NetbookTech

Samsung brings the Intel Pinetrail platform to the Go product lineup with the new Samsung Go N315 netbook. The Go N315 features a 10.1 inch wide LED backlit LCD display, pebble-style keyboard, 4 cell battery, 3 in 1 memory card reader and the New York Times Reader 2.0 pre-installed.

Full specs include:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 1GB of RAM
• 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution LED backlit display
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• HD audio
• SRS 3D sound effect
• 3 watt stereo speakers
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• 10/100 Ethernet
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• VGA port
• Headphone, Microphone ports
• Built-in microphone
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• 4 cell battery
• Measures 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches and weighs 2.71 pounds

Unfortunately the price of the new Samsung Go N315 is a bit steep – coming in at a suggested price of $429.99. Considering the smallish 4 cell battery, the price is somewhat steep for what you get.

[Check it out]

The folks at LaptopMag have published two new netbook reviews on their site – one for the Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t and one for the Samsung N210.

The Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t is a convertible netbook with the following specs:

• Intel Atom N470 processor clocked at 1.83GHz
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• 2GB of RAM
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
• Ethernet
• Headphone/Microphone
• VGA port
• 2 USB ports
• 6 in 1 media card reader

A convertible netbook seems like a wonderful idea – except when you consider the Atom-processor really isn’t up to snuff with touch-operations. Here’s the verdict from LaptopMag:

”The S10-3t does some things right. It’s fairly light for a convertible, offers accurate touch input, and it has a comfortable keyboard. And, provided you get the 8-cell battery, you’ll see 7 hours of unplugged computing time. However, this machines’ sluggish performance and weak wireless range hold it back. If you want a netbook with touch capability, the S10-3t is worth considering, but this netvertible didn’t quite live up to our expectations.”

Read more of the review here.

Meanwhile, the Samsung N210 is the latest addition to Samsung’s fine lineup of netbook systems. The N210 is a Pinetrail enabled netbook featuring a unique scratch-resistant finish and instant-on capability with a widget-based user interface. Specs to the N210 include:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 1 – 2 GB of RAM
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Windows 7 Starter
• Ethernet
• Headphone and microphone port
• VGA port
• 3 USB ports
• 3 in 1 media card reader

What’s the verdict?

“The Samsung N210 offers solid overall performance, close to 7 hours of battery life, and an attractive design. We also like the matte screen and loud speakers. However, this machine faces stiff competition from the ASUS Eee PC 1001P, which costs $80 less and lasts nearly 90 minutes longer on a charge. And the $399 Toshiba mini NB305 offers a better touchpad/mouse button combo and longer endurance for not much more money. The N210 is good, but it’s not the best.”

$379 is a tough sell when you consider the competition is either cheaper or offering better battery life. Come on Samsung – get back into the ballgame here. Read more of the review here.

Above is the Samsung N210 netbook featuring a scratch-resistant, polished pearl white design, a non-glare display, and nearly full-sized keyboard. The N210 comes with HyperSpace “Instant On” which allows the system to turn on and immediately go online without waiting for Windows to boot up.

The N210’s specs include:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• Windows 7 Starter Edition
• 1GB of RAM
• 10.1 inch WSVGA 1024 x 600 resolution display
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• 3 W stereo speakers (1.5W x 2)
• HD audio
• 0.3 megapixel webcam
• Internal microphone
• 250GB 5400RPM HDD
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Weight of 2.82 lbs

As for power, Samsung states the N210 should be able to provide approximately 7 hours of battery life.

The N210 is available now at Best Buy for a price of $379.99.

[ Check it out]

OK – one more netbook deal for you to consider. CompUSA is currently offering the Samsung Go N310-13GBK netbook for a low price of $299.99. The specs are as follows:

• Intel Atom N270 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• 10.1 inch WSVGA display with scratch resistant edge to edge glass
• 160GB HDD
• 1GB RAM
• 3 in 1 media card reader
• 9+ hour battery life
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Intel GMA 950
• SRS 3D sound effects
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity
• Windows XP Home

[Check out the deal ]

Hope you still have some money left over from all those Black Friday deals because Cyber Monday deals are just around the corner. Best Buy will be launching their 2 day Cyber Monday deals on 12:01 CST Sunday morning and will run through till 11:50pm CST Monday night.

A quick glance through the deals reveals only one netbook for sale – the Samsung N140-14R which will be $50 dollars off the regular price Samsung N130 which will be $30 dollars off the regular price of $299.99 making it $269.99 of $379.99. The system comes with the Atom N280 N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 6 cell battery, 10.1 inch display, 250GB 160 GBHDD, built-in webcam, and Windows 7 Starter Edition.

Monday Only: $30 Off Samsung N130 Netbook with Intel® Atom™ Processor. Valid 11/30 Only

Another sub $300 (ok just by a penny) netbook deal over at Amazon – this time it’s the Samsung N130 netbook available in slate blue or pink. Specs include:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB hard drive
• 10.1 inch LED backlit widescreen display
• Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics
• Windows XP Home SP3 OS
• Up to 5+ hours of battery
• Wi-Fi, Ethernet connectivity

[Check it out]

You’ve seen mobile broadband/netbook packages, but how about content/netbook packages instead?

That’s exactly what the New York Times is doing with their newly announced Times Reader 2.0/Samsung Go netbook bundle. New subscribers to the Times Reader 2.0 can order a one year agreement to the Times Reader 2.0 and receive a $100 dollar discount towards the purchase of a Samsung Go netbook. The special edition Samsung Go will come with the Times Reader 2.0 application pre-installed. The offer is available exclusively through J&R Music and Computer World.

To purchase the one year-subscription to Times Reader 2.0 (which will cost you $179.40) and redeem the $100 dollar off Samsung Go netbook, go to http://www.nytimes.com/TRNB. This offer will be good until March of 2010 and is available only to new subscribers of the Times Reader. J&R Music and Computer World currently offers the Samsung Go for $339.99

For those of you unfamiliar with the Times Reader 2.0 app, it’s an Adobe AIR application which delivers the New York Times in a new exciting way. “Dive into sections or browse the headlines and even pictures easily. Connect to the Web to get the latest news throughout the day, and watch our exclusive videos.” Key features of the Times Reader 2.0 include:

• Parallels printed news with columns of high-quality text, combined with the dynamic flexibility of the Web, including search, links and up-to-the minute headlines.
• Downloads the Latest News section every five minutes from NYTimes.com. Users can customize how often the Latest News is updated.
• Online/offline reading capabilities, allowing readers to sync content via internet connection and then read 7 days worth of content offline.
• Integrates interactive version of The New York Times premium crossword puzzle.

This is certainly a good deal for frequent readers of the New York Times (like myself). About the only thing missing from this deal would be a bundled mobile broadband package allowing users to access the New York Times content anywhere they take their netbook. Seems like there’s an opportunity for further subsidization around here..

Amazon.com currently has several other notable netbook deals available. Without further ado, here’s some for you to consider this week.

Samsung N120-12GW

This 10.1 inch netbook is available for $363.32 direct from Amazon which is $35.68 less than the list price of $399. You can even purchase this system for as low as $319 from Beach Camera (via Amazon.com). Features of the N120 include:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 10.1 inch glossy LCD display
• Windows XP Home Edition
• 6 cell battery
• Measures 7.3 x 10.27 x 1.21 inches and weighs only 2.8 pounds

Samsung N110-12PBK

This 10.1 inch netbook from Samsung is available for $326.95 from Amazon.com and is available with free shipping assuming you have Amazon Prime. Features include:

• Atom N270 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• 6 cell battery
• 10.1 LED backlit glossy LCD display
• media card reader

HP Pavilion DM3-1030US

This thin and light notebook is currently available for $548 after a mail-in rebate from HP for $50 dollars (check out price is therefore $598 which is already $101.99 dollars less than the list price of $699.99. The system features:

• 1.6 GHz AMD Athlon Neo X3 dual-core processor
• 4GB RAM
• 320GB 7200RPM HDD
• 13.3 inch HD HP LED BrightView widescreen display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics
• Measures 12.83 x 9.06 x 0.96~1.23 inches
• Weight of 4.21 pounds
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
• Up to 6 hours of power via 6 cell lithium-ion battery

Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307

Here’s another awesome thin-and-light system available on sale at Amazon.com for a low price of $599.99. That’s $100 dollars off the standard price of $699.99 and it’s also eligible for free shipping via Amazon Prime.

The T135-S1307 features:

• 13.3 inch HD LED-backlit TruBrite display
• Intel Pentium SU4100 dual-core processor
• 500GB SATA 5400RPM HDD
• 3GB of RAM upgradeable to 8GB
• Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Ethernet
• Bluetooth 2.1
• 3 USB 2.0 ports, HDMI port, Built-in stereo speakers
• eSATA/USB combo port with sleep and charge
• Full-sized 85 key keyboard with 10 key pad
• Up to 9 hours of power with 6 cell 5600 mAh battery
• Measures 12.7 x 8.78 x 1.35 inches and weighs 3.9 pounds
• Windows 7 Home Premium OS

That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me.

We’re finally here folks – the week leading up to Black Friday and there are certainly many netbook deals to be found all over. So.. let’s get started shall we? Most of the following deals are found in this weekend’s advertising circulars.

====

Fry’s Electronics:

Fry’s is offering what looks to be the Toshiba NB205-N210 netbook for $299.99 – that’s $50 dollars off the normal price of $349.99. The system features a 10.1 inch WSVGA display, Windows XP Home, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, media card reader, 1GB of RAM, Intel GMA 950 graphics, 160GB HDD, Ethernet, and a 6.5 hour battery. Unfortunately you won’t be able to order this online at frys.com – you’ll need to find a store to buy one.

The NB205-N210 isn’t the only $299 netbook being offered by Fry’s. Here’s a list of other $299.99 netbooks from Fry’s:

• Lenovo S10-2 available in black, pink, grey, and others . The S10-2 features the Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, Windows XP Home Edition, 10.2 inch display, built-in webcam, 6 cell battery with up to 6 hours of battery life.
• Acer 10.1 inch AOD250 netbook featuring the Intel Atom N270 processor, Windows XP Home Edition, 10.1 inch WSVGA display, Intel GMA 950 graphics, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, media card reader, Wi-Fi, built-in webcam, 2 built-in stereo speakers, 3 USB 2.0 ports, and a 3 cell battery.
• MSI U123-001US Wind netbook featuring the Intel Atom N280 processor, 10.2 inch widescreen display, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam, stereo speakers, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
• ASUS Eee PC 1000HD-BKTG01 featuring an Intel Celeron 353 processor, 10 inch display, 160GB HDD, 1GB RAM, Wi-Fi, Intel GMA 950 graphics, and a 4 cell battery
• Gateway LT2022u netbook featuring the Atom N270, 10.1 inch display, 1GB RAM, Intel GMA 950 graphics, Dolby Headphone Technology, 160GB HDD, media card reader, 0.3 megapixel webcam, 3 cell battery, and Wi-Fi. The LT2021u in Cherry Red is also available.

Again – all of these models are only available in-store.

====

Target

Target has an even better deal for the Acer Aspire One AOD250-1165 10.1 netbook – offering the system for a mere $199 (that’s $90 dollars off the regular $289.99 price). Unfortunately like Fry’s, this deal is available ONLY in-stores. The system features the Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, Windows XP Home, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 VGA port, 5-in-1 media card reader, Ethernet and Wi-Fi, built-in speakers, and a 3 cell battery. Yeah the battery’s a bit weak but what do you expect from a $199 system???

====

RadioShack

RadioShack is offering the Gateway LT2022u 10.1 inch netbook for a low price of $229.99 but as with the above deals, this system is available IN-STORE ONLY. The LT2022u features an Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 10.1 inch WSVGA display, Intel GMA 950 graphics, 5 in 1 media card reader, 10/100 Ethernet, Wi-Fi, built-in webcam, 2200mAh battery, 160gb HDD, 1GB RAM, and Windows XP Home. Note – this is a pre-Thanksgiving Sale so expect a new deal come Black Friday.

====

Dell.com

Dell is offering an Inspiron Mini 10 with the following specs for a price of $399 ($133 off from the regular price of $532):

• Windows XP Home Edition
• Intel Atom Z530 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
• Microsoft Works 9
• 10.1 inch widescreen display with 1024 x 600 resolution
• 15 month subscription to McAfee SecurityCenter
• 160GB 2.5 inch 5400 RPM SATA HDD
• 3 cell 28WHr Lithium Ion battery
• Dell 802.11n Wi-Fi
• Intel GMA 500 graphics
• 1GB RAM
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam

You can get to this system by using E-Value Code: 00393-DNPHED1

====

Office Depot

Office Depot is offering the Acer Aspire One AOD250 Sapphire Blue netbook with a free Built 10 inch Hoodie netbook sleeve for $299.99. The system features a 10.1 inch display, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, Wi-Fi, media card reader, multi-gesture enabled touchpad, built-in webcam and microphone, 3 hours of battery, and Windows 7 Starter Edition. Looks like this might be an in-store deal only? The only listing doesn’t mention the bundled Built netbook sleeve.

====

Best Buy

Best Buy’s deals are good until Wednesday (there will be separate Black Friday deals coming from Best Buy).

The Gateway LT2005u Atom-based netbook is currently available for a low price of $229.99. This system features the Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 widescreen LED backlit display, 160GB HDD, built-in webcam with microphone, media card reader, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Windows XP Home Edition, and a 6 cell battery for up to 7+ hours of battery life. Limit 1 per household. You can order this model online too!

Other notable systems at Best Buy.com include the following:

• ASUS Eee PC 1005HAB for $279.99. This system features the Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM, 10.1 inch LED backlit-widescreen display, 160GB HDD, Intel GMA 950 graphics, built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam, 3 in 1 media card reader, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Windows XP Home Edition, and up to 3+ hours of power.
• ARCHOS netbook for $259.99. Features include the Atom N270, 1GB RAM, 10.2 inch widescreen display, 160GB HDD, Intel 945GSE graphics, built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam, 4 in 1 media card reader, 3 USB 2.0 ports, Wi-Fi, and Windows XP OS.
• MSI Wind U100-641US for $289.99. This classic netbook features Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM, 10 inch widescreen display, 160GB SATA HDD, Intel GMA 950 graphics, built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam, 4 in 1 media card reader, 3 USB 2.0 ports, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3 cell battery, and Windows XP Home Edition.
• Samsung N140-14R for $379.99. This system comes with the Atom N280 processor, 1GB RAM, 10.1 inch LED display, 250GB HDD< Intel GMA 950 graphics, built-in 0.3 megapixel webcam,  3 in 1 media card reader, 3 USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, SRS TruSurround XT, SRS WOW XT, and SRS CS headphone support, and Windows 7 Starter Edition.
• MSI Wind U123-002US for $319.99. This system, which is sold out online, features the Atom N280, 1GB RAM, 10.2 inch display, 160GB HDD, Intel GMA 950 graphics, built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam, 4 in 1 media card reader, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Windows XP Home Edition

====

Verizon Wireless

AND finally, Verizon Wireless has a couple of mobile broadband deals including the new Gateway LT netbook for $99.99 after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate and a 2 yr agreement mobile broadband agreement (with plans starting at $39.99 a month for 250MB monthly data transfer). The system features a 160GB HDD, 1GB of RAM, 6 in 1 media card reader, and a 6 cell battery.  You’ll also find the HP Mini 110 available for $149.99 along with a 2 year agreement and an online discount of $100 dollars.

====

Newegg.com

OK so this isn’t exactly a netbook, but it’s still an Atom-based product! Newegg is currently offering the ZOTAC IONITX-B-E Intel Atom N230-based Mini-ITX motherboard for a low price of $115.99.  If you buy it now you can also get a free EA Triple Play coupon gift with the purchase. The system also has a 30 dollar mail-in rebate (form is here) making the final price $85.99. Specs to the mobo include:

• Intel Atom N230 processor
• NVIDIA ION chipset
• 6 channel audio
• Gigabit Ethernet
• HDMI, DVI ports
• 6 USB 2.0 ports
• eSATA port
• Optical and coaxial port
• Measures 6.7 x 6.7 inches

AT&T announces two new mobile broadband-enabled netbooks into the mix – the Samsung Go and Acer Aspire One – both of which feature the new Windows 7 OS. The new netbooks will be available for $199 after a mail-in rebate via an AT&T promotion card as well as a new two year DataConnect service contract with AT&T.

The Samsung Go weighs in at around 2.8 pounds and features the Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD, a 4 cell battery, 3 USB 2.0 ports, external VGA port, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Ethernet connectivity, 3 in 1 media card reader, 1.3 megapixel camera, and a 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display. Even better, the Go will come with Windows 7 Starter Edition vs the more common (and older Windows XP Home Edition).

The Acer Aspire One is even lighter than the Go, weighing in at a mere 2.2 pounds. Features include an Intel Atom processor, 160GB HDD, 1GB of RAM, HD audio support, two built-in speakers, three USB 2.0 ports, and a built-in webcam.

AT&T offers two DataConnect plans to choose from for netbook systems – a 200MB plan for $35 dollars per month and a 5GB plan for $60 dollars a month. Customers will also get free use of AT&T’s Wi-Fi service available in more than 200,000 hotspots around the country.  Both netbooks come equipped with AT&T’s Communication Manager (ACM) 7.0 software package to help manage and use their wireless connections.