NetbookTech

The 10 inch netbook has been the sweet spot for the market for several months now. Could we see a transition to 12 inch systems soon? ASUS is reportedly planning a 12 inch model in the form of the Eee PC S121 – basically a larger version of the stylish Eee PC S101. If it follows the same pricing as the S101, expect the S121 to command a hefty premium. No word on specs as of yet but we really don’t expect anything different there.

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First off, Happy New Year to all of you. I sincerely hope all of our readers had a wonderful holiday season. Ours was fairly uneventful (which is of course, a good thing).  In any case, let’s start the new year off by looking at how netbooks fared in Japan in 2008. The folks at Akihabara News were kind enough to republish a list of the top 10 netbooks in terms of sales volume for 2008 (originally compiled by the folks at BNC Japan). Without further ado, here’s the list:

• ASUS Eee PC – 4GB SSD model had 20.9 percent
• Acer Aspire One – 120GB model had 19.5 percent
• ASUS Eee PC 901-X – 12GB SSD model had 16.8 percent
• Acer Aspire One – 160GB model had 5.1 percent
• ASUS Eee PC 1000H – 160GB model had 4.7 percent
• Konjinsa SA5KX08AL – 80GB model had 2.6 percent
• ASUS Eee PC S101-X – 16GB SSD model had 1.9 percent
• Onkyo C101-4 – 120GB model had 1.8 percent
• ASUS Eee PC 701-SD-007X – 8GB SSD model had 1.8 percent
• HP FR082PA – 160GB HDD model had 1.6 percent

Congrats to all.

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PC Magazine has a new review out of the ASUS EeePC 1002HA netbook here on their website. The 1002HA has the following specifications:

• Intel Atom Processor N270
• 1GB of RAM
• 2.7 lbs
• 10.2 inch LED backlit display
• Intel GMA 950
• 160GB HDD
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Stereo speakers
• 4 in 1 memory card reader

The real standout with the EeePC 1002HA is the finish – you have to love that “gunmetal” finish on the new system – far nicer looking than the boring white or black colors we’re seeing from many vendors these days.

Here’s the bottom line from PC Magazine:

“Its metallic finish makes the ASUS EeePC 1002HA the most attractive netbook to date, and its performance doesn’t disappoint. However, this netbook could use some help in the features department.”

EeeUser.com forum member “lwbweb” just got a 10 cell, 13000mAh battery for his Eee PC 901 netbook and man.. it’s HUGE and UGLY! No word on actual usage times but boy.. I’d rather carry two small 6 cell batteries than carry one large ugly 10 cell battery but that’s just me..

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The folks at the Tech Report have published a review of the ASUS N10JC-A1 netbook here on their website. The system specs include an Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, Intel GMA 950 and NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS graphics, 10.2 inch TFT display, 160GB HDD, 8in1 card reader, ExpressCard 34 slot, WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Here’s what they thought of the netbook:

“The N10J comes maddeningly close to being a useful gaming machine, but the Atom just doesn’t have the grunt to handle recent titles, making the system more of an odd chimera than an attractive ultraportable. If you’re just looking for a basic netbook, or even one for the corporate crowd, Asus’ own Eee PC 1000 series offers nearly everything you get in the N10J for much less.”

Meanwhile, I4U.com has a review of the ASUS Eee PC 1002HA netbook here on their site.  The 1002HA features an Intel Atom processor, a 10 inch display, 1GB of RAM, Windows XP Home OS, 160GB HDD, and Wi-Fi. Here’s their verdict:

“This is one of the best netbooks you can get and at $499 the 1002HA should find its way under many Christmas trees this holiday season. “

Here are the latest netbook reviews from around the web.

Top Tech News reviews the Acer Aspire One A110 netbook and finds:

“Overall, the A110 will meet the needs of users who want a quick Internet access device. It is not really meant to be your primary workstation, but if you need to use the A110 extensively for more than one hour, it would be good to install Windows XP.”

About.com has a review of the HP Mini 1035 NR netbook which is HP’s second generation netbook featuring a 10.2 inch display. Here’s what they thought of the netbook:

“The biggest problem with the HP Mini 1000 netbooks though is the ports. It is limited to just two USB ports and an SD slot. This puts it well behind offerings from other companies. Even the VGA port requires an adapter to use.”

Legit Reviews publishes a review of the ASUS Eee PC 1000HA here on their website. Here’s their verdict:

“The ASUS EEE 1000HA is a very capable netbook.  If you are looking for something with all the features and abilities of a notebook in a small and easy to use package, then this is the netbook for you. “

For a Mac user’s perspective of an ASUS Eee PC netbook, check out Peter Cohen’s hands-on look at the Eee PC 100HA system over at Macworld.com. Already convinced that Apple is “missing an opportunity by not offering Mac users a netbook”, Mr. Cohen takes the 1000HA for a spin to see “what the netbook experience is really like.”

The reviewed system comes with a 10 inch LCD display, an Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB HDD. Oh yeah much to the dismay of nearly all Mac users out there, it comes with Windows XP Home.

Despite having to deal with Windows XP, Mr. Cohen has this to say about the netbook:

“The Eee 1000HA is no replacement for a full-sized laptop or a desktop computer, but as a means to check e-mail and get some light work done while you’re out and about, it’s fantastic. The Eee 1000HA gets you around town conveniently and economically—Asus’ answer to the Smart Car Fortwo”

And yes – he still remains convinced that Apple is missing out. Kudos to him!

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Here’s some ASUS N10 netbook news to start the first day of December off with. First up, a review of the N10J A1 over at CNET.com. The reviewed system has the dedicated graphics unit courtesy of the NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS GPU, an Intel Atom processor, 2GB of RAM, a 160GB SATA HDD, a 10.2 inch 1024×600 resolution display, Altec Lansing speakers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel camera, a 6 cell Lithium Ion battery, and a fingerprint reader. Here’s their bottom line on the system:

“It may look like your standard Netbook, but the Asus N10J is unique because underneath it features discrete, switchable graphics. You’ll pay a bit more for the privilege, but the end result works for gaming on the go, as long as you don’t mind dialing down your game settings.”

Meanwhile, ASUS Japan announced that the N10JC netbook would be available in the Japanese market this December. The N10JC has the following specifications:

• Intel Atom Processor N270
• 1GB of RAM
• 10.2 inch display
• 160GB HDD
• Weight of 1.55 kg
• Windows XP Home

If you can read Japanese, feel free to read more details in their press release (via Akihabara News)

Best Buy has three netbooks listed in this week’s circular. They are as follows:

ASUS Eee PC 900A netbook for $279.99. Specs for this model include:

• Intel Atom processor
• 8.9 inch WSVGA widescreen display with 1024 x 600 resolution
• 1GB RAM
• 4GB SSD
• Intel GMA 950
• Ethernet
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
• Built-in stereo speakers
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• Linux OS

ASUS Eee PC 1000HD netbook for $349.99 (this is a sale price this week). Specs include:

• Intel Celeron 900MHz processor
• 10 inch WSVGA widescreen display with 1024 x 600 resolution
• 1GB RAM
• 120GB SATA 5400 RPM HDD
• Intel GMA 900 graphics
• Ethernet
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• Built-in speakers
• Windows XP Home

Finally, the HP Mini 1030NR Netbook for $449.99. Specs include:

• Intel Atom processor
• 10.2 inch TFT LCD widescreen with 1024 x 600 resolution
• 1GB RAM
• 16GB SSD
• Intel GMA 950
• Ethernet
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• Built-in speakers
• Windows XP Home

PC World is reporting that ASUS plans on replacing the Eee PC 1000H model with the newer 1002HA netbook. The 1002HA has a smaller battery (2 cell 4200mAh vs 6 cell 6600mAh), a lighter weight (2.65lbs vs. 3.2 lbs), and smaller dimensions ( 264 mm x 181 mm x 27.6 mm vs. 266mm x 191.2mm x 28.5mm~ 38mm). Other specs to the 1002HA include:

• Windows XP
• 10 inch LED backlight display
• Intel Atom N270 processor
• Intel 945GSE / ICH7-M chipset
• 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• 10GB Online Eee Storage
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Stereo speakers
• HD audio
• Digital Array microphone
• 4 in 1 memory card reader
• 1 VGA port, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 LAN port, 2 audio jacks

The Eee PC 1002HA is expected here in the U.S. starting on December 1st for a price of $499.

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