CherryPal Takes Orders for $249 Cloud PC

Low-cost, energy-efficient computer manufacturer CherryPal has begun to take orders for the CherryPal Desktop, a $249 book-size PC.The tiny unit, which was announced in June, consumes "as much power as a clock radio," says the company, "and because it has no moving parts, it operates without making a sound and will last 10 years or more." It comes with 256 MB of RAM, 4 GB of solid-state memory, WiFi, two USB ports, an Ethernet port, and VGA out. (Add your own monitor, keyboard, and mouse.)

It also works with the CherryPal Cloud, which offers 50 GB of storage per user and is also where the system's applications are stored. Currently offered applications include OpenOffice, iTunes, a CherryPal-brand media player, and a CherryPal-branded instant messenger that supports all common IM programs. The catch: the computer will display ads while applications are loading.

Units are expected to start shipping at the end of this month.The Register