Orange Web Book Review
Ok, from the start; I couldn’t actually get one of these devices to review so I had to go and stand in a Car Phone Warehouse store for about 2 hours playing and testing. Lots of questions from the staff especially once I started taking photos (they came out pretty crappy so I used a stock image for this post).
The image shows the Web Book running Windows XP but the model I played with was an Ubuntu based UMPC - good news for me as I’m a massive Ubuntu fan.
Ok, let’s go.
Design
I have to admit that when I first saw the Orange Web Book it looked very cheap, not the robust feel you get with the likes of the MSI Wind. The model I’m reviewing features a silver chassis which, to be honest, just didn’t look the part. In fact, the first impressions were a real turn off. However, the Orange Web Book has a really sturdy feel to it (aided, in part, by the weight - 1.3 Kg). Although the screen panel did flex, it’s not enough to make you worry about the breaking this netbook (I’ll stick to netbook for the sake of sanity - too many names flying around now!). One thing that I did notice was the lack of branding on either Orange’s or CWP’s part. The only logo you’ll find is from Elonex, located to the right of the track pad. Are they ashamed of this netbook?
The Orange (Elonex) netbook features a 10.2″ screen - resolution and image rendering was actually pretty good although the panel seemed a little dim. Maybe it was a worn out display model. I don’t know but I couldn’t seem to improve this. That said, the display was adequate for day to day use.
The keyboard, as with most netbooks was fiddley. Just to small for my fat fingers. Typing at any real rate was hampered by the clunky feel of the keys (actually, feel and sound - the keys made an audible clicking when pressed) and I was never quite convinced that I’d actually typed a letter - not good for touch typing .
The left and right mouse buttons were much the same; clunky but responsive. No problems there. The track pad was ‘ok’ - my own personal experience was that you had to apply a little more pressure to the pad when scrolling otherwise the pointer failed to move.
The Web Book that I used came with Ubuntu and Open Office pre-installed - favourites of mine. The OS ran more than adequately on the VIA 1.6 Ghz CPU and 512Mb of RAM although Open Office was a little slow starting up but that’s always been the way. If you want OOo to run faster there are plenty of tuning tips on the web that you can use to boost the speed etc.
The battery life of the Web Book is around 2 hours. I managed to test this by unplugging the PSU cable and setting off my stopwatch!! Just under two hours later the low battery warning came up. This isn’t the best battey life around and I’m sure Elonex could improve this with a larger capactiy battery. Although I didn’t get the chance to test media, movies etc I imagine that intensive apps will reduce this time significantly - make sure you’re near a power outlet if you’re going to be doing any heavy duty work.
If you’re after an Orange Web Book, you have two options - free with a 24 month subscription to Oranges Mobile Broadband service (USB dongle included) or £219 for the Web Book. To my surprise, the mobile broadband worked without a hitch - there’s a first for Linux!
Conclusion
Ok, it’s not the best review in the world but it’s a starter. The Web Book is actually a pretty good piece of kit if you look past the tacky silver exterior (there is a model in black). The price for the standalone model is pretty competitive when you consider some of the other options out there. Although the performance was adequate I’d suggest upping the memory if you buy one as OOo likes to eat memory as do certain websites.
Specifications
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Processor: VIA C7-M
- Clock Speed: 1.6Ghz
- Battery Life: Up to 2.5 hours
- RAM Memory: 512MB
- Hard Drive 80GB
Downside
Have I said it looks tacky? Also, something needs to be done about the screen panel - like I said, it flexes a little too much. Sorting this out would give the Web Book a far sturdier feel. It would also be good to see a little more memory in the stock device. I know, I know - they’re trying to keep the price down.
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One Response to “Orange Web Book Review”
By boops on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Can I take part of your post to my blog?