Alpha 700 = 8.9" 1024x600 LCD + E-Reader = $219

Sonist · 05-30-2009, 03:07 AM

While reading about the SmartQ 7, I saw the Alpha 700 (A700). It's built by SkyTone, it has a larger screen and higher resolution. It will be available at the end of June, form Eletroworld.

I just received an email from Eletroworld, stating that the A700 will have an E-Reader. I am assuming it will be some version of FBReader (the same email said it "can use" FBReader.)

At $219, it's kind of hard to resist, even though it's LCD, and the battery life is apparently just over 5 hours (not sure how it's measured.)

I am not sure what the MIPS 500 MHz 32bit CPU is going to be exactly, but the only new MIPS 500 MHz chip I found is the RMI XLP832, which was announced in May. If this is the CPU the A700 has inside, it should be plenty fast.

Model Name Alpha 700
Operating System Linux 2.6 Preloaded
Display 8.9” TFT LCD true color
LCD resolution 1024 X 600
CPU MIPS 500 MHz 32bit
Wireless Built-in WiFi (802.11b/g)
Memory 128MB DDR2 (up to 256MB Optional)
Media MPEG1/2/4,H.263,H.264,WMV9,RMVB
Media Storage SD/MMC card slot (support SDHC)
Input Device Touch Panel, Directional keys
S.S.D. Storage (Solid-State Drive) 2GB up to 32GB optional
Audio Built-in Mic/speakers,Mic/earpiece jack
USB Output USB 2.0x1/Mini 2.0x1
Broadband Wireless(Driver Built-in) Optional:3G,EDME,CDMA,HSPDA

__________________

Sporadic · 05-30-2009, 03:12 AM

LCD and 5 hour battery life?

That would be horrible for reading on.

Sonist · 05-30-2009, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sporadic

LCD and 5 hour battery life?

That would be horrible for reading on.

I know..., LCD. But many here don't mind it....

I am actually going to place an order, at this price (after the 8th of June, just in case Apple announces an OLED tablet.)

5 hours doesn't sound like much, but it depends what it was doing when they measured. If it was video, or if they had WiFi turned on, then presumably reading a PDF would be a little better :-)

Plus, I have an iRex, so I am used to it... :-)

Sweetpea · 05-30-2009, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sporadic

LCD and 5 hour battery life?

That would be horrible for reading on.

I have that. No problems on it at all. Only rarely have I a completely empty battery, and mostly because I was too tired to put it on the loader at night (instead, I'd just turn it off, put underneath my pillow and close my eyes

)

HarryT · 05-30-2009, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sporadic

LCD and 5 hour battery life?

That would be horrible for reading on.

Why? I read eBooks for 20+ years on LCD devices before eInk appeared. 5 hours battery life is perfectly adequate for most people - not many people read for more than an hour or two at a stretch.

Of course I prefer eInk, but to say the LCD devices are "horrible" is a gross exageration, I think

.

Andybaby · 05-30-2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonist

I know..., LCD. But many here don't mind it....

I am actually going to place an order, at this price (after the 8th of June, just in case Apple announces an OLED tablet.)

5 hours doesn't sound like much, but it depends what it was doing when they measured. If it was video, or if they had WiFi turned on, then presumably reading a PDF would be a little better :-)

Plus, I have an iRex, so I am used to it... :-)

I don't think its gonna be Oled, it might be a LED screen but not OLED.

as I understand it, Oled can control the light to EVERY pixel (OMG lol)

while regular LED can control the light to regions.

LED screens exist now, OLEDs not so much, they are around, but will be cost prohibitive for atleas a few more years.

ilovejedd · 05-30-2009, 09:18 AM

Lol, this looks much nicer than the Q7. Wonder if Chippy will get one to review?

Greg Anos · 05-30-2009, 10:02 AM

The Cybook Gen 1 reborn! With linux instead of Win CE...

Sonist · 05-30-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

The Cybook Gen 1 reborn! With linux instead of Win CE...

LOL.

But with "true color," instead of 256, and higher resolution. And 4 times the RAM, and 120 times the Flash. And much faster CPU, and better looking....

Otherwise, almost the same....

JSWolf · 05-30-2009, 01:53 PM

To be honest, I don't see this as anything more special then a netbook. And if you get a netbook with WindowsXP, you can put any reader you want on it. So actually, as an eBook reader, it is kind of limited.

Sonist · 05-30-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

To be honest, I don't see this as anything more special then a netbook....

Uhm, form factor?

Gem · 06-06-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

To be honest, I don't see this as anything more special then a netbook. And if you get a netbook with WindowsXP, you can put any reader you want on it. So actually, as an eBook reader, it is kind of limited.

Its shaped like a tablet and has a 7-9 inch touch screen for under 300. Ide buy a touch ebook if I could flip the screen to get rid of the keyboard for the same price, but as of now, I havnt found one.

BTW, when will those start shipping?

Sonist · 06-06-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gem

...

BTW, when will those start shipping?

I received an email indicating end of June.

Phogg · 06-06-2009, 07:56 PM

7" and 10 hours battery life Vs. 8.5" and 5 hours...

I'll take the ten hour model.

Gem · 06-06-2009, 08:21 PM

Im not sure how I feel about this compared to the https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ight=touchbook

Basically the same.

The touch book is 300 bucks, but has a full keyboard/touchpad upgrade, 10-15 hour battery, and potentially better specs...not sure though, especially not fond of the lack of info on the internal memory...also I hate microSD.

We shall see

05-30-2009, 03:07 AM	#1
Sonist Apeist Posts: 2,126 Karma: 381090 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The sunny part of California Device: Generic virtual reality story-experiential device	Alpha 700 = 8.9" 1024x600 LCD + E-Reader = $219 While reading about the SmartQ 7, I saw the Alpha 700 (A700). It's built by SkyTone, it has a larger screen and higher resolution. It will be available at the end of June, form Eletroworld. I just received an email from Eletroworld, stating that the A700 will have an E-Reader. I am assuming it will be some version of FBReader (the same email said it "can use" FBReader.) At $219, it's kind of hard to resist, even though it's LCD, and the battery life is apparently just over 5 hours (not sure how it's measured.) I am not sure what the MIPS 500 MHz 32bit CPU is going to be exactly, but the only new MIPS 500 MHz chip I found is the RMI XLP832, which was announced in May. If this is the CPU the A700 has inside, it should be plenty fast. Model Name Alpha 700 Operating System Linux 2.6 Preloaded Display 8.9” TFT LCD true color LCD resolution 1024 X 600 CPU MIPS 500 MHz 32bit Wireless Built-in WiFi (802.11b/g) Memory 128MB DDR2 (up to 256MB Optional) Media MPEG1/2/4,H.263,H.264,WMV9,RMVB Media Storage SD/MMC card slot (support SDHC) Input Device Touch Panel, Directional keys S.S.D. Storage (Solid-State Drive) 2GB up to 32GB optional Audio Built-in Mic/speakers,Mic/earpiece jack USB Output USB 2.0x1/Mini 2.0x1 Broadband Wireless(Driver Built-in) Optional:3G,EDME,CDMA,HSPDA __________________ Attached Thumbnails

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05-30-2009, 03:12 AM	#2
Sporadic Banned Posts: 427 Karma: 2690 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 1	LCD and 5 hour battery life? That would be horrible for reading on.

05-30-2009, 09:18 AM	#7
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,111 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	Lol, this looks much nicer than the Q7. Wonder if Chippy will get one to review?

05-30-2009, 10:02 AM	#8
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,248 Karma: 35000000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	The Cybook Gen 1 reborn! With linux instead of Win CE...

05-30-2009, 01:53 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,970 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	To be honest, I don't see this as anything more special then a netbook. And if you get a netbook with WindowsXP, you can put any reader you want on it. So actually, as an eBook reader, it is kind of limited.

06-06-2009, 07:56 PM	#14
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	7" and 10 hours battery life Vs. 8.5" and 5 hours... I'll take the ten hour model.

06-06-2009, 08:21 PM	#15
Gem Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Still not sure	Im not sure how I feel about this compared to the https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ight=touchbook Basically the same. The touch book is 300 bucks, but has a full keyboard/touchpad upgrade, 10-15 hour battery, and potentially better specs...not sure though, especially not fond of the lack of info on the internal memory...also I hate microSD. We shall see

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