Everex's CloudBook UMPC Is Not Ready for the Market

The long-awaited ultra-mobile computer from Everex, the Cloudbook, has finally arrived on the market. The sub-notebook only was delayed once, although I, for one, would have expected to be postponed yet again. However, the first hands-on reports confirmed my doubts.

It seems that the Everex CloudbBook PC was pushed on the market a little too fast, and some of its features can be convinced to work only if you're really patient. For instance, many of the users who have already had a "first degree encounter" with the notebook report that they have been stuck during the setup process, because the screen size was wrong, and the OK button was inaccessible.

The wireless connection was also a challenge for the users, as it would reject the standard WEP key, thus forcing the users to switch to an open network, and assume all the security risks this action would imply. The navigation also seems to be crippled if you have previously used a laptop. The touch pad is extremely small and is placed in a non-standard location.

Although the notebook comes with a DVI interface that allows the user to connect it to a wider display, the interface does not allow the selection of superior resolutions. This means that you will be stuck to the 840 x 480 mode even if you are running the latest state-of-the-art monitor that supports tremendous resolutions. The arch-rival Eee PC from Asustek can render resolutions of up to 1600 x 1200 pixels.

The notebook's availability is also limited. According to Paul Kim, Everex head of marketing, the WalMart online store won't distribute the CloudBook units until next Thursday, February 21st. The only place you can purchase your unit is ZaReason, but this makes sense, since it is based in Berkeley, 45 kilometers from the United States headquarters of Everex.