Ron Schenone

Is Zonbu The Future Of Computing?

Posted by on Dec 28, 2007 | 2 Comments

Seceval months ago I wrote about the Zonbu desktop system, which basically incorporates using the Internet for all of your computing needs. This morning I discovered that Zonbu now offers a laptop system to compliment their services. I also found a user review that provided an in depth analysis and user opinion of the new laptop in service. But the one question that I have is whether this type of service is going to be the future of computing?

First of all the Zonbu laptop incorporates some non-traditional technology. Intel and AMD is no where to be seen. Instaed the Zonbu laptop uses the 1.5GHz, VIA C7-M processor. On their site Zonbu lists the specifications as:

  • Processor: 1.5GHz, VIA C7-M
    Intel-compatible, low energy use
  • Display: 15.4″ WXGA Widescreen (1440 x 900) and VGA output
  • Memory: 512MB
  • Hard Disk local storage: 60GB (58GB for your data)
  • Optical Drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW
  • Graphics: VIA Chrome9 HC IGP (64MB shared memory, 128MB maximum)
  • Audio: built-in speaker, microphone and headphone ports
  • 3 USB 2.0 ports
  • Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps built-in – broadband ready
  • Wifi: Built-in 802.11b/g
  • Power Supply: 65W AC-DC Adapter, 15W average power usage
  • Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 2h30 to 3h, depending on usage
  • Measurements: 14.1″ x 10.7″ x 1.5″ (35.8cm x 27.2cm x 3.8cm)
  • Weight: 5.3lbs (2.4kg)

They also state on their web site the following:

The best thing about Zonbu is that it just works — right out of the box. Connect it to your DSL or cable Internet, press the power button and go. You’ll be surfing in moments and using all those productivity and multimedia applications you’ve come to love, without the hassles of maintaining them.

So there you have it. A device that uses the Internet to take care of most of your surfing and web based needs, without the hassle of maintaining a PC. Everything you do will be done on the Internet itself.

My thought process is this. If Google actually comes out with a Linux based OS, than ties the OS to their current offering of doc’s and apps., for little or no cost, would we consumers flock to use it?

So again my question is, is this the future of computing? What do you think?

Comments welcome.

Zonubu site is here.

Zonbu review is here.

[tags]zonbu, laptop, computer, future, computing, [/tags]

  • http://mrzonbu.wordpress.com/ Mr Zonbu

    Hi Ron,

    As you can tell from the blog (http://mrzonbu.wordpress.com/), I’ve been following the Zonbu and the low-end, cloug computing space quite intently.

    I do think we are moving towards cloud computing, but I’m not sure Google will be the way it goes. I think that might be the straw that broke the camel’s back on the privacy front. Another brand might have better luck.

    I also predict we’ll see a major PC vendor join forces with a new player to deliver a complete soup-to-nuts system around this, so end users can one stop shop. Brand equity is going to mean a lot. HP, Dell, Acer and Asus seems well positioned to explore on this.

    I also am not sure the Google app suite is nearly as mature as the still developing Linux desktop app space (which is impressive but still missing key features relative to the MS office suite). But a lot can happen in six months. No one saw the Asus EEE PC coming either and I’ve seen forecasts of 3M – 5M units for 2008.

    That being said, I do think the Zonbu model shows a lot of promise. I think the hardware needs to be more mainstream first. Via isn’t the way to do it, in my opinion, after using their Via based product for months.

    Off the top of my head, my recipe would be:

    -Mainstream low end hardware (probably around 2 GHz Intel or AMD processor) (laptop or desktop)
    -1G of RAM, WiFi, Ethernet, DVD drive, card reader, webcam (see Asus EEE PC)
    -Small local hard disk buffering of data before online upload, plus SSD flash for the OS (rapid boot time and application launch)
    -Modern graphics (Probably low end NVidia or ATI)
    -Debian/Ubuntu OS with the major linux apps, Firefox, OpenOffice etc

    That hardware/OS package with automatic update and support from a vendor like Zonbu as well as seamless integrated online storage (with remote access, a la Zonbu’s emerging web tools) and I think you’re sitting pretty for a large swath of users.

    I love where it is going, but I think the successful company to launch it will ask the question “What will entry level hardware look like in three years?” and then back that up and deploy today on what will be entry level in 2-3 years. This will ensure the hardware platform stays relevant as the web and application space evolves.

    -Mr. Zonbu

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Mr. Zonbu,
    Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts. It should be interesting to see what happens in the future.
    Regards, Ron