Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
Things I'd like some information on: - Will XFCE run without major issues? - How is the keyboard, are the keys (much) smaller than a standard laptop keyboard? - Is the display good readable when sitting outside, possibly in the sun? - Any other pros/cons you can think of.
Many thanks, Niels
On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 12:07 PM, Niels de Vos devos@fedoraproject.org wrote:
Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
Things I'd like some information on:
- Will XFCE run without major issues?
- How is the keyboard, are the keys (much) smaller than a standard
laptop keyboard?
- Is the display good readable when sitting outside, possibly in the sun?
- Any other pros/cons you can think of.
Dennis Gilmore has already made a XFCE root image for the Efika SB. It works fine. There's links to it in archive messages on the list, else I'm sure he'll link to it.
Peter
On 05/15/2011 12:07 PM, Niels de Vos wrote:
Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
I really like mine. The only outstanding issue I have with mine is that the video acceleration falls way, way short of expectations on video playback. Other than that, it's great.
Another thing you may be interested in is that you can actually fit a 1280x720 screen into it (it comes with 1024x600 as standard). I have a replacement screen on my shelf to do this at some point, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. My main disappointment is that this isn't available as an option when buying one, which inevitably means you end up with a spare 1024x600 screen that you will never use again.
- How is the keyboard, are the keys (much) smaller than a standard
laptop keyboard?
It is the same as on any 10in netbook.
- Is the display good readable when sitting outside, possibly in the sun?
It is on the par with any other similar netbook, the same screen is used in a lot of them. But as I said, my recommendation would be to upgrade it with a 1280x720 panel.
Gordan
On Sun, 15 May 2011 12:43:32 +0100 Gordan Bobic gordan@bobich.net wrote:
On 05/15/2011 12:07 PM, Niels de Vos wrote:
Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
I really like mine. The only outstanding issue I have with mine is that the video acceleration falls way, way short of expectations on video playback. Other than that, it's great.
Another thing you may be interested in is that you can actually fit a 1280x720 screen into it (it comes with 1024x600 as standard). I have a replacement screen on my shelf to do this at some point, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. My main disappointment is that this isn't available as an option when buying one, which inevitably means you end up with a spare 1024x600 screen that you will never use again.
I guess having "options" would cause the price to be higher, but I'd like to see the 1280x720 screen as default in some next model.
Dan
On 05/15/2011 12:56 PM, Dan Horak wrote:
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
I really like mine. The only outstanding issue I have with mine is that the video acceleration falls way, way short of expectations on video playback. Other than that, it's great.
Another thing you may be interested in is that you can actually fit a 1280x720 screen into it (it comes with 1024x600 as standard). I have a replacement screen on my shelf to do this at some point, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. My main disappointment is that this isn't available as an option when buying one, which inevitably means you end up with a spare 1024x600 screen that you will never use again.
I guess having "options" would cause the price to be higher, but I'd like to see the 1280x720 screen as default in some next model.
Maybe having options would, but the difference in retail price between the 1024x600 and 1280x720 screens is negligible on the cost of the machine itself. It is just about the only thing about the Efika that leaves me even slightly disappointed, since it wouldn't require any other changes.
Gordan
On 05/15/2011 12:43 PM, Gordan Bobic wrote:
On 05/15/2011 12:07 PM, Niels de Vos wrote:
Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
I really like mine. The only outstanding issue I have with mine is that the video acceleration falls way, way short of expectations on video playback. Other than that, it's great.
Another thing you may be interested in is that you can actually fit a 1280x720 screen into it (it comes with 1024x600 as standard). I have a replacement screen on my shelf to do this at some point, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. My main disappointment is that this isn't available as an option when buying one, which inevitably means you end up with a spare 1024x600 screen that you will never use again.
- How is the keyboard, are the keys (much) smaller than a standard
laptop keyboard?
It is the same as on any 10in netbook.
- Is the display good readable when sitting outside, possibly in the sun?
It is on the par with any other similar netbook, the same screen is used in a lot of them. But as I said, my recommendation would be to upgrade it with a 1280x720 panel.
And just to show I'm taking my own advice on this, I finally got around to replacing the screen with a 1280x720 panel. The process is incredibly easy to do, much easier than on other laptops. It took under 10 minutes, start to finish. The clips that sandwich the screen panel in are quite loose, so you don't have to leave nasty gauge marks on the bezel to get them apart after you take the screws out. And as the guys from Genesi reassured me it all "just works"! I now have a 1280x720 Efika, and as an added bonus, I now have a matte screen rather than a glossy one, so I can even use it outside in the sun. :)
I have taken pictures and will put together a post detailing the procedure, along with the exact screen panel to use for the upgrade.
Gordan
On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 5:08 PM, Gordan Bobic gordan@bobich.net wrote:
On 05/15/2011 12:43 PM, Gordan Bobic wrote:
On 05/15/2011 12:07 PM, Niels de Vos wrote:
Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
>
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
I really like mine. The only outstanding issue I have with mine is that the video acceleration falls way, way short of expectations on video playback. Other than that, it's great.
Another thing you may be interested in is that you can actually fit a 1280x720 screen into it (it comes with 1024x600 as standard). I have a replacement screen on my shelf to do this at some point, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. My main disappointment is that this isn't available as an option when buying one, which inevitably means you end up with a spare 1024x600 screen that you will never use again.
- How is the keyboard, are the keys (much) smaller than a standard
laptop keyboard?
It is the same as on any 10in netbook.
- Is the display good readable when sitting outside, possibly in the sun?
It is on the par with any other similar netbook, the same screen is used in a lot of them. But as I said, my recommendation would be to upgrade it with a 1280x720 panel.
And just to show I'm taking my own advice on this, I finally got around to replacing the screen with a 1280x720 panel. The process is incredibly easy to do, much easier than on other laptops. It took under 10 minutes, start to finish. The clips that sandwich the screen panel in are quite loose, so you don't have to leave nasty gauge marks on the bezel to get them apart after you take the screws out. And as the guys from Genesi reassured me it all "just works"! I now have a 1280x720 Efika, and as an added bonus, I now have a matte screen rather than a glossy one, so I can even use it outside in the sun. :)
I have taken pictures and will put together a post detailing the procedure, along with the exact screen panel to use for the upgrade.
Sounds great! Looking forward for the details :)
Thanks for sharing, Niels
On 05/15/2011 08:03 PM, Niels de Vos wrote:
On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 5:08 PM, Gordan Bobicgordan@bobich.net wrote:
On 05/15/2011 12:43 PM, Gordan Bobic wrote:
On 05/15/2011 12:07 PM, Niels de Vos wrote:
Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
I really like mine. The only outstanding issue I have with mine is that the video acceleration falls way, way short of expectations on video playback. Other than that, it's great.
Another thing you may be interested in is that you can actually fit a 1280x720 screen into it (it comes with 1024x600 as standard). I have a replacement screen on my shelf to do this at some point, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. My main disappointment is that this isn't available as an option when buying one, which inevitably means you end up with a spare 1024x600 screen that you will never use again.
- How is the keyboard, are the keys (much) smaller than a standard
laptop keyboard?
It is the same as on any 10in netbook.
- Is the display good readable when sitting outside, possibly in the sun?
It is on the par with any other similar netbook, the same screen is used in a lot of them. But as I said, my recommendation would be to upgrade it with a 1280x720 panel.
And just to show I'm taking my own advice on this, I finally got around to replacing the screen with a 1280x720 panel. The process is incredibly easy to do, much easier than on other laptops. It took under 10 minutes, start to finish. The clips that sandwich the screen panel in are quite loose, so you don't have to leave nasty gauge marks on the bezel to get them apart after you take the screws out. And as the guys from Genesi reassured me it all "just works"! I now have a 1280x720 Efika, and as an added bonus, I now have a matte screen rather than a glossy one, so I can even use it outside in the sun. :)
I have taken pictures and will put together a post detailing the procedure, along with the exact screen panel to use for the upgrade.
Sounds great! Looking forward for the details :)
Thanks for sharing, Niels
Since a few of you have showed interest in doing this upgrade, here is a post detailing how to upgrade the TFT panel on the Genesi Efika Smartbook: http://www.altechnative.net/?p=152
HTH.
Gordan
On Sun, 15 May 2011 12:07:02 +0100 Niels de Vos devos@fedoraproject.org wrote:
Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
and they have a shop in Germany: http://www.genesi-europe.com/store/eu/
Dan
On 05/15/2011 01:00 PM, Dan Horak wrote:
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
and they have a shop in Germany: http://www.genesi-europe.com/store/eu/
Oooo, thanks for pointing that out, I wasn't ware of that. Very useful to know. :D
Gordan
On Sunday, May 15, 2011 06:07:02 AM Niels de Vos wrote:
Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
Things I'd like some information on:
- Will XFCE run without major issues?
- How is the keyboard, are the keys (much) smaller than a standard
laptop keyboard?
- Is the display good readable when sitting outside, possibly in the sun?
- Any other pros/cons you can think of.
It works well i use my smartbook everyday. http://ausil.us/smartbook/smartbook-rootfs-f13.tar.bz2 http://ausil.us/smartbook/boot.tar.bz2
its all setup to run from a sdcard. 1st partition gets the contents on the boot tarball and should be ext3 the second partition gets the contents of the rootfs. it is the fedora xfce spin contents. it pretty easy to transfer to the internal storage.
overall im pretty happy with it.
Dennis
On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 4:58 PM, Dennis Gilmore dennis@ausil.us wrote:
On Sunday, May 15, 2011 06:07:02 AM Niels de Vos wrote:
Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
Things I'd like some information on:
- Will XFCE run without major issues?
- How is the keyboard, are the keys (much) smaller than a standard
laptop keyboard?
- Is the display good readable when sitting outside, possibly in the sun?
- Any other pros/cons you can think of.
It works well i use my smartbook everyday. http://ausil.us/smartbook/smartbook-rootfs-f13.tar.bz2 http://ausil.us/smartbook/boot.tar.bz2
its all setup to run from a sdcard. 1st partition gets the contents on the boot tarball and should be ext3 the second partition gets the contents of the rootfs. it is the fedora xfce spin contents. it pretty easy to transfer to the internal storage.
overall im pretty happy with it.
Cool, many thanks! If you haven't documented the details somewhere, I'll give it a go and will link the page on https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures/ARM/Using .
Cheers, NIels
On Sun, 15 May 2011 12:07:02 +0100 Niels de Vos devos@fedoraproject.org wrote:
Hi list,
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
My normal usage of such a netbook would be some browsing, emailing and some development (mainly with vim) while traveling. I assume that the 10" display is just big enough for it (a 7" EeePC is a little too small).
Things I'd like some information on:
- Will XFCE run without major issues?
XFCE (with galeon browser and sylpheed email) runs fine, although resume after suspend didn't work for me
- How is the keyboard, are the keys (much) smaller than a standard
laptop keyboard?
had to re-measure it, but IIRC the Q<->P dimension is about 90% of desktop keyboard, pressing the Fx keys requires also Fn to be pressed, the primary function of those key is "multimedia"
- Is the display good readable when sitting outside, possibly in the sun?
- Any other pros/cons you can think of.
haven't tried on sun, but the display is the glossy one
My overall feeling from the Smartbook is really positive.
Dan
PS: written on Smartbook :-)
On Sun, 2011-05-15 at 12:07 +0100, Niels de Vos wrote:
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
I run mine with XFCE just fine. We need a standard kernel package, but we'll be looking into that in due course. For now, only problem with stock (older) kernel I'm using is lack of resume. I have an external USB to VGA adapter I want to get working soon for presentations.
Using in the garden/Starbucks/outdoors is fine.
Jon.
On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 9:49 PM, Jon Masters jcm@redhat.com wrote:
On Sun, 2011-05-15 at 12:07 +0100, Niels de Vos wrote:
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
I run mine with XFCE just fine. We need a standard kernel package, but we'll be looking into that in due course. For now, only problem with stock (older) kernel I'm using is lack of resume. I have an external USB to VGA adapter I want to get working soon for presentations.
Using in the garden/Starbucks/outdoors is fine.
Jon.
I've seen suspend/resume mentioned a few times on here as not working (I'm assuming Fedora); I'm not if you need a specific pm utils version, but all you should need to do is add a config file with the following in it:
SUSPEND_MODULES="ehci_hcd" SLEEP_MODULES="ehci_hcd"
The big reason is that everything is on the USB bus, so when it comes back from suspend, it re-probes everything. (Assuming you're building with the latest kernel sources in Gitorious, you'll want the usb portions to be modules, assuming you aren't using the mx51_efikamx_defconfig )
I've no person experience with building a kernel on Fedora, but hopefully that helps someone out :)
On 5/16/11, Steev Klimaszewski steev@genesi-usa.com wrote:
On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 9:49 PM, Jon Masters jcm@redhat.com wrote:
On Sun, 2011-05-15 at 12:07 +0100, Niels de Vos wrote:
I know that some of you have an Efika Smartbook (http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook) and am interested in your opinions on it. I'm looking to getting one myself, but only if there are positive experiences with it.
I run mine with XFCE just fine. We need a standard kernel package, but we'll be looking into that in due course. For now, only problem with stock (older) kernel I'm using is lack of resume. I have an external USB to VGA adapter I want to get working soon for presentations.
Using in the garden/Starbucks/outdoors is fine.
Jon.
I've seen suspend/resume mentioned a few times on here as not working (I'm assuming Fedora); I'm not if you need a specific pm utils version, but all you should need to do is add a config file with the following in it:
SUSPEND_MODULES="ehci_hcd" SLEEP_MODULES="ehci_hcd"
The big reason is that everything is on the USB bus, so when it comes back from suspend, it re-probes everything. (Assuming you're building with the latest kernel sources in Gitorious, you'll want the usb portions to be modules, assuming you aren't using the mx51_efikamx_defconfig )
I've no person experience with building a kernel on Fedora, but hopefully that helps someone out :)
Yeah, this makes suspend work with the standard efika kernel (from the Ubuntu installation). Thanks for pointing it out, I was wondering why suspend wasn't working as expected :)
Not tried with a custom/Fedora kernel yet. But the ehci is a module there as well, so I do not expect any issues.
Cheers, Niels
-
Dan Horák -
Dennis Gilmore -
Gordan Bobic -
Jon Masters -
Niels de Vos -
Peter Robinson -
Steev Klimaszewski