Posts Tagged ‘Netbook’

Ultrabooks: Tablets with Attitude, or Netbooks on Steroids?

October 27th, 2011

At the time, it seemed like everyone I knew just had to have one. Netbooks were the future of mobile computing — at least until you tried to use one on a daily basis.
Tiny Size, Big Drawbacks

You see, while the netbook solved the problem of providing highly portable hardware that could run a full-blown OS (such as Windows XP), it did so at the expense of a roomy display, a functional keyboard, and a usable trackpad. On more than one occasion, I got so frustrated attempting to type a long email on my netbook’s ridiculously tiny keyboard that I wanted to chuck it out the window.

While I managed to curb my urge to destroy, I’m sure many netbooks actually suffered a painful death at the hands of disgruntled owners.

Netbooks — most of which used Intel’s Atom processor — also lacked the power to run a newer operating system like Windows 7. Consumers wised up and concluded that netbooks were more like toys than productivity tools.

Source:http://www.allbusiness.com/ultrabook-laptop-computers/16706896-1.html

Samsung launches solar powered Netbook

September 21st, 2011

Samsung have launched the NC215S, a 10-inch solar powered Netbook PC.

The 10.1-inch device can charge in 2 hours thanks to the built in solar panel on the front of the unit. The netbook itself can provide up to a claimed 14.5 hours battery life with combined plug point and solar charging.

The NC215S also features a 10.1-inch anti-reflective screen with SuperBright technology that provides users with 300nit brightness levels, which allows users to work in direct sunlight.

Other features include:

FastStart technology which allows boot from hibernation in seconds
Dual core Intel Atom processor
Sleep-and-Charge which allows USB devices to charge off the Netbook while it’s in sleep mode

The Samsung NC215S Netbook will be available locally from September 2011 at a recommended retail price of R3 499.00.

Specifications:

Display: 10.1” (1024×600) Super-Bright LED, Anti-reflective
CPU: Intel® ATOM™ Processor N455 (1.66GHz)
Memory: 1GB DDR3
Hard Drive: 320GB (5400rpm)
Graphics: Intel GMA 3150
Dimensions: 259 x 179.5 x 23.6~35.8 mm
Weight: 1.32kg
Expansion ports: VGA, Headphone-out, Mic-in, Internal Mic,3 x USB 2.0, 4-in-1 (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC), RJ45(LAN), DC-In(Power Port)

Samsung NC215S

Samsung launches the World’s first Solar Powered 10” Netbook

Samsung Netbook NC215S is powered by the sun for the ultimate eco-computing experience

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today launched the Samsung NC215S, the world’s first solar powered 10” Netbook PC. This lightweight device delivers power, portability and performance while also being both environmentally and economically friendly.

Just two hours of sunlight can provide up to an hour of power while still being able to see exactly what you’re doing – thanks to Samsung’s SuperBright anti-reflective display. Combined with an overall battery life of up to 14.5 hours and a powerful Intel® Atom™ processor, the Samsung NC215S offers you almost limitless mobility.

“Samsung is committed to ecologically-sound product innovation; we are very proud to be bringing the world’s first solar powered 10” Netbook to the market,” said Philip Henning, Notebook PC Product Owner at Samsung Electronics South Africa. “The NC215S demonstrates Samsung’s continued innovation, delivering superior performance, mobility and satisfaction to our customers.”

Let the sun shine on your PC

Maximising productivity while minimising its carbon footprint, the NC215S features an integrated solar panel on the front of the Netbook, allowing it to automatically charge when in sunlight. The result is environmental and financial efficiency – two hours of solar charging provides up to one hour’s usage with zero cost or carbon emissions. Designed for care-free portability, the NC215S PowerPlus battery lasts for up to 14.5 hours on a single full charge, meaning that you can get more done on the move.

Samsung’s PowerPlus battery uses intelligent charging technology, making the battery’s lifespan three times longer than that of conventional batteries – being capable of performing 1,000 charging cycles over a three year period. The intelligent charging technology also allows for quicker charging, creating further economical savings and cutting carbon emissions.

Awarded TCO certification based on its environmentally friendly and ergonomic design, the NC215S provides the optimum ease of use and performance. While still fulfilling strict environmental requirements, the Netbook is designed with recycling in mind and boasts a remarkably low level of energy consumption. Other requirements ensure very good picture quality, low noise levels and low electrical and magnetic fields. The certification system also requires manufacturers to demonstrate active commitment in improving work conditions in the manufacturing process.

Fast on the go

Samsung’s Fast Start technology enables an ‘Instant on’ – so you can get started within a few seconds of opening the display or pressing the power button. The innovative hybrid sleep mode also combines the fast start-up of sleep with the stability of hibernation, so you don’t have to wait 30-60 seconds for the Netbook to boot-up.

And despite the device’s solar powered battery, diminutive form factor and environmentally friendly features, there is no sacrifice in performance. The NC215S features a powerful dual core Intel Atom processor combined with an Intel GMA 3510 graphics processor, delivering a swift, responsive experience and unrivalled mobile computing performance. The Intel Atom processor is highly energy-efficient, making better use of the battery life and extending its usage time when on the move. The processor also enables new levels of support for the ideal entertainment experience, demanding applications as well as the Adobe Flash video technology that’s frequently used on multimedia websites such as YouTube.

The Netbook is further equipped with a unique Sleep-and-Charge USB port allowing for portable devices, such as smartphones or MP3 players, to be charged even when the PC is sleeping, turned off or if the battery has run out – all through the use of solar power.

Easy to Use

Samsung’s SuperBright anti-reflective display means that the NC215S Netbook screen is bright and clear whatever the conditions – even in sunlight. The device’s 300nit brightness, which is up to 50% brighter than competing Netbooks, ensures that images are vivid and text is clear, sharp and easily readable, while the anti-reflective technology means you can work longer, without the risk of eye strain.

Even though it is economically and ecologically friendly, the NC215S still manages to be elegant and lightweight without compromising on screen size. The slim display bezel around the 10.1” display means that the viewing experience is maximised, while still retaining a highly portable form factor. The comfortable island keyboard features isolated keys, which are spaced ergonomically to provide optimum comfort while typing. Testing of the keyboard has also proved that the optimised spacing of the keys ensures fewer errors, while being more hygienic as dirt cannot be trapped between keys.

Built to serve the most demanding mobile user, the NC215S weighs just 1.32kg, making it comfortably portable. For frequent travelers and those constantly computing on the move, the Netbook’s robust Samsung Duracase, with scratch-resistant protection, adds an extra level of durability, keeping the outer-shell pristine and protecting against everyday wear and tear.

Pricing and Availability

The Samsung NC215S Netbook will be available locally from September 2011 at a recommended retail price of R3 499.

Source:http://mybroadband.co.za/news/gadgets/34294-samsung-launches-solar-powered-netbook.html

MeeGo: Has the perfect netbook OS arrived?

August 30th, 2011

MeeGo, the operating system that Intel and Nokia collaborated to build, has mostly been associated with smartphones. But, in the past few weeks, the Indian market has seen it make an appearance on two netbook models – the Asus eeePC X101 and the Samsung N100.

But does Meego succeed where Android failed? After all, the Google OS tried taking the netbook path with Acer and Toshiba last year – and with very forgettable results. Well, we reviewed the new operating system on both the machines to see if it had what it takes to be a viable alternative to Windows…

Light on specs
The specs of the two MeeGo netbooks are similar and might seem a bit on the light side: Intel Atom N455 1.66GHz for the Asus X101 and Intel Atom N435 1.33GHz for the Samsung N100, 1GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 10.1-inch display. Both devices come complete with USB and Ethernet ports, card reader and Wi-Fi. In keeping with the hardware, the devices also boast lighter prices and frames. They retail in the vicinity of Rs 12,500 and tip the scales at slightly more than a kilogramme.

But what really differentiates these netbooks from other similar devices is their MeeGo OS (the raison d’etre of this article). I knew I was on to something radically different the moment I hit the power button – boot-up time was around 15 seconds and shutdown was even quicker.

On starting, I saw a landing screen called My Zone with a row of tabs at the top; each letting you access different functions. And, if you have an internet connection running, it will also show you your social network (Twitter and Facebook) updates as well as new e-mail within seconds of loading. You can also check up on your calendar and to-do list from here. Shades of Android’s widget-on-homescreen formula? Yes, and I love it.

The other tabs let you access functions such as the browser, e-mail, chats and IM, applications on the computer, your status on different social networks, and music and video. On MeeGo, there are no dropdown menus in the main interface — you just select the tab and click on the icon of the app you wish to use.

You can also add and remove some of the tabs, although this involves going to the Devices and Settings menu and scouting around a bit. Multitasking is as simple as hitting the good old Alt+Tab keys or just clicking on top of the display – this opens the row of tabs available, without shutting your current application. All you need to do is select the tab you want, as your app keeps running in the background.

It is a far cry from what we have been used to be on Windows. And, in terms of usability, it seems like a fresh viable alternative.

It does standard stuff too
Still, under its different interface, MeeGo lets you do pretty much what you can on any other computer. The default browser is Chromium (a variant of Chrome) and comes with all the features that you would expect from a standard web browser – from bookmarking to saving web pages to tabbed browsing.

There are media players, file managers, and even some basic games to play around with. The USB ports work just dandy with printers, scanners, pen drives – and if you are ready to tweak things a bit, with USB wireless modems, too. Both, Samsung and Asus have bundled office suites with the netbooks –the N100 comes with LibreOffice while the X101 comes with OpenOffice.org -so you can create, open, and edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations, and even do some graphics work.

All this, at a decent price and with a battery life that is seriously good; we got close to six to seven hours on both the netbooks. Yes, there are not as many software for MeeGo when compared to Windows and we are not sure whether there will ever be heavy-duty games for this OS. But hey, in my few days with it, MeeGo let me do everything that I could do on a similar Windows-based system.

Also, considering the devices are ‘net’ books, it’s wonderful to see your social networks and mails on your landing screen within seconds of going online. I did have some headaches with the small trackpads on both netbooks, but a USB mouse took care of that. All of which makes MeeGo one of the best alternative OS I have seen on this form factor. In fact, I might go far enough to say that the perfect netbook OS might just have landed.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/hardware/MeeGo-Has-the-perfect-netbook-OS-arrived/articleshow/9785529.cms

Asus U36SD vs Asus U36JC- is the generation gap that obvious?

August 8th, 2011

These two laptops are part of the same generation, with the U36SD being the upgraded version of the U36JC. The later was launched in the first quarter of the year and packed decent hardware, being a decent contestant even now in the 13.3 inch niche. The U36SD comes with a better processor (now on Sandy Bridge) and maybe, most importantly, one of the newest video cards for ultra portable computers.

But is it enough to make the newer entry a clear winner, or the U36JC can still deliver and save you a couple a bucks? Stay tuned and find out from our comparison review of the two, which will focus on build, design, performance, battery and more.
The specs

As we said, the U36SD was launched only a short while ago and it’s only natural that it comes with superior hardware. Our unit has a Core i5 Sandy Bridge processor, the Nvidia 520M video card, 6 GB of RAM, while the U36J can brag with a Core i5 CPU (previous generation), 3 GB of RAM and Nvidia Gforce 310M graphics. Full spec lists below.

Asus U36SD

13.3 inch display, 1366 x 768 px, LED backlit, glossy finish
Core i5-2410M processor clocked at 2.3 GHz, with HyperThreading and Turbo Boost (2.9 GHz)
hybrid graphics: Intel HD Graphics + Nvidia GT 520M + Optimus
6 GB of DDR3 memory
640 GB 5400 rpm HDD
Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, Wireless N, Gigabit Ethernet
2 x USB 2.0 , 1 x USB 3.0 , Card-reader, webcam, VGA and HDMI ports
6 Cell 4400 mAh 63 Wh battery
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OS
12.9″ x 9.28″ x 0.76″
3.6 pounds with the 6 Cell battery (3.74 pounds with the 8 Cell battery)

Asus U36JC

13.3 inch LED backlit display, glossy, 1366 x 768 px resolution
Intel Core i5-460M CPU clocked at 2.53 GHz
3 GB of memory
Intel HM 55 Chipset
hybrid graphics with integrated Intel HD Graphics and dedicated Nvidia GeForce 310M chip, controlled by Nvidia’s Optimus technology
500 GB 7200rpm hard drive
Wireless N, Bluetooth 3.0, LAN
2 x USB 2.0 and 1 x USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, VGA, LAN, Audio, Webcam, Card reader
8 Cell 5600 mAh 84 Wh battery
Windows 7 Home Premium OS
measures 322 x 232 x 19 mm (12.9 x 9.3 x 0.8 inch)
weighs 1.65 kg (3.6 pounds) with battery included

Build and design

The U36JC is covered in a magnesium alloy, with the chassis having a black or silver finish. The end result is great, as the computer is slimmer than many netbooks- 0.8 inch and pretty light- 1.65 kg. Also, the metal chassis is solid, and this will not feel like one of those shaky, skinny laptops.

The U36SD is even slimmer- 0.76 inch and has a similar magnesium alloy body, which feels even more sturdy and resistant than the finish on the U36JC. But there’s really nor difference between the two, as the exteriors are completely identical.

Keyboard and touch pad

The U36JC has a full sized, Chiclet keyboard with plastic keys. It’s a workable keyboard, nothing too special, but it plays its part with minimal fuss. Keys are silent and don’t flex. The touch pad has the same magnesium finish you get on the chassis and is very pleasant to use, as the slightly rugged texture feels great on the finger. You get two mouse buttons, which are clearly differentiated and have a fingerprint sensor between them.

The keyboard and touch pad on the U36SD is identical, or at least highly similar to the one on the U36JC. A decent, plastic keyboard, with a precise touch pad. We couldn’t give either too many points, as most 13.3 inch machines try to offer better keyboards.

Source:http://www.netbooklive.com/asus-u36sd-vs-asus-u36jc-is-the-generation-gap-that-obvious-10277/

ASUS Eee PC X101 claims to be thinnest and lightest netbook

August 5th, 2011

ASUS has launched the Eee PC X101 netbook, the world’s thinnest and lightest netbook. Announced earlier this year at Computex, the X101 has a super thin 17.6mm profile and weighs a mere 920g so it is easily slipped in to bags for superior portability. Preloaded with the new MeeGo operating system, the X101 allows users to stay connected to their favorite social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and more. This is the perfect netbook as a first computer for kids, teens, as well as students.

Mobility achieved
The X101 shatters the mold of past netbooks with its super thin profile of 17.6mm and a lightweight 920g, yet is still equipped with all the standard netbook goods. It features the latest Intel® Atom™ N435 processor with 1GB of RAM, 2x USB 2.0 ports, a MicroSD Card reader, built-in webcam and 8GB SSD for quick startup and launch times. ASUS Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) technology is also built-in to help conserve battery life for the X101, which is available in a variety of colors including white, black, brown and red.

Computer aided learning
While the X101 is a great computer to stay connected, it is also a great tool to learn the world’s international language, English. Offered on the X101 is the British English Language Learning application, which comes in the form of a content bundle of interactive games, videos and mp3s which are pre-installed on the X101. Over 300 pieces of material was developed by English Language Training (ELT) leaders and the British Council, with the application designed by Intel’s award winning Performance Learning Solutions.

Choice for users
The Eee PC X101 netbook is also offered in the X101H configuration, which comes with the choice of either Windows® 7 Starter with a 250GB HDD, or MeeGo OS with 8GB SSD. The X101H model gives users the option to choose the environment they are more comfortable with.

Product highlights:

Ultra-thin and light for easy portability — just 17.6mm thick and 920g
Seamless chiclet keyboard & comfortable large touchpad
MeeGo operating system with comprehensive selection of preinstalled productivity, entertainment and social networking applications
Preinstalled British Council English Language Learning software for industry-leading language learning across all age ranges
Bundled asus appstore for instant access to applications, ebooks and games,

Source:http://www.guru3d.com/news/asus-eee-pc-x101-claims-to-be-thinnest-and-lightest-netbook/

Dell inspiron duo hybrid tablet / netbook review

February 10th, 2011

The Dell Inspiron Duo is an impressive sight. It’s not often that we’re this enamored by a device’s physical design, but the Dell Inspiron Duo simply does it for us. The machine is a feat of engineering, and it really redefines the convertible laptop segment. This 10.1″ machine is part netbook, part tablet, but unlike many rivals, it doesn’t compromise much in terms or portability and form factor to be both. When you open up the package, it looks like a Mini 10 or any other 10″ netbook.

But once the lid is open, a simple press on the LCD allows it to swivel around and lock into place, in reverse. Close the lid back down atop the keyboard, and you’re now looking at a tablet. It’s one of the more innovative notebook designs we’ve seen in recent memory, and we cannot applaud Dell’s engineering team enough for both thinking of this implementation and nailing it with such precision.

Source:http://hothardware.com/Reviews/Dell-Inspiron-Duo-Convertible-Tablet–Netbook-Review/

Samsung sliding PC 7 combines tablet with netbook design

January 8th, 2011

There are times when a tablet computer is the better device to complete your task at hand, while at other times, you may prefer to use a netbook. Both are portable devices, but it’s unlikely many would want to carry two devices around with them.

Earlier this week, Samsung announced their PC 7 at CES which is a touchscreen tablet, that has the ability to transform into a fully functional netbook computer when you pull out the sliding keyboard that is located on the underside of the device.

The PC 7 is powered by Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system and supports both WiMax and 3G connectivity. On the hardware side, this device isn’t the fastest mobile device available with its Intel Atom Z670 processor, but it does have a solid state drive that will add stability and perhaps even speed up data retrieval somewhat. The PC 7 is available with either a 32GB or 64GB SSD.

The concept behind is device is very interesting as it almost seems to have taken a page from the slider phones that come with hidden QWERTY keyboards. Samsung may not have been the first to have thought of this idea, but it’s still an interesting idea. Samsung expects to begin selling the PC 7 this March for the MSRP of $699.

Source:http://www.coated.com/samsung-sliding-pc-7-combines-tablet-with-netbook-design/

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