Posts Tagged ‘netbooks’

Why do people buy netbooks?

Netbooks are laptops, only smaller, lighter and more affordable. It is also capable of doing most of the tasks you do on a full-sized laptops. And while it is capable of doing those things like Word processing, internet browsing and other basic computer tasks pretty well, it lacks performance on CPU intensive tasks that a regular laptop can do much better.

Netbooks are born in 2007, decades younger than laptops and personal computers. It was first introduced by Asus with their first generation EEE PC, which has 7″ screens, and at most 8GB storage. After its success, other manufacturing companies like Acer, Dell, HP and MSI followed the trend and all seems to be successful.

Then newer models were developed sporting different breeds of Intel Atom CPUs with higher storage capacities and RAM. There were also several netbooks created based on other architecture like ARM. It’s also now becoming a standard on netbooks to have at least 1GB RAM, 169 GB HDD and Intel Atom CPU. Screen size on netbooks have also been improved, and so far, the most common is 10″. This year, manufacturers like Asus and Gigabyte started touch-responsive screens for netbooks. (Gigabyte started earlier)

Sony and Apple are two large companies that hesitated to give a try on the netbook idea. They pretty much both waited for other manufacturers who are already in the bandwagon to discover mistakes before they finally bite the pie. Sony gave in, launching their Sony Vaio P, but still don’t want to call it a netbook just to say they are not jumping on the trend. And then they launch their ‘real netbook’ entry that is the Sony Vaio W. Apple on the other hand is firm on their decision to not give in and join the group, but there are rumors (that are closely true) lately, about their entry on the netbooks bandwagon that is the Apple Touch.

Along with this Netbook evolution are so many critics that keep comparing Netbooks to a full-sized laptop. To mobile phones and handhelds. And sometimes, even to full-sized desktops. Most laptops nowadays performs so much better than netbooks. They give you the speed you need in doing CPU hungry tasks. In return, it consumes battery faster as well, giving the netbooks the advantage. Most netbooks today can give you at least 6 hrs battery life in every single charge.

Recent news from Tech Crunch shows that Netbooks take a fifth of the pie in the market for all types of computer products shipped. I’m not saying I’m exactly correct but to me, the more netbooks being shipped means there’s also lots of netbook buyers. Why would you continue producing and shipping products if it’s not being sold out to customers?

Now let’s get back to my question. Why do people buy netbooks?

I think the answer is simple. It’s what they need. It’s small (but their getting bigger), it’s light, it connects to the internet, it has long battery life and it’s affordable. Not everyone needs to do extensive tasks like editing images in Photoshop or playing high-end games while on the road. Netbooks don’t have the best performance, but compared to your old laptop which some of you used to carry along in the pre-netbooks era, netbooks may have all the advantages. People buy netbooks just because the performance is enough to what they need. Laptops can perform better, but it’s like buying a sports car that goes beyond 300mph, and you just don’t have to drive that fast.

Disclaimer: These are just opinions coming from my empty mind. If you have something to say, just hit the comment section.

Windows 7 Draws the Future for Netbooks

Windows 7 RC1 has been out for a while and will expire license in a while as well. In March of 2010, Windows 7 will start thinking by itself and will make your laptop/netbooks reboot themselves after every 2 hours. Many users have tried and I like to try it too. One of the many features that Windows 7 offers is its great support for touchscreens. And while there’s not a lot of laptops and netbooks with touchscreen, why did Microsoft built Windows 7?

Apart from the touchscreen features, Windows 7 has a lot more to offer including fresh new look, more memory-friendly compared to Vista or XP, improved speed and responsiveness and most importantly, it runs very well on Atom-powered devices. Microsoft has announced stoppage of support for Windows XP but has been extended and extended and extended again. Right now, I don’t have any idea if it’s really gonna end.

Now, based from a report (Digitimes), touch panel makers are seeing netbook makers coming their way to order bulks of touchscreens for netbooks. They believe that netbook makers are going to utilize the touchscreen potential of Windows 7 and that’s pretty nice. Consumers will more likely shift to touchscreen netbooks soon, however, there will be a slight or maybe large increase in pricing. Touch panels costs $2.5 – $3 per inch, and while most netbooks today measures 10.1″ to 12″, you can do the math. Report also says that touchscreen panels might replace the current touchpad we use, though I think it’s bad idea.

When netbooks adopt touchscreen for good, I think there might as well be a battle of Android and Windows 7. Android shows a lot of potential as well when it comes to ‘touchscreen-ability’, at least in some mobile phones.

via Liliputing

FREE Memory Upgrade for EEE PC 1000HE when you buy from Accent Micro

There’s a gadget madness in Glorietta when I pass by yesterday. Several electronic retail stores participated including Electroworld, Silicon, Villman and Accent Micro.I happened to check out Accent Micro’s booth and asked about the 1005HA Seashell but they have no idea yet when it’s gonna arrive on their inventory.

Their best-selling netbook thus far is the Asus EEE PC 1000HE. They offer a FREE memory upgrade to 2GB when you purchase using your credit card. They sell the netbook at Php 22, 500 – 0% interest for 12 months. Still a bit pricey compared to some retailers who sell the same netbook at Php 19,700 cash-based.

The EEE PC 1000HE normally comes with 1GB of memory when you purchase and most of the times, you have to pay extra to avail an upgrade to 2GB. I purchased my Asus EEE PC 1000HE at the same store but they don’t offer the same promo yet. Well, no regrets.

Asus Eee PC 1000HE Price List

Store	Price [Php]	Comments
PC Corner	23,300	Old Price. Probably current card price.
PC Corner	19,700	Cash only, 1GB RAM
PC Corner	20,300	Cash only, 2GB RAM
Octagon	22,500	0% up to 12 months
Villman	22,500	0% up to 12 months
Cooltech Online	22,500
Lakay [TPC]	21,700
Gadgethouse [TPC]	19,999
Foxcom Gilmore	19,845	Upgraded to 2GB [Free]
Complink	22,500	0% up to 12 months
Accent Micro	22,500	0% up to 12 months, FREE upgrade to 2GB RAM
R-Sun	21,700	http://rsun.com.ph/view_item.php?item=UMP056

*Actual prices might change.
*Some prices are based on online search.

For Asus EEE PC 1000HE Full Specs, click here.

Netbooks Accessory: Logitec CD/DVD ROM Drive

We all know that one of the things that separate netbooks apart from regular laptops is the lack of optical disc drive. Though some netbooks like the EEE PC 1004DN already has. Now the main disadvantage of missing an optical drive is the ease of installing operating systems that are only available on discs. And not because you can always work it around with Live USB installers, we can’t deny that we miss optical disc.

Now Logitec is launching an external optical drive for netbooks. The device will cost $56 when it ships in October. There will be 3 flavors of black, silver and red as well. Unlike other external drives that comes in ‘push-push’ design, this one comes in a classic clamshell type. The device is also USB-powered.

The thing is, it won’t let you burn discs. The Logitec external drive is only capable of reading discs at maximum speed of 24x for CDs and 8x for DVDs.

Disney Netpal Netbook Reviewed

Netpal is a netbook created by the power of Disney and Asus. The netbook is basically a re-branded older generation Eee PC, which provides children-oriented fun and learning at the same time. Netpal will not be available until August, but some lucky folks like Coolbeans have already got their hands on one of the demo units and run a short review.

To learn more about the Design, UI and Parental Control feature, head over to Coolbeans.

The new HP Mini 5101 Netbook

HP is introducing the newest HP Mini 5101 to replace the HP Mini 2140. The new netbook packs Intel Atom N280, choice of SSD or HDD in different capacities, and supports up to 2GB memory. It also offers a 10.1″ screen in 1024 X 600 or 1366 X 768 resolutions. Another new feat is a 2.0 megapixel camera and the easy access to panel for RAM upgrade. Other specs such as the ports and wireless are pretty much standard.

The new design of the HP Mini 5101 targets the business consumers. It has a pretty aluminum casing, squared corners, chiclet style keyboard. Overall design is very interesting. I think it’s what I can call simple.

via Liliputing

HP Mini 5101 Basic Specs

CPU	Intel Atom N280 1.66 Ghz
Storage	80 GB or 128 GB SSD or a choice among 160 GB, 250 GB or 320 GB 7200rpm HDD
Display	1024 x 600 or 1366 x 768, 10.1 inches
Wireless	802.11a/b/g/n WiFi and an optional Gobi EV-DO/HSPA module
Webcam	2.0 megapixel
Operating System	Windows XP Home, XP Pro, Vista Home Basic, Vista Business, or SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11.