Aiming to compete with the likes of OLPC and Intel's Classmate PC, CherryPal has launched CherryPal Africa, a $99 computer designed to help school children in developing countries.
In a move that shouldn't be surprising considering the device's price, you won't see Intel's Atom or even a well known ARM-based processor in this machine. PCMag reports that the device packs a relatively unknown Chinese processor called the XBurst.
With clock speeds of just 400MHz, the device is definitely a little underpowered, but CherryPal says the device packs enough punch to get what you want done. Founder of CherryPal Max Seybold acknowledged the fact that the device will not be very speedy, "The Africa is slow," he told PCWorld. "But [it] works and is robust." Seybold went on to explain that there are plenty of people who want to access the internet but can't. The CherryPal is trying to bridge that gap.
Its 400MHz CPU aside, the mini-notebook boasts 256MB of RAM, a 2GB flash drive, a 7-inch color screen, integrated Wi-Fi b/g wireless networking, wired networking, one USB 2.0 port and two USB 1.1 ports, a microphone and a built-in speaker. According to CherryPal, the device's lithium battery is good for four hours.
Despite the fact that they're pushing this towards the developing world, CherryPal's site does say, "Whether you live in Ghana or Texas, the Cherrypal Africa is right for you!" So we're assuming it will be available in the states today. With that said, who's interested?
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