I'm a bit surprised by the HD spec:<p>HDD: Seagate 2.5” SATA HDD 320GB<p>So, not an SSD? Don't SSDs use less power than spinners?<p>Optimizing price on this one choice is strange, to me, considering they are running an Atom CPU. I'd rather pay $x00 for a model with an SSD and a more power-hungry, non-Atom CPU.
GMA 3600 sounds like a weird choice for a laptop running GNU/Linux, the drivers for it are abysmal. The CPU is a weird choice altogether, considering it has a 10W TDP. I think a Celeron 807UE would be a better choice, the TDP is the same and the performance should be close to double, with a significantly better GPU that also has a much better GNU/Linux drivers. The built-in 4G LTE and GPS are nice features though.
Does anyone have any direct insight into how "real" this is?<p>I ask because I hate playing the role of dismissive guy on HN but this seems waaaaay too good to be true at anywhere near the estimated price. Even ignoring the solar power challenges a fully rugged design at $350 seems like a huge reach as does submersible at $400.
Sounds great. What's the <i>realistic</i> performance?<p>I've dabbled with solar powered portable electronics. Harsh reality is getting direct sunlight for prolonged periods is problematic.<p>How visible is the screen in full sun? Are the panels' output sufficient for direct powering, or is power buffering required? How long, really, to a full charge (without having to constantly shift it to track the sun)? What percentage of "full sun" is required for direct powering? Are you really willing to leave it lying out in the open for prolonged periods (rain, theft, etc.)? Not trying to bash it, just looking at the gap between "gee, never have to plug it in, that's cool" and real-world concerns.<p>From prices I've seen, the solar panels + power electronics alone would run $350.
Is the solar panel footprint even enough to power the whole laptop? I haven't done the calculations for it, and I was hoping someone more qualified would join.<p>In particular, I don't know what the efficiencies are. Also, I was hoping to find an ARM chip on that thing. Intel ATOM was not that power efficient, last I looked.
I am about to embark on a construction project in a relatively remote location without utilities. The peace of mind built-in solar and known Linux-driver-present hardware will give will probably mean acquiring one of these... if distribution exists in my part of the world.
I'm intrigued. What's it weigh though? I'd want to use it for backpacking / disaster-style work rather than sitting at some table or desk.
What I would vastly prefer over this is if laptop manufacturers would just make it so the power input could be switched into max-power-point-tracker mode. Almost all the electronics necessary to plug a solar panel into a laptop are already there; they probably just require some firmware changes.
I will buy this. It has a great price and even if it isn't the greatest computer in the world, the fact that you can just put it out in the sun to power it up makes it convenient. Can't wait!
I'd love one of these with something like a Pixel Qi screen: <a href="http://pixelqi.com/our_screens" rel="nofollow">http://pixelqi.com/our_screens</a> / <a href="http://www.cloversystems.com/SunBook.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.cloversystems.com/SunBook.htm</a><p>With just an LCD screen? bleh. anywhere that would charge it well would be nearly unusable. Not a problem if you just want to recharge it while doing something else (and for that it's still a good idea), but still.
I'd be willing to buy this only for being an inexpensive laptop built to run Ubuntu. The solar panels are just an extremely nice bonus, IMO.<p>(I'd like to know how replacable the components are, though. An SSD in there would be great.)
Well considering how bad many LCD screens look in the sun I wonder if this is such a great idea. I would expect a matte screen, but it looks like typical glossy yet that may be simply the photoshop job
I've got $300 for this if the solar panel is detachable with a few feet of cord, and the keys aren't flat. I don't want to type on flat keys or in the sun.
Having the Sun shine on your plastic gadget for an extended period of time? Sounds like a wonderful idea! Why not simply have a lightweight detachable solar panel instead?