Re: Fwd: 8.9" CT-PC89E ARM netbook .... UPDATE 04 FEB 2010 22.10
*thumbs up for this*
This is so "geeky" it is really heartwarming to just read it
I didn't order one as I am low on cash but I hope this will pave a great
future for affordable mobile open devices.
karsten
Am Donnerstag, 4. Februar 2010 18:12:15 schrieb Luke Kenneth Casson Leighton:
> hi folks this is from adam a few hours ago.
>
> it's very exciting, esp. for me to hear that it was china telecom that
> initially commissioned the design, because that means a 3G modem was
> part of the initial requirements! but bless 'em the smaller volumes
> right now they just haven't been able to get the purchasing power, to
> get the lower-cost LCDs.
>
> basically as it's very new to them they really need our help and want
> our feedback, to make it a better product, which is why they're happy
> to put engineers on the task of modifying them. i can guess what
> they're doing: they're having to create a small circuit to power the
> backlight on the LCD: all LCD panels are different, damn it. then
> they will redesign the PCB to incorporate the new circuit... but not
> right now! :)
>
> so, i think we have quite a lot of leverage: let's hope that china
> telecom actually gave them the linux source code rather than just
> dropped a hairy binary tarball in their laps and let them get on with
> it.
>
> i've asked adam to find out if the 3G modem "socket" is a PCI-e: there
> are several USB-based 3G PCI-e modems out there, some of them even
> with GPS. i bought an adapter a few months ago:
> http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/USBMA.html
> so i know that these PCI-e 3G modems are actually USB modems NOT
> repeat NOT gigabit-PCIe x1 or x4 or whatever.
>
> and it _juuust_ so happens that i've been negotiating for several
> weeks with a huawei 3G PCI-e modem supplier... :)
>
> so this could actually turn out to be an incredibly exciting little
> machine - we'll just have to see how it goes. ok enough from me.
> please forgive adam not being technical, he's learning what to look
> out for as he goes along.
>
> l.
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Adam Gill <madallig@gmail.com>
> Date: Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 3:45 PM
> Subject: Re: 8.9" CT-PC89E ARM netbook .... UPDATE 04 FEB 2010 22.10
> To: Luke Kenneth Casson Leighton <luke.leighton@googlemail.com>
>
>
> Hi Luke , ................ please forward
>
> I see there's a lot of emails coming through now - you need 25
> netbooks now? - I'll check tomorrow but I think may not be possible as
> I will be getting the 20 pcs on Tuesday now. They are full on testing
> these netbooks and I think we are lucky to get them before Chinese New
> Year
>
> All the PayPal stuff I'll do on Saturday.
>
> We are really the first of two customers ..... so we are really in at
> the beginning. Apparently, they say this netbook was first made by
> another factory for China Telecom and so from my understanding - they
> have taken bits from the original 8.9" CT netbook and made a fusion
> with the 7000E with their own sourced display.
>
> The engineers have been making their own hand soldered PCBA to make
> the correct connection for the display with the motherboard.
>
> I have taken photos of all the interesting bits etc and I will email
> these on Sat ...
>
> Observations & other comments:
>
> 1. Web browsing not bad
> 2. WiFi easily connects
> 3. 2 x USB
> 4. Mini LAN connection
> 5. A mini USB but to me it looks like a mini VGA as the monitor symbol
> was next to this slot
> 6. 3G sim card slot - the slots are on the motherboard if you want to
> add a 3G module
> 7. 3.5mm Audio & Mic slot
> 8. Mic on the keyboard surface
> 9. The power charger will be the US style as its the lightest as we
> are right on the limit for weight
> 10. If you want to upgrade to 512 RAM they say it can be done for a
> few US$ more - and will do with larger orders
> 11. SO-DIMM - I asked about this - still waiting for answer from engineer
> .... 12. I tried to connect my Nokia 5800 via USB to the netbook to make a
> GPRS dial up connection *99# ..... I was almost
> connected via the network configuration they have!! .. but not enough
> time to focus on this ...
> 13. The web cam slot does not have a camera in it but it will - all
> the configuration is for a web cam - not enough time right now!!
> They said it is possible to include the web cam in the unit cost in
> future if larger quantities are ordered.
> 14. Innolux display - I asked again for the model number - but they
> could not give me the part no.
> 15. Software - there are some basic programs there, enough to get started
> 16. The battery is short life with full screen light - but you can
> down the light quite low to save battery life ...
>
> All in all I was much more impressed than I was expecting - I don't
> like their version of Linux - I will try to install another once I get
> my two net books ..
>
> The factory is interested in getting feedback and how to improve this
> netbook. So please give me a list when you all have had a good going
> over it!
>
> Cheers!
> Adam
>
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