

Coby plans to bring these to discount retailers, including traditionally computer-averse stores like Kroger and Rite-Aid, by March, making the PoqetMate-7 the first $100 computer to be widely available in the US

I don't know if this is the one. But I heard Stallman mention in one of his speeches that one of the Chinese manufacturers wiil be making a netbook using the Longsoon processor that will be the first completely free hardware notebook. Everything right down to the bios will be free software.


This is bad news for me though...

http://arkansas.indymedia.org/newswire/ ... /index.php

The idea, according to Coby insiders, is to create a whole new genre of computers, "midgets" for hard times, smaller and cheaper than netbooks though not a toy. "We don't do toys," says Gee. The computer will have a "sizable" keyboard for touch-typing and will run all common consumer applications.

I understand that a lot of people want a keyboard large enough to touch-type on. But there are a lot of folks like me that don't touch type and just want the smallest device with a decent screen that they can get. I need the keys just big enough so that my finger doesn't hit two at the same time. From this, it sounds like these midgets will actually be larger than the smallest eee's.

Edit: It doesn't look midget sized from this pic

In general, but not always oriental hands are smaller than the average American hand. My home has more than 50 percent oriental inhabitants. So it will be interesting to see how the keyboard is. Even though I have a zero budget for new equipment, that unit might have to be an exception. I will ask the local store if they have a time frame on it's arrival. I wonder if the announced price cut of the eeepc was a preemptive strike to keep their market share. My only concern is about software updates and wifi ability. if it does not have the ability to have or add wifi easily, then I will pass on it. Personal I prefer to BUY AMERICAN. unless it is used equipment.

(Coby denies the story)


Coby: We’re Not Working on a $99.95 Laptop



http://technologizer.com/2008/12/05/cob ... 95-laptop/






Coby Electronics Corporation is not in fact developing or producing a laptop computer in the under-$100 price category, referred to in various erroneous reports as the“Midget PC,” “PoqetMate-7” and “PoqetMate-9.” Coby Electronics Corporation is not currently producing a PC nor is one headed to market at any price under the company’s name. While Coby Electronics Corporation constantly monitors and evaluates all consumer electronics categories, no decision has been made to develop or launch laptops, nor have there been any specifications, pricing and distribution channels created for such product at this time. Coby Electronics Corporation remains focused on producing high-quality, innovative and competitively priced products in a range of consumer electronics categories, including LCD TVs, Video MP3 players, Portable and Home DVD Players, Digital Photo Frames, iPod Docking Stations, Radios and Accessories.