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Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

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Re: Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

#11

Post by nkorth »

stevenrace wrote: post #9

After my 13" MBP was stolen, I brought my CR-48 out of hibernation and have been using it as my primary machine for nearly 6 months. It is indeed a great computer, but I can't help thinking a used Macbook, Thinkpad, or the plethora of netbooks on the market would better serve even the most avid of hackers. May I ask what puts you off with it's current incarnation, the Chromebook? It 's only $200 (and up). The externa…

I have been looking at Samsung's ARM chromebook. It looks like it might be the best of my options right now, but I would really like a higher-resolution screen, even if that meant a bigger screen size. (Every laptop is 1366x768 these days...)

Re: Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

#12

Post by nkorth »

troist wrote: post #8

I've always found Clevo laptops to be durable, I've knocked my 15" off a desk by accident and the screen didn't even crack. I think they have an 11" and 14" in their range which might fit the criteria and you can customise the specs to whatever you want really.

I looked at Clevo's site a while ago and was kinda put off by their obscure model numbering. Can you recommend a friendlier site to look at, and where I could potentially buy one?

Re: Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

#13

Post by stevenrace »

nkorth wrote: post #11
stevenrace wrote: post #9

After my 13" MBP was stolen, I brought my CR-48 out of hibernation and have been using it as my primary machine for nearly 6 months. It is indeed a great computer, but I can't help thinking a used Macbook, Thinkpad, or the plethora of netbooks on the market would better serve even the most avid of hackers. May I ask what puts you off with it's current incarnation, the Chromebook? It 's only $200 (and up). The externa…

I have been looking at Samsung's ARM chromebook. It looks like it might be the best of my options right now, but I would really like a higher-resolution screen, even if that meant a bigger screen size. (Every laptop is 1366x768 these days...)

Ah, that's understandable.

To make better use of the smaller screen real estate, you may wish to look into using a tiling window manager (dwm, xmonad, etc) coupled with a 'full screen' browser like Conkeror which nets another 100px vertically by not having a tab/navbar.

Re: Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

#14

Post by dgunn »

Not sure if you can still get it but about a year ago I bought an Asus U56E. I think I paid about $700 for it at the time (probably pick it up cheaper now) and I think it matches what you're looking for.

Good design, high quality construction, higher-end construction materials (aluminum chassis), etc..

It's probably a little larger than what you're looking for if the Cr-48 is your preferred size.

Link: http://reviews.bestbuy.com/answers/3545/product/3411128/asus...

Re: Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

#15

Post by zhangtwin »

Part of the problem with OEMs, especially when you look at the Windows ecosystem is that they are cutting costs by using the same design with swappable part (different memory, different HDs, etc.). Reaching the $400-500 price range requires low end specs, but also requires a single SKU that can be mass produced cheaply.

Since alot of the major OEMs (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) have already made major investments in products (Thinkpad, Inspiron, etc.) for design that is focused on the head end and highly configurable, they don't spend resources producing the low end. Instead they all of the R&D cost have been spent creating one design that is very configurable, which results in design tradeoffs (swapable parts causes laptop to be bigger, etc.) in order for them.

Apple is successful partially because they have VERY few SKUs, a small number of models, which enables to them to easily reach scale and spend all their money on design. There is no equivalent because the margins at the $400-500 are very low and if OEMs have to spend large amount on design for something with low margin that can't be scaled up to high end, the ROI is not there.

Re: Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

#16

Post by nkorth »

zhangtwin wrote: post #15

Part of the problem with OEMs, especially when you look at the Windows ecosystem is that they are cutting costs by using the same design with swappable part (different memory, different HDs, etc.). Reaching the $400-500 price range requires low end specs, but also requires a single SKU that can be mass produced cheaply. Since alot of the major OEMs (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) have already made major investments in produ…

This is very irritating. I really don't want to buy a Mac, but the PC laptop market seems determined to suck!

Re: Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

#17

Post by nkorth »

DanBC wrote: post #7

The ASUS eee pc 701 was dirt cheap; had limited hardware; had a few problems; but was robust. It should be easy to replicate it with better hardware and avoiding some of the biggest problems (tiny SSD soldered to the motherboard; weird trackpad; tiny keyboard) especially if you're not trying to cram it into a teeny tiny package.

That's the "original" netbook, isn't it? I can't believe I hadn't ever seen one of those before.

At a quick glance, I think the biggest problem with it would be the 800x480 screen! If screen resolution wasn't an issue, I think a netbook could meet my criteria.

Re: Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

#18

Post by nkorth »

stevenrace wrote: post #13
nkorth wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have been looking at Samsung's ARM chromebook. It looks like it might be the best of my options right now, but I would really like a higher-resolution screen, even if that meant a bigger screen size. (Every laptop is 1366x768 these days...)

Ah, that's understandable. To make better use of the smaller screen real estate, you may wish to look into using a tiling window manager (dwm, xmonad, etc) coupled with a 'full screen' browser like Conkeror which nets another 100px vertically by not having a tab/navbar.

I've been meaning to try a tiling window manager. Right now I'm working with Unity, Chrome, and either Vim or Geany depending on my mood.

Re: Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

#19

Post by nkorth »

dgunn wrote: post #14

Not sure if you can still get it but about a year ago I bought an Asus U56E. I think I paid about $700 for it at the time (probably pick it up cheaper now) and I think it matches what you're looking for. Good design, high quality construction, higher-end construction materials (aluminum chassis), etc.. It's probably a little larger than what you're looking for if the Cr-48 is your preferred size. Link: http://reviews…

I could deal with a 15.6" computer if it meant decent resolution, but more 1366x768? Really, Asus?

Aside from that, it looks promising. I'm seeing it for about $400 at a couple places.

Re: Ask HN: Why doesn't anyone make a laptop like the Cr-48?

#20

Post by nkorth »

nkorth wrote: post #12
troist wrote: post #8

I've always found Clevo laptops to be durable, I've knocked my 15" off a desk by accident and the screen didn't even crack. I think they have an 11" and 14" in their range which might fit the criteria and you can customise the specs to whatever you want really.

I looked at Clevo's site a while ago and was kinda put off by their obscure model numbering. Can you recommend a friendlier site to look at, and where I could potentially buy one?

Never mind, I found rjtech.com. The designs don't look spectacular, but that's just from the pictures. What does look great, though, is the "No OS" option.
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