$98 laptop claimed for October

Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:51AM EDT

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That's not a typo, nor is it a joke. It may never really arrive at the price the company claims and it may end up being an outright scam, but it does at least appear to have some basis in reality: A Chinese outfit called HiVision says it has created a $98 laptop, which includes everything you'd need to perform basic computing tasks, like working on documents, playing music, and browsing the web.

The specs are admittedly minimal: an ancient 400MHz CPU, 64MB or 128MB of RAM, a 7-inch LCD, and a 1GB flash drive for storage. Wi-Fi is built-in, and the machine runs either Linux or Windows CE (now there's a blast from the past). It's a stretch to call a WinCE device a "laptop," but the Linux version that these guys took extensive video of at a trade show earlier this month looks decently capable. Almost like a real computer.

Naturally, there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical. While low-end electronics often come out of obscure shows like this (and from no-name companies), HiVision is not a name that engenders a lot of trust. Also known as Shenzen, the company's website has been off and on all morning. But an even bigger strike comes from Engadget, which spotted hollow, plastic versions of HP Mini-Notes on the tables next to the supposed $98 HiVision netbooks. Is the company (which specializes in lookalike versions of scads of electronic devices) also planning to knock off the Mini-Note?

Will we ever see a company bring this machine to the U.S.? The price may end up being higher than the claimed $98, but even at twice that, such a device could have a significant impact on the category, where mini-notes still run $350 and up.

So color me skeptical... but deeply curious.

Comments on $98 laptop claimed for October

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  • 26 Posted by l_love_trafficking_w0men on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    This computer was meant for underpriveledged countries. I was expecting a crank on it to generate its power from the last echoes of the $100 Laptop. Some of the countries and rural areas that would benefit from this device you will be lucky to even have electricity in

  • 27 Posted by h22_dragster on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think this will sell. because most people have to work 2 or 3 jobs to support their kids and living on a really tight budget. oh heck most people cant seem to afford even a 400$ laptop, and here we talking about 1000$ laptop. this would be a nice gadget for their kids to get their comp skill on. i think they are targeting more people on a budget, not middle and high class people.

  • 28 Posted by gregsw_2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have to say. The specs are very ancient, to say the least. I have a computer from 1996 that is close to matching those specs. Really, a 400 mhz processor would have trouble running web applications... So what could you really do with this computer, except word processing? Also, as the guy mentioned above, after all of the extra charges, it's going to cost $200 bucks. You'll do much better to save like $400 or so and buy a small Asus laptop that you can actually DO something with...

  • 29 Posted by ertdfgcvb on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    You buy American? So ... you don't wear shoes? Shirts? Pants? And the keyboard you typed your message on ... where is it from? And hidden away inside your computer the harddrive is from ... where? And the nation of origin of the screws that hold the harddrive together? If you really want to buy American, go to Kansas and buy a loaf of bread. Then you can smile and be a true-blue American. Otherwise, every day, whether it's the gasoline in your car, or the tin in the tincans in your kitchen, you are buying GLOBALLY, not American. The sooner you racists learn to deal with the modern world, the better.

  • 30 Posted by sweet_n_sassy_n_texas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think it will sell to people with children in elementary school. While they do have one faster and better, at school, this would be great to have at home while not spending a lot of $$$ for a computer and they don't have to be on their mom's or dad's computer.

  • 31 Posted by poundingbat on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    Something like this with a usable keyboard would be a perfect Tandy Model 100 replacement.

  • 32 Posted by motokitty75 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    Chinese brand = P.O.S. will probably be recalled after it explodes and injures children-

  • 33 Posted by steve.wold on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    well.. considering you can always go to bestbuy or circuit city and buy a four hundred laptop computer that runs extremely well for the price. it isn't going to be as good as a 1k laptop, but it is extremely useful. The laptop I use is a $400 laptop i got from bestbuy (not a majour discount like the day after thanksgiving sales and all) and it has been working perfectly for the last 2 years I have had it. even then, there are stores that sell even cheaper laptops, though they are not brand new, but are ones that did not sell in the previous years and were outdated in the majour stores with newer products, and those computers can be even cheaper then that! this computer will not be worth it, even at $98 dollars.

  • 34 Posted by don_551 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just look at what people spend on a PHONE, then ask will they buy this new extra gadget. It is for folks who don't already have a "do-everything plus keep you company" doohickey to pet and caress all day.

  • 35 Posted by morrismartha@ymail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    My father always said, don't believe anything you hear, and only half of what you see.......

  • 36 Posted by avaistariq on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE TO SEE THE NEXT GENERATION MINI LAPTOPS AT A LOWER PRICES DUE TO HIGH DEMANDS GLOBALLY. I SEE THE FUTUER AS LESS EXPENSIVE WHEN IT COMES TO TECHNOLOGY USAGE. MAY BE IN A FEW YEARS OR SO PEOPLE WILL SEE THE COMPUTERS SOLD AT AFFORDABLE PRICES AS LESS AS $99. THANKS.

  • 37 Posted by mlw9799 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    First off Linux is way better than XP,CE and Vista combined. I have a similar computer that I got online at buy dot com and it works great with linux (it also comes with the xp drivers in case you want to run word and the such). It takes awhile to get use to linux but heh it's free. Plus, the start up time for linux is 15 seconds where as Windows software is much longer as some of you know. It's basicly used for email and IM and word documents but my phone does that so I basicly use it for the Magicjack to run my house phone and kicked ma'bell to the curb.

  • 38 Posted by j_kuprienko on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    It not really for use in the us, more for developing countries, china, Vietnam, ext

  • 40 Posted by indiasmith14 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think its a great ideal I'll take two the price is right

  • 41 Posted by tbilisidavid on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think its not going to sell good because its going to brak easy and also youre not going to see it good plus most people cant see.

  • 42 Posted by aralyaj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    looks like an updated type writer, anybody remember those things?

  • 43 Posted by robert_janette on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    We have a 5 year old that constantly wants to be on the computer when we are. At this price I would gladly purchase one and let him have his own laptop. If he destroys it, so what. I would rather have him destroy a 100.00 laptop, than a 1000.00 laptop.

  • 45 Posted by ibgolfer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    I WOULD RATHER PAY MORE FOR BETTER QUALITY. TOO MUCH WORK TO PUT WHAT YOU WANT ON A COMPUTER AND RISK LOSING INFO. OR WHATEVER. TOO SPOILED FOR SUCH LOW QUALITY

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