(Click for larger view of the CherryPal Bing)
CherryPal Bing |
Few specifics have been published about the Bing's Windows XP option. The Microsoft operating system is described only as "optional," with the caveat that "additional license fees" will apply. Presumably, the XP version of the Bing also comes with CherryPal's custom Linux distribution, though CherryPal has shared few specifics.
As a company, CherryPal emphasizes energy efficiency and "green" computing. Its earlier
CherryPal C100 nettop used an energy-efficient ARM-based processor, for example. Thus, it's little surprise the company is claiming the Bing will offer longer battery life than other Atom-based netbooks. We are a bit skeptical, though, since the Bing uses an N270 processor. With its supporting chipset, the
N270 draws about 8 Watts, or nearly twice the power drawn by Intel's 1.6GHz
Z530 and accompanying Poulsbo (SCH US15W) chipset. The Z-series Atom part has turned up in several competing netbooks, including the MSI
U100 and
U115, and Dell's
Inspiron Mini 12. Furthermore, the Bing will likely use more power than designs based on Intel's forthcoming
N280 and GN80 product.
The Bing appears to be a fairly standard issue netbook, offering an Intel Atom N270 clocked at 1.6GHz, plus 1GB DDRII RAM. For storage, CherryPal offers a 160GB hard disk drive (HDD), plus an SD/MMC/MS card socket, and the netbook's 10.2-inch TFT display boasts 1024 x 600 resolution. For connectivity, the Bing provides 802.11b/g WiFi and three USB 2.0 ports, but no Ethernet port. There is also a microphone, earphone connection, dual speakers, and a 1.3Mpixel camera, says CherryPal. Weighing just three pounds, the netbook is claimed to yield five hours of battery life.
To learn more about the Bing, as well as CherryPal's "Green Maraschino" Linux distribution and "CherryPalCloud" computing environment, refer to more in-depth coverage of the
CherryPal Bing on our sister site,
LinuxDevices.com.
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