Datawind Ubisurfer: 7-inch netbook with free internet access
July 10, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Datawind, who are the guys behind the popular PocketSurfer device, has announced its first entry into the netbook segment with the Ubisurfer. This device has a 7-inch screen with resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It is powered by an ARM processor and comes with 1GB of internal flash memory and 128MB of RAM. Whilst this sounds like a piddly amount of storage, it does have a SDHC memory card slot and Datawind also provides 25GB of online storage.
This latter point is quite important as the Ubisurfer comes with 30 hours of free internet access (via Wi-Fi or GPRS) per month for the first year. That seems like a super value proposition in our eyes. It means no matter where you are in the UK, you can get a very reasonable amount of internet access. Once you move into the second year of ownership, internet access will cost you £29.99 for the whole year, again very reasonable. For the heavy users out there, you can opt to have unlimited usage by paying £5.99 per month. You may be wondering how much it costs when roaming in Europe and the USA, well that will set you back 5p per minute.
The Ubisurfer comes with an embedded SIM, wireless data modem and LAN to provide a “desktop-like web experience for mobile devices”. It has teamed with Vodafone to offer the embedded SIM and GPRS modem. This means the Ubisurfer can be used anywhere a mobile phone signal is present. The CEO of Datawind, Suneet Tuli, said that it differs from other products on the market by having “no hidden costs, no wires and no contract”.
The Ubisurfer netbook comes in a piano black or rubberised matte finish, which should be good against fingerprint marks. It weighs just 700g and has a battery that should last around four hours. It comes with an unspecified Linux operating system with applications including web browsing, media player, email, PDF Viewer and XIP Office.
Okay, browsing the internet is likely to be slow compared to 3G. However, the UbiSurfer uses DataWind’s existing “web acceleration” system that renders the web page on their remote servers and then delivers an image of it over the GPRS connection. This means that browsing times should be much quicker, although on the downside, streaming video won’t be possible. The Ubisurfer is priced at a very reasonable £159.99 and is available now at Maplin retail stores and Ideal TV home shopping.
Datawind Ubisurfer Technical Specifications:
- 7” TFT – Wide screen display (800 x 480 pixels)
- 128MB Ram; 1GB Flash
- GPRS 900 Mhz, 1800Mhz with Embedded SIM Wireless LAN WiFi IEEE 802.11 b/g Ethernet Port 10MB
- Built-in microphone and duel speaker system Stereo Sound Earphone Jack
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Touchpad Mouse Pointer
- 700g/ 222 x 165 x 29.5 mm
- Push-Push SD card socket / 3x USB Ports/ 1 x Earphone/ 1 x Microphone/ 1 x Ethernet
- Datawind Web Browser, Calendar, Media Player, XIP Office (Word processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation) PDF Viewer, Email, Paint, Games.
Via Pocket-Lint.
October 10th, 2009 12:39 PM
Can I just ask,, Can I download itunes on ubisurfer?. Thnaks
December 5th, 2009 12:11 PM
how do i click @ for emails on surfer regards
May 2nd, 2010 4:49 AM
This is one of the recent slew of chinese made “netbooks” being made available. Surf for Alpha-400, Letux-400, RazorBook 3G etc and you’ll know what i mean.
Please note that in most cases the RAM is soldered to the the mainboard and an upgrade is difficult and tricky if not impossible. And for heavy internet users, programmers, and bloggers, I assure you, you’ll be outgrowing this tiny gadget very soon.
The thing this netbook needs to provide to be successful is:
1. Speed and Responsiveness
2. At least 256-512 MB of RAM
3. At least 4gb flash drive
4. Shouldnt be locked to one carrier (Vodafone)
5. Solar Panels on the lid (like iUnika Gyy)
6. At least 4-6 hours battery life
July 16th, 2010 3:53 PM
It all depends what you want this for guys, in my opinion. The Ubisurfer is never going to replace a main computer or even a laptop – it just isn’t capable. The keyboard takes some gettng used to but I can still type pretty fast even with my chunky fingers (I’m not a super skinny woman!)
I bought the Ubisurfer recently (the new DB-02 with Win CE) so I could work on Word documents on the move, eg in my favourite cafe or just in another room, as I hate being tied to my main computer for hours on end. Also to be able to surf the net when out and about on a basic level, including research (I’m an academic) I consider it to be working in conjunction with my main computer, not as a mobile replacement – more of an extra convenience.
I’m a heavy internet user and if you’re the same as me you need to be realistic about your needs and what this little gadget can do. There are still some things that are simply quicker on my main computer but it depends on the website in question. On the whole I can surf most things the same way, except for videos and online radio via GPRS. (Haven’t tried the Wifi yet but I believe you can access some media via this connection? Not sure…?)
I knew exactly what I wanted from it so I’m not disappointed – I really love my little friend lol 😉
I guess this is the best advice I can give for prospective buyers – be clear on exactly what you want from your netbook. If this one doesn’t do it, go for something else!
July 21st, 2010 8:06 PM
i want know that
For how many years does a user get a free Internet on this netbook??
What is the nationality of the person who heads Datawind??
How many models of this Netbook series are available currently??
What is the correct price of Ubisurfer??
Where is Datawind head-quartered??
July 29th, 2010 1:24 PM
Well i used the previous Linux model which was dog slow when using wifi and didnt support sreaming audio and You Tube vudeos played jerkily with an annoying tick and stuttery video. The unti used to take about 2 mins to boot up!
The new Windows CE version is a big improvement! Boot up now in about 8 secs
Streaming audio for radio is fine and good quality. You tube wont play at present as its needs a software update in the next few days Ubisurfer says .Office type programs work well too as does the new windows based media player so well worth getting the new DB02 Windows CE Model..
August 6th, 2010 1:55 PM
For those who believe that the 7″ netbook ARM CPU 8508 can not play youtube videos it CAN. Open Internet Explorer and type in http://www.youtube.com/xl
And that works perfectly. enjoy………
August 10th, 2010 2:56 PM
Can anybody tell me if u can download skype on the ubisurfer windows ce version
August 31st, 2010 10:50 AM
I would like delivery of the Ubisurfer which I paid for over 2 months ago !! I cannot believe that a company of Datawind’s standing should treat a customer in this manner.
I dare you to print this on your website comments !!
February 18th, 2011 10:36 PM
Thanks to Jenny and Mike Lee! Very good comments. I own the Pocketsurfer 2 since about 2 1/2 years and I love it. I do reading jornals, news and can do ebay and hotel reservation when I am outside. The datawund technique is much quicker then GPRS even it uses this network, and of course slower then UMTS. But we all know that.
I also have a normal WIN XP netbook and everyday and when I go on a trip for some days, I carry about 1,6 kg of weight with me. Finally I will now buy the UbiSurfer which has only 700 g weight! And I can edit some text and read PDF, do more comfortable browsing and reading on the bigger screen. Jennys Posting was really clear in that point. I analyzed my surfing in the web and I think in about 90 percent of all cases the Ubisurfer do the job well enough for me.
The newer Ubisurfer9 is maybe more designed well, but there is NO Ethernet adaptor. That is a point PRO the Ubisurfer 7, because (in Germany) in many Hotels the LAN (ethernet) is for free on the room, where WIFI costs up to 12 Euro – per hour! So eith Ubi7 I can use – beside datawind technology – the WIFI AND the LAN.
When I look at the price I think I can accept some disadvantages in comfort – cmopared to the expensive iPhones et.al.
March 7th, 2012 7:26 AM
i got this ubi surfer and it is just useless..doesnt allow any other net connections