bruceb news

Cell phone carriers absolutely adore monthly data plans. Want email on your new phone? Buy a monthly data plan for $40-60/month, to go along with the other charges for phone service and text messages. Want an easy Internet connection on your laptop so you don’t have to hunt for an 802.11 wireless network? Buy a notebook with a built-in cellular modem or a separate USB modem, along with another plan. Spouse wants a netbook? Pay Verizon or AT&T for yet another monthly fee.

So it’s no surprise that the carriers are coming up with creative new ways to sell devices that require a monthly data plan. […] continued

Dell introduced seven new models of Latitude business notebooks today. There are details, videos, and some screen shots on this page.

Here’s a partial list of new and improved features:

• Vastly improved battery life, in some cases up to 19 hours.
• Lots of connectivity options – Wi-Fi (802.11n), mobile broadband, WWAN, Ultra-wideband, Bluetooth, WiMAX, GPS. 
• Lots of security options: smart card and fingerprint readers, hardware-based disk encryption, smart card.
• Color options on some models – shiny black, matte black, blue, red.
• Full-frame magnesium alloy construction.

The market for notebook computers is growing fast. Notebooks already outsell desktop computers in the US and will outsell desktops globally by next year, according to the New York Times. Here’s a report released yesterday comparing global notebook shipments in the first quarters of 2007 and 2008, showing HP and Dell with hugely increased sales and more than a third of the market between them.

You probably have some vague idea that Apple owns the notebook market, right? It’s part of the reality distortion field that Apple has used so brilliantly over the years. (Random example: an article from last fall about the “major shift in notebook buying patterns” and “ominous news for Dell.”) Apple has been selling a lot of notebooks and its market share is definitely increasing, particularly in the US, but don’t get all carried away about it. […] continued

I get asked all the time whether there’s a difference between a “notebook computer” and a “laptop computer.” There’s no difference; the terms are interchangeable. There’s no consistency in how they’re used.

I just got this notice from Dell’s affiliate program. I have no idea what it means or why this is the new marketing strategy. Maybe Dell has been asked the same question too many times and is determined to rid the industry of the term “notebook” once and for all.

Notebooks come in a remarkable array of sizes and weights. That’s become the most important decision before going shopping – there’s a far wider range than you’d guess from the lineup of similar 5-6 pound models at CompUSA.

At one end are the 9 pound behemoths with huge screens for movies and games that will have you calling for a chiropractor before you finish carrying it down to the plane.

And at the other end is a category that must be seen to be appreciated, the ultraportable. This new Toshiba Portege R500 is just amazing – 8 1/2″ by 11″ by 0.7″, weighing 2.4 pounds. […] continued

Intel has unveiled a new motherboard chipset for notebooks, and the new generation of notebooks are just hitting the market. Here’s an article with details about the “Santa Rosa” chipset, which will be marketed under the brand names “Centrino Duo” and “Centrino Pro.”

You can read the PC Magazine article for technical details – basically the new notebooks have these new features: faster memory and faster speeds as little data molecules (or sparks, or neutrinos, or whatever the hell they are) move around the motherboard; better built-in graphics, crucial for running Vista; a gigabit network connector, capable of speeds that are not yet built into most consumer/small business routers and switches but which will be standard in a couple of years; and the next generation of wireless technology, adding support for “draft 802.11n.” (It may be good to have “draft 802.11n” support, assuming you run into compatible equipment and nothing changes when it becomes “final 802.11n.” In the meantime it’s compatible with 802.11g, which is what you’ll likely use.)

Dell just added the Latitude D630 and D830 to its line of business notebooks, built on the Centrino Duo platform and looking quite nice – the linked article includes a review of the D630. […] continued

When Lenovo took over IBM’s Thinkpad line of notebooks, there was some concern that the line might be changed and the quality might suffer. All the reviews are good so far, and the new ultraportable Thinkpad X60 is getting rave reviews. Here’s PC Magazine with a review that praises the light weight, extraordinary battery life (seven hours under some conditions!), and a twelve inch screen that is as generous as you can get in an ultraportable.

The X60 is relatively pricey, and it’s a bit disappointing not to have an integrated CD/DVD drive. The advantages in battery life, size and weight are compelling for frequent travellers, and the X60 includes the EVDO hardware for Verizon broadband access. […] continued

Dell will roll out new business notebooks today, the Latitude D620 and D820, with two interesting features. Here’s an article about the rollout.

First, they will have built-in support for Internet connections through Verizon or Cingular cellular networks. Up to now, a reference to “wireless” referred only to 802.11g networks – the 100 foot cloud created by a wireless access point somewhere on the ground. The cell phone networks cover the entire country (with the exception of a small area just west of Sebastopol), making it far easier to travel and count on a persistent connection.

Second, the displays are evidence that the industry is moving to the “widescreen” format for computers as well as for televisions. […] continued

Tomorrow Dell will put two new laptops on its web site: the Inspiron 1100, starting at $899, and the Inspiron 5100, starting at $1,199.

Features and price are comparable to notebooks from HP and Compaq. This article about the Dell announcement points out that it’s occasionally possible to find rebates and special promotions that lower the HP/Compaq prices even further. But Dell has such a strong reputation that it’s tempting to stick with them for a notebook as well.

If you’re shopping, keep in mind: more money buys less weight and longer battery life. You may not want to buy the cheapest notebook on the market. […] continued

Intel will release its next mobile CPU chipset family, the Centrino, on March 12. The chipset has built-in support for 802.11b wireless networking and features Pentium 4-level performance with better battery life and power-management than the current Pentium III-M chips. Lots of PC makers will be on board with new notebook and Tablet PC designs when Centrino hits the market next month. If you’re considering a new notebook, you might want to wait – this looks like a siginificant step forward in notebook computer design.