Hardware (5183)

BenQ Joybook Lite U102 launches

Cheap and cheerful netbook for telco bundle deals

21 July 2009 10:48 GMT / By Lars-Göran Nilsson

Unlike the Joybook Lite U121 Eco that we brought you news of recently, the Joybook Lite U102 is all about basic features, simple design and low cost.

This is because the U102 is intended to be sold by mobile phone operators as a cheap and cheerful model, although it does have a few interesting features on offer.

BenQ will offer different versions of the Joybook Lite U102 with or without built in 3.75G (HSPDA/HSUPA) modem depending on its partner's requirements. It will also be available with a 3- or 6-cell battery which offers about 3- or 6-hours of usage

The touchpad is one of the features that is different on the U102, as not only is it quite large for a 10-inch netbook, but it also has integrated buttons, similar to that of Apple's MacBooks. To click, you press one or the other corner of the touchpad and we predict that this will be a love it or hate it thing.

The specifications include the standard Atom N270 processor, 1GB or RAM, a 160GB hard drive, built in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 and a 1.3-megapixel webcam. It also has a built in noise cancelling
microphone in the wrist rest and an email status LED.

At 1.05kg with the 3-cell battery the U102 is quite light and it measures 22mm at its thickest end which makes it a suitable netbook to carry around with you.

BenQ didn’t mention a price, but we’d expect that the Joybook Lite U102 will be selling very cheap with a bundled 3G contract.