CrunchPad Prototype • Hacker News Board

Re: CrunchPad Prototype

#41

Post by axod » Thu, Jun 04, 2009, 9:15 AM UTC

SwellJoe wrote: post #36

vaksel wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing wrong with having a home page with ads if it brings the cost down.

It's a technique used by Dell and other PC makers for years. It's a nuisance, but if cost is a factor, it can be worth the 20 minutes it takes to clean the crap off.

I don't think that makes sense.

Dell are bought by "The general public", who often don't know how to clean the crap off. So some of it sticks, and they make money.

The crunchpad however, is going to be bought by techie geeks. If it comes loaded with adverts, everyone will just remove them, and they won't make any money.

This is a technically amazing achievement, but IMHO the market does not exist. They'll sell a few, but nothing major.

Re: CrunchPad Prototype

#42

Post by SwellJoe » Thu, Jun 04, 2009, 10:10 AM UTC

axod wrote: post #41

SwellJoe wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a technique used by Dell and other PC makers for years. It's a nuisance, but if cost is a factor, it can be worth the 20 minutes it takes to clean the crap off.

I don't think that makes sense. Dell are bought by "The general public", who often don't know how to clean the crap off. So some of it sticks, and they make money. The crunchpad however, is going to be bought by techie geeks. If it comes loaded with adverts, everyone will just remove them, and they won't make any money. This is a technically amazing achievement, but IMHO the market does not exist. They'll sell a few,…

Dell are bought by "The general public", who often don't know how to clean the crap off. So some of it sticks, and they make money.

This assumes Dell isn't paid just for the privilege of being on their desktop. I kinda think they are.

Re: CrunchPad Prototype

#43

Post by pm » Thu, Jun 04, 2009, 10:16 AM UTC

SwellJoe wrote: post #13

viggity wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One big bonus for the kindle is the battery life (2 weeks? vs a few hours). Obviously, the crunchpad has lots of other things going for it. I guess my point is that they're really meant for two different purposes.

OK, valid point. I have a Game Boy and a Nintendo DS for composing chiptunes. I only have to charge the Game Boy batteries every two weeks or so. The DS has to be charged every couple of days. I pretty much only use the Game Boy. And, it has almost nothing else going for it...it's bigger, crappier screen, noisier audio, etc. (The DS is emulating a Game Boy, though, and it has quirks, so that's another negative for th…

What do you use to compose the chiptunes? I was never able to find a copy of LSD for sale.

Re: CrunchPad Prototype

#44

Post by axod » Thu, Jun 04, 2009, 10:22 AM UTC

SwellJoe wrote: post #42

axod wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think that makes sense. Dell are bought by "The general public", who often don't know how to clean the crap off. So some of it sticks, and they make money. The crunchpad however, is going to be bought by techie geeks. If it comes loaded with adverts, everyone will just remove them, and they won't make any money. This is a technically amazing achievement, but IMHO the market does not exist. They'll sell a few,…

Dell are bought by "The general public", who often don't know how to clean the crap off. So some of it sticks, and they make money. This assumes Dell isn't paid just for the privilege of being on their desktop. I kinda think they are.

That's a measurable though. If Crunchpad was paid to have something on it, then they measured that no one actually left it on there, they would probably stop paying pretty quickly.

Re: CrunchPad Prototype

#45

Post by axod » Thu, Jun 04, 2009, 12:13 PM UTC

jrockway wrote: post #27

Will the screen really look that nice from those viewing angles? If so, it will be a Kindle killer.

Quit with the hyperbole. It's not even in the same market as the Kindle. The battery life? Good screen for prolonged reading?

Re: CrunchPad Prototype

#46

Post by limmeau » Thu, Jun 04, 2009, 12:49 PM UTC

ieatpaste wrote: post #21

chime wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

$300 is a completely awesome price. The closest alternative (Wifi touchscreen PC) is Asus EEE Top PC at $500: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220... And CrunchPad sounds a lot more usable than carrying a bulky touchscreen.

Always Innovating has a detachable-touchscreen netbook for $400 http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/

And that piece has just an 8,9" screen and an ARM processor.

Re: CrunchPad Prototype

#47

Post by ssharp » Thu, Jun 04, 2009, 1:01 PM UTC

Maybe it's me, but I don't understand the appeal of this type of computer at all. Granted, I also don't understand the appeal netbooks, so maybe I'm way out in left field.

This thing seems like it's a big iphone. I already have an iphone and it meets most of my general quick-fix internet needs. I have a laptop when the iphone isn't sufficient. I just don't see the need for another device in the mix. Unless the pad is easily converted to a moderately powered computer by adding a quick keyboard and mouse, I wouldn't even entertain the idea of buying one.

Re: CrunchPad Prototype

#48

Post by mahmud » Thu, Jun 04, 2009, 2:15 PM UTC

vaksel wrote: post #35

redorb wrote: post #6

Its hard to believe it will sell for <$200 / without being locked to some sort of contract or homepage with ads etc ... If so - this is truly an amazing achievement, not to mention its amazing that its techcrunch.

Nothing wrong with having a home page with ads if it brings the cost down.

Nothing a hex editor can't fix (or one line in /etc/hosts ;-)

Re: CrunchPad Prototype

#49

Post by Xichekolas » Thu, Jun 04, 2009, 3:45 PM UTC

zhyder wrote: post #7

SwellJoe wrote: post #3

I'd certainly choose this over, say, a Kindle. If they can actually deliver, and at the price they've bandied about, I'd love to have one.

It'd be great if it (or v2) has one of those Pixel Qi or OLPC XO screens. Better compromise between E-Ink's (sunlight) readability & low power consumption, and LCDs' refresh rate & color production.

Amen.

TC people, if you read this, get a hybrid screen like the Pixel Qi and I would gladly pay $500 for a Crunchpad.

Latest design is looking sweet. Ender would be proud!

Re: CrunchPad Prototype

#50

Post by Xichekolas » Thu, Jun 04, 2009, 3:52 PM UTC

anigbrowl wrote: post #20

I see the USB port is still there :) Wonder how they will handle storage - suppose I see an image I want to save or stuff I wish to copy/paste and send via gmail. I get that there is no local storage but I hope it will allow inter-process operability.

Well if it's linux-based, would be nice if you could mount network/samba shares and save to those as well.