Why Netbooks Are Given a Bad Name
Maybe it’s just the nature of the beast. Maybe companies are jealous of each other, but netbooks are getting bad names in an industry that is struggling overall to grow. The notebook market has been stale for months and no real end is in sight. But netbooks are selling big time and still get a bad name from bloggers, a few analysts, and even some tech companies. There is no question that netbooks are not as powerful as regular laptops. They are not designed to be super powerful. If you want to put Maya or 3D studio on a netbook, it’s going to crash on you. But that doesn’t take away from the overall merits, especially when it comes to top netbooks. For a college student and business individual, a netbook has a lot to offer.
CULV laptops are going to be a big challenge for netbooks, but these two gadgets can coexist. Netbooks are designed specifically for folks who are looking for an ultra portable laptop that is super cheap as well. These laptops are energy efficient as well. CULV laptops are going to be more expensive but more powerful. So the audience for these devices are a bit different, even though they are not mutually exclusive.
Netbooks were never designed to be super powerful, but they are recession friendly, and maybe that’s why the market is growing fast. With the recession expected to continue for the foreseeable future, the netbook market will only grow. The good news is that consumers are going to have a lot of options when it comes to portable laptops. That means the pressure will be both on laptop and netbook makers to make devices that people want to actually buy. Netbooks may get a bad name for their performance these days, but as the market matures, there will be better, more powerful, and more energy efficient netbooks. Who knows what the future holds but netbooks are here to stay, for now anyways.
Asus Eee PC T91 Now Shipping
Asus has been working on touchscreen netbooks for a while now, so it’s no surprise to hear all kinds of stories about Asus 101H tablet/netbook device and Asus’ plans for future models. But if you are looking for a tablet/netbook hybrid, you don’t have to wait too much as Asus T91 is already shipping. Asus’ latest netbook not only is portable and energy efficient, but it also allows you to use it as a tablet on the go. You can jot down your notes and navigate with your stylus during your meetings or inside a subway train.
Here is what you get with Asus Eee PC T91:
- Display: 8.9-inch Gloss LED-Backlit WSVGA touch screen (1024×600)
- CPU: Intel Atom Z520
- Wireless Data Network: WLAN 802.11b/g/n (draft 2.4GHz n) and Bluetooth2.1 + EDR
- Memory: 1 GB DDR2 SO-DIMM (upgradeable up to 2 GB)
- Storage: 52 GB Hybrid Storage (16 GB SSD + 16 GB SD Card + 20 GB Eee online Storage for 18 months).
- Camera: 0.3 Megapixel
- Audio: Stereo Speakers, Hi-Definition Audio CODEC, Digital Array Microphone
- Battery: Li-Polymer Battery, 5-hours
- Weight: 2.11lbs (with battery)
Asus Eee PC T91 Tablet Netbook is a decent hybrid netbook that lets you get things done with the power of the touch. I am personally not a big fan of tablets as they usually perform much worse than advertised. PC T91 netbook is not for everyone. If you are looking for a super performer, you may want to look at other top netbooks. But if your a small business manager or a student hoping to do your homework on your laptop, Eee PC T91 comes in handy.
More Apple Netbook Rumors
The Apple netbook rumors refuse to go away. For months people have been speculating about Apple working on a netbook to enter a market that is expected to grow even more in the near future. Steve Jobs has said in the past that Apple doesn’t know how to make one of those cheap netbooks. But he didn’t mean Apple wouldn’t enter this market. Apple never charges what others are charging for their notebooks anyway. Apple is a premium brand and an Apple netbook would cost much more money anyway. Nevertheless, the rumors started to die down a couple of months ago, especially after Apple indicated that it was not planning a netbook prior to WWDC.
The rumors are heating up again, especially with Steve Jobs returning to his job. Steve is a special person at Apple, and it’s not too far fetched to expect him to come back with a bang. And from what we have heard about this mystical netbook, it’s going to be a big hit. Many sources are now claiming that Apple is already working with its partners to introduce its first netbook (not counting Macbook Air) in October:
Taiwan’s high-tech supply chain companies said Apple will debut its first Netbook in October; Apple will pose itself to tackle the Christmas shopping season. Three (Taiwanese) corporations–Foxconn, Wintek, Dynapack–have received direct orders from Apple. (Wintek will be producing touch screens and providing relevant technologies for Apple.)
This tablet-laptop-iPod hybrid is going to be one heck of a challenger in the crowded netbook market. It’s going to come with a 9.7″ screen, portable design, and Mac OS. It is going to cost $800, but if you know anything about Apple products, Apple’s netbook is going to be worth every penny. It’s nice to talk about rumors, but we don’t have enough information about Apple’s latest secret project. I do hope that we get an Apple netbook somewhere down the line, but keeping the prices low will still be a challenge to Apple unless the company ditches the “netbook” brand.
Sony VAIO VPC-W111XX Comes to Amazon
Sony has been in the netbook business for a while, if you consider Sony Lifestyle PCs netbooks. But Sony has been planning on releasing real netbooks and Sony VAIO W111 product line is just a start. Unlike Sony Lifestyle netbooks, VAIO W111 is priced like other top netbooks. It also comes with ATOM N280 processor that is used in other top netbooks on the market. This netbook is made for bloggers and business individuals who are constantly on the go. You get a microphone and a MOTION Eye camera to help you conduct video chats and conferences on the go. The monitor is also designed to save energy as well.
Since we haven’t tested Sony VAIO VPC-W111XX netbooks, we can’t tell how they stack up against other top netbooks. The advertised battery life is certainly underwhelming but expected from a 3 cell battery. At the same time, one would expect Sony to ship these netbooks with more powerful batteries. I am sure the option is available for a few more dollars. Overall, the device does look solid and weighs only 2.65 lbs. There is no word on when it will be released, but Amazon has already listed it among its upcoming netbooks.
Price: $499
Asus Eee PC T101H: A Game Changer?
Asus is one of the best netbook manufacturers on the market. Best Asus netbooks are not only energy efficient but they are quite capable as well. And who can complain about the weight, which is often less than 3 lbs as far as Asus netbooks are concerned. But Asus seems to be taking the game to the next level by bringing Eee PC T101H seems to netbook fans.
Asus Eee PC T101H is a tablet, netbook hybrid that comes with a 10.1″ screen, decent battery life, wireless N support, and a full GPS chip! On a down note, the netbook is Windows 7 ready, which is disappointing news for Android and Linux fans. But if Google can roll out Chrome OS by then, things may change. Considering that T101H tablet comes with a web cam, excellent audio capabilities, and a digital TV tuner, it all but sets the bar very high for other netbook makers. Things are going to get a whole lot interesting once latest Asus netbooks hit the market.
Free Netbooks Now a Reality?
The move to subsidize netbooks has already begun. In fact, AT&T and Verizon are already giving away netbooks for as low as $50 to those who sign up for a 2 year wireless contact. But Sprint seems to have outdone them all by introducing the first $1 netbook. Compaq Mini 110c-1040DX netbook is being offered for $199 for anyone who prefers AT&T or Verizon to Sprint. But if you are a fan of Sprint network, you can get your netbook for $0.99 only.
I do believe that wireless carriers need to offer more competitive netbooks to gain traction with their subsidized netbooks. Compaq Mini 110c is certainly a capable device but it’s not a top of the line netbook. Besides, I do like to see more transparency on the part of wireless carriers when it comes to these wireless contracts. Navigating through all the terms and conditions can be a hassle, and some of these carriers don’t do us any favor by trying to use smaller fonts to hide those not so popular fees.
Subsidized netbooks have certainly got a future in the netbook market. If you need Internet access at all times, you can save a bit of money by going for a subsidized netbook. But wireless carriers need to offer netbooks that people actually want to buy, not devices that are already on their way out or not that popular. And it would help if these carriers had more recession friendly plans to let more folks take advantage of these deals. Nevertheless, the emergence of $1 subsidized netbooks is a decent news for netbook fans.
Best Netbook Ratings – July 09
Another month, another list of netbooks to be excited about. July 09 is finally here, and there are new contenders out on the market. The netbook market is growing so fast, we get a few killer models every month. This month’s netbooks are not only portable but also very energy efficient. Getting 9 hours of battery life is no longer a novelty in the netbook market, which is good news for all of us.
With that in mind, here are the top 5 netbooks for July 2009:
Toshiba Mini NB205-N210 Netbook: Toshiba’s most recent netbook comes with a 10.1 inch screen and ATOM N280 processor. What’s more impressive is the 9 hours of battery life you get with this netbook.
ASUS N10J-A1 Netbook: one heck of a netbook. It comes with wireless N networking technology and close to 7 hours of battery life. And who could argue with the weight: only 2.8 lbs.
Samsung NC20-21GBK Netbook: a 12.1 inch netbook which is quite honestly gets close to being a real laptop. You get 6 hours of battery life too.
Acer Aspire One AO751h-1273 Netbook: you can’t argue with the quality of Acer Aspire product line. Aspire netbooks have gotten much better over the past few months. This one comes with 8 hours of battery.
HP Mini 110-1030NR Netbook: I have a soft spot for HP netbooks, but HP 110-1030NR is an amazing laptop. And HP seems to be finally addressing its battery issues.
There you have it. 5 killer laptops to own in July. As always, you can check the complete netbook ratings list right here.
Sony Officially Enters The Netbook Market
Sony has been venturing into the netbook market in the past, but now it’s officially entering the netbook market. Sony Lifestyle laptops have everything you would want in a netbook, but they are priced too high for most netbook fans. Sony VAIO W is the company’s next attempt at making it in the netbook market. Sony P is a great device, but it’s too small for a lot of folks. The W laptops will come with a 10 inch screens and ATOM processor.
Sony has been in the laptop business for a long time, so it was the matter of time before it came out with a device that gives it the best chance to gain some momentum in the netbook market. There are many good netbooks available in the netbook market, but we don’t have many superstars, if you will. If Sony plays its cards right, it has every chance to gain even more market-share in this fast growing market.
The main obstacle for Sony is still its pricing strategy. Sony VAIO W will be going for close to $700 in Japan. That’s still a bit too high for a netbook and almost as high as what Sony is asking for its Lifestyle PCs. I don’t expect Sony to drop its prices to $300-$400 range anytime soon, but a $700 netbook is not that recession friendly, now is it?
Lenovo IdeaPad S12 ION Netbook
The netbook market has been truly interesting to watch. First, we saw a few machines that were cheap but not very capable when it came to handling graphics or computing power. The next wave of netbooks came with enough computing power to help Internet power users get their job done on the go without having to take on too much weight. The next wave of netbooks seem to be even more powerful when it comes to CPU and graphics capability. Take IdeaPad S12 for example. It’s an ION based netbook that lets you watch 1080 quality videos right on your netbook.
The addition of these new chips doesn’t make IdeaPad S12 capable of handling Maya or 3D Studio products. Nevertheless, you are going to be able to enjoy your videos and photos in an easier fashion. Netbooks often get a hard time from customers who are looking for a super laptop performance from these tiny machines. True netbooks will not be able to offer you that kind of computing power (not in a short-while anyway). But they will be provide you with enough computing and graphics capabilities to help you enjoy videos, photos, and … on your machine in a more convenient fashion.
nVIDIA ION netbooks are certainly a good start but there is still a long way to go.
Are Netbook – Laptop Lines Becoming Blurry?
The netbook market is one of the hottest segments of the computer market. These little portable machines are not only fun but are life saver to a lot of business people and individuals around the world. True netbooks are supposed to be portable, energy efficient, and cheap. But that doesn’t mean companies will not use the netbook name to push their other laptops. First we had the netbooks. Small, compact laptops that let people produce and consume content on the Internet. As the market started growing fast, companies suddenly started renaming their fully-fledged laptops netbooks. And now almost anything is called a netbook it seems.
A laptop that only lasts you 1.5 hours per each battery charge and weighs 5 lbs is not a netbook. Nor is one that comes with a 14 inch screen. If netbook manufacturers want to add tablet features to their netbooks, that’s great. But not all tablets are netbooks either. It’s not hard to see where the industry is headed to. The lines between laptops, netbooks, and tablets are becoming awfully blurry. The good news is a few companies realize the whole concept behind making netbooks and are keep lowering their prices. It would be dangerous for netbook manufacturers to start charging more for devices that are not meant to be high-performance laptops.
My hunch is the netbook market will continue to grow in the next few months. The lines between netbooks and laptops will become more blurry, and consumers will need to pay extra attention to what they want to get from their next machine. But it’s not hard to see cheaper machines succeed especially if the recession continues.
