NetbookTech

Love contests? Here’s a new one from Dell that will last until July 31st. The company has a new Twitter account (@DellDigitalLife) intended to be a “two way conversation on the latest in Dell consumer and electronic products”. In celebration of the new account, Dell is holding a Twitter contest that is open to all followers of @DellDigitalLife. Here’s the gist:

Each day from July 27th till July 31st, two Dell Mini netbooks will be given away to randomly selected individuals who Tweet a specified message – as well as correctly answer the question of the day on the Dell Mini product line.

To enter, just do the following:

1. Follow @DellDigitalLife on Twitter

2. Tweet the phrase:

I just followed @DellDigitalLife for a chance to win one of 10 Dell Mini netbooks! More info at: http://bit.ly/DellTwitter

3. Answer the daily question.

Once you have the answer, send a tweet using the following phrase:

Hey @DellDigitalLife the answer is [answer].  Find more answers here: http://bit.ly/DellMini

Once you answer the question in the correct format, you’ll be automatically entered to win either a Dell Mini 10v or a Mini 12 netbook.

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Looking to address the lack of built-in DVD burners on netbooks (and also looking to make a buck or two), Pioneer Electronics announces the slim and portable DVR-XD09 DVD/CD burner today. Described as having the “industry’s most compact design to date”, the DVR-XD09 weighs approximately eight ounces and is just slightly larger than a standard music CD case.

Features and specs to the Pioneer DVR-XD09 include:

• Measures 5.24 x 0.58 x 5.24 inches
• Weighs 0.5 lbs
• USB 2.0 interface
• Supports 8X write/read for DVD-/+R SL
• Supports 6x write/8x read for DVD-/+R DL
• Supports 6x write/8x read for DVD-/+RW SL
• Supports 8x read for DVD-ROM SL
• Supports 5x write/read for DVD-RAM
• Supports 24x write/read for CD-R/CD-RW

The DVR-XD09 will begin shipping August for a price of $79.99.

[Check it out]

Netbook deals for Sunday July 26th, 2009 – Enjoy!

HP.com

OK.. so it’s not exactly a netbook but it’s still a lightweight notebook. HP is offering the Pavilion dv2z series notebook with the AMD Athlon Neo X2 dual core processor, 1GB of RAM, ATI Radeon X1250 graphics, a 12.1 inch display, webcam, and 6 cell battery for $569.99.

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Geeks.com

CompGeeks currently has two ASUS Eee PC 1000HD models on sale on their website – one model with a webcam for $259.99 and one model without for $239.99. Other specs include a Celeron 900MHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 120GB HDD, and a 10.1 inch display. Both are refurb models

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eBags.com

Here’s something a bit different. For those of you that have a netbook already but need say.. a new case? Here are some interesting deals over at eBags.com.

• Xtra Thin Glove up to 11″ for $29.99
• E-Sling – Medium for $39.99
• Tech CheckFast Netbook Laptop Messenger for $42.99

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Best Buy

The new Sony VAIO W Series of netbooks are now available for pre-order over at Best Buy.com for $499.99. I’m not exactly a fan of the W Series primarily because of the weak bundled battery but I’m sure some of you out there will be interested in a Sony netbook. Specs include an Atom N280 processor, 1GB RAM, 10.1 inch display, 160GB HDD, built-in webcam, Bluetooth, and Windows XP Home.

• Sony VAIO Netbook with Intel Atom Processor – Pink
• Sony VAIO Netbook with Intel Atom Processor – White
• Sony VAIO Netbook with Intel Atom Processor – Brown

Best Buy outlet has the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 available for $299.99. Specs include the Atom Z520 processor, 1GB RAM, 10.1 inch display, 160GB HDD, built-in webcam, and Windows XP Home SP3.

Akihabara News has published a quick review of the NEC VersaPro VS-7 netbook here on their website. The VersaPro is one super thin netbook – measuring a mere 15.8mm hick and weighing only 725 grams. Other specs include the Intel Atom Z540 processor (clocked at 1.84 GHz), Intel GMA500 graphics, and the ability to withstand pressure up to 150 kg. Here’s an excerpt from the review:

“Ultra compact, ultra light and powerful, the VersaPro for the first time is a computer I love to carry around with me and does exactly what I need when I work on the go.”

Unfortunately the VersaPro VS-7 isn’t available here in the U.S. so you’ll need to head to Japan to pick one up.

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If you’re looking to add a mobile broadband connection but you’re not quite willing to commit to a long term contract, then you’ll be interested in Virgin Mobile’s Broadband2Go service. Best Buy’s offering the USB based Broadband2Go Wireless Card for $149.99. In addition, Best Buy is currently offering a $20 dollar refill card for the service. Definitely not a bad deal for people who would love the convenience of mobile broadband but don’t need it all the time.

I know.. I’ve been lagging on posts recently. There’s a lot for me to catch up on but you can blame my tardiness on my day job (gotta pay the bills somehow right?). In any case, here are some of the more interesting netbook deals that I’ve come across today. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!!

Buy.com

Buy.com is currently running  a sale on the Acer AOD150-1736 Netbook for $279.99. The netbook features an Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 10.1 inch display, built-in webcam, and Windows XP Home Edition.

Other great netbooks at Buy.com include:

• ASUS Eee PC 1005HA 10.1 Netbook (Rose Pink) for $349.99
• ASUS Eee PC 1000HE 10.2 Netbook for $399.99
• Samsung NC10-14GB Netbook (Blue) for $379.95
•  ASUS Eee PC 1000HA 10 Netbook (Fine Ebony) for $329.99
• Asus Eee PC 900 White Netbook – Factory Refurbished for $189.99
• Acer Aspire ONE D250-1151 Netbook for $295.99

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mwave.com

mwave.com has an interesting netbook deal for you to consider. It’s the Lenovo IdeaPad S10e netbook for a mere $279.99. The system features an Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM,. 160GB HDD, 10.1 inch display, a built-in webcam, and Windows XP Home (didn’t I just write practically the same thing above? geez).

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Amazon.com

As always – it’s fun to check out Amazon’s top 10 list for netbook sales. Here we go (and yes ASUS dominates the list):

• ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-PU1X-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook – 10.5 Hour Battery Life for $378
• ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-PU1X-BU 10.1-Inch Blue Netbook – 10.5 Hour Battery Life for $378
• Acer Aspire One AOD150-1165 10.1-Inch Sapphire Blue Netbook – 6.5 Hour Battery Life for $328.96
• ASUS Eee PC 1000HE 10.1-Inch Black Netbook – 9.5 Hour Battery Life for $373.99
• Samsung NC10-14GB 10.2-Inch Blue Netbook – 6 Cell Battery for $364.99
• Acer Aspire One AOD150-1920 10.1-Inch Ruby Red Netbook – 6.5 Hour Battery Life for $329.99
• Toshiba Mini NB205-N210 10.1-Inch Black Netbook – 9 Hour Battery Life for $348.98
• ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-VU1X-WT 10.1-Inch White Netbook – 8.5 Hour Battery Life for $339.00
• ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-VU1X-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook – 8.5 Hour Battery Life for $338.62
• ASUS Eee PC 1000HE 10.1-Inch Blue Netbook – 9.5 Hour Battery Life for $374.95

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Geeks.com

Geeks.com has two interesting netbook deals. First up there’s the HP Mini Notebook 1120NR featuring the Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB SSD, 10.1" BrightView LED display, built-in webcam and Linux for $279.95.

Secondly, there’s the Sony VAIO P series Lifestyle PC – VGN-P530H/G in(Emerald Green) featuring Atom Z520 processor, 2GB RAM, 60GB HDD, 8" display and Vista Home Basic.

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Newegg.com

Want to build a netbook? Newegg has the OCZ OCZDIY10N1-US 10.1" Neutrino Netbook Barebone System for $274.99.

Other interesting deals include:

• Acer Aspire One AOD250-1326 White 10.1" WSVGA Netbook for $299.99
• MSI Wind U120-024US 10.0" WSVGA Netbook for $329.99
• ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005HA-VU1X-PI Rose Pink 10.1" WSVGA Netbook for $349.99

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Best Buy

Best Buy has that 11.6 inch Gateway Netbook with AMD Athlon 64 Processor L110 in NightSky Black for $399.99. The Cherry Red model is also available for the same price. If an Athlon processor isn’t your thing, then maybe the new 10.1 inch Gateway netbook with an Intel Atom processor will be? You can find it here at Best Buy for $299.99.

For a limited time only (actually a few days max), the Dell Mini 9 netbook is available for purchase over here at Dell.com. The Mini 9 is available in both Ubuntu (starting at $199) and XP versions and is also available in a few colors including Obsidian Black, Alpine White, Jade Green, and Promise Pink). This will supposedly be the Mini 9’s “last appearance” SOO if you missed the boat the first time around – make sure to pick one up now. The Mini 9 will be available until July 27th at 6am CST.

[Check it out via Direct2Dell]

AT&T expanded their mobile broadband-enabled netbook product lineup today with the introduction of three netbook models – the Acer Aspire One, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10, and the Lenovo S10. All three models will be available for purchase soon online at www.att.com while the Acer Aspire One will be available throughout stores nationwide. The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and the Lenovo S10 will be available in several stores around the country.

Each netbook will be available for $199.99 after a mail-in rebate (AT&T Promotion Card) and a new two year service contract.

Here’s a quick rundown of specs on the three netbook models.

Acer Aspire One:

• Weighs 2.53 lbs
• Intel Atom processor
• Windows XP Home
• 160GB HDD
• 1GB RAM
• Stereo speakers
• Built-in webcam
• Wi-Fi

Dell Inspiron Mini 10:

• Weighs 2.86 lbs
• Windows XP Home
• 160GB HDD
• 1GB RAM
• Built-in webcam
• Intel GMA graphics
• Wi-Fi

Lenovo IdeaPad S10:

• Measures less than 1 inch thin and weighs 2.63 lbs
• Wi-Fi
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• Windows XP Home
• Built-in webcam
• VeriFace facial recognition technology
• Multi-touch touchpad

AT&T also announces three new AT&T ConnecTech services specifically for netbook customers – with prices ranging from $99 dollars for remote online support to $199 for in-home technical support. Check out the AT&T press release for more information.

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First came the 11.6 inch LT3103u featuring the AMD Athlon 64 processor. Now comes the new 10.1 inch LT2000 series featuring more typical netbook specs such as the Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 160 GB hard drive.

Available in NightSky Black and in Cherry Red, the LT2000 series has the following specs:

• Intel Atom Processor N270 (clocked at 1.6GHz)
• Windows XP Home Edition
• 10.1 inch WSVGA 16:9 aspect ratio TFT LCD display with 1024 x 600 resolution
• Mobile Intel 945GSE Express Chipset
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB SATA 5400RPM HDD
• Intel GMA 950
• Multi-in-1 digital media card reader
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Built-in webcam
• Multi-gesture touchpad
• Two built-in stereo speakers
• Dolby Headphone Technology
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• 3 cell Li-ion battery
• Weighs 2.62 lbs
• Measures 10.17 x 7.24 x 1.03 inches

About the only red flag off the top of my head is the 3 cell Li-ion battery. Gateway rates the battery at around 3 hours which I find somewhat unacceptable – especially with so many other vendors offering 5 to 7 hour batteries these days for similar price points.

The LT2001u is the NightSky Black models while the LT2021u is the Cherry Red model – both of which are available for $299.99 at Best Buy.

There was so much promise with the ASUS Eee PC T91. Come on – what wasn’t there to like? A convertible netbook design with a touch-screen enabled display for under $500 dollars? Great idea right? Well yes.. idea was great – execution appears to have been poor unfortunately.

In the latest review of the T91, LaptopMag had this to say about the pokey T91:

“We give credit to ASUS for innovating; the touch features on the ASUS Eee PC T91 definitely break the netbook mold. However, its underpowered processor results in an underwhelming experience; screens take too long to open, and the lack of palm rejection is frustrating. Also, at $499, the Eee PC T91 is $100 more expensive than other netbooks that, while lacking a touchscreen, have larger 10-inch displays, and have batteries that last twice as long. Yes, the T91 is worth a look, but it’s not worth the wait.”

A closer look at the specs and you’ll quickly realize why the T91 is hobbled. First – there’s the processor. In an effort to save on power – ASUS used the Intel Atom Z520 processor clocked at 1.33GHz instead of the typical N270 or N280. Result? Poor performance. Then there’s the 8.9 inch form factor which leads to a small keyboard – not good. Finally, there’s no palm rejection – which means you’ll have to hold your hand a bit higher when writing on the display. Annoying.

On the flip side – we’re sure ASUS (and others) are hard at work at creating the next touch-screen netbook system so the T91’s failures are sure to be short-lived.

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