DreamBook Light CE2A from Pioneer - 8.9″ LCD & VIA C7 CPU

by atticus ~ July 4, 2008

Just when you thought that Everex’s going to be the first to release an 8.9″ UMPC based on FIC’s CE2A1 design, we have the DreamBook Light CE2A from Pioneer Australia. According to Pioneer Australia’s website, the ETA of CE2A is July 2008. Everex, on the other hand, would be releasing their 8.9″ models in Taiwan and Japan by end of August 2008 and the U.S. in September 2008.

While Everex is pricing their CE2A1 at around NT$14,000 (US$461), Pioneer Australia has set the RRP for DreamBook Light CE2A at AU$599 (US$577). As usual, Pioneer allows a slew of customizing options for its upcoming UMPC. Despite being more expensive, the basic model of DreamBook Light CE2A comes with 40Gb HDD instead of the 60Gb HDD found in Everex’s CE2A1.

DreamBook Light CE2A specifications taken from its product page:

CPU: VIA C7-M, ULV 1.2Ghz Processor, FSB:400MHz/800MHz, 5W
Memory: DDRII 533MHz /667MHz SO-DIMM, DDRII SO-DIMM x 1 slot , 512/1GB DDRSDRAM
CoreChip: North Bridge:VIA VX800, South Bridge:Integrated
LCD Panel: 8.9″ SWVGA 1024X600 LED Backlight, Brightness:Brightness controlled by Hot Keys
VGA-UMA: Controller:Embedded, VRAM:Share System Memory
Audio: Sound Controller:Embedded, Sound Codec chip:VIA VT1708B, Internal Speaker:2 SPEAKER (1.5W), SoundBlaster:Compatible, HW Wave Table, MIDI:S/W wave table, Sound Volume:By Hotkey
Bluetooth: Build in Blutooth module optional
Extend slot: Express Card:Yes, 1 slot support, Type:34 mm Type II
Web Camera: Web Cam 1.3M Pixel
Lan: PHY SPEED:10/100Mb/s, Wake on LAN:Yes, LAN Boot:Support S3 state
Wireless LAN: Wireless Lan:802.11b/g (Azure Wave, optiional)
Card Reader: 4 in 1 card reader
I/O: CRT Port:x1(max. UXGA 1600×1200), USB:x 2(Ver. 2.0 ), MIC-IN:X1, Array Microphone:no, Headphone out(Line out):x1, PC Camera :Yes, RJ45:Yes, Card Reader:SD/MMC/MS
Storage: 1.8″ PATA HDD IDE
Optical Disk device: USB Combo CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD dual
Key Board: Controller:Fujitsu 90F372 (PMU+KBC), KeyPitch/Stroke:7″ Standard KBD, MS Standard key code:Support, Number of Keys:80 Keys
Power Management: Controller:Embedded on KBC
OS: Linux:Yes ( For low end and specific segment), Windows XP :Yes, Windows Vista Basic:Yes
Hot Keys: BT ON/OFF:Fn+F1, WLAN ON/OFF:Fn+F2, Dual Display:Fn + F3, Camera on/off:Fn + F4, None:Fn + F5, Speaker ON/OFF:Fn + F6, GPS on/off :Fn + F7, LCD brightness / down :Fn + F8, LCD brightness / up:Fn + F9 ,Speaker Volume / down:Fn + F10, Speaker Volume / up:Fn + F11, PrtScr:Fn + F12
Short-cut Keys: Standard Short-Cut Keys:Power Button
Pointing Device: Mouse pad :Yes, Micro Pad
Power: AC adapter :65W 20Volt mini-Din 2pin -pin length10.5mm, Battery:4 cells(Li-ion) , 2200 mAh /2400mAh, Battery Life:4 cell 4.5~5hrs (Battery mark) (target), Battery Life in Suspend mode:36hrs (Target), RTC Battery:Yes (Type CR2032/3V)
Security Features: Kensington Lock Hole:Yes, Other Securty Features :BIOS password,
Status Indicator: Indicator - Power On Status, - Battery Status, - Wlireless status, - HDD/Nand Flash Status, - Caps Lock
Module: GPS Module:Optional, ( Daughter board)
Accessories: Leather Cover:Optional, Car Adaptor:Optional, Carry Bag:Optional
Physical Characteristics Dimension:230 (W) x 171 (D) x 29.4 (H) mm, Weight:under 850g
EMC: EMS:CE,FCC, C-Tick
Safety: Safety:CB,CE,FCC/UL, AC Adapter:CB,CE,FCC/UL