Hercules eCAFE EC-800-H20G S
Written by Lee
As always has been the approach of the manufacturers, laptops were planned, made and marketed for the sole use of business or work but for the first time, something delightful has occurred for the leisure users and that’s the Hercules eCAFE EC-800-H20G S. allowing the users to watch videos as long as 3 hours and even more and giving you the freedom to download or update softwares from the net without any fits and starts, Hercules eCAFE EC-800-H20G S is an answer to all our prayers!
Design Build
Light weight and slim, Hercules eCAFE EC-800-H20G S is a pleasant contrast to its own name! However, the strength of the netbook is observed through its outstanding efficiency and design build. Having a solid structure with glossy exterior and sobered up interior, this laptop is available in two colours; light grey and champagne gold.
Keyboard and Touch pad
An 80 key keyboard and a Touch pad are well adjusted on the elfin 8” body. Though, many of the keys on the right hand side of the keyboard are reduced in size to adjust them which creates a problem in typing. Nonetheless, the keys are responsive as compared to other smaller laptops available. The touchpad is also small and stylish with the right and left click buttons in chrome. It works well but can be easily spoiled by finger prints.
Screen
An 8″ LED-backlit LCD screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600 or 800 x 480 pixels provides excellent imaging and makes video watching and browsing a real pleasure. The large plastic case around the screen however can be included in the display area so that the “cramped feeling” could have been gotten rid of. One positive point about the screen is that it is matt finished so it does not reflect in bright light… a problem frequently encountered in laptops.
Processor Performance
Using the AMD Geode Processor rather than the famous Intel Atom processor, the size is definitely condensed and the power is lowered but is found to be more energy efficient. This gives Hercules eCAFE EC-800-H20G S an improvised battery life and does not require any fan to cool the processor down, since passive cooling can do the job well. The machine comes into action within 50 seconds of turning the switch on and in case of default setting when the Wi-Fi is switched off to save the power, you will require 90 seconds to get online.
Videos and Still Images
Though an extended battery life allows you to watch movies and videos but larger files or higher bitrate files will slow the eCAFE system down. Video playbacks as well as still images are sometimes plagued by strange marks or random horizontal lines which may be a slight deformation but is not at all ignorable. At maximum brightness, the screen has an area of 215 cd/m², with blacks at 0.29 cd/m² and a contrast of 741:1.
Hardware Connectivity
The netbook allows USB connections through two ports given for the purpose. There is an Ethernet port, a VGA output and a Mini jack in and out for connecting headphones and an external microphone. There is also a slot for memory card readers. Headphones would be required in case you want to work or watch (as you may like it !) in a noisy room. Even with full volume, the audio is just fine for a single person sitting alone in a quiet room. Also available is a 0.3 mega pixel web cam integrated in the system.
Sotware Support and Upgrades
Now, users can download and update as well as support softwares compatible with the Linux distribution from the net easily through the online portal Hercules has adopted. From October 2008 onwards, an extra 30GB online storage capacity is also available just for your benefit.
Battery Life and Portability
With 50% brightness, the Hercules eCAFE EC-800-H20G S has a battery life of 3hrs and 15 min when watching a video with speakers. A 188g charger and itself feather light netbook, it is a quiet portable deal. So feel free to take this little fellow with you on outdoor trips and enjoy without the fear of power failiure.
Hercules eCAFE EC-800-H20G S Laptop Specs
Weight: 980g
Processor: AMD Geode LX 800
Memory: 512MB DDR RAM
1 multiformat card reader (SD/SDHC/MMC/MS)
Internet Connectivity: Ethernet 10/10
WiFi 802.11 b/g
Display: 8″ LED-backlit LCD screen (1024×600 interpolated)
Built-in Features:
Integrated touchpad
Integrated 300,000 pixel webcam
Integrated microphone
Audio input and output
Integrated stereo speakers
USB Interface: 2 USB ports
Accessories:
1x Power cable
3x high-quality customization stickers
1x Quick Start Guide in English
1x Complete instructional manual in PDF format
1x Power adapter 100-240V, 50/60Hz
1x 4000 mAh battery (4 cells)
Hi,
I keep finding details i English (like your) on the ecafe EC-800-H20G. But, can’t seem to find a retailer for one with an English user shell. I currently have one with a German keyboard, but with a (re-installed) French user shell (German sinks in slower!). The downside is that the keyboard is all wrong. An English keyboard is quite similar to one German. What I really need is the English user shell but Hercules says that it is not available: Can you give me any advice/help?
Many thanks in advance!!
I would like to know ,how can i have some information about the ecafe EC-800-h20g cause i lost my key number ,and i have to have some cd or dvd with some information of the ecafe. But i don’t have!
can you please send me the cd or some key number that i could use to make it work again with my computer!!
Thank you.