Efika MX Smartbook Information For Interested Parties

bbrv posted some information on the Efika MX Smartbook and we got a few questions we feel we have to answer just to point out. Let's start with the specifications (update 2010-02-28):

• 800MHz Freescale i.MX515 CPU with OpenGL and OpenVG GPU
• 1024x600 10.1" laptop panel
• 512MB RAM
• 2x USB ports
• 8GB to 32GB of SSD storage
• 1x SD card slot (side) and 1x MicroSD slot (behind battery)
• Built-in Stereo Speakers, Microphone, external headphone port
• Ralink RT3070 Wireless, same as the Efika MX, and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
• 3G Cell modem option (SIM card is behind battery slot)
• GPS module
• 3-cell removable battery giving ~6 hours battery life.
• There will be a larger battery available in the near future, if you think 6 hours isn't long enough. The units we have peter out at just over 5 hours and 50 minutes of actual use.
• >92% full size, low-travel keyboard (like Sony or Apple's)
• Buttonless Touchpad
• Webcam (1.3 Megapixel)
• Light weight (around 2 lbs, or 1 Kg)

You will have seen the photo and thought to yourself "what on earth? there are no mouse buttons!!" and you'll be right. There was some objection to initial designs where the touchpad buttons were off to the left and right of the touchpad. This is the usual Netbook Cop-Out you see on Acer devices for example and it really makes the whole thing less easy to use.

The touchpad we have is something of a novel experience. While it supports single touch tap and the usual touchpad features, it also has two integrated mouse buttons; hold down the left hand side of the pad and it will click. That's a left mouse button. The same for the right. The keyboard "Menu" key finally has a use, and doubles as a right mouse button for most common application where you need a right click context menu or have to hold it down and drag.

In terms of size, it's about 1/3 the lid-closed height and weight of an Acer Aspire One Netbook, but about the same width/height dimensions (Acer's netbook is an 8" panel with a large bezel) - a little wider to support the widescreen panel and the bigger, more comfortable keyboard. It's very portable!

The nearest "PC" equivalent is the Asus Eee 1008 series (standard, $399.99), with the keyboard of the 1008P (Karim Rasheed Edition) (a designer edition netbook) which hasn't got a hope in matching the battery life even if it says it can get 6 hours (the battery is a 6-cell standard and is three times the power rating), and doesn't have any HD playback capability - retail price, $499.99.

Yes, the Efika MX Smartbook comes with a "designer edition" keyboard, awesome trackpad and HD video playback and 6 hours battery life as standard and we're hoping you will like the price too (hint: cheaper than those two Asus netbooks :)