What progress by those who had broken the canons of netbook offering 299 $ a single computer, but very focused use. A few months later and following a survey of European consumers, Hercules returns with this netbook which revisited, explains Christopher Urbanik marketing manager at Hercules, follows three main areas: philosophy ECAF around simplicity and uses, design and price.

Custom design, at first glance, the pupil is irresistibly attracted to the “screen” flower, which is reminiscent of some big names in fashion. And it is not an ordinary sticker, but a particular process, in Mold. The drawing is made hot on the hood and covered with a transparent layer. In terms of color, light blue very nice to look at, which are suitable to a male audience, and female.

Opening the hood reveals a keyboard type “Chiclets,” which provides a very comfortable writing for messaging fanatics. A differentiating advantage over competitors carrying a traditional keyboard. Another good point, the 6-cell battery installed and removed very easily and the option of a 9-cell battery does not unsightly protuberance on the back of the computer.

Hercules admits to having changed direction on a point, of the screen. The floor gives way to dull a glossy 10”. Market forces are impenetrable and reflections have become a “modus vivendi” of all technophiles. This screen is surmounted by a webcam.

Further specifications, in amount in the range of design, it was likely that the specifications would also evolve from old ECAF. Processor side, the Hercules EC-1000W trusts the Intel Atom N270 clocked at 1.6 GHz. It is backed by 1GB of RAM. The storage-hungry they will be delighted to learn will have a 250GB hard drive. The manufacturer also want to add 50 GB of online storage.

Side connections, there are classics in configurations netbooks, 3 USB ports, a VGA port, 1 RJ45 port and a multiformat card reader. The headphone and microphone complete the package. The connectivity aspect is provided by Wi-Fi that comes with the sauce N, ie the fastest on the market today. Some regret the lack of Bluetooth link to exchange with other devices such as mobile phones or some MP3 players.

Uses as difference, This part could have been treated earlier in this article, both the practice and ease of use are in the DNA of Hercules. The oldest of us may remember a small USB key that allowed a few clicks to connect a Livebox with a PSP and later with a PS3. More recently, the first ECAF seduced by the simplicity of the icons that lead directly to specific applications.

The Hercules EC-1000W is no exception to this rule by providing, under Windows 7 starter (and yes, finally Windows XP) links to the most-used “web surfing, messaging and chat,” says Christopher Urbanik. And that starts by connecting to the Internet through ECAF Connect, a small software that will facilitate the connection between your computer and your cubicle.

Another application, messaging, where Hercules goes for multi-account with always a very simple setup. By clicking on the icon ECAF Email Center, you provide your name, your password and the software takes care of other settings in your email account.

The tool is very useful to juggle between the public and the professional world. Finally, the application ECAF Webcam Station demonstrates the expertise of Hercules in the field, screenshot, remote viewing websites or video. It’s missing a tool grip distance into the darling of older surfers, sometimes bewildered by the complexity of computing. Finally, a last icon called ECAF Update Manager will provide access to various software updates and Netbook.

To say that Hercules did not wait on the netbook market is an understatement. Nevertheless, for its first test, the French manufacturer has not ashamed of its competitors.

The eCAFE is small and really light. With less than a kilogram on the scales, one can thus walk around without being really embarrassed and even raise his hand. Certainly it is a little thick but it does not kick up a fuss because it is necessary to bring all components into a small chassis while keeping the price very content. For it is one that has imposed limits Hercules does not exceed 300 euros whatever happens. The eCAFE has been designed with, among others, that goal.

The finish of the eCAFE is very neat as evidenced by the battery does not suffer any game, or a solid screen hinge that provides the right amount of resistance. The latter also houses the power button like the new range of Sony Vaio for example. Hercules has not forgotten the look by dressing seduction of a shell lacquer that gives it a certain stamp. For the price, the eCAFE plays in the big leagues.

Opening the screen eCAFE, we find the same care taken in finishing with rigid plastic well. It’s the same for the keyboard that does not sink during the seizure. A good point when we know that some models more than 1,000 euros are not. Nevertheless, the keyboard has small keys, some are downright tiny, such as navigation arrows or “Ctrl and Alt. Clearly, if you do not have long slender fingers, you do not venture to take your memories with eCAFE which anyway is not made for that.

The touchpad is also the eCAFE small but it filled out its task as it is accompanied by two beautifully lacquered buttons for the mouse. On the left is the lights including the charging, the activation of WiFi or the hard drive status.

The connection of the eCAFE is classic and goes to the essentials. We thus find a VGA output on the left edge and catch microphone and headphones not forget food. Note that it is ensured by a small charger very compact and very easy to carry. The rest of the connection takes place on the edge of the left with the Ethernet jack (RJ45), two USB ports and card reader SD / MS / MMC.
Of course the WiFi 802.11 is de rigueur (g standard) to connect wireless unless equipped with a USB 3G/3G optional. By default, the WiFi is disabled whenever the eCAFE is off. Just a combination of Fn and F1 to reactivate unless you change this setting in the advanced settings.

A digital sensor is integrated above the screen for videoconferencing and a small microphone is also present in the left frame of the screen. Data storage is provided by a comfortable 20-GB hard disk if it is not enough, remember that Hercules will propose shortly an online extra 30GB on the portal eCAFE. To access it, it will enter his user name and password and it will not be accessible otherwise with his eCAFE. One way to Hercules ensure optimal bandwidth and avoid abuse, the idea being not to compete with the specialists of online storage.

On the unit test we gave Hercules the hard drive had a tendency to make a slight hissing noise quite disturbing in the long run. After verification, this defect did not affect other eCAFE. In any case no concern, the manufacturer has thought of everything with telephone support seven days a week or by mail.

Here is the big brother of Hercules eCAFE EC800: the EC900. This version embeds a 8.9 inch Intel Atom processor, a 60GB hard drive and 512 MB of RAM. Next operating system, Linux is the choice of manufacturer with, once again, a revised and corrected to provide a simple interface like its predecessor. Handling, Ergonomics. The 8.9-inch models are more consistent with the original spirit of netbooks than 10 inches. However, the ease of use that they lead, especially on the part of text input is often much worse. Compared to its predecessor, the jump in ease of use is not clear. The keyboard is small and must instead turn to the side of the screen (see sidebar) to appreciate the difference. The touchpad is quite large and left click buttons right below the edge of marrying the hull for maximum use of space. A note on a table, the netbook is slightly tilted due to the battery that raises the product at the screen. In the version tested, we noted a slight noise, but sharp and permanent probably comes from the hard disk. We hope that this comes from our test model and it is not widespread in this model.

The webcam image is pale and lack of energy. Level sound, the voices are slightly muffled. The presence of the microphone from the keyboard is not necessarily the best idea because it captures very well strikes the keys. To use it in conversation courier, you must install software other than the one provided. Pidgin is not compatible with webcam conversations, you must look to amsn, for example. On the slices of the unit include: 3 USB, 1 RJ45, 1 VGA (output up to 1920×1200 pixels), 2 mini-jack and a multiformat memory card reader. The speakers are more powerful than the average, and they even offer a job on the bass. They are less absent than on other models. However, this is a fallback. We insist on the usual helmet for a real appreciation of sound.

Under the netbook, two stickers warn about opening doors. If they are broken or removed, the guarantee jumps. Two screws and two stickers later, you can access – at your own risk – the hard disk and RAM. Calculations. Here, Intel made its entry with the Intel Atom. This processor, used in many models, gives a boost to the machine and greatly accelerates manipulation. This does not make much of a beast race. File transfers, for example, from an external hard drive is slower. They leveled off at 17.4 MB / s Read more cons than 20 MB / s for the fastest. Should we blame here 512 MB RAM 1 GB cons for XP version? That said, the components are powerful enough to run applications installed on the machine. No need for a quad core to run a software text entry or a movie.



The extra power has allowed the revision of Hercules graphics in its interface. They are much nicer here. On the other hand, the manufacturer has focused effort on developing Linux drivers for its turntables DJ (currently only compatible with Windows) for use in mobility with its netbooks. A hard drive capacity, add a space of 30 GB available free for 1 year on Hercules server secure online storage. At the time of testing, this service was not running and we could not measure the flow of copying and reading files. Beyond the first year, this service will be offered at 30 euros per year.

Hercules launches its first netbook called the eCAFE. Born under the star of recreation and relaxation, this model offers two eight-inch key arguments: excellent battery life and weighing less than 1 kg to achieve this performance, the manufacturer has with the AMD Geode whose operating frequency and consumption are both significantly lower than the Intel Atom. The operating system chosen for this machine is a Linux distribution Mandriva, which Hercules has added a layer of software very easy to use. Handling, Ergonomics. The hull of the product is two-tone taupe and champagne (mat on top, shiny beneath and behind). The set is solid and does not crack under pressure. The keys are quality. They respond well to pressure and do not worry about their life. Be careful, they are considerably smaller than those keyboards models 10 inches as the Akoya Mini, for example. Several of them, like the keys “m” “” “” are resized to a size even smaller, which requires surgical precision. The touchpad is small and the keys left and right click are chrome. It’s nice, however, fingerprints are inevitable.

The interfaces on either side of the machine meet the minimum: two USB, one RJ45 (network), 1 VGA and 2 mini jack (microphone and headphones). A card reader, Multi (SD / SDHC / MMC / MS) has also found its way on the right of the device. Its transfer speed is moderate (2 times slower than the Medion Akoya) and we only managed to copy information from a memory card (not write). We were unable to fully test the 0.3 megapixel webcam integrated. The reason is the incompatibility of the Pidgin instant messaging software with video chat. To remedy this problem, it will look to alternatives such as aMSN, emesene or Ekiga. These apps have not been selected by Hercules for problems related to the legitimacy of the code used. The maximum volume of the integrated speakers netbook is only sufficient for a single person in a quiet environment. Otherwise, prefer the headset for listening better.

Calculations. The processor is produced by eCAFE AMD. Its consumption and frequency are well below the Intel Atom. It enables Hercules to propose a machine largely free and completely passive (no fan). The downside comes when launching applications and video. The machine is generally very slow. The CPU utilization bar (shown in bottom right of the taskbar) happens very often at its maximum limit. The boot time (initialization netbook) was measured at 50 seconds. If you add to that the activation of Wi-Fi (not enabled by default to save battery), you arrive at 1min30s for internet access. Play. Hercules offers a default set of games on the type of breakout eCAFE, reflection (sudoku). To complement this range, the manufacturer has signed an agreement with Gameloft to suggest additional titles for download to 3 euros each.



Mobility, autonomy. It is truly the highlight of this netbook. The manufacturer announced 3:15 minute video playback with speaker on and the brightness in half. We conducted our standard procedure luminsoité 100 cd / m² and a headset connected.