Tuesday, December 6

Asus Zenbook A Good Ultrabook?

Asus Zenbook UX21E and UX31E - Ultrabooks for Windows - Watch the Video






Asus Zenbook UX31






Ultrabooks are the Windows answer to the Macbook Air and will set the standards for the next generation of notebooks. The incredibly thin new Asus Zenbook comes in two formats the Zenbook UX 21E (with either i3, i5 or i7 processor) and the Zenbook UX 31E (with either i5 or i7 processor).

It was clearly inspired by the Macbook Air but has better specs and sells for $200 less and is also an improvement on the Acer S3 ultrabook.

It would also make a great Christmas gift for some lucky person ! Maybe me? (But only if I buy myself one :-(.)

Engadget says "as stunning in person as it is in the press shots." It's arguably faster than the Macbook Air, and battery life is comparable. "It offers the highest-res display we've seen in an Ultrabook and the sound quality is disarmingly good. .... For now this is the Ultrabook to beat."

PCMag says "The Asus Zenbook UX31-RSL8 is the clear leader in the nascent ultrabook category, with better overall performance and battery life than any competitor. It also has a brilliant display, superb sound, and solid construction"

Here are some sample specifications

Asus Zenbook UX21E

Product Features and Technical Details
Product Features
Intel Core i5-2467M
4GB DDR3
128GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
11.6-inch HD display (1366 x 768)
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

Hardware Platform: PC
Processor: 1.6 GHz A110
Number of Processors: 1
RAM: 4 MB
RAM Type: SODIMM
Hard Drive

Size: 128 GB
Manufacturer: SATA
Type: Serial ATA
Speed: 7200 rpm
Sound

Speakers: Altec Lansing HD
Ports and Connectivity

USB 2.0 Ports: 1
VGA Video Out Ports: 1
Cases and Expandability

Size (LWH): 11.7 inches, 7.7 inches, 0.67 inches
Weight: 2.42 pounds
Power

Battery Type: Lithium ion
Wireless

Wireless Type: 802.11bgn

Product Features and Technical Details
Product Features
13.3" (1600x900) LED / i-5 2557M Dual Core (1.7GHz) / .78" Thin and Only 2.86ilbs Light
4GB DDR3 RAM / 128GB SSD / Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit) / 802.11BGN
0.3M Pixel / Bluetooth 4.0 / 1 USB 3.0 Port / 1 USB 2.0 Port / Micro HDMI Port
1YR Global Warranty / 1YR Accidental Damage Protection / 30-Day Zero Bright Dot / 24-7 Tech Support
Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

Hardware Platform: PC
Processor: 1.7 GB Intel Core i5
Number of Processors: 2
RAM: 4 GB
RAM Type: SODIMM
Hard Drive

Size: 128 GB
Manufacturer: SATA
Type: Serial ATA
Graphics and Display

Graphics Card: HD Graphics 3000
LCD Native Resolution: 1600 x 900
Ports and Connectivity

USB Ports: 2
USB 2.0 Ports: 1
VGA Video Out Ports: 1
Cases and Expandability

Size (LWH): 12.9 inches, 8.9 inches, 0.78 inches
Weight: 2.86 pounds
Power

Rated Charge (normal use): 7 hours

More details from Amazon here

Saturday, December 3

Tablets for Kids

Tablets for Kids this Christmas

With Christmas fast approaching one of the most popular ideas for Christmas presents for the kids is a tablet. There are a number of tablets for kids available. Prices start around $70 and go all the way up to the Apple iPad at $499. But is an iPad really meant for kids?

The two tablets made specifically for kids and which are reasonably priced given that kids are quite capable of breaking stuff are the uDraw Tablet ($70), the VTech InnoTab ($79)

uDraw Tablet

The uDraw tablet was originally launched in 2010 and intended for the Wii, it is now trying to break into new markets. Its latest version includes support for the PS3 and Xbox 360. It is ideal if you already have access to these consoles. The uDraw tablet allows kids to interact with games via its touch screen and stylus. It has motion controls, touch input, HD output, the uDraw tablet is a capable device for its price.
Touch Screen Creativity - the uDraw GameTablet responds directly to your touch.
Built-In Controller Functions - Xbox 360 and PS3 controls are integrated thus eliminating the need to dock a controller.
Tilt Functionality - Tilt, shake and jump through games with enhanced tilt and motion features.
Pressure-Sensitive Stylus - providing amazing freedom to bring your creations to the screen in detail.

VTech InnoTab Interactive Learning Tablet



VTech's InnoTab tailors apps for kids via its 5-inch screen. It offers interactive e-books, learning games, and a range of other creative apps, it is a good tablet and the price won't break the bank.
5" color touch screen and tilt-sensor for educational gameplay
E-books, educational games, creative activities, learning apps and more available on cartridge
4 different media players e-book reader, MP3 music player, photo viewer and video player
64MB onboard memory and SD card slot for memory expansion
Learning toy connects to PC/Mac with included USB cable


Apart from these two you are left with the adult tablets that can be used by kids

Kindle Fire



Nook Tablet


Xoom Tablet

Tuesday, November 29

Cheap Netbooks Under $200

Cheap Netbook Computers for Under $200

Netbook for under $200
Can you buy a netbook computer for under $200? Well, the answer is yes, but only just. You will find it very difficult to find a NEW netbook for under $200 but there are plenty of used or refurbished netbooks available. The problem with used netbooks is, of course, that they tend to be last year's models. So the used netbooks available for under $200 will have Windows XP or Windows 7 Starter software on them.


Apart from used netbooks there are also 'mini netbooks' available for well under $200.


The only NEW netbook computer I've been able to find for anywhere near $200 is an Acer Aspire One for $240


New Netbook for $240
Acer Aspire One AOD-257 13404
Windows 7 Starter  - 1 GB DDR3 Ram - 250 GB Hard Drive - Click here for full details from Amazon
Cheap Netbook


Screen 10.1 " Max. Resolution: 1024 x 600 - Backlit Display, Crystal Brite, WSVGA, LED Display Computer
Intel Processor up to 1.66 Ghz Processor
Type: Intel Atom N455 Cache Memory Installed Capacity: 512KB L2 Cache System
Bus Speed: Up to 667 Mhz
RAM: 1024 MB Memory RAM Type: DDR3
250GB Hard Drive Capacity
Hard Drive Speed: 5400 RPM
SATA Built-In Graphics Card
Model: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
Graphics Memory Capacity: 64 MB
Dedicated Wired Technology: 10/100 Ethernet LAN Wireless Technology: Wi-Fi Enabled Wireless Standard: IEEE 802.11b/g/n Number of USB 2.0 Ports: 3 Built-In Card Reader Type: Multi-in-1 Card Reader Input Type: RJ-45, USB, Microphone, Headphone Jack, VGA Audio Features: Built-In Speakers Built-In
Webcam Features: Built-In 0.3 Megapixel Webcam Battery Charge Life: Up to 4 Hours Operating System: Windows 7 Starter Edition




Used Netbook for $199
ASUS Eee PC 1002HA 10-Inch Netbook, Brushed Aluminized


1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor
1 GB RAM; 160 GB Hard Drive; 10 GB Eee Storage
Windows XP Home operating system
Large 10-inch display
Free 1 YR warranty (6 month for battery, 30 day ZBD Guaranteed) -Click here for details from Amazon - ASUS Eee PC 1002HA




Mini Netbook for $120 - details from Amazon here - Solid Black 7 inch Mini Netbook


Solid Black 7 inch Mini Netbook PC Windows CE 256mb 2gb


Processor : WMT ARM-WM8505 CPU * Processor Clock Speed: 300M MHz
Hard Drive Type: NAND Fast Flash * Hard Drive Capacity: Up To 2GB * Hard Drive Spindle Speed
Ports: 3x USB 2.0, 1x SDCard slot, 1×RJ45 * Audio/Video: Integrated Quadraphonic Speakers,1x 1/8" (3.5mm)
Networking/Data link Protocol: Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g Wireless Connection: Wifi * Wireless Protocol: 802.11 a/b/g
Product Type: Netbook* Model: 901* Operating System: WinCE * Pointing Device: TrackPad *
Processor/Manufacturer: WM * Processor Model: VIA-ARM VT8500 * RAM/Technology: DRAM
Max Resolution: 800x480 * Display Technology: TFT * Graphics Type: Integrated Graphics
RAM Installed Size: 128 MB * Display Diagonal Size: 7" TFT HD *
NAND Fast Flash * PCMCIA Expansion: 1x SDCard slot
Headphone/line-Out,1x 1/8" (3.5mm) Microphone, Input 1x Integrated Microphone
Battery: 1800mAH smart lithium-ion battery * Power Device Type: AC * Dimensions: W*D*H 212mmx142mmx28mm * Net Weight: 0.65kg


Ideal for business people on the go, students, children, home users. Surf the net, send emails, instant messaging, study, compose documents, manage accounts and spreadsheets, view PowerPoint presentations and lots of other work. Watch movies or listen to music. It fits in a bookbag or purse and is the lightest netbook available. You can use it anywhere there is a wifi hotspot and check your emails or browse the web.


If you are looking for netbooks for the kids check out - Netbooks for Kids

Friday, November 11

Asus Kids Netbooks?

Netbooks for Kids for Christmas?

Asus Disney Netpal Netbook for Kids

Netbooks are better for kids than tablets. They are more robust and they have a lid that protects the screen. Netbooks designed specifically for kids are even better and make a great Christmas gift.

With the Disney Netpal, Asus have made computing fun and safe for kids.

It comes in two colors - Princess Pink and Magic Blue
and is a lot more inviting for kids than a plain black box. It is also equipped with safety features to prevent them accessing stuff on the Internet that they shouldn't.

Asus has also signed a contract with Disney to make lots of Disney content available via the Netpal. You also don't need to be a computer geek to use it as the browser and email have already been set up with the necessary parental controls to make using the Internet safe and easy.

It also features a range of applications designed just for kids — Disney Pix for editing/creating photos, Disney Mix, and Radio Disney with live streaming and a Mickey-shaped webcam lens.

The design is durable and child-friendly and is reinforced with a spill-proof keyboard, plus ShockShield Data Protection to prevent data loss in the event of impacts.

The battery cannot be removed by kids thus avoiding any electrical danger.

The batteries stay charged for up to 5 hours.

Disney Desktop

Disney Desktop lets your children dress their desktops with themes from Cars, Club Penguin, Disney Classic Characters, Disney Fairies, Disney Princess, Vintage Mickey Mouse, Toy Story, WALL-E, Hannah Montana, and Jonas Brothers!

Disney Applications and Games

Disney Mix lets kids manage their media, Disney Pix edits/creates photos and Radio Disney provides live streaming. The Netpal also includes a memory game, driving game, and photo scrapbook.

Disney Pix

Disney Pix lets kids put their faces on dancing bodies and accessorize with glasses, hats and more before sharing with friends.

Durable, Kid-friendly Design

The reinforced mechanical design withstands significant abuse, and the spill-proof keyboard protects against liquid spills.

For further details or buy the Netpal from Amazon see - ASUS Disney Netpal

Asus Netpal Specifications

Operating System

Genuine Windows® XP Home

Display

8.9” LED-backlit WSVGA screen (1024x600)

Intel CPU & Chipset
Intel® ATOM N270

Memory DDR2 SO-DIMM 1GB
Wireless Data Network 802.11 b/g/n
Hybrid Storage 160GB HDD
Camera 0.3 M Pixels
Audio Hi-definition audio CODEC
Built-in stereo speakers
Analog Mic

Input / Output
1 x VGA port (D-sub 15-pin for external monitor)
3 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x LAN RJ-45
2 x audio jacks: Headphone / Mic-in

Battery
4200mAh Polymer, 5hrs

Dimensions
248mm x 173mm x 24~28.7mm

Weight
2 pounds with battery

See also Netbooks for under $200

Wednesday, September 7

Buy the Asus Eee Pad Transformer?

Best Netbooks - Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101 is a bright idea whose time has come that will no doubt have many followers. Watch the VIDEO of the unpacking of the Eee pad below to get a clear idea of what it looks like.

Asus are well-known for their netbooks but so far have not done much in the world of tablets. The Eee Pad changes all that, by being both a netbook and a tablet.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101 - Click image for further details from Amazon
 Asus Eee Pad Transformer

Tablets have always had the disadvantage of being flat and having a screen that it exposed to the elements. With the Eee Pad you get the chance to fold your tablet up, thus protecting the screen, which seems to us here at USANetbooks to be an excellent idea.

The Transformer is different from other tablets in that it has what Asus call an "optional docking station". This gives you a full QWERTY keyboard with unique Android Function keys, turning the Eee Pad Transformer tablet into a netbook.

The docking station increases the Transformer’s 9.5 hours of battery life up to 16 hours, so you can use it all day.

The Eee Pad is in fact another Honeycomb tablet, with an NVIDIA Tegra 2 SoC, 1GB of LPDDR2 memory, 16GB of NAND on-board and a WiFi radio.

If you are looking for an Android tablet then the Eee Pad Transformer is certainly worth a closer look. The actual tablet part is around $380 for 16GB WiFi which is around $100 less than the iPad - if you want the optional docking station with keyboard that will cost an extra $120 (still not cheap - but cheaper) - you may wish to wait until after Christmas to see if you can pick up a bargain.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101 - Click image for further details from Amazon
 Asus Eee Pad Transformer
In addition to the lower price Asus also made a quality product that is very comfortable to hold and use.

A benefit of not being made of aluminum is I'm not as afraid to set the Eee Pad down on a table as I am the iPad. It feels more rugged, more comfrotable than the iPad. Asus has also improved the quality of the display on the netbook side, with an IPS panel that guarantees image quality and good viewing angles, offering 10.1".

The Eee Padalso has two cameras (1.2 MP that faces forward and 5 MP to the rear ) 2 small speakers, a volume rocker, headphone port, mini HDMI out and microSD slot.

The docking station docks via a 40-pin ASUS dock connector along the bottom edge. There is also a USB to AC adapter for charging the pad.

All in all an excellent tablet / netbook albeit I stil find them a bit onthe expensive side, but I am well-known for being a cheapskate.

For further details and prices from Amazon US see - ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101
For further details and prices from Amazon UK see - Asus EeePad Transformer TF101

Wednesday, August 24

Highly Rated Cheapest Netbook

Cheap Netbooks - Acer Aspire One AO722-BZ454

Acer Aspire One AO722 BZ454
Looking for the cheapest netbook that gets high ratings from customers and users ? Then take a look at the Acer Aspire One AO722-BZ454 . It is portable, lightweight, thin and still manages to have a 11.6" Widescreen HD CineCrystal display, and a full-size keyboard, (some keyboards are cramped). The graphics are run by an ATI Radeon HD 6250 graphics chip, with 256 MB of dedicated graphics memory.

In addition there is the big advantage of Windows 7 Home Premium preloaded (netbooks often just have Windows Starter - which many people say is just not good enough - some go as far as to call it 'crimpware'), 2 GB of RAM, and an AMD C-Series Processor C-50.

The Acer Aspire One AO722-BZ454 is ideal for consumers and professionals alike.

Good Points

The touchpad supports enhanced mouse functionality such as page flip controls, circular motion scrolling, and pinch action zoom. Some users say this touchpad with the full-sized Acer keyboard gives ideal keyboard and touchpad functionality.
One HDMI output port with support for HDCP so you can instantly stream the full 1366 x 768 resolution to an external HD monitor for a better viewing experience.
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system, lots of other cheap netbooks and laptops only offer Windows 7 Starter. A 64-bit OS lets you multitask more efficiently and run more powerful software.

Battery lifetime 4.5 to 5 hours on ‘balanced’ setting, and 7-8 hours in ‘power saver’ mode.
Acer power adapters are compact with a power cord that is 8 feet long, and with prongs that you can rotate so that other devices are not blocked from the power point.

Weak Points
No built-in Bluetooth – but relatively inexpensive USB Bluetooth adapters can be used.
There is a built-in Wi-Fi card, so you can get Internet access anywhere there is a wireless connection.
An extra 2 GB of RAM would be helpful but you can get a 2 GB memory upgrade for around $30-$40.

Conclusion
The Acer Aspire One AO722-BZ454 is one of the best mid-sized laptops and currently sells on Amazon (one of the cheapest places available) for around $275-$295.

Who Should Buy It?

People who travel a lot and students. It is small and lightweight, yet powerful.

For othr cheap netbooks check out - Netbooks for Under $200

Friday, August 19

Asus Eee 10105PEM Video Review

Cheap Netbooks - Asus Eee PC 1015PEM Netbook Video Review

The ASUS Eee PC 1015PEM-Netbook makes a good impression as a netbook computer with a solid build quality and strikes a balance between portability and sturdiness.

Check out this video from a British dude with a weird accent -


The components are as you would expect. It features one of Intel's 1.5GHz latest dual-core Atom N550 processors, 1GB of DDR3 RAM that can be upgraded to 2GB, Windows 7, and the dual-core technology means it is faster when running multiple applications than a single-core processor would be.

The hard disk is a generous 250GB and the 10.1in 1,024 x 600 matte-finish screen is excellent and and clear. What really impresses however is the range of connections you get. 2 x USB 3 ports 1 x USB 2 port, Bluetooth, Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11bgn Wi-Fi. The battery is also impressive - a six-cell 5,200mAh that can get between 9 and 12 hours depending on use.

Price is around $300 and so the the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM is a very good choice if you are looking for a decent machine that won't leave you broke. Check out Amazon for further details here - Amazon

For an Asus netbook under $200 see - Asus Eee X101

Saturday, July 2

Samsung Launches Solar-Powered Netbook

New Netbooks - Cheap Samsung Solar Netbook

Liliputing has announced that Samsung will be launching a solar-powered netbook, the NC215S, next week. Will it use solar panels ? Yes. Will it be cheap? Well, that depends on your definition of cheap - $399 US is the expected price in the USA. It will also be available in Russia and Africa (not Europe?). If you are not too keen on a solar-powered netbook but are looking for one of the best netbooks for 2011 scroll to the bottom of the page.

Samsung NC215S Solar-Powered Netbook

Samsung says the solar panel on the back of the lid will provide around 1 hour of computing time for 2 hours charging time in direct sunlight. It is fitted with a battery that can provide up to 14.5 hours of operating time, less if you use intensive graphics applications. The NC215S features an Intel Atom N570 1.66 GHz dual-core processor with integrated graphics that draws a maximum of 8.5 Watts. It also has recyclable parts.

It also offers a ”Sleep-and-Charge” USB port that charges mobile devices even if you put the netbook to sleep or turn it off. The solar panel will also provide power if the battery is depleted.

It has a 10.1″ 1024 x 600 display with a matte finish (hooray!) to reduce glare. Samsung also says it is 50% brighter than competing netbooks, so it may even be usable out in the sun.

Other specs. - 1GB of RAM, and a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N570 dual-core processor.

So if you are planning going for a walk or if you just like the idea of free electricity then this new Samsung is certainly worth a look.

Things to bear in mind - this solar-powered netbook is designed to run using the battery, the solar panels act as a solar charger  to recharge the battery not for actually using the netbook. Apparently you can also charge other stuff using the solar panels on the netbook.

Looking for the best netbook for 2011 ?

If you are on a budget or just don't want to spend too much on a netbook that you only intend to use occasionally then wesuggest the minimum required for a Netbook in 2011 is an Intel Atom Single-core N455 Processor, 1GB DDR3 RAM at least, a 160GB hard drive, Intel GMA 3150 integrated graphics, 8 hours of battery life and Windows 7 Starter. Those are the basics and may well be enough but if you intend doing multimedia work and gaming applications then you need something a bit more powerful such as an 11.6 or 12.1 display, higher screen resolutions, Dual-core processor and better graphics hardware, such as Nvidia’s Ion GPU.

Asus EEE PC 1001PXDThe Asus Eee PC 1001PXD is one such netbook for around $230 which you can see by clicking on the image on the left.

Tuesday, May 31

New Cheap Asus Netbook Under $200

Cheap Netbooks - Asus Launches New Cheap Netbook Under $200

If you are looking for a cheap netbook for under 200 dollars then things may have just got easier! Asus has just launched its latest ultra-thin ultra-cheap 10.1" Eee netbook the Eee PC X101 -see video below.

Asus Eee PC X101 Cheap Netbook
It will be offered with either Windows 7 or Intel's MeeGo and the MeeGO version will cost under $200. In many ways it is reminiscent of the 11" MacBook Air, except it is around 80% cheaper! The Eee PC X101 is a cheap entry-level netbook that is nevertheless very high quality.

It is based around an Intel Atom N435 Oak Trail (1.33 GHz) processor with integrated GMA 60 graphics chip and a WiFi connection, with a choice of HDD or SSD configurations, with the SSD you get the same instant-on experience as with the iPad 2 and Apple MacBook Air. It is just 17.6mm thick and weighs just under 1 kg, so very lightweight for carrying around.



It could be that the success of tablets has forced netbook manufacturers to look again at their prices, which I ahve always found a bit excessive, but at under 200 dollars the Eee PC X101 offers great value for netbook buyers.

The launch date for the Eee PC X101 is not known yet but Asus tend to just make them available at places like Amazon without a great deal of forewarning so you just need to check to see if they are there yet - Amazon.

See also the Asus Eee 1015PEM

Tuesday, April 26

Best Netbooks Toshiba NB505

Best Netbooks - Toshiba Mini NB 505 N508BL


Reviews

The Toshiba NB505 netbook gets an average of 4.5 stars out of 5. Here are some opinions.

"A great little netbook, not for gamers or techies. But perfect for the Internet, email, facebook and everyday stuff or when you're on the move and want to keep in touch. Small and lightweight. More than fast enough. I like it a lot."

"I have had this Toshiba netbook for 4 months and am very happy with it. It is now my primary computer. Lightweight, it fits into a bag or backpack, but is very sturdy. I am not disappointed. The Office Starter and Windows 7 Starter are adequate for my needs and I have not needed to upgrade. I did add another 1 GB of memory, which was very easy. A good buy for the money."

"I love it. The display is crisp, the webcam is as good as my Logitech 9000. The keyboard is firm and solid, no sticking keys. I use it with a wireless mouse. It connected to my wireless network no problem and zipped along at maximum speed."

The Toshiba NB505-N508BL 10.1-Inch Netbook is a netbook that offers 8 hours of use without the need to recharge the

batteries, and is a very popular netbook being currently the best-selling on Amazon. It is sold with a nice blue Easy Grip Finish on the lid, designed to prevent your netbook from slipping out of your hand and ending up on the floor ! Yes, it does happen apparently with the more glossy netbooks.

The mini NB 505 N508BL is powered by an Intel Atom N455 (1.66 GHz) processor, and has the standard netbook screen of a 10.1 inch WSVGA display with 1 GB Memory and a 250 GB hard drive. The screen is not the largest you can find for a netbook but it does have the advantage of keeping the price down.

The 250 GB hard disk drive is fitted with a protective system using integrated 3D impact sensor which detects freefalls, vibrations and shocks.

The all round performance and reliability is good.

The operating system is Microsoft’s Windows 7 Starter operating system.

Connections are through an 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity and a very useful multi in one media card reader, the an Ethernet LAN, Integrated web camera, 3 USB ports, standard VGA port, 1 x microphone jack and a 1 x headphone jack.

Toshiba Netbook NB505
It measures 10.3 inch x 7.48 inch x 0.65 to 1.4 inches , weighs 2.9 pounds.

Inbuilt microphone and Harman Kardon stereo speakers, it can be powered by the standard 6 cell battery installed.

Click here for further details - currently priced at around $278 at Amazon. Average customer rating 4.5 stars out of 5.

Wednesday, February 23

Best Netbooks - MSI Wind U160MX

Best Netbooks - the New MSI U160MX

Asus and Acer and Samsung may sell more netbooks than anyone else but there are other netbook manufacturers that make some of the best netbooks that are every bit as good as the major manufacturers. The MSI Wind U160 for example is seen as being one of the best small netbooks around for a long time. It has not been upgraded to the MSI Wind U160MX.


MSI has just announced that it is introducing a new netbook based on Intel's Atom N455 processor. This ultra-thin and lightweight new netbook allows up to 8.5 hours running time. The new MSI U160MX offers either a single or dual core Intel Atom processor rather than just the single core of the original U160.

MSI Wind U160MX Netbook
The Wind U160MX and is less than 1 inch thick and weighs just over 2 pounds with the battery.

It is powered by an Intel Atom N455 CPU, with a single processing core, with a speed of 1.66GHz and a TDP of just 6.5W. The operating frequency can be increased using MSI’s Turbo Drive Engine technology that automatically increases the core's clock speed for processing heavy-load applications.

This chip also supports Intel's Hyper-Threading technology, allowing it to run 2 simultaneous application threads, and an integrated GMA 3150 GPU.

Wind U160MX Specifications

2GB of DDR3-667 memory, 250GB or 320GB hard drive, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, a 2-in-1 card reader, 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR and 10/100M LAN connectivity, a 0.3M webcam and a 3 cell Li-Ion battery.

It's screen is only 10.1-inch, has a 1024x600 resolution and a stated 8 millisecond refresh rate.

“The U160MX has a unique circular display axle and is sheathed in a brush finish black coating that protects against smudging. This elegant netbook also comes with a chicklet keyboard, MSI’s ECO Engine power-saving technology, Easy Face biometric software, the Easy Viewer photo manager, and the S-Bar tool bar. Stunningly beautiful and equipped with powerful MSI applications, you’ll fall in love with it,” said Eric Kuo, associate VP Global Sales at MSI Notebook.

The U160MX also features the ECO energy-saving technology feature that lets you change the battery management settings with a simple tap of finger.

For security the U160MX uses the Easy Face face recognition software to secure the data on the netbook.

It is offered with Windows 7 Starter Edition, but you would be well-advised to upgrade to Windows Home Premium if possible. MSI hasn't announced any prices or availability yet.

Home : Best Netbooks

Saturday, January 15

Best Netbooks for Business Dell Latitude 2120

Dell Latitude 2120 - Business Netbook

Best Netbooks - Dell's Latest Business Netbook

Dell is expanding its netbook range with a business netbook the Latitude 2120, which features a multi-touch display with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution plus a dual-core Atom processor, 3GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 320GB hard drive or 128GB SSD, plus 3G modem. Prices start at $474 and go up to around $600.

Dell describe their latest netbook as the "ideal netbook for business" for use by businessmen and women on the road. It features embedded mobile broadband and webcam options, multi-touch HD panel and Intel® AtomTM N550 dual-core processors. Connect to the Internet, from virtually anywhere and work with ease with your colleagues using the built-in webcam, microphone, and optional HD multi-touch screen. But if you'd rather buy a full-blown laptop then check out here Dell Inspiron

The Latitude 2120's rubberized, easy-grip outer casing offers protection against impacts. You can also upgrade the keyboard to get antimicrobial protection and a tamper-resistant design. There is an optional 128GB solid-state drive that ensures reduced power consumption, quiet performance and fast data access.

There is a choice of three 10.1" anti-glare LED displays. Support for multitasking if you choose the Intel® AtomTM N550 dual-core processor option. Available in 3 durable rubberized finishes - black, red or blue. The Latitude 2120 also features a long-life 6-cell battery, with 3-year warranty. (from April 2011)

The basic model offers 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. The top of the range Latitude 2120 -tier models include a touch-screen LCD, webcam and a battery with a longer life.

The Latitude 2120 is the logical next step from the popular Dell Latitude 2110 designed specifically for professionals and educationalists. It offers a number of improvements to support the rapid adoption of digital content in the classroom. It includes a keyboard that is pressure resistant which prevents the keys making a bid for freedom which is very common with highly used netbooks. The real inovation is in the hardware configuration. Dell Latitude 2120 will have an Intel Atom N550 processor, an alternative to CPU Intel Atom N455 and Chipset Intel NM10 Express.

The graphics chip will be a sub- Intel UMA , with an optional integrated video acceleration Broadcom Crystal HD. Dell also offers 3 types of battery : 6-cell “smart” to 53Whr, 6-cell long-life 54Whr and 3-cell 28WHr Smart. There are no USB 3.0 ports.It weighs 1.31 kg or 1.48Kg depending on the battery choice.

See also Netbooks for kids
Home : Best Netbooks