NetbookTech

I must admit, I haven’t been keeping this up frequently enough.. but in case you’re still looking for a new netbook, here are some of the latest deals I’ve come across today.  Have a wonderful Fourth of July Weekend!

mwave.com has a refurbished ASUS Eee PC 900 (EEEPC900-BK039X) available for a mere $189.99. The system comes with:

• Celeron M 353 clocked at 900MHz
• 8.9 inch display
• 1GB RAM
• 16GB SSD
• Sound, Speakers
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• Windows XP Home Edition.

mwave.com also is selling the ultra-thin MSI X320-037US system for a mere $599.99. This system features:

• Intel Atom Z530 clocked at 1.6GHz
• Intel US15W chipset
• 13.4 inch WXGA display
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Intel GMA 500 graphics
• 320GB SATA HDD
• 2GB RAM
• Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• 4 cell battery

Geeks.com also has a slew of netbooks available at low prices.

They have the same Eee PC 900 netbook with the Celeron M processor except running Linux – in black or white for $189.99

Geeks is also offering the MSI Wind U123 netbook in blue for $379.99. Specs include

• Intel Atom N280 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB SATA HDD
• 10.2 inch display
• Intel GMA 950 graphics
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• Windows XP Home Edition

If you’re a fan of the Sony VAIO P Series Lifestyle PC, check out Geeks refurbed offering – the VAIO VGN-P530H/G in Emerald Green for $799.99.

If you’re a fan of the seashell ASUS system, Newegg is offering the Eee PC Seashell 1008HA for $424.99. Specs include:

• Intel Atom N280
• 10.1 inch display
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• Ethernet and Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• media card reader

Over at Amazon.com, the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA Seashell 10.1-Inch Pearl White Netbook - 6 Hour Battery Life is available for $415.98

The older Acer Aspire One AOA150-1505 8.9-Inch Seashell White Netbook - 6.5 Hour Battery Life is available for $291

And finally, the popular ASUS Eee PC 1000HE 10-Inch Black Netbook - 9.5 Hour Battery Life is available for a mere $374.95.

Before doing this – make sure to create your Gateway recovery DVDs using the built-in software that comes with the LT3101u.  I needed two blank DVDs for a recovery image of the entire system and one black DVD for application and drivers. These discs will be useful in case you want to:

1. go back to Windows Vista Home Edition or

2. install other version of Windows such as Windows 7 32bit or 64 bit.

For now, we’re going to concentrate on installing Windows XP Professional SP2 on the LT3103u.

So..

Step 1: Boot from Windows XP install DVD:

Get your trusty external USB drive and connect it to the Gateway. For this experiment, I used a Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 installation DVD. Make sure your netbook will boot from the USB DVD drive first before checking the internal hard drive. You’ll need to change the boot order by going into the BIOS (Press F2). Move the USB drive to the top, save changes, and then boot from the DVD.

Step 2: Format the correct partition for Windows XP

The first major thing XP setup will ask you is to identify a partition to install the OS.

You’ll notice two partitions on your netbook – one small OEM partition (labeled PQSERVICE) and one large (200GB+) partition containing Windows Vista. Go ahead and wipe that large partition (do a quick NTFS format) – you’ll be installing Windows XP on that partition. You could of course wipe both partitions if you’ve already created your recovery DVDs – I like to just keep things around just in case.

Step 3: Install Windows

Once the appropriate partition has been formatted, the setup will copy all the necessary files to your netbook and proceed with the installation of the OS.

The entire installation process will take some time – the text portion took approximately 10 minutes. A quick reboot and up came the graphical portion of the setup process which took approximately 30+ minutes.

A reboot – a few more setup questions and we’re into the Windows XP desktop.

SO what’s missing?

Here’s a look at Device Manager:

Drivers missing for:

• Ethernet Controller
• Network Controller
• PCI Device
• SM Bus Controller
• Video Controller

Step 4: Install the Network Drivers

Unfortunately Gateway doesn’t provide the Windows XP drivers for the missing components above. Luckily the Vista drivers Gateway does provide with the netbook helps us determine what XP drivers we do need to find from the web.

One of the first things we’d like to resolve is the missing network drivers – whether it’s the Ethernet or Wireless networking – it doesn’t really matter – as long as one of the network devices work.

Why get networking up and running first? Once you have networking working, you can download the necessary software updates/drivers directly to the netbook instead of using an external PC system.

For Wi-Fi, you’ll need to find the Windows XP driver for the Atheros Wi-Fi chipset (AR5B95 Wireless Network Adapter). I used the drivers found on this website here:

http://www.atheros.cz/download.php?atheros=AR5B95&system=2

Keep in mind this download apparently packages both 32 bit and 64 bit drivers – make sure to install the 32 bit driver (the 64 bit driver will fail to install)

The Ethernet controller is the Realtek LAN RTL8103EL. I found a driver courtesy of Dell via this website below:

http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/NETWORK-CARD/REALTEK/Dell-Inspiron-Mini-10V-Realtek-RTL8103EL-GR-LAN-Driver-A01.shtml

Both drivers were downloaded on a separate PC and then brought over to the Gateway LT3103u via a USB flash drive.

Step 5: Install the video drivers

To fix the video driver problem, I used the ATI Radeon X1200 Series driver located here:

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Legacy/Pages/integrated_mce-xp.aspx?type=2.7&product=2.7.5.3.2&lang=English

If you haven’t installed Microsoft .NET you’ll notice an error message appear when trying to install the ATI Catalyst software application. The app will install but it won’t be able to execute since it requires .NET 2.0 or higher. Make sure to install .NET afterwards.

A quick reboot and you’ll notice the screen resolution is at the appropriate levels.

Step 6: Install the SM Bus Controller driver

After the display driver is installed, go ahead and install the driver for the SM Bus Controller (The System Management Bus Controller).  The driver can also be found at the AMD/ATI website here:

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Legacy/Pages/integrated_mce-xp.aspx?type=2.7&product=2.7.3.3.1.3.2&lang=English

In case the link fails to work – simply select graphics drivers for the ATI Radeon X1200 series and then scroll down to the bottom for the South Bridge Driver. Download and install the South Bridge Driver.

Step 7: Update to Service Pack 3 and perform Windows Update

Because I started with Service Pack 2, I decided to perform an update to Service Pack 3 and thanks to networking being enabled, I was able to do so directly on the LT3103u. Of course if you already started with SP3 – you’re fine at this point.

Once SP 3 is installed, Windows XP found the necessary Realtek HD audio drivers for the last device – which was the unidentified “PCI Device”

I ran Windows Update yet again and found a slew of additional updates to install including two hardware driver updates - One driver is for the AMD processor and the other driver is for the Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller. 

Installed all the updates, rebooted, and looked into Device Manager to see the following:

Yup – everything working.

Is that the end of things? Technically from a driver standpoint it is – but you can always do more. We went ahead and installed the Synaptics driver that came with the Gateway application/driver recovery DVD (yup – it installed just fine under XP).

And there you have it – Windows XP running on the Gateway LT3103u. Enjoy!

ASUS has announced their Windows 7 upgrade policy for some of their computer systems. The basic policy works as follows. Buy a qualifying ASUS PC running Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate between June 26th, 2009 and January 31st, 2010 and you’ll get an upgrade to Windows 7. Of course that pretty much eliminates the majority of Eee PC users out there who get Windows XP on their systems – however, there are two models that do qualify – the ASUS Eee PC 1101HA and the Eee PC 1005HA. The 1101HA must run Windows Vista Home Premium while the 1005HA should have Vista Business running. Head on over to this page for additional information on other affected systems from ASUS.

[Check it out]

Waiting for the new Lenovo IdeaPad S12? Well guess what? Several models of the new netbook are now available for pre-order over at the Lenovo website. Unfortunately this does not include the NVIDIA ION powered S12 which is supposedly delayed till around the Fall timeframe. The models currently available include an Atom powered S12 with Intel integrated graphics, and a VIA Nano-powered S12 with VIA Chrome9 HC3 graphics. The full details of the new S12 models include:

Lenovo IdeaPad S12-295954U and S12-295955U  for $499.00

• Intel ATOM N270 processor
• Windows XP Home Edition
• Intel GMA 950
• 1GB RAM
• 12.1 ” WXGA TFT 1280×800
• Touchpad
• 160GB 5400RPM HDD
• 6 cell lithium ion battery
• Broadcom 11b/g Wi-Fi wireless

Lenovo IdeaPad S12-295956U for $449.00

• VIA Nano ULV 2250 ( 1.30GHz 800MHz 1MB )
• Windows XP Home Edition
• VIA Integrated graphics - Chrome9 HC3
• 1GB RAM
• 12.1 ” WXGA TFT 1280×800
• Touchpad
• 160GB 5400RPM HDD
• 6 Cell Lithium-Ion
• Broadcom 11b/g Wi-Fi wireless

[Check it out via SlashGear]

The latter half of 2009 as well as 2010 should be an exciting year for the netbook industry. We’ve got NVIDIA ION powered netbooks on the horizon, 11.6 inch/12 inch netbooks starting to come out in full force, AMD-based netbook/mini-notebooks hitting the market, Snapdragon-based netbooks/smartbooks promised, and now, NVIDIA Tegra-based models being demoed! Yes that’s right – the folks at NetbookNews have published a YouTube preview video of the Mobinnova élan netbook powered by the NVIDIA Tegra SoC and running Windows CE.

Features of the Mobinnova élan include:

• Windows CE-powered
• NVIDIA Tegra processor
• Battery hides all the ports in the back
• HDMI port
• 720p via output via HDMI
• SD/MS card reader
• 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 resolution glossy display
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Small keyboard
• Touch-pad – with soft touch buttons

According to NetbookNews, the Mobinnova élan is expected sometime during the fourth quarter of this year. Definitely check out the video clip – there’s even a short primer to the NVIDIA Tegra module.

[Check it out via BGR]

Missed this one last week. HP announced their latest flagship Mini PC/netbook for mobile professionals – the HP Mini 5101. The first system to feature both a magnesium alloy lower half of the case and a lightweight anodized aluminum display enclosure with a black, brushed finish on the top half, the Mini 5101 sets a new standard for the bill of materials used in a netbook. Specs and features include:

• Spill-resistant 95 percent keyboard
• HP DuraKeys clear coating over the keys makes them 50 times more resistant to visible wear than keyboards without it
• Intel Atom Processor N280 clocked at 1.66GHz
• Max of 2GB RAM
• 10.1 inch LED display in WSVGA or HD resolutions
• Intel GMA 950
• Up to 320GB 7200RPM HDD or optional 80GB/128GB Solid State Drive
• Wi-Fi
• Optional Bluetooth 2.0
• 2 megapixel webcam
• Optional integrated Gobi-powered HP Mobile Broadband module
• 4 cell or 6 cell battery with 6 cell delivering up to 8 hours of power
• Starting weight of 2.6 lbs
• HP 3D DriveGuard delivers 3 axis digital accelerometer chip which tells the hard drive to shut down if there is sudden movement or shock
• HP Panel Protection System includes scratch-resistant acrylic LCD cover and magnesium hinge bracket
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• VGA port
• Headphone/line out port
• Microphone in port
• 1 SD slot
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Measures 10.30 x 7.09 x 0.91 inches

The HP Mini 5101 will have a starting price of $449 and is expected to be available in late July.

[Check it out]

[Check out the product overview]

And speaking of Lenovo, LaptopMag is reporting that the ION-powered IdeaPad S12 is now delayed until later this fall. The system was originally announced back in late May when Lenovo stated that systems would be available “later this summer.” Guess later really meant much later. Theory has it that Lenovo wants to time the S12 launch closer to the launch of Windows 7. In the meantime, you might see the Samsung N510 out sooner!

[Check it out]

Looks like Lenovo’s not the only vendor planning to launch an ION powered netbook. Netbook Choice is reporting that Samsung is planning to launch a new netbook called the Samsung N510 (model NP-N510-KA02UK) pairing the Intel Atom N280 processor with the NVIDIA ION platform (which is basically the NVIDIA 9400M GPU). Other reported specs include:

• 11.6 inch LED backlit display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• Intel Atom N280 clocked at 1.66GHz
• 160GB SATA HDD
• 1GB RAM
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Ethernet
• Webcam
• 3 in 1 media card reader
• 6 cell Lithium Ion battery

No word on the exact launch date of the N510 but expect it sometime this summer. These ION powered netbooks certainly make the 11.6 inch/12 inch market interesting – especially if they deliver on the promise of 1080p HD video playback!

[Check it out via CNET’s News.com]

[Also read LaptopMag]

As mentioned yesterday, the new Gateway LT3103u 11.6 inch netbook is now readily available over at Best Buy. Yes.. I couldn’t help myself so I decided to pick up the new netbook system yesterday at the list price of $399.99 (I actually got it for less since I had some RewardZone coupons on hand). The LT3103u is Gateway’s first 11.6 inch netbook – as well as the first one to offer up the AMD Athlon 64 L110 processor and ATI Radeon X1270 graphics. 

While I’m still putting the netbook through its paces, I thought I’d at least share some of the unboxing pics of the LT3103u.

Packaging:

The Gateway LT3103u:

Here’s the top-front of the netbook (with the top plastic still attached):

Here’s the bottom of the netbook:

The right side:

The left side:

The battery attached:

The netbook opened:

Early Impressions:

Form Factor:

The LT3103u certainly has more heft to it than the majority of netbook systems out there. It’s not a fatty by any means but you’ll notice the 3+ pound weight especially if you’ve been using a system that weighs a mere 2+ pounds.

The battery juts out and downward a bit from the back – lifting the netbook up at the rear and providing a more comfortable typing experience. A good portion of the weight comes from this large battery which unfortunately only provides a supposed 4-5 hour battery life. (yet to be confirmed).

About the only real complaint that I have with the form factor is opening the netbook itself. There’s a small lip that hangs over the center of the netbook cover which you use to lift up the cover. This lip is a bit small to grip onto – especially for big fingers.

Oh yes.. the top cover is a fingerprint magnet.

Otherwise the netbook is quite sexy!

Keyboard:

I’m loving this keyboard folks! The Samsung NC10 was my previous favorite but the LT3103u  takes the cake thus far (although the new Toshiba will probably compete favorably here also) simply because the form factor as a whole is larger. 

Trackpad:

The LT3103u  has a multi-gesture trackpad although I haven’t had time to test it out yet. The pad itself is roomy and the mouse buttons are well constructed.

Display:

I absolutely love this display.. and here are the main reasons:

• 11.6 inches!
• 1366 x 768 resolution
• Bright!

Did I say 1366 x 768? Yes.. I’m done with that 1024 x 600 resolution display!!!

Performance:

I really can’t say much in this department as of yet since I’ve yet to run actual benchmarks. The LT3103u comes with Windows Vista Home Basic which isn’t my first choice for an OS but luckily Gateway bucks the netbook trend by bundling the LT3103u with 2GB of RAM. The system “feels” somewhat comparable to other “Atom” based netbooks I’ve played with but again – I won’t really know until I’ve executed the software benchmarks. It is important to note that this system runs a single core Athlon 64 processor. No dual core goodness or even hyper-threading goodness here.

And finally.. we are talking about a 64 bit processor here..

Yes.. since the LT3103u does come bundled with an AMD Athlon 64 I decided to try Windows 7 RC x64 on this netbook and yes.. it installed just fine. I had to install the wireless networking drivers and then update the graphics drivers but other than that – things went without a hitch. I’ll probably downgrade back to Windows 7 RC 32 bit shortly for testing purposes but then revert to 64 bit Windows 7 for the remainder of my time with the LT3103u.

Overall.. the Gateway LT3103u is very promising although I’m not exactly keen on the 4-5 hour battery life of the netbook. I also wish Gateway packaged the new AMD Athlon Neo processor instead of the single-core Athlon 64 L110 .. but oh well.. I’m sure component pricing had something to do with that one and when you consider you get an awful lot for $399.99, the LT3103u doesn’t look like too bad of a deal. Stay tuned for a full in-depth review.

If you’ve got an urge to splurge then you might be interested in Sony’s new limited edition VAIO Signature Collection P Series system – the VGN-P699E/Q Lifestyle PC. Priced at $1999.99 with only 1000 units available, the Limited Edition P Series features:

• 1.86GHz Intel Processor
• Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit
• 8 inch XBRITE-ECO LED backlit LCD display with 1600 x 768 resolution
• 2GB RAM
• 256GB Solid State Drive
• Built-in Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband
• GPS
• Built-in MOTION EYE camera and microphone
• QWERTY keyboard
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
• Weighs 1.4 lbs
• 4 hour standard capacity lithium ion battery

So.. if you’ve got two grand to spare, then feel free to pre-order the Signature Collection P Series netbook.. err.. Lifestyle PC over at SonyStyle. The system will be available starting around July 17th, 2009.

[Check it out]