Glimpse of the CES

Netbooks made their second appearance at the CES this past January in Las Vegas with more variety in products than a year ago. Here's a snapshot: Sony presented their flagship P-series, and HP improved on their Mini-series with the Mini 2140. Intel, the main chip-maker supporter, also showcased their Atom processor.


HP Mini 2140

This model is similar to the Mini 100 except the casing has been replaced with aluminum metal to improve on its sturdiness. Added to that, the Mini 2140 has a 92% full keyboard with a 10.1'' screen with the Intel Atom. The mouse pad is the same as previous HP netbooks as the buttons are placed at the side rather than at the bottom to save space. The big keyboard allows those with jumbo fingers to type comfortably and the glossy, big, scratch-resistent screen is a nice plus. By using Intel's Atom, the netbook can last for 8 hours on a single charge (6-cell battery) due to the Atom's energy-saving features.

Sony P-Series
Sony rolls out their first netbook line, though they did not use that term. The 'lifestyle laptop', which Sony calls, comes equipped with Windows Vista which is quite astonishing since most, if not all, netbooks run on either Linux or Windows XP. As the P suggest, the Pocket series is small enough to fit into a pocket probably the size of the back pockets of someone's jeans or a jacket. Although it has an 8'' screen, the resolution (1600 x 768) and crispness of the visual aspects of it are remarkable. However, when using the netbook, it can be difficult to get used to the track-point. Overall, it's a good netbook but at the price Sony is retailing for, consumers might be hesitant: starting at $900, consumers can also add more features but the price will also increase greatly.

Intel
Intel had the Atom in mind at the CES. Many were able to see the amazingly petite size of the Atom (about the size of a penny). With the small size, Intel focused mostly on its role in mobile devices.

In future posts, I would personally be going in to shop around for some netbooks and put my own reviews of these products.

A Livable Compromise

Quick note on what a typical netbook would be like right now:

• Intel Atom CPU N270 processor @ 1.60 GHz
• 9''-10.1'' screens @ 1024 x 600 resolution
• 1 GB RAM
• 2-3 USB slots/ports
• integrated graphic chip
• SSD (flash-based)/hard drive disk 5400 rpm
  
• Wi-Fi B/G
  
• card readers
• microphone/headphone jacks

Keeping the purpose for using a netbook in mind, the specs are fine to live with. The key feature would be the card reader and USB jacks since most netbooks are lacking storage space, and the most prominent feature missing from a standard full-size computer is the optical drive. The optical drive is used for accessing and transferring data to and from the computer onto a disk (whether that'd be a DVD or CD). The importance of card readers and USB slots is that you have an alternate method in completing your task that would've been otherwise done via an optical drive.

If you already have a computer with an optical drive, you can transfer the disc's contents and files onto a USB stick or a flash memory card (e.g. Memory Stick PRO Duo). Take the card and connect it to the netbook's card reader/USB port to make the transfer. If you'd like, you can also purchase a portable optical drive when needed. If you're having trouble deciding whether you need an optical drive or not, simply ask yourself how often you ever use an optical drive. You may be surprised at how little you are dependent on it to get a task done.

In general, the optical drive would only be of important need if you don't have a computer already with an optical drive and you desperately need to depend on one to complete your tasks. Try considering other more convenient ways of completing your tasks like USB/memory cards.

On a further note, if disk space is limiting, u can opt for a portable hard drive of a bigger size-they're relatively light weight.

A Short History

The origin of the netbook can be referred back to the OLPC (one laptop per child) concept. Thanks to Asus and Intel, the products (initiative=epic fail?) that were made since the initiative began for developing countries, had started the change the norm surrounding that of subnotebooks. The products changed the definition that was used for ultra-portable laptops before 2007. Thus, these subnotebooks are even smaller than previous subnotebooks and are more cost-effective.



In the consumer world, these products held positive feedback overall and when this happens, other manufacturers join in on the fun and started planning for their own subnotebooks. Eventually the term changed from subnotebooks or ultra-portable notebooks to simply netbooks by Intel since these computers were greatly designed for Internet-usage. For a more in-depth history check out Netbook History 101.

The year 2008 probably marks the first significant year in the growth of netbooks as companies such as Acer, Asus, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Sony have rolled out their first line of netbooks.

So far in 2009, netbooks haven't really improved vastly, though that could change during the summer of the same year.

The idea of netbooks catchs on with societal norms due to the light-weight, inexpensive, and functional device that can be used virtually anywhere.

Introduction

Right of the bat, I'm going to say that I do not intend to make my blog posts funny (just b/c my personality limits my level of sarcasm). My comments will also tend to be more formal, thus proper English usage, and less of the MSN lingo type (lol ne1?). You won't be laughing at the comments that I make, since it's not funny. Please, do not read if you want some funniness in the postings that I make. If that's you, SCRAM!

Okay, still with me? That's fine, I'll start my real posting now.

It wasn't really that long ago that I've just realized that netbooks were in existence (many thanks to the one and only 0-based big bro observer). Within one measly month, I've put the idea of buying a notebook for post-secondary next year aside to make room for (drum rolls...) netbooks.

Netbooks, compared to notebooks, are quite small. Due to the fact that netbooks are small, they lack features and functions that would otherwise be at your disposal if you had a notebook. Taking in the purpose of using a netbook into consideration, a netbook is a fine choice: using a ultra-light portable technology for connecting to the Internet (aka the cloud). Netbook users tend to use services available and store data on servers connected to the Internet.

Of course, with the lack of certain features, netbooks are inexpensive (ranges from $300-$600 w/ an exception, Sony P-series: whopping $999!!!). For those tight on budget, it's a great option, especially if you have a desktop at home.

So if you do not have a demand for, say graphic-intensive apps, you can accept a smaller (but lighter) option.

I know it's not much added to what you probably know, but I will add posts that'll follow the growth of the netbook in the coming 3G era...

You say: what a cheesy post >_>