CTL E09XPH 9-Inch 2goPC Laptop (900 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, XP Home) Bone/Grey

by 2goPC

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 1.5 x 7.3 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0016OJXGQ
• Item model number: 2GPCE09XPH
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,869 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 2, 2008

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The 2go classmate PCs are a complete,customizable hardware and softwares olution featuring "real PC" performance and simplified wireless connectivitity. Built on reliable Intel mobile processor, they have enough memory and storage to run real-world applications. They feature durable, drop-proof construction with a sturdy plastic case to withstand demanding everyday use at school, in the house or when traveling.

Features:

• CPU and Platform: Intel Mobile Processor ULV 900 MHz 400 MHz FSB
• Memory: SO DIMM 200-pin socket x 1400 MHz FSB supports DDR2 400/533, SO-DIMM DRAM 512 MB Standard. 1 GB Availablemodule
• Video: 9-inch LCD, 800 x 480 Color LCD TFT, LED backlight, digital LVDS interface
• Storage: 40 GB 1.8-inch 4200 RPM PATA HDD2-in-1 SD/MMC memory card reader supports boot from card reader and USB. USB 2.0 Interface for external storage
• Wireless LAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g with open mesh supportMini-card form factor, single antenna
• Audio: Realtek ALC6555--AC ‘97 2.1 Integrated, analog audio, two integrated 1-watt speakers
• I/O Ports: 2 USB 2.0 Ports, 1 x RJ-45 10/100 LAN, 1/8-inch external microphone-in jack, 1/8-inch external headphone jack, 2-in-1 SD/MMC memory card reader, Kensington Lock ready
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home preloaded
• Dimensions and Power: 8.7 inches (W) x 7.3 inches (H) x 1.5 inches (D), Weight: less than 3 lbs, 4-cell Li lon Battery, battery life aproximately 3 hrs typical usage time
• Other: Integrated camera, 30fps at 640 x 480, 0.3 M Driver/AP support Windows XP/Linux

Product Description

Intel-powered 2go classmate PCs by CTL offer affordable new possibilities to take your computer wherever life takes you. These innovative PCs feature enough processing power, memory and storage to run real-world applications. And with built-in wireless connectivity, you can connect to hundreds of web-based applications for learning, work, and play. These ultra-compact, easy-to-carry laptops are child-friendly and stand up to rugged conditions. With durable, drop-proof construction, a sturdy plastic case, and water-resistant keyboard, they can go just about anywhere and be used safely by just about anyone. 2go classmate PCs are a complete, customizable hardware and software solution featuring ""real PC"" performance and simplified wireless connectivity and can be configured with either the Linux or Windows operating system.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Sweet System! Forget the Kids!, July 21, 2008

By 

MagnumMan (Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CTL E09XPH 9-Inch 2goPC Laptop (900 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, XP Home) Bone/Grey (Personal Computers)

Truthfully, I bought this unit for the sheer 'gee whiz' factor. It was also not that substantially more expensive than the Asus eee. The base eee costs around $300 but that includes a puny 2 GB HD and no webcam. For roughly $140 more I got a 60 GB hard drive and a webcam.

While the Asus comes with a flash drive generally limited to about 8 GB or less (some newer models come with a standard hard drive), the Classmate comes with a 60 GB hard drive (on the Series 2 model, 30 on the first series). The Amazon website lists the HD as 40, but it's actually 60.

My unit was the bone grey model handle and covering with Windows XP Home edition and wireless capability. Straight out of the box this unit located my wireless signal and locked on.

This unit is slightly more bulky than the eee but this is mainly because of better protection. The eee was an accident waiting to happen while the Classmate has rubber bumpers and a protective covering to make sure the kids don't bash it in.

The Classmate is better built than the eee, though. My eee looked nice but creaked and groaned as the cheap plastic parts sometimes meshed. Using the mousepad on the eee was something of a chore, also, as it constantly clicked and flexed. The Classmate is definitely better in that respect. No flex, no play, just solid.

As I later found out from some reviewers, the eee also has a problem with falling apart in any drop more than a few inches high. Although I didn't try it, I'm sure the Classmate would fare better, not that I plan to drop it anytime soon.

The only fault I could find is that the computer comes with no owner's manual but you can get one for free at www.2gopc.com. Of note, the manual comes in German, English and French which may be why it isn't shipped with the unit (this would put it in violation of NAFTA which requires English, French and Spanish in the U.S.).

My eee booted in 15 seconds with Linux on it but it took a good 2 minutes with XP and 1 GB of RAM. The Classmate took about a minute but I'm sure this is due to the rather miniscule 512 MB RAM included. Since the machine utilizes a DDR chip, I'm sure I can upgrade to 1 or 2 MB later (one chip instead of two so you'll to buy your preference since you can't double stack the chips). Since both units utilize the Celeron chip, the difference in boot times is somewhat confusing when using XP, especially since the eee's 1 GB of RAM should make a difference (but it didn't). Making this more confusing is that the eee uses a solid state drive while the Classmate utilizes a 1.8' PATA hard drive spinning at about 4,500 RPM. A sold state hard drive should always boot quicker than a rotating one.

The eee's keyboard was an absolute nightmare. It was way too small and difficult to use. The Classmate's doesn't appear much larger, but it is easier to use, albeit not as easy as a standard keyboard. Again, it's made for kids. It's much better marked than the eee's and doesn't require a manual to figure out.

Both manufacturers include a recovery disk for the unit without realizing there is no CD drive in either. Duh! How about a small flash drive instead of a CD for the recovery system?

Both units accept external CD drives, burner or not.

Heat is a problem with these small units but the Classmate doesn't have the heat dissipation problems of the eee. While using the eee it quite often became too hot to leave on my lap. The Classmate never seems to get hot although it gets warm. Part of this may be due to the leather covering on the bottom (which is held on by Velcro and is easily removable to access the RAM and HD).

In the end analysis, I'd choose the Classmate any day over the eee. I got rid of the eee after two months of frustration but I'll keep the Classmate!

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet NETBOOK!, June 4, 2008

By 

F. D. Ancona (Garden City, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CTL E09XPH 9-Inch 2goPC Laptop (900 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, XP Home) Bone/Grey (Personal Computers)

I had just received my 2GOPC today and I'm very impressed so far. I had purchased this for the kids (8 and 5) since they've trashed a couple of full sized cheap laptops and I could tell this unit can take a beating - it's like a tiny TOUGHBOOK! Performance wise it's pretty speedy with WINDOWS XP and the screen is fantastic - very bright and deep color and the size is perfect. The keyboard is a little small for adults, but not unusable - it has great key travel. The wifi worked well and the little web cam is surprising sharp. Battery life is decent - 3 hours on full brightness primarily surfing the net. The built in handle is bonus too. Truthfully, I've been having so much fun playing with it, it might be a while before the kids actually get their hands on it...

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Warning before updating to XP SP3!, September 10, 2008

By 

Brian Purcell (Fairfield, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CTL E09XPH 9-Inch 2goPC Laptop (900 MHz Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, XP Home) Bone/Grey (Personal Computers)

I tend to agree with all the other reviews so far, so I won't repeat what they said. I do need to give a couple of warnings:

1. Wireless internet connection doesn't work after upgrading to Windows XP SP3. Once I upgrade, the wireless is able to connect to my router and my other PC's, but internet connection is spotty at best and broken at worst.

2. Customer support is nonexistent! I've emailed them a couple of times and no one has responded after three weeks. They don't seem to offer telephone support.

3. Reformatting drive using provided recovery disk crashes computer. I thought my wireless issues might be a software issue so I tried using the recovery disk to start from scratch, but after the hard drive was reformatted, the computer would freeze on the initial 2goPC screen with no way of going forward. I had to return the laptop to Amazon and get a replacement, which is when I figured out the wireless problem only occurs when Service Pack 3 is installed.

2115|R1T5776MEKI43L;2115|R1OBMG29W5HY8S;2115|R25A62CC416D86;