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Author Topic: Really cheap netbook  (Read 4378 times)

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Offline IggyTopic starter

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Really cheap netbook
« on: May 19, 2012, 07:04:02 PM »
Sylvania Internet Device Processor VIA 8650 512MB (DDR2) 2GB Flash WiFi 802.11 b/g/n x3 USB 2.0 7" Windows Compact SYNET07WICV

http://www.compuvest.com/Desc.jsp?iid=1749168

Coupon CVR832561 for extra $15 off.

$39 with free shipping
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Offline takemehomegrandma

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Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2012, 07:36:32 PM »
Quote from: Iggy;693624
Sylvania Internet Device Processor VIA 8650 512MB (DDR2) 2GB Flash WiFi 802.11 b/g/n x3 USB 2.0 7" Windows Compact SYNET07WICV

http://www.compuvest.com/Desc.jsp?iid=1749168

Coupon CVR832561 for extra $15 off.

$39 with free shipping


You ordered one?

If you do, come back tell us about your experience! :)

(Crazy price! :shocked:)
« Last Edit: May 19, 2012, 07:39:09 PM by takemehomegrandma »
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Offline spirantho

Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2012, 09:06:34 PM »
Careful with those netbooks though, they're not of interest to most geeks because you're stuck with Windows. On many of them you can't even change the installed software (e.g. update your browser) let alone change the OS - they're all set up in ROM.

As long as all you want to do is to view older webpages not too fast, they'll be ok, but if you intend to do anything funky you'll probably be disappointed. Caveat emptor.

That said, if it is cool then tell us. :)
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Offline XDelusion

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Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2012, 09:09:32 PM »
My friend has one sorta like that...

You should be able to run Puppy Linux on it at the very least.
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Offline spirantho

Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2012, 09:25:40 PM »
Would be interesting to see. You might need to hack it up to remove the internal ROM though. I very much doubt it's able to boot from anything that's not the built-in Windows Compact.

Quote from the manual:
"Please note that this product is not a computer. It is a wireless
Mobile Internet Device with a Windows® Embedded Operating System."

Of course the manual never stopped anyone though. :)
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Offline IggyTopic starter

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Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2012, 11:11:08 PM »
I've found other devices that use the same hardware that run Android.
I don't know if this device's OS can be changed, but for $39 I can use it around the house to view web pages.
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Offline GrizzlyAdams

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Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2012, 12:40:58 AM »
Most of those use a common embedded board. Its an ARM9 cpu, 640x480 display, Windows CE (various versions... We have a CE 4.2 based unit at work that looks very similar to this one).  In fact the one we have shares the same board with a 7" android tablet (also crap).  9V chargers are common with these, often undersized to charge the battery.  Also the battery protection circuit is *horrible* on most of these if you ever let the battery go flat.  Basically the protection IC will cut itself off from the battery, and requires manual resetting & charging.
We bought one used for $5 off someone, just to have an example of what not to buy. (I work at an independent computer store.)
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Offline psxphill

Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2012, 12:41:33 AM »
Quote from: spirantho;693646
Careful with those netbooks though, they're not of interest to most geeks because you're stuck with Windows. On many of them you can't even change the installed software (e.g. update your browser) let alone change the OS - they're all set up in ROM.

If it was windows it wouldn't be a problem, but it's windows ce.
 
The operating system is almost certainly stored in flash and not rom. So you should be able to replace it, but you'd need to find an android or linux build for it. You should also be able to install a different web browser as well, if you can find one.
 
It's not going to be great, but the price reflects that.
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Offline tone007

Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2012, 01:21:24 AM »
Being stuck with CE would be a bummer, but there is hope: http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/21211-7-wm8650-netbook-linux-port

Good link/coupon code combo, Iggy.
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Offline IggyTopic starter

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Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2012, 02:57:51 AM »
Quote from: tone007;693672
Being stuck with CE would be a bummer, but there is hope: http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/21211-7-wm8650-netbook-linux-port

Good link/coupon code combo, Iggy.

Great reference Tone.

Windows CE is not the greatest product.
But as this is ARM based, its about the only alternative to Android/Linux

I've already reviewed the manual and the OS can be updated.
It does state that the device "is not a computer", which is of course silly.
As you can load and run other software, of course its a computer.
A rather limited one, but still a computer.

And my first use will be web browsing, which it seems well suited to (although being stuck with Internet explorer is a bummer).
Goggle docs ought to work so I've got basic office functionality.

Obviously an Android or Linux replacement OS would be desirable.
I'd really prefer Firefox.
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Offline commodorejohn

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Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2012, 03:30:01 AM »
Quote from: Iggy;693679
Windows CE is not the greatest product.
But as this is ARM based, its about the only alternative to Android/Linux
Wonder if the RISC OS diehards ever port to systems like this... ;)

Quote
It does state that the device "is not a computer", which is of course silly.
As you can load and run other software, of course its a computer.
A rather limited one, but still a computer.
Ten bucks says this is thanks to dimwits calling up to rage and demand a refund because they automatically assume that any computer that isn't a Mac is a PC...

Quote
And my first use will be web browsing, which it seems well suited to (although being stuck with Internet explorer is a bummer).
I'd be awfully surprised if there isn't at least one alternative browser...from a quick Google search, supposedly Dorothy and Opera Mini will work on Windows CE...
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Offline IggyTopic starter

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Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2012, 10:35:11 PM »
I haven't found an alternate browser, but the included one is based on IE7.

Purchased a second one while the deal was still valid.
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Offline persia

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Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #12 on: May 23, 2012, 10:33:42 PM »
Windows CE

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Offline commodorejohn

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Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #13 on: May 23, 2012, 10:51:24 PM »
Quote from: persia;694088
Windows CE

Hey, I'll take CE over Windows 8 any day...
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Offline tone007

Re: Really cheap netbook
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2012, 04:43:04 PM »
I really don't think there's any modern OS worse than CE (not that CE itself is modern, in my opinion,) unless it's set up for a particular embedded function, maybe as a microwave keypad or TV remote or something.  It doesn't belong on anything resembling a PC, and the first thing I did when this little Sylvania showed up was start fighting with Debian.  Took a bit, but now I'd call it usable.




At $39, it was worth playing with.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2012, 06:31:26 PM by tone007 »
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