Elonex webbook review

For many people in the PC business, Intel's new Atom processor represents a coming of age for low-cost laptops, or 'netbooks'.

By providing more processing power in return for less energy, these chips allow small format systems to do more of what users want. They can run Windows XP quite comfortably, and while Linux operating systems have helped keep costs down on some early netbooks, it's increasingly common to see Windows included - a better choice for most users.

Well, Elonex have decided to be the exception. The brand new webbook, also known as the Onetwo3, has neither Windows (though a version is available with XP) nor an Atom processor. It comes pre-loaded with Ubuntu, a popular Open Source implementation of Linux, which is built by a community of users and developers rather than a corporate giant. Since Ubuntu is less demanding than Windows XP as well as being free, the webbook can manage with a single core Via C7-D processor rather than Intel's new technology. This chip can cope with undemanding office tasks and web browsing, but even without the burden of Windows it's not really up to anything more.

The rest of the specification is just as minimal. We've got so used to seeing RAM measured in gigabytes that 512MB sounds weird, and it's just barely enough to run modern applications in Ubuntu or XP. The 80GB hard disk is a reasonable size for a netbook, and it's unlikely you'll fill it up with huge media files like high definition video, because the webbook won't be able to play them.

The design does nothing to dispel the impression that this is a low-end machine. It's fairly sturdy, but compared to rivals like the Asus Eee PC, MSI Wind or Acer Aspire one, it looks and feels cheap. True, it actually is cheap, but other netbooks have shown style needn't be expensive.

Like the two rivals we've reviewed this month, Elonex has chosen to put the Function key to the left of the Ctrl button, which leaves you wondering why nothing happens whenever you try to copy and paste, save and print, or perform any other task whose keystrokes are embedded in your muscle memory. There's no excuse for moving the Ctrl key from its proper place at the lower right corner, where your fingers know they'll find it.

While this design error isn't unique, the keyboard as a whole falls behind those of other 10 inch netbooks. The keys are smaller than those of the Wind and Advent 4211, and the lack of a tapered edge makes them more awkward. A smaller spacebar and Backspace key add to the cramped feel.

Short changed

Battery life isn't great, either, though no worse than most rivals. Under light use, the Elonex lasted just over two hours, similar to the MSI Wind and the Acer Aspire one that we tested last month. This compromises the point of having such a very portable PC.

One area where the Elonex trumps other contenders is on price. This class of computers was originally envisaged to sell for under £200, but in reality prices have edged towards £300 and beyond. You can buy this one for £264, or if you're willing to sign a £25 per month Orange mobile Internet contract with Carphone Warehouse (currently the exclusive suppliers in the UK), you can get the webbook for nothing, not counting the £15 delivery charge. However, the minimum contract is two years, over which you'll pay £240 more than you would for 3's comparable Broadband Plus service, at £15 a month. So what the deal is really giving you, rather than a big discount, is two years' interest free credit.