NetbookTech

This is certainly an exciting time for the netbooks as the industry itself is arguably transforming. As Tim Bajain of PC Magazine notes, more and more companies are working on solutions targeted at the netbook industry – many of which will show up at the upcoming Computex trade show. What does this mean for netbooks and for the average consumer? More innovation; more choices; and hopefully lower prices at the end of the day.

First generation netbooks brought us the concept of inexpensive computing that ran on a familiar platform (Windows XP) that offered just enough performance for the average consumer. As with all things in the computing industry, the industry is morphing and changing and yes.. people are expecting more out of what a netbook can do. As a result, companies are entering into the mix looking to directly address these issues (and complaints).

Case in point – 3D graphics and video performance. People want good quality video playback (and maybe some minor 3D gaming) on their netbook. The solution? NVIDIA introduced the ION platform which combines the Atom processor with an NVIDIA 9400M GPU.  And then last week, HP announced a their new Mini 110 which for the first time offers the optional Broadcom Crystal HD Enhanced Video Accelerator which supposedly supports full 1080p playback (though ask me who has a 1080p HD display on a netbook).

Next example – battery life. We’re become spoiled from netbooks. Latest systems with six cell batteries offer battery life between 5 to 7 hours – more than enough for a cross country flight. But why stop there? Why not develop systems that eek out even more juice from that six cell? The solution? Newer energy efficient processors that combine the functionality of multiple chips into a single processor die – a.k.a. the System on Chip. Next generation systems based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor or the NVIDIA Tegra processor could usher in new levels of battery performance.

These new processor platforms also brings us to the next brave new world for netbooks – getting consumers used to operating systems OTHER than Windows XP. Next generation low-cost systems will more than likely run some variant of Liunx and offer cool new features such as fast-boot or near-instant on. Intel’s pushing on this front with their Moblin initiative and folks – if you thought a 55 seconds boot for Windows was fast.. how about a 15 second boot under Moblin? And it doesn’t stop there. You’ve got the open source community working on hard on the Ubuntu front with their netbook remix edition and then you have vendors also working on customized versions of Linux (like the HP Mobile internet netbooks).

As Tim notes, this potentially points to a “bifurcation of the netbook market.” On the high end, we’ve got Windows-based systems which are slowly turning into small notebook systems. On the low end of the spectrum, you’ll get netbooks running Linux (or possibly Windows CE) with non-Intel-based processors offering features that are just not possible at this point with standard notebooks. (In fact, Qualcomm wants you to look at these new low-end, power-efficient systems not as netbooks but as a new class of devices called “smartbooks”).

Whatever happens, this is clearly an exciting time for netbooks. The market is evolving as more companies enter into the mix and this all bodes well for the consumer.

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Thinking about plopping down $400 dollars for a new netbook system but not sure which one to get? Check out PC Magazine’s updated Netbook Buying Guide here on their website. First introduced in November, the guide has been updated to include the new 10 inch Acer Aspire One which is competitively priced at around $319 dollars or so. There are a few notable models missing in their lineup including the wonderful Samsung NC10 and the new ASUS Eee PC 1000HE. However, it’s still a good guide to check out if you’re considering a new netbook system.

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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.”

When we look back at the short history of netbooks, it’s easy to think of certain key moments – from the introduction of the ASUS Eee PC to the OLPC XO notebook to the very first PSION system. However, thanks to this PC Magazine article by Tim Bajarin, I’m reminded that we really need to thank another man and his invention – that man would be Jeff Hawkins and his invention, the Palm Foleo.

The Foleo made its debut in early 2007 before it was eventually killed off by Palm management in the Fall of that same year. However, before it was killed off, I did manage to get some quality time in at an invitation event that summer. You can read my original posting about that event at Krunker.com.

The original concept for the Foleo was to deliver an ultra-compact, lightweight notebook-like device that would extend the usefulness of a smartphone. Hawkings envisioned the Foleo to provide a better viewing experience than a smartphone – thanks to the 10.2 inch display and full QWERTY keyboard. Yet, the Foleo would also leverage the smartphone by wirelessly connecting to it and allow users to read/write email through the smartphone’s wireless internet connection.

In fact, if you look at the Foleo’s original specs, it’s hard not to see a netbook configuration. Here’s what I wrote back in 2007 for the Foleo specs:

• 10.2 inch widescreen LCD display
• Full-size QWERTY keyboard
• Weight of 2.5 lbs
• Up to 5 hours of battery life
• DataViz Documents To Go for Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files
• PDF viewer
• Photo viewer
• Web browser
• Bluetooth 1.2 wireless technology
• Wi-Fi 802.11b
• SD/MultiMediaCard expansion slot
• CompactFlash slot
• Scroll wheel
• Previous and Next buttons
• One touch email sync button
• Linux OS (kernel 2.4)
• VGA output (with an included adapter)

Sounds like your modern day netbook right? Well.. unfortunately, the Foleo was 1) underpowered, 2) overpriced, 3) not full featured, and 4) arguably a bit ahead of its time by a few short months. It was originally priced at $599 which was later lowered to $499 before it was just outright killed off.

Ironically, we found out a few months later that if you price a full featured compact notebook with “good enough performance” below the $500 dollar line, consumers would jump on it. That system? The ASUS Eee PC netbook.

Yet Hawkins clearly was onto something with the Foleo. He had the vision that people wanted an Internet-connected, ultra-portable notebook like device – it was simply ahead of its time.  As Tim puts it:

“Jeff got the PDA and smartphone right well before anyone else, and it looks as if he may have done it again. “

Thanks Jeff!

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If you’re looking for another netbook buying guide (what? ours wasn’t good enough for you?!??!), then do check out PC Magazine’s latest guide published today. They provide a good rundown as to what to expect from a typical netbook system and then offer up several choices to look at including the Acer Aspire One, the ASUS N10, the Dell Inspiron Mini 9, the HP Mini 1000, the Lenovo IdeaPad S10, and the MSI Wind. Of course if you need additional help, check out our holiday buyers guide here. Whatever you choose, there’s no doubt that now is a good time to jump into a netbook system.

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PC Magazine has updated their review of the Acer Aspire One netbook here on their site. Their first look at the Aspire One was more of a preview than a full on review. Acer has since sent them a production unit which had specs such as a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 512MB of RAM, an 8.9 inch display, and 8GB of storage space. The reviewed system also ran Linpus Linux Lite. Major complaints from PC Mag include the cramped keyboard experience and of course the annoying mouse button placements. They also pointed out that the 3 cell battery will probably be lacking but at least you have the option to get a 6 cell battery for the Wind. Ultimately PC Magazine gave the Aspire One four of five stars and said the following:

“Since it first debuted, the One has added several options like a 10-inch screen, numerous hard drive choices, and a 6-cell battery, while keeping its price competitive with the rest of the field.”

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Both PC Magazine and LaptopMag have reviews up for the newly announced HP Mini 1000 netbook. This 10.2 inch second generation netbook, announced earlier last week, features an Intel Atom processor, Windows XP Home OS, 1GB of RAM, a 60GB HDD (or an optional SSD), and of course, a beautiful 92 percent HP keyboard. Unfortunately, HP also stuck with the first generation mouse/touchpad layout (ugh). Here’s what PC Magazine thought of the netbook:

“The Mini 1000 is a solid second act for HP that could teach other netbooks a thing or two about design. It could stand to learn a few things from its peers, as well.”

and here’s what LaptopMag thought of it:

“.. HP Mini’s stylish and seriously compact chassis, crisp and bright screen, and outstanding keyboard elevate it above most of its competitors and shake up the cookie-cutter netbook mold. However, those looking for a longer lasting system with a larger, faster hard drive for $50 less will prefer the $499 Samsung NC10 (which comes standard with a 6-cell battery). But those lusting after a stylish 10-inch netbook will be beyond satisfied with the the HP Mini 1000.”

The reviews for the new Lenovo IdeaPad S10 netbook keep on coming in (stay tuned for our review soon). The latest review comes from PC Magazine and they had this to say about the system:

The S10 has all the essentials to make a solid netbook, including a 10-inch screen, an Atom processor, and a 160GB hard drive.

The review listed the battery size, noisy mouse buttons, and 90 percent keyboard as cons to the netbook. My only problem with that assessment would be the keyboard. I actually do enjoy the S10’s keyboard quite a bit – though it’s a little more mushy than I would like it to be. Ultimately, it’s not bad at all. Perhaps Lenovo’s reputation for excellent ThinkPad keyboards set too high a bar for the S10…

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So you just got yourself a new netbook and you’re thinking.. “this one system has everything I need.” You might be right… but there’s also a small chance that you might be wrong. Depending upon the netbook model you purchased you might soon realize that you need a better mouse.. or perhaps you need more storage than the paltry 4-8GBs of SSD space… or perhaps you need a better keyboard because typing an essay on an 85% keyboard is utterly horrific. Yes.. there are accessories you’ll probably end up needing. To help with this, PC Magazine has come up with their Top 10 Netbook Accessories list here on their website. The list is interesting enough .. and truth be told, I can only imagine getting maybe one or two of these items for my netbook..  Here’s the list for those of you not interested in clicking through (and some added colorful commentary by me):

1. Logitech Alto (not a bad idea if you’re going to spend a lot of time typing)
2. Microsoft Arc Mouse (again – not a bad idea AND it’s snazzy looking too)
3. Western Digital My Passport Elite HD (If you’re working with only an SSD, then this might be handy)
4. Samsung SE-S184M DVD Writer LightScribe (if you’re burning DVDs.. then is a netbook really for you to begin with?)
5. Creative Inspire T10 2.0 speakers (dude.. you’re carrying a netbook for a reason.. it’s small, lightweight, and cheap.. so now you’re going to go ahead and get bulky external speakers???)
6. Targus Laptop Chill Mat (You know.. the Atom processor isn’t that hot..)
7. IOGEAR Bluetooth USB Adapter with EDR ( if you must have Bluetooth..)
8. Belkin Swivel Hub (just how many USB devices are you carrying with you?)
9. HP Officejet H470 Mobile Printer (can you bring along a coffee maker while you’re at it?)
10. Belkin Laptop Hideaway (cute for the home)

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