NetbookTech

Yeah it’s been awhile since we ran a “Netbook Deals of the Day” posting – mostly because the holiday season was over and the transition to the new Pine Trail platform was upon us. However, with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, several e-tailers are running netbook deals that you might be interested in, so without further ado, let’s check out them deals!

In the thin-and-light category, Newegg is selling the Toshiba Satellite T135-S1305 notebook for a mere $549.99 ($150 dollars off the original price of $699.99). Specs for this thin-and-light include an Intel Pentium SU4100 ULV processor clocked at 1.3GHz, a 13.3 inch 1366 x 768 resolution display, 3GB of RAM, Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit, 320GB HDD, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, built-in stereo speakers, and full-sized keyboard. The notebook measures 12.7" x 8.78" x 0.87-1.35" and weighs a reasonable 3.88lbs. The Pentium SU4100 will provide 2-2.5x more processing power than your typical Atom N270 processor so this is certainly a notebook to consider if you want a bit more oomph in your everyday needs.

The other notable Newegg.com deal is for the ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005HA-PU1X-BK Crystal Black 10.1" WSVGA Netbook – priced at $319.99 ($30 dollars off the original price of $349.99). This netbook features the Intel Atom N280 processor (it’s a pre-Pine Trail netbook), a 10.1 inch LED-backlit display, 1GB of RAM, a built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam, Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, built-in speakers, media card reader, and a 6 cell battery for approximately 10+ hours of battery life.

Let’s move over to Geeks.com, a great place to find new and refurbished units.

We’ve never heard of the company, but Geeks is offering the PeeCee Mini M02 Atom N270-based netbook for a low price of $259.99. This system (which is almost gone) features:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• Windows XP Home Edition
• 1GB of RAM
• 160GB SATA HDD
• Intel GMA950 graphics
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Ethernet and 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• 10.2 inch widescreen LCD display
• Built-in 3 in 1 card reader
• Measures 10.35 x 7.24 x 1.36 inches and weighs 2.78 pounds

Should you buy it? If you’re not sure of the brand then you might want to reconsider.. but if you have cash to blow and you’re adventurous, then why not check it out!

Fans of the original MSI Wind U100 will definitely want to check out the current deals over at Geeks.com where the company is offering 3 cell versions for a mere $279.99. They have them in pink, white, and black. The specs are:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 1GB of RAM
• 160GB SATA HDD
• Intel GMA 950 graphics
• Ethernet and 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 10 inch WSVGA display
• Windows XP Home Edition
• Media card reader

If you’re a fan of convertible notebooks, then check out the Geeks.com deal on the ASUS Eee PC T91 here on their website. The 8.9 inch system features the Intel Atom Z520 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 16GB solid state drive, Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, 0.3 megapixel webcam, and Windows XP. Perhaps even funnier is the comparison chart that Geeks put up on the site comparing the T91 against the newly announced Apple iPad. Here are snippets from the chart (keep in mind, I’m merely copying what THEY put up. I am stating this myself so don’t go flaming me for this!):

Heh.. the sad thing is – yes the T91 supports Adobe Flash thanks to Windows XP.. but can the Atom Z520 handle HD flash video.. uhh.. don’t think so.

Alright, the final “deals” come from Dell where they’re currently offering the Dell Mini 10 and 10v at low starting prices. In fact, starting prices for both the Mini 10 and the 10v come in at $279. The Mini 10 has the updated Pine Trail platform while the Mini 10v is using the older Atom platform featuring the Atom N270 processor. Both systems feature similar specs as well as a small 3 cell battery. Want a 6 cell battery for that Mini 10?  You can get one for $299 which still isn’t a bad price. Finally, Dell is also offering a Mini 10 model with a built-in GPS for a price of $399.

OK, our final vendor of the day is PC Mall where they’re offering the Lenovo IdeaPad U350 thin-and-light notebook for a mere $469.99. OK the check out price is actually a tad-bit higher at $519.99 (the actual price is $569.99 minus an instant rebate of $50 dollars and then a mail-in rebate of $50 dollars. Yes, we hate mail-in rebates too). The U350 features an Intel Pentium SU4100 processor, a 13.3 inch LED backlit display, 3GB of RAM, 320GB HDD, Windows 7 Home Premium, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, a 4 cell battery, and an HDMI port.

The MSI X-Slim X350 is a 13 inch thin-and-light notebook with the following specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo SU4100 processor
• Intel GS45 + ICH9M-SFF chipset
• Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics
• 13 inch HD LCD display
• Multi-touch enabled touchpad
• Optional WiMAX support
• 9 hour battery life
• Chicklet keyboard with raised keys
• Weighs a mere 3.31 pounds and measures less than an inch thick at its widest point

Here are pictures of the new MSI Wind U135 netbook featuring the latest Intel Pine Trail platform. The U135 is available in black, silver, red, and black and features a 6 cell battery delivering up to 7.5 hours of battery life.

Specs include the following:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• Intel NM10 chipset
• Up to 2GB RAM
• 10 inch WSVGA LCD display
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• HD audio
• 250GB SATA HDD
• 10/100 Ethernet
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• 4 in 1 media card reader
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• 6 cell battery
• Chicklet keyboard and enlarged touchpad
• Windows 7 Starter Edition

The MSI Wind U160 is one of four new models added to the Wind lineup of netbooks and ultraportables. A winner of the 2010 iF Product Design Award, the Wind U160 sports a completely redesigned chassis measuring less than an inch thick at its widest point and a weight of a mere 2.2 lbs.

The U160 has an “ultra-thin fuselage with a gold Color Film Print finish” and features:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• Intel NM10 chipset
• Up to 2GB of DDR2 667/800MHz RAM
• 10 inch WSVGA LCD display
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• Optional external Super-Multi drive
• Up to 9 hours of battery life
• Seamless touchpad

Another year-end deal for all of you to consider.

Newegg is offering the MSI Wind U110-031US 10 inch netbook for a low-price of $299.99 (limit 5 per customer). The specs to this netbook are:

• Intel Atom Z530 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• 10 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display
• Intel SCH US15W chipset
• Intel GMA 500 graphics
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB SATA HDD
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel camera
• 10/100 Ethernet
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• 3 USB ports
• VGA port
• Microphone and headphone jack
• Built-in stereo speakers
• 4 in 1 media card reader
• 9 cell battery with 14 hour battery life

[ Check out the deal]

Ah good ol LaptopMag. You can always count on them to offer the very latest in netbook and laptop reviews. Their latest set of netbook reviews offer a peak into what to expect out of Intel Atom N450-powered netbooks. The N450 is at the heart of the new Pine Trail platform which includes a new Atom processor core with integrated graphics in the core and a new chipset with reduced power requirements. In short, Pine Trail appears to promise minimal performance gains while achieving noticeable power consumption savings.

The first of two reviews from the publication was the newly announced ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005PE-P. Similar to the extremely popular ASUS Eee PC 1005HA, the new 1005PE-P offers a larger hard drive (250GB), a better keyboard, and of course, an incredible battery life – thanks in no small part to the new Pine Trail platform. Here’s a blurb from the summary:

“While Intel’s new Atom N450 processor doesn’t really improve performance, the extra endurance it provides will certainly be welcome among netbook users. At $379, this netbook is a bargain, undercutting the Toshiba mini NB205 by $20 while lasting longer on a charge. We give the edge to the NB205 because of its more comfortable touchpad and mouse buttons, but the 1005PE is a still a stellar value.”

The second review is of the new MSI Wind U135 netbook which offers an extremely competitive price of around $329 dollars while also featuring the new Atom N450 processor. Unfortunately it appears the U135 doesn’t quite have the battery life of its competition with LaptopMag timing battery life at around 5+ hours. That’s an incredibly poor showing for an MSI netbook.

An excerpt from the verdict says it all:

“If you can swing the extra $50, we recommend the ASUS Eee PC 1005PE and its 5 extra hours of work and play time. But, if you’re really watching the bottom line, the U135 is worth a look.”

MSI’s implementation of Pine Trail netbooks come in the form of the newly announced Wind Series Special Edition U135 and U130 systems. These new systems are the world’s first Pine Trail netbooks to receive international WiMAX Forum certification. Features of the new systems include a new stylish design, sturdier and quieter MSI chiclet keyboard, a lid treated in Color Film Print coating, 20 percent larger touchpad, and of course, a longer battery life.

Specs for the new models are as follows:

• Intel Atom N450 processor clocked at 1.66GHz
• Intel NM10 Express Chipset
• Intel GMA 3150 (integrated with processor)
• Support for up to 2GB DDR2 667MHz RAM
• 10 inch 1024 x 600 resolution WSVGA LED display
• 10GB or 250GB 2.5 inch SATA HDD
• 4 in 1 media card reader with support for SD, MMC, MS, MS Pro
• D-sub port, 3 USB 2.0 ports, microphone-in, headphones, Ethernet
• 3 cell or 6 cell battery
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• HD audio
• Stereo speakers
• Measures 260 x 180 x 19~31.5 mm and weighs 1.2kg with 3 cell battery
• Windows 7 Start

Oh and for colors – the U135 is available in four colors – Refined Silver, Wind Dancer Black, Trendy Blue, and Cherry Red, while the U130 is available in two colors – Angelic White and Wind Dancer Black.

[Check it out]

MSI announced the 12.1 inch Wind U210 netbook/ultraportable notebook earlier this week – the first MSI system to feature the AMD Athlon Neo processor instead of the more common Intel Atom processor. The Wind U210 (which is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com for $429.99) features the following:

• AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• AMD RS690 + SB600 chipset
• 2GB RAM
• 250GB SATA HDD
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• 12.1 inch WXGA 16:9 aspect ratio (1366 x 768) display
• Radeon X1250 graphics
• HDMI output
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• 6 cell (5200mAh) battery for around 4-5 hours of battery life
• Measures 7.4 x 11.69 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs 3.2 pounds
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 3 USB ports, VGA port
• 4 in 1 memory card reader

As mentioned earlier, the MSI U210 is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com as well as Newegg.com .

via CrunchGear

PC Magazine is out with a review of the MSI Wind U123 – an updated version of the extremely popular first generation MSI netbook – the U100. The U123 has pretty much the same specs as every other system out there these days – an Atom N280 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 10.1 inch display, 160GB HDD, Wi-Fi, and integrated graphics. The one standpoint according to PC Magazine is the battery life (except the battery is also “humongous” according to the publication. PC Mag got a whopping 8 hours and 41 minutes of life from their MobileMark 2007 test.

Here’s what PC Mag had to say about the netbook:

“The only differentiating feature in the MSI Wind U123 (003US) netbook is the humongous battery, which sticks out like a sore thumb.”

You can read more about the MSI Wind U123 over here on their website.

Here are some of the more notable netbook reviews for today (really the last couple of days).

Cisco Cheng of PC Magazine takes a quick look at the ASUS Eee PC1008HA netbook. Here’s a blurb from the article:

“Slabs of unattractive plastics make up the bulk of the netbook market, and a well thought-out design is often overlooked in the name of hitting bargain-basement prices. Not so with the new ASUS EeePC 1008HA.”

Meanwhile, Joanna Stern of LaptopMag (did I ever tell you that i want her job? or something like it?) has a hands-on look at the new second generation IdeaPad S10-2 netbook. Here’s what she had to say about the netbook:

“Lenovo improved upon its already solid netbook with its s10-2, but also dropped the price to be in line with many other netbooks on the market. The $349.99 netbook is exactly what any second generation product should be – remarkably improved and even more affordable”

The TechReport takes a look at the Samsung NC20 netbook (the one powered by a VIA Nano processor). Here’s their verdict:

“The NC20 is the first product to strike this particular balance of price, performance, and mobility, however, and it sets a standard those upcoming systems may be hard-pressed to match.”

Finally, I4U decides to compare the MSI U123 against the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE. Here’s what they found:

“The above comparison shows that the MSI U123 is beating the Asus Eee 1000HE in several ways. The U123 is lighter and less wide than the 1000HE. The U123 like the 1000HE is sleek and slim and it has the required specifications, which makes it equally favored by the young professional office workers and the experienced ones. The MSI U123 is also cheaper than the Asus Eee 1000HE, which makes the U123 a straight forward choice ahead of the 1000HE. “