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Best Laptops Under $500-4

by Tom Samiljan on February 14, 2008 at 02:12 PM


The Long-Lasting One: Everex Cloudbook

Similar to the Asus eeePC, the Everex Cloudbook is a two-pound ultraportable with a fast, Linux-based operating system that offers up a suite of programs for most basic computing needs -- and lasts about five hours on a single charge.

Who it's for: Photographers on the go, frequent business travelers who need to access e-mail or the ability to shoot off quick documents in the airport lounge. Also, kids who need their first PC.

What we like: It uses mostly online versions of basic apps for word processing, chat, and e-mail (namely, Google Docs, Google Mail, and Meebo), which frees up the PC for other types of content (such as photos and music). You can store all your documents and files with one-click via online storage service Box. Also, dedicated icons for YouTube, Facebook, and other popular sites means you can get funny videos or update your online profiles with just one click. It has some decent hardware built-in as well: The Webcam next to the 7-inch screen can be used for videoconferencing, while a memory card slot lets you quickly transfer images, videos, or music files quickly (which is a good thing, since this baby doesn't have a DVD/CD-RW drive). Also: a DVI port lets you plug this into a bigger monitor when you're at home. Lastly, its understated black casing and rounded edges belie its low price.

What we don't like: Startup time was slow (about a minute), especially when compared to the eeePC. Getting onto our wireless network was confusing and glitchy (we finally got it up and running). The right-and-left click buttons and touchpad are in an awkward location at the top of the keyboard (we recommend plugging a mouse into one of two USB ports). Needless to say, the keyboard is a bit small for longer documents, but will do in a pinch (and certainly beats that of any smart phone). Granted, we got an early version of this laptop, so take these criticisms with a grain of salt, as final versions of the PC may run more smoothly.

Verdict: The Cloudbook is a fun, lightweight PC with an impressive five hours of battery life (about 1.5 more hours than the rival eeePC) that lets you do most of your basic computing tasks can do without breaking your back (or the bank). That said, you'll need to be online to use some of the most basic apps, so keep that in mind if you have trouble finding Wi-Fi hotspots.

Cost: $399 (available exclusively at Wal-mart when released on February 21).



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