December 14, 2009
The Next Generation Of Netbooks
It won’t be long until netbooks take their place as something you’ll be considering as your second or third computer.
On January 10, Intel will formally unveil the next-generation processor that will allow netbooks to function at a reasonable speed. Asus, Acer, Lenovo, MSI, and others will have netbooks using the “Atom N450” processor available immediately. Dell and HP will presumably follow suit. Early reports suggest that prices will be similar to netbook prices now.
Netbooks with the new processor will run simple programs on Windows 7 at full speed, or close to it. They will be fast enough for Internet browsing, email, word processing, and remote control of an office computer. It is the Atom N450 processor that will allow a netbook to be a satisfying new tool for many people.
There will be more developments in the following months that will expand the range of netbooks to more complex programs and HD video. Intel has another processor on the heels of the Atom N450; Nvidia’s graphics components are due for a refresh with “Ion 2,” which reportedly will work with Intel’s new processors.
This article does the best job of drawing together all the news reports about the roadmap for the next six months.
Here’s where the netbook might fit in your life.
A netbook is very small and very light. With the new hardware, a netbook will be a full-powered computer running Windows 7, but don’t compare it to a notebook; compare it to an iPhone or other handheld device. An iPhone does not have a big enough screen for Internet browsing or using a remote control program on an office computer. A netbook is perfect for that.
You will be driven by the price. Over at Verizon Wireless today you can get a netbook for $99.99. The more powerful ones are $149.99 and $199.99. (I’m pretty sure the slow Gateway netbook was $29.99 at the Verizon store last weekend.) The next generation will likely be in the same price range. You’ll sign up to a two-year data contract for sixty bucks a month, which is expensive but gives the netbook an Internet connection anywhere.
A lot of people will want a new ultrathin notebooks as their primary travel computer, especially as more models hit the market under a thousand dollars (like the Dell Vostro V13). The increased screen size and full-size keyboard on a 14” or larger notebook make them better for sustained use. Netbooks fit a different niche – an almost casual purchase for something to throw into a briefcase on the fly.
7 Responses to “The Next Generation Of Netbooks”
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December 14th, 2009 at 12:22 am
[...] more: bruceb news » THE NEXT GENERATION OF NETBOOKS By admin | category: netbook computers | tags: because-solid, currently-use, full-speed, [...]
December 14th, 2009 at 2:01 am
[...] more here: bruceb news » THE NEXT GENERATION OF NETBOOKS Tags: dell-vostro-v13, Internet, Mobile, netbooks, outlook, politics, Security, vista, [...]
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:19 am
[...] I still think the subsidized deals from the cell phone carriers may wind up being hard to beat. (Here’s my summary from last week of why you might want a netbook.) Still, the pictures and specs on this Dell make a pretty good [...]
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I too oogled netbooks for a long time, then just before I caved and got an acer, I found out this Toshiba NB 205 was released.
All the reviews here so far (4 of them before I wrote this one) are accurate:
>Battery lasts LONG time. 6.5 hours real hours when not being conservative, however, it also takes long to charge when plugged in. I don’t have figures, but I think it took 4 hours to do a full charge. I don’t find that threating because either way I only have to plug in the adapter about 1 out of three coffee shops I visit.
>The 6-cell battery sticks out the back an inch and makes finding a netbook case more difficult, BUT here’s the icing. The case logic 10″ neoprene netbook case is a perfect fit, and has a perfect sized battery compartment.
I got mine at radioshack, here it is on amazon:
>FULL SIZED Clicklet keyboard is niice and has quality build feel
>Does Video playback well.
>ram chip is upgradable to 2 gigs (I already or
December 29th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Yo , I must say great post!.
December 30th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
December 31st, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Thank you for a very educational post. I got an HP Photosmart digital camera for Christmas and it is great. Visit my site if you’d like to read more. Thanks again – great site!