My thoughts are that they are probably waiting on the new ion platform or a more sophisticated processor. For now, we will just have to deal with gimmick type upgrades such as tablet designs with flippable monitors, and thinner casing designs.

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About Ion

Ion is a combination of the current Intel Atom processors, used in most netbooks, with Nvidias 9400M mobile GPU. The 9400M is currently used in many budget laptops and is also the GPU you will find in Apple’s Macbook Pro line. The new chips will offer up 5x faster graphics as well as up to 10x faster video transcoding.

So what does this mean to you?

The Ion will allow you to run video much, much faster. For those of you that have a first generation netbook (like my HP mini), you have probably noticed that the video can cause serious hiccups. With the 9400M, you can now run HD Video in full 1080p and Nvidia even went as far as to say that the platform will be capable of Blu-Ray playback. Not only that, but Nvidia has been quoted as saying that the new platform can run Call of Duty 4 with 25-30 fps consistently. That is quite a feat considering my current netbook can barely run Plants vs Zombies (my new addiciton). What that also means is that this new line of netbooks should also be able to run World of Warcraft on decent quality settings. I must be honest when I tell you that this has me VERY excited.

Are there any downsides?

The only documented downside at this point has been power consumption. The new mock systems that have been tested have been exhibiting double the power consumption of previous netbooks and would cut your battery time down to about 4-5 hours for most systems. Nvidia has stated however that the Ion based netbooks will have special power saving techniques to extend the battery life, so no accurate measurement can be made until the first systems start showing up.

So when will they be out and what new models have been announced?

So far, the only time line given has been mid 2009, but we should start seeing a major crop of big name netbooks using the Ion platform soon. The leaders out of the gate will be the Lenovo S12, a new Acer, and more than likely a new Asus laptop as well, to complement their new thinner line of netbooks. I would suspect that all of the major players in the netbook race will have Ion based systems available by Christmas.

In Conclusion

The new Ion platform by Nvidia and Intel is going to be a huge step for netbooks. 5x the graphic power, 10x the video speeds, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and 1080p all sounds great. If you already have first generation netbook, this Christmas looks like it may be a good time to upgrade.

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For a light 2.2 pound package, the Acer Aspire One delivers a Linux or Windows XP operating system platform displayed on an 8.9-inch WSVGA LED backlit screen. Additional features include a webcam, an instant-on feature that powers up the notebook in less than 15 seconds, and a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor for processing. The package also provides 1 GB of installed RAM (which you can increase to 1.5 GB), a 54g Wi-Fi modem (802.11b/g), a multi-format memory card reader slot, and 3 USB ports.

The entire Acer AOA150 package is marketed to business professionals, students and travelling buyers looking to move and compute on a lightweight basis. The pricing is also competitive with other notebooks and seems to drop on a seasonal basis with many retailers.

Both of the Aspire Ones (Windows XP and Linux) come with a three-cell battery pack that fits flush with the back of the case. Acer has ticketed the $399 price point on the Windows XP version (AOA150-1447) with the aforementioned 160GB hard drive and bigger, 6-cell battery. The 3-cell puts out a little over 2 hours of user time, and the 6-cell about 5 hours. The larger cell option gets up to approximately 8 hours, although with changes to display and other power features 10 to 12 hours could be squeezed out.

The main feature of the Acer’s attraction is the size and lightweight design, which of course means everything is smaller compared to a regular laptop. On the keyboard, the A through apostrophe keys is a distance of 7.25 inches. The dedicated PgUp and PgDn keys are missing. Instead they are found with a Function-key built into the Home and End keys. However, the feel is firm and designed for quick response. It’s about as good as the netbooks are going to get with market offerings so far. However, the cursor-control touchpad is a pain, to be blunt. You get a main square with tap controls on both sides. Mistakes are common if your hands are bigger then a five-year old’s. This is mainly due to the controls being on the pad edges rather than at the bottom like a traditional laptop. You can circumvent this buy kicking out $27 for a wireless/USB Logitech mouse. Then you can operate almost the same as a desk laptop and save the cursor pad for the itty-bitty airplane lunch table when travelling.

Acer’s software bundle is basic; no surprise. You get a glitch-free version of Windows XP. Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student is installed in trial version and so is McAfee’s Security Center (a much better option for this netbook and Windows XP than Norton 360). However, if you have your own software you won’t need the trial versions, so save your money (more tips in a moment on this point). Full-use software includes Microsoft Works, Yahoo Toolbar, and InterVideo WinDVD for use if you ever get around to buying a USB external DVD drive ($25 to $180 depending on provider).

And on that last point, you don’t automatically need a USB DVD drive. It works if you want to watch movies on your Acer, but if you just want to load or read software use a USB drive. If you have the appropriate licenses the USB flash drive will load your software (MS Office for example) onto your Acer problem-free.

In a nutshell, the Acer is a nice package for compact mobility. However, you will need to spend a few more dollars on a better battery for full-day use. In addition, make sure to have a good USB flash drive for transfer and software loading. So your additional cost outlay aside from a netbook appropriate bag will be probably another $120 ($100 for the extended battery and $20 for a decent flash drive).

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By Tim Pecunia

The design of the Samsung NC10 10.2″ netbook will have to be one of its biggest selling points. It was love at first sight the moment I laid eyes on it. Its covers have a glossy finish to it that reminds me of a piano’s finishing. Among the many models of netbook that I have considered purchasing, I must say that the NC10 has the most contemporary and ‘modern’ feel to it.

For such a small laptop it carries a mean punch. It has a powerful 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor that works like a dream, enabling the use of multiple programs at once (as much as a netbook can handle). The touch-pad is a little small, but it is sufficient for light navigation needs. If you need to use the mouse pad often for your work, you can always plug in a mouse for greater maneuverability.
Thanks to the power efficient Atom processor and the netbook’s small size, the Samsung NC10 has a very impressive battery life. On average use, it can last up to 7 hours on a single charge. I was able to play about 3 movies on it without plugging in the power point.

The only shortcoming I can imagine is the 10.4-inch screen that may prove a wee bit small for watching videos. But then again, it is a netbook after all. Any bigger and it would be just another ordinary laptop. If you need a ‘larger’ display, you can always set the start bar to ‘auto-hide’ mode where you can gain approximately ½ an inch of extra screen space. The Samsung NC10 also has a 1.3 Mega Pixel webcam that is great for video conferencing and recording videos.

For more real reviews and product information on this netbook, visit Samsung NC10 10.2-Inch Netbook

For reviews on other laptops and netbooks, click here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Pecunia
http://EzineArticles.com/?Samsung-NC10-10-2-Inch-Netbook—A-Quick-Review&id=1986593

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By Troy Richards

The Acer Aspire One AOD150-1165 10.1-Inch Netbook comes with a fascinating deep blue chassis with a smooth surface. It only weighs three pounds, hence it is very suitable for business, men and academicians who would love to move around with a light gadget. Acer Aspire One AOD150-1165 10.1-Inch Netbook has several unique technical features which include; A 6-cell battery which can last up to 6 hours for extended use and productivity, An atom processor which is an high performance piece of material in terms of power and efficiency; a crystal eye webcam that delivers good video streaming and pictures, and several others.

The Acer Aspire One AOD150-1165 10.1-Inch Netbook has an hard drive memory of 160 GB which means you can store unlimited digital and video library. It also comes with a RAM size of 1.5GB maximum, memory card reader, multiple USB ports, a 54 Wi-Fi Networking, an built-in email, web browsing, and digital media applications.

The Acer Aspire One AOD150-1165 10.1-Inch Netbook , has a 10.1-inch screen which comprises of a WSVGA resolution (1024 x 600) and support for up a 262K color depth. With a 54g wireless LAN that is compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g networks, a user can have unlimited connectivity to the internet. The Acer Aspire One AOD150-1165 10.1-Inch Netbook has two memory allocations which are; SD memory card slot as well as a second multi-in-one card reader. Other features included in then the Acer Aspire One AOD150-1165 10.1-Inch Netbook include; a VGA monitor port, a headphone jack and a microphone jack, three 2.0 USB ports which can help you connect to several other peripherals and many more.

For more real reviews and product information, visit Acer Aspire One. For reviews and product info on other laptops and netbooks, visit http://laptops.treeso.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Troy_Richards
http://EzineArticles.com/?Acer-Aspire-One-AOD150-1165-10.1-Inch-Netbook—The-Best-Netbook-in-the-Market&id=2088700

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The HP Mini 1035NR 10.2-Inch Netbook has a uniquely design of a diagonal 10.2-inch WSVGA LCD Infinity Bright View LED Display. This device also comes with other features such as a 1.60 GHz Intel Atom Processor N270 with 512KB L2 Cache, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, 1024MB DDR2 system memory, 60GB (4200RPM) Hard Drive, and many more.

HP Mini allows you to manage your business and create several video-streaming activities online. It is ultra-mobile, slim and lightweight, and spacious with nearly a full size keyboard. The HP Mini 1035NR’s design and specifications are developed to create the best WIFI internet connection possible. Like many netbooks, it does not come with a DVD/CD reader hence you may have to get an external disc drive. The devise also has other features such as a 2-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards and Multi-Media cards Hard drive, a standard 1.6 GHz Atom and 1024 x 600 display and a 60 GB hard drive spinning at 4200 rpm.

HP Mini 1035NR 10.2-inch Netbook has a very responsive trackpad with a very wide surface area. The speakers are very ideal and the in-built webcam is very ideal with a good microphone and the lightning is quite ideal. The HP Mini 1035NR 10.2-inch Netbook VGA comprises of a special VGA connector, the battery is a 3-cell unit, and it last more than 2 hours depending on how well you charged it.

One of the minuses of the HP Mini 1035NR 10.2-inch Netbook is that is has a slower hard drive compared to other Netbooks but the hard drive is the suitable for the operations of the components of the device.

For more real reviews and product information, visit HP Mini 1035. For reviews and product info on other laptops and netbooks, visit http://laptops.treeso.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Troy_Richards
http://EzineArticles.com/?HP-Mini-1035NR-10.2-Inch-Netbook&id=2088716

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By Tim Pecunia

For those who want a powerful PC in a compact, portable frame, the ASUS Eee 1000HE Netbook is the choice for you. With over 9 hours of battery life thanks to the new Intel N280 processor and Asus Super Hybrid Engine battery technology, it is the perfect laptop for working on the road.

Don’t let the 10-inch frame deceive you; the new chicklet keyboard with its wide keys offers the comfort of a full-size keyboard to help reduce miscues and typos. The Eee PC’s sturdy backlit display and high-resolution screen offers sharp, crisp images for added comfort on the eyes while reading and editing documents.

A 1.3 megapixel web camera propped just above the screen is perfect for web-conferencing or video chatting with friends and loved ones across the country, and the world. Built in WiFi technology makes it easy to connect to any open wireless network to access the web. The ASUS Eee 1000HE is a great machine to help you be more efficiently at the office, home, or away from both.

Bluetooth capabilities allow you to wirelessly connect a mouse or headphones to your computer, a great convenience on the road. The 1000HE’s 160 gig hard drive has plenty of space for your favorite music, videos, and personal files and if you need more space, or added security, Asus offers 10 gigs of online backup storage absolutely free.

Equipped with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Windows Live Messenger, and Works, the 1000HE allows you to learn, work, and play from anywhere in the world. This is perfect as a second notebook for business professionals always on the move, or even a primary computer for the average user.

For more real reviews and product information, visit Asus Eee 1000HE. For reviews on other laptops and netbooks visit http://laptops.treeso.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Pecunia
http://EzineArticles.com/?ASUS-Eee-PC-1000HE-10-inch-Netbook—An-Honest-Review&id=2061973

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Our top ten mini laptops list as of February 2009. This list compiles the best netbooks based upon cost, size, practicality and how useful they are. On a side note, we’ve also judged by looks as well in some cases.

Down the bottom is of our top ten mini laptops is…

#10 - Toshiba NB100

The first Toshiba mini laptop is a bog standard 9 inch mini laptop with a big Toshiba name stamped on it. It does have some nice features but overall, not much to fuss over. The looks are appalling, the lid and tray not matching up and the battery kicks out of the back. This is supposed to reverse the problems the Dell Mini 9 had, and not intrude on keyboard space. It has worked to an extent, but it’s a far from finished solution. You can buy much better for your money, but the NB100 is a Toshiba, so you’re buying expertise and brand as well.

Overall: 3 stars - previous ranking Decemeber 08: #7

#9 - MSI Wind

Whilst this netbook has received praise from many, it being the pioneer 10 inch laptop. But there were reasons why it was not listed higher in our top ten mini laptops. MSI have fitted only a 3-cell battery in the standard version, has a strange keyboard set up and tiny touchpad. Asus themselves were quick to push out the Eee PC 1000, and bigger players have entered the market with their own 10 inchers - Samsung , LG and HP for example. Whilst the MSI Wind is not exactly obsolete, it needs updating to compete with the bigger and better, more familiar brands.

Overall: 3 stars - previous ranking Decemeber 08: #8

#8 - Dell Inspiron Mini 9

Previously bottom of our top ten mini laptops, the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 moves up the rankings this month. It is a simple spec 9 inch netbook with Intel Atom and HSDPA provided by Vodafone (on contract only). The Mini 9 trips up though over its keyboard which has no function keys and is altogether not very large anyway. This is thanks to the battery being pushing right into the chassis in a bid to make it smaller and lighter. Dell are also introducing a larger 12 inch netbook similar to the Inspiron Mini 9 this month.

Overall: 3 stars - previous ranking Decemeber 08: #10

#7 - Asus Eee PC 1000

The various versions of the Eee PC 1000 were launched to counter the MSI Wind, which took netbooks above 10 inches. The Asus Eee PC 1000 shares a lot in common with the Eee PC 901, although bigger, heavier and more expensive. Whether this is a good thing or not is debatable. Yes, the keyboard is bigger, but you pay around £40-50 for it which is a bit of a blow on the value for money side. The introduction of the Eee PC 1002HA may have helped the Eee PC 1000 line, but new and improved competition have resulted in it slipping a spot in our rankings.

Overall: 4 stars - previous ranking Decemeber 08: #6

#6 - Asus Eee PC S101

Previously, Eee PCs looked pretty much like toys. The S101 however takes the Eee PC to a whole new dimension. It’s sleek (as thin as 18mm) and sexy (brown, no seriously) and features beautifully tapered edges. Underneath the chassis however, it’s still just a jazzed-up Eee PC 1000, and with a smaller battery and no real extra features, it’s hard to justify the £449 price tag.

Overall: 4 stars - previous ranking Decemeber 08: #4

#5 - Acer Aspire One

The Acer Aspire One is a fantastic 9 inch mini laptop which is fantastically cheap - around £200 depending on the spec. The short battery life and badly designed interface let it down a little (although a new 9-cell option has been released). But for value for money, its excellent - perhaps more so than the original Eee PC 701. Definitely worth a look if your going down the budget route.

Overall: 4 stars - previous ranking Decemeber 08: #3

#4 - Asus Eee PC 901

The Eee PC 901 was essentially supposed to iron out all the problems from the previous 900 model (including the old Celeron M process - now the Intel Atom) as well as renewed product in the face of more competition. The Eee PC 901, originally retailed at £319 is now available at much less than that. And now available on contract with Orange - the Eee PC 901 is a truly complete netbook. The Eee PC was previously #1 of our top ten mini laptops.

Overall: 5 stars - previous ranking Decemeber 08: #1

#3 - Samsung NC10

Samsungs low key entry into the world of mini laptops brings us the NC10, a 10 inch Intel Atom powered, Windows XP (no Linux) netbook which seems to have taken onboard all the lessons learnt by its predecessors. The keyboard is tailored for the writer, the arrow and function keys are shrunk down in favour of larger letter keys. The result is good, a typing performance almost matching the HPs.
Overall: 5 stars - previous ranking Decemeber 08: #5

#2 - HP Mini 1000

The consumer netbook by HP carry’s on with the excellent 92% full size keyboard from the original 2133 mini-note. This is perhaps its best selling point. Of course it has all the standard features, 10 inch glossy screen, built-in webcam, microphone, WLAN, Bluetooth as well as the Intel Atom in place of the slower Via C7-M processor. Prices are competitive too, with the Compaq mini 700 version starting at £299. However, keeping it off the number one spot of our top ten mini laptops is the battery life which remains a 3-cell like its predecessor.

Overall: 4 stars - previous ranking Decemeber 08: #2

#1 of our Top Ten Mini Laptops - Sony VAIO P Series

The new Sony VAIO P Series mini laptop was unveiled at CES. Sony’s new 8 inch, £849 “lifestyle pc” (Sony are vary wary to avoid the term “netbook”) is less than 2cm thick and only slightly larger than an office envelope. It comes with a world of features including 3G Mobile Broadband, inbuilt GPS, Windows Vista, battery life of up to 8 hours, SSD storage of up to 128GB and amazingly weighs less than 640g!

NEW RANKING THIS MONTH!

Original article at http://www.mini-laptops-and-notebooks.com/top-ten-mini-laptops.html | Homepage at http://www.mini-laptops-and-notebooks.com/index.html | The one-stop resource for mini laptops and netbooks | Copyright Ed Fry 2008. All Rights Reserved

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Fry
http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Ten-Mini-Laptops&id=1834789

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For those wanting to buy netbooks, one of the main considerations is the built-in Operating System of the netbook. Out in the market you can buy either a Linux or Windows XP version of the same netbook model from the same manufacturer. This is especially true for Asus Eee netbooks, where there is always a Windows XP and a Linux version.

So, which netbook should you choose? If you’re going after price and stability of the system, you would much rather have Linux netbook. If you’re buying any model of Asus Eee netbook, you best bet for finding a really cheap one is to buy a Linux-based model.

Linux Netbooks

Linux is a free and open-source operating system that runs well on old PCs and less powerful computers like mini laptops. Linux users swear by the reliability of Linux netbooks? they boot quickly, usually don’t crash and are compatible with free and open source software.

Not surprisingly, since it is open source, many Linux operating systems come in different varieties and customizations. Many versions (also called distributions) of the Linux OS come bundled with their own set of applications. Many netbook manufacturers develop their own software on Linux-operated netbooks. If you want to buy a Linux netbook, check with your manufacturer what customizations were made on the user interface.

The Asus Eee 900, for example, operates on Xandros Linux. Features are categorized and made accessible through tabbed interface. You can access Open Office and PDF reader on the tab for Work, while games and media players can be accessed on the Play tab. Users can even access corporate emails through a Microsoft Outlook Web Access.

Windows XP

Windows XP netbooks have a standard user interface, and you can operate your Windows netbook as easily as you did your desktop PC. The issues with Windows XP is that it is prone to malware such as trojans and viruses although Microsoft has improved Windows XP since its debut and that it is a more resource intensive operating system than Linux. On the positive side, Windows XP, while older, uses significantly less resources than Vista and can still run fast on a mini laptop.

Windows XP, however, remains a popular OS among computer users. The main advantage of Windows XP over Linux is that a lot of the useful software like Adobe Photoshop are written for Windows and can only be used on a Windows-based computer.

For more information about mini laptops and netbooks, visit the website http://www.compareminilaptops.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Kessler
http://EzineArticles.com/?Netbooks—Linux-Or-XP?&id=1796035

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Everyone knows what an iPhone is. It has been at the centre of technology buzz since it was released. The latest variant, the iPhone 3G comes with 3G mobile broadband and combines with Apples Safari internet browser. It combines 3 consoles, a phone, a music player and a internet browsing device.

But it shares many similar functions to a mini laptop; the question is which is better?

Turning on

Both have a simple on button but time to take to load up varies. With Linux, the time can be as short as 15 seconds, although Windows XP will take longer. The iPhone will take around 20-25 seconds from turning on to being ready to use.

>>> Winner is this category: Netbook

Typing

Typing on both isn’t the same as on a desktop, but the netbook still has the edge here. It has a full qwerty keyboard rarely less than 80% the size of a full size keyboard. It takes practice to type quickly on the iPhone’s 3.5″ touchscreen - I find it fastest with two thumbs, but accuracy is compromised. If you need to be accurate, using the corner of your finger helps. Still, it’s difficult, especially when you’ve got a protective case on to stop scratching the back.

>>> Winner is this category: Netbook

Browsing

Apple safari as its limitations, but the version on the iPhone is more than adequate. Still, the Mozilla Firefox or Windows Internet Explorer are capable of viewing a lot more and it working. You can surf easier on netbooks, fill in forms quicker and open more windows.

>>> Winner is this category: Netbook

Communications

The iPhone was essentially built entirely as an application for communication. Netbooks are designed for another role. As a phone, it would seemingly have the upper hand on communications, what with it’s 3G internet and wifi. Netbooks don’t generally come as standard with 3G, but wifi is standard. The rise of Skype and other internet phone companies make the netbook very competitive - but it would look a bit strange talking into your microphone of your mini laptop on your typical commute

>>> Winner is this category: iPhone

Portability

The iPhone is easily small enough to fit in a pocket, so perhaps is an easy winner here. Still, most of us carry a bag or something similar around with us, which a netbook can easily slip into. The new Sony VAIO P Series can easily slip into a jacket pocket.

>>> Winner is this category: iPhone

Cost

Netbooks typically cost between £200-300, whilst your unofficially unlocked iPhone will cost between £350-400 depending on where you want to buy. You can only but the official factory unlocked iPhones in countries where it is illegal to sell locked phones like Belgium, New Zealand, Italy, Australia, France, Germany and Singapore. Officially unlocked iPhones will set you back around £500 - and the price keeps rising as the pound weakens.

Overall: Netbook wins

Homepage at http://www.mini-laptops-and-notebooks.com/index.html | The one stop resource for mini laptops and netbooks | Copyright Ed Fry 2008-2009 - All Rights Reserved

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Fry
http://EzineArticles.com/?Netbooks-Vs-iPhone&id=1952998

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