Netbooks Under 10K: Deep Blue H1 UMPC
Posted by Scout on December 5, 2008
This post is part of a series on low-cost laptops. Related posts can be found here.
You gotta give credit where it’s due. The Blue H1 UMPC was the first netbook to be priced under P10,000 locally, and it created a tremendous domino effect in the market. There are now about 5 similarly priced mini-notebooks, and that number is sure to increase in just a few months. It’s no push over, either. User feedback has so far been generally positive. Let’s take a closer look at the gadget that started an aggressive pricing war, which made laptops reachable for the common Pinoy.
Specifications
- Processor: VIA C7-M 1.0GHz
- Memory: 1.0Gb DDR2
- Video: 7.0-inch Wide TFT, WXGA (800×480)
- Harddisk: 40Gb SATA Mobile
- Audio: Built-in speakers
- Ports: 2 x USB 2.0
- LAN: 10/100Mbps
- Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
- Dimensions: 244 x 172 x 28.5 mm.
- Weight: 1.2 Kgs.
- Bundled OS: Linux
- Features: Card reader / Web camera
- Touch pad: with left & right buttons
- Battery Hours: Up to 4 hours
As with most netbooks, the shops carrying it usually offer two OS variants: Linux and Windows. The Linux version sells for P9,995, while the Windows versions start at P10,995. Personally, I’d buy the Linux version and just install Windows using an external CD drive if I really need it. Or, if all you’ll be doing is surfing the net and typing documents, I’d consider leaving Linux as the operating system - it would be faster, more stable, and you won’t have to worry about viruses (not much, anyway).
I’m slightly disappointed that the H1 weighs over 1kg, considering it’s only a 7″ UMPC (among the heaviest in its class). At 1.2kg, it’s about the same weight as the MSI Wind, which is a 10″ netbook. It doesn’t have Bluetooth, so you need to ask yourself if you really need that feature. However, I do like the fact that Blue went with a bigger 40GB SATA drive than a small SSD drive like the early EEE PCs. It should be enough for most casual users, though there’s a 60GB model of the H1 if you’d like more space. With its price, the Blue H1 UMPC is perfect for students and mobile workers who would like the convenience of having a small full-function laptop to carry around with them wherever they go, without getting broke in the process.
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