14 DAY TRIAL // No doubt end-users have already reached a point where a new Intel Atom-powered netbook, tablet or smartbook would no longer be any sort of surprise. Willing to offer some variety, the Australia-based Pioneer Computers has put together a smartbook based on the Samsung 533 MHz ARM central processing unit. By combining this chip with a suitable amount of memory, storage and graphics capabilities, the portable Internet device can perform a variety of useful tasks, such as playing online videos directly from YouTube or supporting Skype.
The Pioneer Smartbook is known as the DreamBook Lite E79 and combines the aforementioned 533 MHz ARM Samsung processor with 128MB of RAM, 2GB of flash storage and integrated graphics, all packed inside a very compact frame measuring 213.5mm x 145mm x 32mm. The device also has an integrated speaker, a 3.5mm Stereo headphone jack and a 7-inch screen with a maximum resolution of 800 x 600. Other specifications include built-in WiFi, LAN and three USB 2.0 ports, as well as an integrated SD card slot, by means of which the storage capacity can go from the built-in 2GB flash up to that of 32GB.
According to the company, by using these hardware components and the Microsoft Windows Compact Edition 5.0 (Windows CE 5.0) operating system, the smartbook can not only browse the web, send e-mails and act as a photo frame, but it can even view online videos directly from YouTube, support Skype and act as an e-book reader. The product can also run Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point and automatically repair the OS by means of the reset function.
Already available at a starting price of AUD199, the lightweight and shockproof smartbook can be purchased from the company's official website. The PC maker is offering its mobile Internet device with a one-year warranty and end-users willing to meet an additional fee can also choose to acquire a model with built-in 3G connectivity.