Variety is the spice of life, or so they say, but only if that spicy something tastes right on the tongue. Then again, perhaps being different is seemingly enough of a draw that local desktop and notebook manufacturer Red Fox has created the WizBook, specifically the 10-inch model.

                                              The RedFox WizBook. Yes, the battery protrudes from the main body.
 

As sub-notebooks / netbooks go, the Red Fox Wizbook’s claim to fame seems to be the 10-inch marvel of a screen, barring the imminent release of the Asus Eee 1000. This 10-inch LCD is backlighted by LEDs and features a quite high 1024 x 600 resolution – something unexpected in a sub P20k portable computer. Then again, this isn’t the only “unique” thing in the WizBook; unfortunately, the rest of the unique point are shading towards the negative side of the equation.

                                             The rear panel houses power-in and LAN port which both flank the battery.

Specifically, this same 10-inch screen comes with a larger than average chassis that seems to be an oversized netbook rather than a small laptop. This isn’t totally a minus, as most people put price in front of size and form-factor when shopping for a PC. Another unique feature is AMD’s Geode LX800 running at 500MHz – unique in the same way that the HP Mini-Note’s Via C7 processor is unique in the sense that I can’t think of any other commonly available device other than the OLPC that uses this same processor. Intel’s Atom on the other hand can be found in nearly all new netbook’s lineups. The reason for this is the Geode’s performance –meant for basic productivity, it falters when pit against multimedia tasks and anything more strenuous than an excel full-screen display.

                                             The WizBook is bigger than most netbooks, but smaller than most notebooks.

                                             Taking full advantage of the bigger chassis, the keyboard is a leap ahead of its smaller contemporaries.

To be fair, standard definition video plays back well, with no stutters or lost frames. Another open application like an internet browser, or even a word file, affects playback however. This is not helped by the unit’s 512MB of memory on the 10” model (the 8” model only has 256MB).  The build quality is a couple of notches below an Eee PC, let alone the solid goodness of an HP Mini Note. Plastics and buttons are somewhat clunky, and the whole netbook is a bit too heavy, especially compared to its contemporaries.

                                             Indicator lights hide behind a mirrored strip on the front-left portion of the palmrest.

                                             The smallish power button hides in the top right corner.

Not everything is doom and gloom however. What you get in exchange are little extras that ease the ownership experience – like a PCMCIA slot not usually found in netbooks, a good-sized keyboard that feels solid and responsive to the touch, a card reader, and a 6-cell battery. Everything mentioned before is mitigated by and goes back to the price and the WizBook’s intended target audience.  The P16k entrance point is thousands less than the competition – while offering the aforementioned 10” screen and small(ish) form factor. While the fit and finish is sub-par, there are at least no obvious marks or uneven joins on the body – not that I’d mind a few at this price point. Lastly, performance for the majority of applications for this netbook’s intended market – productivity, light media capabilities, and internet connectivity is more than adequate, and that’s all most of its users will ask for.

                                             The right side of the WizBook gives us a little surprise - a PCMCIA slot plus a Kensington lock.

                                             The left side contains standard connections like dual USB slots, VGA-out, card reader slot, and audio connectors.

If netbooks can become as popular today due to the discovery by the Asus Eee of a basic use requirements –versus-price ratio, then there is no reason for the WizBook to not create its own niche for those people who know what they need and does not want to spend more for performance left unused in environments meant for work rather than play – a whole new  variation of basic necessities and price that should appeal to the netbook user who only deals in the essentials.

                                              Dual speakers reside at the bottom front of the chassis.

                                              A rear view of the WizBook.