Best Netbook
All You Need To Know About The Best Netbooks
Intels App Store for Atom Netbooks
Jan 20th
If you have an Atom based netbook, Intel has something nice in store for you! Soon there will be an iPhone App Store like store for netbooks as well.If you have an Atom based netbook, Intel has something nice in store for you! Soon there will be an iPhone App Store like store for netbooks as well.
Intel has started accepting entires from developers for its upcoming application store. There you will find a collection of free and paid applications, and netbook users will be able to download software with ease.
One of the best things to come of this will be that the software will be comparitively safer, since it will go through Intel’s review process. You can then rest assured that any appliaction you download will not be laced with malware.
Since the applications are being designed specifically for low powered netbook Computers, they are sure to run better on them, since developers will already be aware of the constraints within which they have to work.
The licensing and updates of such application will also be centrally managed making it easier for you to focus on using them rather than updating them or conifuring licenses.
All the usual advantages that you find on stores like the iPhone App Store and Nokia Ovi store will also be presenr. Such as being able to browse popular and highly rated applications, and being able to view the comments from other users.
Intel will have the application store for both their own Moblin Linux, and Windows.
If you have an Atom based netbook, Intel has something nice in store for you! Soon there will be an iPhone App Store like store for netbooks as well.
http://www.google.com
Intels App Store for Atom Netbooks
What to look for when shopping for a netbook
Jan 20th
The netbook is one of the most appealing gadgets in the market because it can equally meet the needs of students and businessmen. Being a new phenomenon that is loved by anyone looking for mobile Internet-based apps, netbooks are designed for users looking to access Internet, email, instant messaging and video chat on the go. Featuring Wi-Fi and mobile broadband cards to access the internet and offering the ability to edit and create MS Office documents, netbooks are the new hyper-trend of mobile users.
As an overwhelming collection of low-cost but highly portable and efficient netbooks is offered by chief companies like HP, Acer, Asus, Dell and Lenovo, consumers are often confused on the factors that determine a good netbook after all.
Here are some helpful tips that could help you decide on what to look for when shopping for a netbook:
a) Operating System
Netbooks come with several options, usually Linux variants, Windows XP or Windows Vista, and each OS has its own features. For instance, Linux variants are cheaper, easier to use, usually loaded with an instant-messaging client and open-source software. Windows Vista are more complex, slower systems and have difficult memory requirements. Windows XP are typically the most reliable and efficient system to use and the system that most users go with.
b) Memory
Netbooks are well known for having low RAM because of their small size and light weight. However, settling for less than 1GB of RAM is not an option. 1GB of more of DDR2 RAM is enough for running Internet-based apps and enjoying optimum performance. Besides, the higher the memory, the faster the netbook performs.
c) Screen
There are many netbooks that feature 7″ or 8″ screens, but also 9″ or 10″ screens. However, the important attribute here is that users can read the data displayed on the screen. Typically, this is feasible with a 10″ screen with 1,024 x 600 pixels resolution.
d) Keyboard Layout
Netbooks can greatly vary in their keyboards. Although typically, the keyboard is the 92% of the full size, some netbooks have a smaller keyboard that is the 88% of a full size keyboard. Some others have a full size keyboard, but they may have a totally different layout such as keys positioned differently etc. So before you decide on the netbook, make sure the keyboard is user-friendly.
e) Hard Drive
Usually, a 5,400 rpm HDD (Hard Disk Drive) offers more capacity and a better write performance than the SSDs (Solid-State Drive) that are offered in most netbooks. However, the SSD equipped netbooks boot up considerably faster than those that use HHD and their battery lasts for at least an extra hour. Besides, apps on the SSD launch almost instantly, while on the HDD it takes some extra time to perform the same tasks. Therefore, for users who need quick access on the move SDD is the best choice, although they are more expensive than the HDDs.
f) Battery
Settling for anything less than a six-cell battery is not an option because 3 or 4-cell batteries may save the user a fair amount of money, but the netbook will have only 2 or 3 hours of endurance with proportionate screen brightness and wireless use. With a 6-cell battery, endurance will be up to 6-7 hours.
g) Portability
Portability is also important. Netbooks that weigh less than 5.5LBS are considered ultra portable. These are small and light-weight netbooks, but heavy in price. Although they feature smaller keyboard and screen, ultra-portable netbooks operate with the latest operating system. For instance, HP’s 2133 Mini-Note PC runs with Windows Vista, has a 120GB hard drive and 2GB of storage and comes at a retail price of $800, which is much more expensive than the average price of a netbook which is $500.
Overall, for users who love portable PCs, netbooks are a great investment. Besides, for light-duty use like writing emails, creating documents and surfing the Internet to keep in touch with what’s happening online, netbooks are excellent devices, something between a laptop and a BlackBerry or iPhone. Most experts recommend purchasing a netbook with Windows XP OS, 10″+ screen that natively supports 1,024 x 600 pixels resolution, a built-in web cam, multi media card reader, and built-in wireless.
http://www.google.com
What to look for when shopping for a netbook
The top brands of netbooks
Jan 20th
Netbooks are quite popular devices and have swept the market. Being really small and much more powerful than the earliest types of computers, netbooks are, in effect, low-cost but highly portable and efficient little laptops. Costing from $300 to $1,000 and weighing less than 1kg, netbooks come typically with a 9″ or 10″ diagonal screen and tighter keyboards than usual laptops and are called netbooks because they are primarily used for browsing the Internet and sending emails.
Currently, the top-five brands of netbooks in terms of price, performance, and ergonomics are the following:
a) ASUS Eee PC S101
Being a sleek and slim device, the Eee PC S101 is targeting mainly fashionistas rather than high-tech users. Although it remains a value-offer netbook, even savvy consumers cannot find it under the barrier of $750 (Source: asia.cnet.com, 1).
ASUS claims the S101 is designed as a “glossy fashion magazine” featuring a finest finish and glossy axis. Besides, the S101 comes in Champagne, Graphite or Brown color and is definitely the most fashionable netbook in the market at the moment.
Besides its fashionable appearance, the S101 does his job perfectly thanks to its Windows XP operating system, Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, and has a 16 GB SSD (solid-state drive) and 1GB of DDR2 RAM. Moreover, the device features a 4-in-1 flash card reader supporting MMC, SD, Memory Stick and MS-PRO and 30GB of Eee Storage, which is ASUS’ Internet storage providing a free online space to store and share files.
The ASUS Eee PC S101 comes with a 10.2″ screen that natively supports 1024×600 pixels resolution. It also supports a built-in Bluetooth 2.0 and 802.11n Wi-Fi, a VGA webcam, a D-Sub port, three USB 2.0 ports, 10/100 Ethernet, headphone and microphone jacks.
Even if you don’t go for the S101, the Eee PC family can offer you a lot of options that can definitely meet your needs. Smaller or bigger screens; slimmer designs; longer battery life; higher performance; more storage space; it’s all there.
b) Lenovo Y510-300 IdeaPad
The Lenovo Y510-300 IdeaPad is sparkly. Starting from its highly reflective 15.4″ WXGA LCD screen that natively supports 1280×800 pixels resolution to its touch-sensitive control panel and metal palm edges, the Y510-300 is a slim and elegant netbook that cannot but attract the fashionistas.
Besides, the Y510-300 features a an Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz processor, a 250GB SATA drive, 2GB of DDR2 RAM (upgradeable to 4GB), an NVIDIA GeForce 8600M graphics card and built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam with microphone. Moreover, the device features a DVD re-writer supporting dual-layer burning, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/n, 3 USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire connection, VGA and S-Video output, a modem jack, an Ethernet port capable of 10/100 speeds, an Express Card slot, and a 6-in-1 card reader supporting MMC, MS, MS Pro, SD, SD Pro and xD cards.
The Lenovo Y510-300 IdeaPad combines unique design, exceptional performance and universal recognition at a retail price of $1,493 (Source: asia.cnet.com, 2).
c) HP Mini 1000
HP was one of the first players to join the netbook revolution. Particularly, HP Mini 1000 is a revolution on its own as it features MS Windows XP Home operating system, Intel Atom 1.6 GHz Processor, 60 GB HDD and 1GB of DDR2 RAM. Besides, it comes with a 10.2″ screen that natively supports 1024×600 pixels resolution, an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, a built-in Bluetooth 2.0 and 802.11n Wi-Fi.
The Mini 1000 was primarily targeting elementary school kids, but it was kind of expensive at $749. Today, it appeals to anyone looking for a general purpose, ultra-handy, value netbook suitable for light-duty office and Internet tasks.
The HP Mini 1000 comes at a retail price of $426 (Source: asia.cnet.com, 3).
d) LG X110
The LG X110 would be an ordinary netbook featuring a 10″ screen that natively supports 1024×600 pixels resolution, Windows XP Home operating system, Intel Atom 1.6 GHz Processor, 160GB HDD and 1GB of DDR2 RAM. Moreover, it features a built-in 1.3-megapixel Web cam, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, and an integrated Bluetooth adaptor that allows you to connect your cell phone to the netbook without cables.
What makes the X110 exceptional though is the fact that it features an optional integrated 3G modem. This means that all you have to do to surf on the Internet is launching the Wireless Manager software and press the “connect” button.
The LG X110 comes at a retail price of $782 (Source: asia.cnet.com, 4).
e) Acer Aspire One ZG5
Similar to the ASUS Eee family, Acer Aspire One ZG5 comes in fashionable colors including pink and bronze and it’s slim, featuring practical ergonomics. Weighing less than 1kg, the ZG5 comes with 8.9″ screen that natively supports 1024×600 pixels resolution.
Besides, the ZG5 features a Linux operating system (although Windows XP Home is also an option), Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, 160GB HDD and 512 MB of DDR2 RAM. Moreover, the device features three USB 2.0 ports, 2 SD slots, a D-Sub port, a 10/100 Ethernet port, a built-in webcam, speakers and audio ports.
Acer Aspire One ZG5 comes at a retail price of $749.
These are the top-five netbooks in the market for the moment. Of course, the list is not exhaustive, nor comprehensive. There are users who prefer Toshiba or Sony, but, the truth of the matter is that, for instance, Toshiba NB100 is heavy, uncomfortable, old-fashioned and expensive at $700 (Source: apcmag.com, 5). On the other hand, Sony Vaio is always a reliable solution, but starting price is at $780 (Source: www.mysimon.com, 6). So, at the end of the day, it’s matter of personal choice. The good news is there are plenty of alternatives.
Sources
1. http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/notebooks/0,39050491,44121890p,00.htm?compare_with=44121890&checklist=44121890+44821154+44866932+44217737&compare_page=popular
2. http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/notebooks/0,39050491,42835198p,00.htm?compare_with=42835198&checklist=42835198+44821154+44866932+44217737&compare_page=popular
3. http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/notebooks/0,39050491,44635506p,00.htm?compare_with=44635506&checklist=44635506+44821154+44866932+44217737&compare_page=popular
4. http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/notebooks/0,39050491,44366122p,00.htm?compare_with=44366122&checklist=44366122+44821154+44866932+44217737&compare_page=popular
5. http://apcmag.com/toshiba_nb1000_say_no_to_this_netbook.htm
6. http://www.mysimon.com/prices/sony-vaio-vgn-p610-q-netbook-1.33ghz-intel-atom-z520-1gb-ddr2-80gb-hdd-windows-xp-8-lcd
http://www.google.com
The top brands of netbooks