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OCZ rolls out do-it-yourself Neutrino netbook

by Parm Mann on 31 March 2009, 12:52

Tags: Neutrino, OCZ (NASDAQ:OCZ)

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Meet the OCZ Neutrino, an Intel Atom-based ultra portable that offers a unique take on the netbook form factor.

Shipping to retail now and priced at around $269, this here is what OCZ is calling a "DIY mobile solution". In the box, you'll find the barebones of a 10.1in netbook system, to which you'll add components of your choice. Useful, then, for those who enjoy building their own PCs.

Trouble is, OCZ's Neutrino - despite having launched just yesterday - is already looking a little tired. Inside its shell it sports a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor and 945GSE chipset - as opposed to the newer N280 and GN40 combo.

Along with that, you'll get a 10.1in LED screen that provides a 1,024x600 resolution, stereo speakers, VGA out, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, a pair of USB ports, a built-in webcam and a four-cell battery.

Those are the included basics, and users will then be able to complete building the system by installing their choice of system memory, storage, and an operating system, too. According to OCZ, the Neutrino can be configured with up to 2GB of DDR2 memory, and a 2.5in hard drive or solid state drive offering up to 250GB of storage capacity.

It's a novel idea, but, sadly, the Neutrino is arguably one of the ugliest netbooks we've ever seen. Just take a look at it from the side:

Measuring a chunky 27mm at its thickest point, it does little to conceal its width and whilst we continue to enjoy the theory of DIY portables, this is one that just isn't tickling our fancy.

Official press release: OCZ Technology Introduces the Neutrino Netbook, the Latest Solution in their Award-Winning DIY Initiative

HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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Posted by scaryjim - Tue 31 Mar 2009 13:57
27mm isn't *that* thick - sure it's a little bit more than we've come to expect, but my HP PDA was 27mm thick once you put it in it's provided soft rpotective case, and it still slips into my pocket. I don't think that's the deal breaker. The real problem is surely that it's the same old Atom + 945 chipset.

Besides, once you add up the cost of hard drive and memory, plus the huge cost of Vista or XP if you're having to buy retail, it's gonna have to cost less than £150 to make it economically viable against just buying a preconfigured netbook…
Posted by Cozwin - Tue 31 Mar 2009 14:11
sort of pointless unless its cheap, comes with sort of old hardware and really not that much customizable.
Posted by this_is_gav - Tue 31 Mar 2009 14:17
scaryjim
27mm isn't *that* thick - sure it's a little bit more than we've come to expect
Indeed - the MSI Wind U100 is 36mm when closed (despite them stating 32mm), and it's a pretty average size for netbooks.

It's just not a very flattering side-picture. It makes it look huge, which it just isn't.
Posted by Pob255 - Tue 31 Mar 2009 15:35
27mm isn't thick at all for a netbook, that thiner than my eeepc 901 which is 30mm

I agree it's not massively pretty, the use of dark gray matte plastic and glossy black plastic doesn't work very well.

While yes it seem to be the standard atom & p945 chipset but that's shown as a good and cheap combo for netbooks, it would be nice if there were other motherboards & cpu's available as long as OCZ can keep the same layout of connectors and sockets then there is the possibility of upgrade potential there.

All told it looks like OCZ have bought a load of OEM units and have just stuck their logo on them and are selling them on.
Posted by chrestomanci - Wed 01 Apr 2009 11:38
Unless the barebones system is really cheap, I just don't see the point. The only components you can costomise are the memory and hard drive. I think in general you would be better off buying a normal netbook and the upgrading the the hard drive or memory as required.