AMD Athlon Netbooks Finally Out
For a couple of years, we have seen Intel dominate the netbook market with its ATOM processors. These processors are certainly very capable and the new models are speedy as well. But as a consumer, you always want to see companies compete with each other, so you can win. Intel has gone somewhat unchallenged in the netbook market, but ARM netbooks are on their way. And who can forget about the new AMD netbooks that are taking the market by storm. (more…)
Windows 7 Netbooks To Be More Expensive?
Everyday that we get closer to the official release date of Windows 7, we hear something new about how Windows 7 will change the netbook industry. Just recently, Microsoft announced that there will be no restrictions on which Windows 7 versions can be used by manufacturers in new netbook bundles. But Windows 7 is a pricey piece of software, and it would be naive to think that the prices will stay the same if manufacturers decide to ship Windows 7 with their netbooks. Considering that Microsoft used to charge PC makers $15 per Windows copy and is now planning to increase that to $50 per Windows 7 license, that could only mean higher prices for Windows 7 netbooks.
If netbook prices do go up in the near future, the consumers are left with three options. They can either pick up those expensive Windows 7 netbooks. They can spend the extra money to get a ULV laptop, or they can invest in a Linux based netbook. ARM-based netbooks and smart-books are expected to make a splash in the U.S. in the near future, so it’d be interesting to see how consumers treat these energy-efficient and cheaper netbooks. (more…)
Windows 7 Coming to a Netbook Near You
Whether you like it or not, Microsoft is pushing hard to get as much share as possible when it comes to the netbook market. The market is still growing fairly rapidly, so it’s no wonder Microsoft is planning to launch its Windows 7 on these tiny devices as well. Many analysts were concerned about Microsoft allowing only the basic version of Windows 7 on netbooks, but it seems the company is not putting any restrictions on manufacturers:
OEMs and ODMs have the choice to install any version of Windows on a netbook, … Starter is an entry version and doesn’t have many of the consumer or business features. The three application limit isn’t there anymore.
I am still not sold on the viability of Windows 7 on netbooks. Netbooks are tiny gadgets that are great for blogging, surfing the Internet, or crunching numbers into spreadsheets. But it’d be frustrating to work with them if most of the resources available on them is being used for the benefit of the operating system. Will those premium Windows 7 editions work on these tiny netbooks? That’s something we will have to wait and see.
Your take: do you prefer having Windows 7 on your netbook?
Viliv S10 Netbook: Something To Look Forward To
Recently, I had a chance to play with Viliv S5 netbook/tablet hybrid, and I have to say it’s one neat device. It’s certainly of performing well on the road. But I did find it to be more of a tablet than a netbook, and the screen was simply to small for me to even consider getting one. Viliv products are simply sleek. If one was to grade netbooks based on their look and feel, Viliv netbooks would be at the top of the line. But as far as screen real estate or features, Viliv’s older netbooks were merely niche gadgets.
Viliv seems to be changing its approach with S10. Now that’s a device that you can call a netbook. It comes with speedy ATOM CPUs (up to 2 Ghz in clock speed), and a much larger screen. In addition, you get 3G and bluetooth capability with your netbook. Viliv also argues that you can get up to 10 hours of operation time on Viliv.
Credit: Gizmodo
The good news is that you get a decent keyboard and long battery life with this netbook. It also supports Windows 7 which is not as impressive as it sounds, since the jury is still out when it comes to Windows 7’s performance on such tiny devices. But the fact that you can use it as a tablet on the go is a big plus. It does look like a decent alternative to ASUS Eee Touch T91. Let’s hope the tablet functionality is not glitchy.
ATOM Developer Program: Intel Copying Apple?
You don’t have to be a genius to realize that the iPhone owes a lot of its success to the app store. iPhone applications have enhanced iPhone’s capability and usefulness beyond anything Apple dreamed of. It seems other companies have been closely watching and are ready to copy a strategy that has worked so well for Apple. Intel is one of those companies. As you know, the netbook market is exploding and many people around the world are starting to adopt these devices. While the market is growing, Intel can provide further momentum for ATOM-based netbooks by letting developers create useful programs for netbook owners around the globe.
Intel Developer Program currently supports Windows and Mobin platforms, but if you wait a while, you’ll get Java and Adobe Air support through this program as well. That means you can create killer apps for netbooks easily with this platform in the near future. Here is how Intel described this platform:
- Provides developers with everything they need to create and then sell their applications to millions of Intel Atom-based devices.
- Gives OEMs and the ecosystem a framework to deliver great new applications directly to consumers.
The details are still very sketchy about how this program will work. But it’d be exciting if it’s half as successful as the one Apple implemented for the iPhone. Netbooks are here to stay, and by using the power of the community behind netbooks, the platform can become more powerful for all of us. Let’s hope Intel and other companies that are developing their own App programs go about implementing them the right way.
Disney Netpal by ASUS Released
After weeks of waiting, consumers will finally get a chance to get their hands on Disney Netpal, which is a netbook manufactured by ASUS for kids. Many people have come to take netbooks as great tools for business. But these tiny laptops can be extremely useful in helping kids learn new things. And they are cheap too, so you don’t have to invest thousands of dollars to get them.
The specifications are not too earth shattering. You do get some of the standard features that you get on other netbooks. But since your kids are not going to be playing with 3D Max Studio or Maya animation software, the processing power that you get with Netpal is more than enough. See a summary of the specifications after the break.
MSI Wind U110 ECO Netbook Shipping
MSI’s latest netbook is finally out and shipping on Amazon. MSI is known for introducing some of the most energy efficient netbooks on the market, but Wind U110 seems to be the best yet. While consumers need to take the stats provided by laptop manufacturers with a grain of salt, it’s still mind boggling that this netbook could get you 15 hours of battery life per each charge. The specs are not too glowing but that’s what we have come to expect from most netbooks on the market:
- CPU: 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 Processor
- RAM: System Memory 1G (on Board) DDR2-533, 1 Open SO-Dimm slot Memory Upgrade Max 2 GB
- Hard Drive: 160Gb SATA Hard Drive
- OS: Windows XP Home
- Battery: 9 Cell Battery (7800mAh) – 15 hours
- Graphics: 10″ WSVGA 1024*600 VGA Display, Intel GMA500 Graphics
You also get a web cam, wireless N capability, and a card reader. MSI Wind U110 Netbook is currently retailing for $399.99 on Amazon. Nice to have if you intend to get a lot of hours from your battery.
ARM Cortex-A9 To Challenge Intel ATOM
You don’t have to be a technical individual to realize that most netbooks available on the market today take advantage of the Intel ATOM technology. Whether you are getting a N270 netbook or a N280 one, you still know what to expect from your CPU. ARM netbooks are not too mainstream in the U.S. these days, but that doesn’t mean they are not capable of challenging ATOM netbooks. In fact, ARM is planning on changing the game by introducing Cortex A9 2 Ghz. It’s a dual core CPU that will fit into netbooks and take them into the next level. (more…)
Are Netbooks Killing The PC Industry?
The PC industry has a nice little dilemma on its hands. In the one hand, the sales numbers for personal computers and premium laptops have dropped in the past few months. Less people are willing to spend thousands of dollars on a new machine, knowing that their jobs may not be stable. Let’s not forget that we are living in the mobile computing era. So those big old computers are not going to cut it with the younger generation. Netbooks have changed the dynamics a bit. These tiny notebooks have the best of both worlds. They are recession friendly so they appeal to people who are not willing to spend a whole lot of money on a new notebook. They are portable too and are small enough for most folks to take around without too much trouble. No wonder netbooks have helped the PC industry to bounce bank in the past couple of quarters. (more…)
Do Tablet/Netbook Hybrids Have a Future?
With all the discussions about the upcoming debut of the iPad sometime in the next year, a lot of similar devices have gone under the radar without getting the attention that they deserve. Viliv netbooks are not as large as an iPad will be, but they are tablet/netbook hybrids worth talking about. I have always wondered whether you can call a device that does not come with a physical keyboard a netbook. After all, how would you differentiate between a tablet and netbook if they look exactly the same. Tablet/netbook hybrids are a bit smaller than those old tablet computers, and they are more energy efficient. But do they have a future? (more…)
