Alex PC in the UK gets broadband, ease-of-use

The UK's Broadband Computer Company is going after a niche market of computer users with an easy-to-use 15.4-inch notebook called Alex. Meant for users who don't know how to, don't want to learn or don't want to bother learning how to use a computer, Alex is a rebranded Clevo M760T notebook with a 1.66GHz Celeron CPU and 1GB of RAM. Users log into a custom, Linux-based OS by inserting a USB drive BCC calls a latchkey and typing in a password. The idea gives each member of the family their own latchkey for logging in and accessing their own files.

Once logged in, users can then access the web, e-mail, an address book, a media player, a photo editor and a photo viewer. Word processing and spreadsheet apps are provided that support Microsoft Office files.

BCC promises just one hour of initial setup is required and that owners will never again have to worry about performing updates or installing antivirus programs. In addition to the 120GB hard drive with local content, a cloud storage service is offered for free. The notebook otherwise gets a DVD burner, a 1.3-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi and a six-cell battery.

The Alex is offered with or without an Internet service, though either version has an associated monthly fee. The notebook starts at the equivalent of about $620 in the UK, with monthly fees for the base models set at about $15, while the broadband-connected version has a $40 monthly fee. There is no indication of if or when the Alex will be offered in the US, though this is doubtful. [via Pocket-Lint]

By Electronista Staff