| Mini-laptop runs Windows CE |
Sep. 23, 2008
 [Updated, Sep. 24] -- U.K. retailer Robert Dyas announced a mini-laptop of its own, based on Windows CE 5.0. The "Cuol Book" features a 7-inch screen, 512MB of RAM, and 1GB of flash storage, plus three USB ports, WiFi, and five-hour battery life, the company says.
(Click here for a larger view of the Cuol Book from Robert Dyas)
The Cuol Book seems an unlikely offering from Robert Dyas, a company that has existed for more than 100 years as a "home and garden specialist." We were alerted to the device by eagle-eyed U.K reader John Hogg, who also uncovered its resemblance to the "UMPC-1" being advertised by possible OEM Shenzhen Bolon Digital Technology.
The device represents the third use we've seen this year of Windows CE as a mini-laptop operating system. In June, 3K Computer announced the RazorBook 400, a $250 device with 512MB of RAM, 4GB of flash storage, and a seven-inch display. Then in July, Hong Kong-based Join Tech announced the J-Pro JL7100, a Windows CE 5.0 mini-laptop it claims will sell for as little as $100. The JL7100 has an 800 x 480 display, 64MB of RAM and 64MB of flash storage, and runs Windows CE 5.0 on a 400MHz Samsung processor.
  
Windows CE 5.0 laptops: 3K's RazorBook (left), J-Pro's JL7100 (center), and Robert Dyas' Cuol Book (right)
(Click on left two for further information)
As the above pictures show, the Cuol Book (right) doesn't resemble either of these earlier devices. Indeed, its unusual form factor apparently lacks a trackpad or any other sort of internal pointing device. Instead, the Cuol Book is supplied with a mouse, says Robert Dyas.
The mini-laptop includes a seven-inch screen of unspecified resolution, plus what appears to be a full keyboard that includes dedicated page up and page down keys. It employs an unspecified Samsung processor, clocked at 533MHz with an ARM core, and is equipped with 128MB of RAM.
For storage, the Cuol Book has 1GB of flash memory, and it also sports SD and MMC slots. The device has two USB host ports, for a mouse and other external devices, plus a USB device port that can be used for connecting the mini-laptop to a PC, the company says.
The Cuol Book is said to be WiFi-enabled, though no further details of its networking capabilities were provided. Meanwhile, it also offers a built-in microphone and stereo speakers, according to Robert Dyas.
Finally, the device apparently offers a standard Windows CE 5.0 desktop interface. It comes with viewers for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files, plus some unspecified games, the company says.
Features and specifications listed by Robert Dyas for the Cuol Book include:- Processor -- Samsung processor with ARM core, clocked at 533MHz
- Memory -- 512MB of RAM and 1GB of flash storage
- Display -- Seven-inch display with unspecified resolution
- Keyboard -- Full keyboard, but no internal pointing device
- Networking -- WiFi (802.11b/g presumed, but not detailed)
- Other I/O:
- 2 x USB host ports
- 1 x USB device port
- Expansion -- Card reader accepts SD and MMC formats
- Battery type/life -- 3000 mAh battery "provides five hours of operation"
- Dimensions -- 8.3 x 5.9 inches (210 x 150mm), height not specified
- Weight -- 1.5 pounds (680g)
The Cuol Book costs 160 U.K pounds (approximately $300) and appears to be available now. More information may be available from the Robert Dyas website, here. To see Bolon's UMPC-1 version, visit the Alibaba.com website, here.
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