ARMdevices got their hands on the new Hivision PWS700CA which they claim is the cheapest Android netbook around. The specs of the device are not that impressive, but it is rumored to only cost $98. The device is based on a Rockchip RK2808 600mhz ARM926 processor, 128SDRAM, 7 inch 800×480 screen, 720p video playback support, WiFi, Ethernet, audio input/output and weights only 650grams.

It might be cheap, but how useful is it without the Android Market and a touch screen?

Engadget just found that HP has submitted a smartbook to the FCC for approval. The device is called the HP Compaq AirLife 100 and supports AT&T’s 3G bands. They speculate this AirLife 100 is the same smartbook from CES and we tend to agree with them. According to the FCC documents, the hardware was tested on January 5 which was the day before we got our hands on it at the Digital Experience party. We also know that AT&T is ready to commit to the Android platform with at least five smartphones already planned.

Google has yet to certify any netbooks or smartbooks for Android so this device could ship without the official Google Android apps. The demo unit we played with featured an alternative app store since HP was not allowed to include the official Android Market.

If this rumor turns out to be true, it will be interesting to see what price point AT&T would launch the smartbook. The tech demo we saw featured a Snapdragon processor and 10 inch resistive touch display, but a lot of the other specs remain unknown. Smartbooks are normally cheaper than top of the line smartphones, so it is possible we could see the AirLife 100 at a sub $99 price with 2 year contract.

Is anyone down for an Android smartbook with AT&T? Would you still be willing to purchase the device even if it’s not certified by Google and lacks their native Android apps? What is the top price you would be willing to pay for a gadget like this?

I’ve only had the netbook for about 24 hours, but here are some of my findings:

• Ships with a custom version of Android 1.5
• No Google apps or Android Market
• Includes a Firefox browser, which is actually Minefield (a trunk build from Mozilla)
• Camera application works with built in web cam

As we discussed on the last Androidguys podcast, my expectations were really low for the Android side of this netbook. I have only just begun using it and will post a full review in the coming days. However, my initial impression is that Acer did not put much work into customizing Android for a netbook. We know Google has decided to go with Chrome OS for netbooks, so this might be one of the few Android netbooks that you can actually purchase.

Check out the video and leave any comments, questions, or requests you would like me to address in the full review.

Amazon.com is currently offering the Acer AOD250-1613 for $349.99.

I’ve been waiting to buy a netbook for a long time and this looks like it will be my first purchase. The Acer Aspire dual boots Android and Windows XP so users can quickly jump back and forth between different operating systems.

This netbook will make the perfect companion for any user with an Android phone. On our recent trip to California, we had Clark’s netbook tethered to his T-Mobile myTouch 3G and it saved the day multiple times.

Technical details include:

• 1.66GHz Intel N280 Atom Processor
• 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM Single Channel Memory
• 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM), 802.11b/g Wireless
• 10.1″ WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite LED Display, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Dual Boot Operating Systems: Android or Windows XP Home, 6-cell Li-ion Battery (5800 mAh)

Pre-order the Acer AOD250 from Amazon.com before they sell out.

The sleekly designed Aspire One AOD250 weighs just 2.79 pounds.

It is pretty amazing that Acer can offer this Android netbook for $349.99. That price is $100 cheaper than the new T-Mobile Cliq phone which sells for $449.99 with no contract.