YugaTech Netbook: Powerful Local Netbook Could Revolutionize Pinoy Internet Habits

My RSS feed brought me today news that could shake the way Pinoys access the web: YugaTech  (authored by Abe Olandres) announced the release of it's new Netbook to be out by end April.

What surprised me the most about the specs of this thing was that it was WiMAX ready. I've been waiting for WiMax to come out in the country, because it's touted to be the start of the end of mobile telephony as we know it. For those who are not yet familiar with WiMAX, it can be described as "wifi on steroids" -- think like having a wifi hotspot as wide as Makati CBD. Imagine the possibilities. The YugaTech Netbook signals that WiMAX is here!

And at less that PHP25K a unit, this netbook is affordable to anyone who can afford those 3G mobile phones.

This is the near future that I see: the battle for computer space become a battle for AC electrical sockets. You don't need to be in a Starbucks to get broadband. And you won't need to settle for erratic HSDPA wireless broadband. People will be online even in cars and public transport. Every corner of Makati CBD will have not only smokers but also surfers on their Netbooks. The battle for the AC socket begins. 

 

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Introducing the YugaTech Netbook

Published by: yuga under: Personal Computing.

posted: April 1st, 2009

After 6 months in R&D with my Taiwanese suppliers, I’m very excited to announce my very own YugaTech-branded netbook. Check the specs and preview photo after the jump.

YugaTech Netbook

• 10.2″ OLED display screen (1280×960 resolution)
• Intel Atom Z550 2.0GHz CPU
• 2GB DDR3 1333 MHz RAM (maximum of 4GB)
• 128 GB SSD or 500GB SATA HDD
• 5 x USB 2.0
• Bluetooth 2.1
• WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
• WiMax 802.16e
• 3G/HSDPA up to 7.2Mbps
• 2.0 MP webcam
• Fingerprint/Facial recognition
• 7-in-1 card reader
• Backlit keyboard
• Multi-touch
• 8-cell 7200 mAh Battery (up to 9.5 hours)
• Ubuntu or Windows XP Home

The 3G/HSDPA module is compatible with Smart, Globe and Sun Cellular SIM cards although we’re still having problems with Red Mobile 3G. The WiMax 802.16e is being ironed out with Globe WiMax and should be ready out of the box with their Plan 799.

Although my earlier reviews with the Atom Z500 series were not as fast compared to the N series, I chose the 2.0GHz Z550 over the 1.66GHz N280. Nothing beats the digits in terms of marketing.

We’re in the final production stage and these will hit the local market starting April 31, 2009. I’m also deciding how much they will be priced locally but we’re looking at models between Php19,995 to php24,995 depending on the upgrades and to stay competitive. Will post more updates and color options but certainly we will have blue, red, pink, black, white, green, yellow and orange.

I’m also raffling off 10 of these YugaTech Netbooks to those who blog, tweet, plurk or Facebook this entry. Just leave a comment with the URL to your entry.

I’m pretty stoked about it but today, April 1, is probably my biggest blogging day ever.