EBAY Netbook arrived

[Calbrit]

Well it looks as though "bestdealbiz" is OK as my Netbook arrived today. It was sent on Monday by UPS from Singapore. As I am in Southern California, I consider that to be pretty quick.

The actual Netbook arrived in a sealed shrink wrap type polybag (with a Psion Enterprise bar code label saying Psion Netbook Malaysia 32mmb). This was inside a white cardboard box arrangement (which looked to be missing an outer "sleeve" to hold it all together). This was packed in a UPS large Polybag.

Not the ideal packing method any of us would have chosen and in fact I consider myself lucky that "outwardly" the Netbook arrived unscathed despite the included power converter becoming loose and rattling around in the UPS bag. As a result of the poor packing and the loose item, the carton was quite badly damaged in transit. I will e-mail the vendor with this comment so maybe others will have better transit protection i n future.

Also included was a UK plugged 200 - 240 v "Sunpower" transformer, a 110 to 220v power converter (with incorrect US wall plug pins - I have a simple travel plug adapter which will solve this) and an adapter plug to interface between power convertor and UK adaptor. This is a very clumsy and heavy solution but as this Netbook is from UK/220v market oriented stock, it's to be expected.

The UK transformer will be OK for my trips there but having now read previous posts on this subject, rather than unwisely try and use my MAKO transformer, I will now look for a US mains unit with a + centre polarity and ideally 15v/15.5v or 1.3A/1.5v output.

Also included was a 64 mb "Digimaster" flash card, a CD (unbranded), a Psion "Quick Start" guide but no manual (which as I am familiar with the applications from my 5mx/MAKO I don't really need). I've also got this forum!

I have to buy the small back up battery and will not charge the Netbook up until I have resolved the transformer issue hopefully later today (Radio Shack here I come).

All in all apart from the packaging issue, I will be happy with this purchase - if it works that is (!) - especially from the price and delivery time standpoint.

I hope the above information will help others decide whether to buy from this vendor or not. Certainly, with a few of his Netbooks on EBAY not having a reserve price you may be end up with a bargain (and for the wealthier among us an opportunity for another "back up machine").

Once I'm up and running I will post again - hopefully it will be a happy one!

Grant

[Nelda]

Grant, as long as you think your recent eBay netBook works well and is, indeed, the current version, the "Malaysia" information you found could bring extra good news.

A recent netBook sale on eBay, seller located in Malaysia, 'buyer take all', sold 2,000 of them in the lot. If what we are seeing on eBay now is from that purchase (final at around $1US each, by-the-by), the 'no reserve' and Singapore-located seller makes sense, and we might have a lovely supply for a while....

Did you encounter any additional costs, like customs, currency exchange rates, etc.?

Nelda

[Calbrit]

No just shipping at $25 (excluding insurance). I have since e-mail the seller to ask if they at least to cover the Netbook box with bubble wrap to offer additional protection. I hope he does. I still have to charge it up so cannot comment yet on the operation.

One thing I would ask - how flush a fit is the CF card drawer in your machine? Mine seems to stick out a small fraction. It feels better when I actually have the CF card in it though.

Thanks,

Grant

[markdeppe]

Congratulations Grant, good to hear it has arrived OK, Happy psioning.

Am I understanding right when Nelda you say <<<final at around $1US each, by-the-by) that 2000 ntebooks sold for $2000 = $1 each per unit. Sorry to labour the point, but wow that is an incredible puchase I would have liked to have made - psion heaven for me, I would have donated one to each moderator of these forums (does that sound too creepy, it was meant with sincerity) -, If what you say is right as I understood it, then sounds like that delivery of a few thousand netbooks so hyped a year or so ago to colleges or similar have found there way to another market. It doesn't sound quite new as the original ones come with a CD which has netbook picture etc printed on the front and cable and psiwin and printed box cover, and as yours has not it supports the suggestion that this could be one of thoe malaysian ones gone astyray (though maybe not as the bar code suggests otherwise) as the CD and cable are the things which would easily be misplaced (does the machine come with a warranty?). But hey, if the price is right, and its all legal and legit, A netbook with no reserve, I'll see you at ebay for a spare backup machine haggle :-)

[Calbrit]

I'm not sure I understand what exactly the history/pricing described above is all about. However, I may be able to add a bit to the "story so far".

I couldn't get a US adaptor with the correct spec. and so I have used what was supplied. Everything works - !

Apart from the note I posted above about the CF Card tray sticking out a tiny fraction, the only other thing I can fault is the fact that there's no Netbook label (or glue evidence that there ever was one) at the top of the keyboard. I expect the likelyhood of me obtaining one is slim to none :(

The reference made regarding the possibilty that these were originally bought for school/educational use in Malaysia may be true as instead of the EPOC wallpaper there's "One-ed.com" with an orange planet as a logo. A web search in google only found that this web name has been registered. So, maybe the educational institute bought a load, had their logo installed as standard wallpaper and even maybe had their own badge showing where the oval Netbook badge should be above the keyboard. They then went bust!?

So far I am more than happy with this machine. It's great to see what until now were "murky" files on the 5mx now in bright colour. I am looking forward to exploring the possibilities with the Netbook. Good luck to any EBAY bidders out there - you may well end up paying significantly less than I did by the look of it .:D

PS: no the Netbook dodn't come with a cable, but the CD and flash disk seemed to be a direct copy of Psion's supplied software.

[markdeppe]

forgot to say that yes the CF draw does stick out a tiny fraction - less than a mm this I believe is normal.

as a consolation bonus although you are lacking the cable the original netbook in the UK ships with a 16MB hitachi CF so you are up on the 64MB CF yours ships with. also the new OS is just to big to fit on the 16MB CF.

is the OS it ships with version 1.05 (450) release 158?

Good to hear all works well. I have never used ebay and could not find a feature to veiw past auctions so do not know what they have sold for in the past, but I see a few in the UK coming to a close soon so will see what they go for with interest.

Appreciate you taking the time to post your experience when you have such a new machine, I found little time to leave it alone when I first got mine- I was in shock after using a series 3 for years with the big colour screen of the netbook yet allthe familiarity of the 3 and 5.

[markdeppe]

Found the "completed items" button/ closed auction button doh , seems before all offers below £420 failed to meet the reserve, so yes lets hope these ones without reserve will sell for less, there should be enough to go round :-)

[Calbrit]

Mark, "is the OS it ships with version 1.05 (450) release 158?" : yes mine is Version 1.05 (450) release 158.

Quite frankly if I had the spare $ I would get a second machine from EBAY for good measure (while they are available). I can't help feeling that with the speed of change in the computer/PDA world and the rumours that Netbook's OS may change, that it's a bit like the situation we had just before Psion pulled out of PDA manufacturing. I remember well the anticipation of "the latest 5mx" just being around the corner, seeing sneak previews of possible designs on the web, then suddenly hearing that Psions were to be no more!

Actually, now having played with the Netbook for a while and comparing it to my trusty 5mx, I started thinking how great it would have been if Psion had taken that next step and come up with a Netbook+ type machine in the body size of a 5mx! I'm sure they would have had a winner on their (our) hands. If only....

Grant

[fladda]

If seller has 2000 Netbooks to sell, you don't have to be a genius to see that the price is going to fall quite sharply in the future !

Selling at a rate of one Netbook per day, its going to take several years to shift this stockpile. Seller will obviously want to sell as many Netbooks as possible as quickly as possible but without forcing the price down too far. Difficult in a small limited market.

Also Psion Teklogix are probably not going to be very happy about these grey Netbooks coming back onto the UK market. This will have a big impact upon Psion's Netbook sales. So I suggest that Psion might not be too happy about providing free warranty and support for these grey Netbooks. Time will tell.

Ralph

[markdeppe]

I like the math Ralph, I hope they will go cheap - though he is also selling in the US etc so not all will come to UK, as you say I imagine psion/teklogic won't be to happy unless they veiw it as seeing how eagerly they are snapped up, there must be a market and are encouraged to push forward and develop the netbook more and make a concerted effort for the public as well as business, if they saw the demand (whether it woud be the same demand at £800 would be a different matter)

[Calbrit]

Ralph - how did you know that I wasn't a genius?!!

Grant

[Teddifish]

Greetings all,

I stubled across your forum while trying to decide whether to buy a netbook or a jornada. Needless to say, there seems to be no comparison, and your information about the deals available on e-bay make them seem yet more enticing. I wonder, though, if the limitations of those particular ones might prove daunting to someone new to Psions. Could any of you veterans spare the time to advise a newbie as to whether the learning curve is likely to be too steep?

In particular, I'd be interested in making sure the OS was compatible with wireless, which means that if I'd have to get the new ROM to do that, I need to know if I'm likely to gum it up. I'm a power user of desktops and laptops, but the most I've done on the "inside" is upgrade memory.

Thanks for any help anyone could offer.

Peace,

--Teddi

[netBookBabe]

Hi Teddi and welcome :)
I wonder, though, if the limitations of those particular ones might prove daunting to someone new to Psions. Could any of you veterans spare the time to advise a newbie as to whether the learning curve is likely to be too steep?I think the first point of concern here is the apparent drying up of the source of the netBook "personality modules". If you can actually get hold of one of those, then as far as I can tell the process is reasonably straightforward. I suggest you read through the 7Book forum here at Psion Place, where there is lots of input from those who upgraded from Series 7 to netBook.

Otherwise, unless a method is found to install the latest netBook OS on one of these "unusual" netBooks, then you will not have wireless support. If that's a major factor for you, then I would be tempted to go for a new "official" netBook - the latest ones have a new motherboard which I understand improves support even further for wireless connnectivity.

I'm sure others will have plenty more advice on this topic too.

Julie

[markdeppe]

For a power user (or non user of anything else like myself when I came to psion),of any other PC or MAC you will find the learning curve very gentle, the netbook is so inuitive, good help and really straight forward. If you can get the module then it is easier to fit than a memory upgrade of a PC you dont even need a screw driver, see here for details http://www.newth.net/psion7/install-dimm.html

[Teddifish]

I appreciate the info! I'll go have a look right now!

Peace,

-Teddi

[Teddifish]

Dear Julie,

Thank you (and thanks for the welcome too :-).

I very much appreciate the advice. I'm torn between the temptation to try to begin with the bargin and the fear of having a bad experience with what, otherwise, seems like a wonderful machine. I'm going to do a little more looking (and listening to the experiences that the others are posting about.) Thanks again!

--Teddi


I think the first point of concern here is the apparent drying up of the source of the netBook "personality modules".
I'm sure others will have plenty more advice on this topic too.

Julie [/B][/QUOTE]

[netBookBabe]

Teddi

Please be aware that the link just given to you by Mark is for the installation of a memory upgrade, not the netBook main module.

However, that's not to say that the installation of the main card will not be very similar.

The memory module fits in the left hand slot of S7 or netBook, and the main card goes in the right hand slot - that's the one you would need to change to update to a "true" netBook.

Julie

[markdeppe]

Thanks for clearing that up Julie. I looked under both covers and the mocules seem identical in size and method of installation and removal.

Speculating on another work around for the problem of these new netbooks not being able to boot up other OS. I wondered if one were to buy the 32mb DIMM memory upgrade if it would be possible to copy onto it the right Loading boot reader thingy (sorry don't know the technical words) from a "normal" netbook Z drive or whatever it is and then put that under the right cover and then it would have the right "personality". Then erase all the info on the original chip and put theat in the left cover and then would one have a 64MB netbook with the upgradable OS etc. Just a thought and I feel it might be more complicated than that.

[markdeppe]

Not sure if the "personality module" reffered to is the Chip set under the right cover of the netbook and if that is where the problem is or if it is somewhere else in the hardware of the netbook. If it is the just the chip under the right cover, my question is if One already ownes an older gerneric Netbook and took the chip from the right cover and put it in the new "malaysian" netbook, would it then be OK, just like the original. (I ask as for those of us with older netbooks it would offer a new netbook cheap and we could keep the old one as a spare or maybe sell it on to someone looking to explore psion and not fussed about having the latest OS). Clarification on this appreciated

[netBookBabe]

Mark

Yes, it is the chip under the right hand cover that we are talking about, and as far as I know the exchange that you propose should work - that is, assuming that the "true" netBook would accept the Malaysian chip. But would it? Might there be a problem there?

Any thoughts, anyone?

Julie

[walkerp]

Originally posted by Calbrit

One thing I would ask - how flush a fit is the CF card drawer in your machine? Mine seems to stick out a small fraction. It feels better when I actually have the CF card in it though.

Thanks,

Grant

I have an MBook from SITA with the same non-flush fitting CF card drawer...in fact it tends to open almost a quarter inch at times.

I was also a bit disappinted that the CD included some registration codes...and a utility for generating same for RMRZIP.

I thought warez was verboten in the Psion world...but then again it did come from Asia.

[walkerp]

Originally posted by Calbrit


Apart from the note I posted above about the CF Card tray sticking out a tiny fraction, the only other thing I can fault is the fact that there's no Netbook label (or glue evidence that there ever was one) at the top of the keyboard. I expect the likelyhood of me obtaining one is slim to none :(

I read somewhere, probably in these forums, that David Lowe can supply the NetBook label...for a price.

[nigelp]

I have just purchased a Netbook (Lowebook) on Ebay and am well happy with it for £265 for it, a power cable and gold card. Iam very pleased with it and reakon it is an excellent computer. Would not even consider Jornada (slightly biased) and there seems to be a number of 'Lowe' Netbooks knocking around good prices, and can be used wirelessly (I think?). Nigel

[ianchapple]

I'm using a David Lowe netbook with a Buffalo WiFi card, and it works very well.

I do have two small problems:

1. When I tap the screen using the pen, or adjust the angle of the screen, there's a patch in the centre of the screen that "ripples". My 7 has always done this when being opened, but never when tapping with the pen. Does this imply that there might be a problem with screen, or could it just be that there's a bit of distortion in the support around the screen, which will loosed up as the netbook ages? As I have a 6 month guarantee on this, I'm wondering whether I should have it looked at straight away, or wait and see if it disappears with time.

2. The case switch doesn't seem to work; ie. it doesn't switch off when closed or on when opened, even with these options checked in the Switch On Control Panel. Could the WiFi card (power) settings influence this in any way, or is it just the switch?

Cheers, Ian.

[Flipper]

Please could someone explain what is the significance of the netbook sticker at the top of the keyboard which is referred. Is it just cosmetic or does it have some function?

I too have a David Lowe netbook which does not have such a sticker.

Incidently I do not have either of the problems referred to in the previous post. Thus far I am very pleased with it and have found no faults.

Thanks

[walkerp]

Originally posted by Flipper
Please could someone explain what is the significance of the netbook sticker at the top of the keyboard which is referred. Is it just cosmetic or does it have some function?
Thanks

Cosmetic.

[wanman]

Easiest and cheapest way to sell the same item as more than one product.

netBook = sticker with netBook
7 Series = sticker with Series 7
mBook = blank sticker.

Same machine, all but the same insides, different logo and prices.

Regards

Si

[nigelp]

Ian I would return it once you had tries it with out the card, I have had no problems like this.

[jgs1]

Does anyone else get a screen 'ripple' in the middle when opening or repositioning the screen (regardless of where you hold it) ?

My CF flash door also fits securley with no overlap or anything.

[wanman]

Depends on what you are displaying at the time. Unfortunately the netBook/7 screen only has an 8 bit colour STN screen and depending what it is displaying, you can experience a diagonal ripple on stronger coloured images (ie picture wallpapers used).

If you have a white background desktop you should not really notice this though.

Regards

Si

[jgs1]

its not over the whole screen its like a circular ripple in the middle about 1" diameter as if its being pushed from behind, its only there while the screen is being repositioned when I let go its ok. I'd assumed its because the screen flexes slightly as it moves but just wondered if anyone else's did it.

[ianchapple]

I have sent my netbook to David Lowe, and he's promised to send me another one. The rippling effect that I was having was similar to what you often see when opening a 7/netbook, due to the screen flexing, except that my netbook did it all of the time; tapping on the screen or even tapping on the case of the netbook itself was enough to cause the ripple to appear. It's one of these things that you find your eyes drawn to all of the time, very annoying...