Netbook Evangelist | The blog with information for netbooks & tablets

Dell has struck deal with several telcos from all around the world to bundle its 10-inch Inspiron Mini 10 netbook with 3G services some time this year. DigiTimes is reporting that along with China Mobile, Dell will also sell the Inspiron Mini 10 bundled with a 3G subscription through the following telcos: Vodafone in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, AT&T in the US, M1 and Starhub in Singapore, and Maxis in Malaysia. Currently, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 retails for several hundred dollars, but it wasn’t specified how low it would sell bundled with a 3G plan. It may be free, it may cost $99. Either way, it will be a better deal to some, especially those who need to connect to the Internet on the go.

While Steve Jobs may claim he is taking time off from the day-to-day business of running Apple, that certainly does not mean he isn’t guiding the company’s direction. Jobs is still actively involved with business decisions, reports the Wall Street Journal. This includes work towards a netbook device, despite the company’s best efforts to deny that it is interested in the market.

How convenient that Jobs’ return would be confirmed on this day of Easter, the day of celebrated resurrection.

The device will come in at a size larger than the iPhone/iPod touches, yet smaller than any of its laptops, the WSJ reports (this would kind of obvious, though). It’s hard to say what this Apple netbook would look like exactly — it seems none of the Apple tipster sites have yet to get a good grasp on it, but that hasn’t stopped the speculation.

Apple has placed an order for 10-inch touchscreens from a Taiwan distributor for delivery in the third quarter, Reuters reported last month citing its own sources. But, this may not be for a netbook (in fact, a 10-inch screen would actually be on the big side considering most netbooks have screens smaller that that), and rather for the oft-rumored tablet PC that Apple is said to be mulling about.

There’s another possibility too: that these netbook/Tablet PC rumors could actually refer to the same device. Microsoft’s Tablet PC, for example, has only found a niche market to date because full-featured PCs with touchscreen capabilities just aren’t in great demand. Related to that, you could argue that tablet PCs are essentially glorified laptops that don’t justify their price.

Consumers have found the netbook alluring because of its small, lightweight size and equally diminutive price. These devices aren’t meant to play the latest and greatest games or high-end applications, and thus contain things like expensive graphic chips — they’re meant to keep things sweet and simple.

A tablet netbook may solve these problems. That is certainly what MacRumors suggests: “Apple’s ongoing research into multi-touch, however, has generated speculation that Apple may incorporate more advanced gesturing into a future device.” In other words, who needs a keyboard, anyway?

The 12.1-inch Samsung NC20 netbook PC first revealed late in February is now available for purchase, priced at nearly $550. The computer features an unusually large 1280×800 display resolution and otherwise class-standard 160GB hard drive and 1GB of RAM. It most sharply breaks from the class average is via its use of a 1.3GHz VIA Nano processor instead of a much more common Intel Atom CPU. Otherwise, the large netbook includes a six-cell battery, which contributes to its 3.3lb weight, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality, a VGA output and three USB ports. The operating system of choice is Windows XP Home. The integrated graphics processor is the VIA Chrome9 HC3 IGP that uses a shared 128MB of memory. Rounding out the feature set are a 1.3-megapixel camera, built-in speakers and a 3-in-1 memory card reader.

In recent news, Bloomberg have written a speculative article on ASUS and the prospect of the Android OS in their upcoming netbooks. As one of the first companies to pioneer the netbook style laptops (sub-$500), ASUS continue to forge a path which many other manufacturers have already begun to walk. Samson Hu, head of the Eee PC business at ASUS, recently said that ASUS have “allocated engineers to develop an Android-based netbook by as early as the year”. Hu was quick to mention that whether or not this will result in a final product is unclear since the project is still in development.

Obviously the number one producer of PC operating systems is Microsoft. However, Calvin Huang, a computer-industry analyst at Daiwa Securities Group Inc. in Taipei believes that Google have enough strength behind them to really have a bite at the Windows cake and perhaps steal some of the market share.

However, Microsoft remain defiant, with Ben Rudolph, senior manager for Windows reported as saying “We remain confident that people will keep on buying Windows, as we’ve seen strong growth in Windows on these small notebook PCs.”

Clearly it is very early days for the netbook style PC, but as Microsoft move from larger, faster devices to smaller ones, Google move from smaller devices to larger ones (think phone to laptop). Obviously a heavy OS like Vista cannot run well on a low specification device; however a light OS like Android will run well on anything. It seems to me there should be a clear winner in this new battle for the ultraportable laptops (netbooks), but only time will tell.

Source: http://www.androidauthority.com/index.php/2009/02/21/asus-confirm-development-of-android-based-netbook/

BARCELONA (Reuters) – Chipmaker Freescale, which began making chips for small netbook laptop computers last month, plans to expand its offering to include chipsets for Google’s Android operating system by next quarter.

The privately held company spun off from Motorola in 2004 will also collaborate with wireless technology companies Wavecom and Option to make higher-end netbooks offering faster, third-generation connections.

Netbooks — pared-down, light, inexpensive notebooks made for easy Web browsing on the go — have seen explosive growth in the past year and are still a bright spot for computer makers although growth may come at the expense of more expensive PCs.

Google’s Android software is so far being adopted by phone companies to make smartphones with computer-like capabilities but is being designed to support all kinds of connected devices.

Freescale expects the amount of netbooks sold this year to double to about 30 million. Mobile research firm ABI Research has a higher forecast of 35 million.

Loss-making Freescale competes with wireless chip giants Qualcomm and Texas Instruments but says it can connect its chips to the computer’s memory far more cheaply.

Most of the netbooks in its target markets, aimed at casual, young users in the West, ship with only Wi-Fi connectivity.

“For price reasons, the netbooks are going to primarily be shipped with just Wi-Fi. For mobile professional users, you do need 3G connectivity,” Glen Burchers, marketing director for Freescale’s consumer business, told Reuters.

As well as Google Android, Freescale will also support third-generation operating systems from Phoenix Technologies and Xandros starting next quarter, the company said at the Mobile World Congress trade fair in Barcelona.

The netbook market is shaping up as a battleground for Intel’s Atom processors — which currently have the market to themselves — and chips based on designs from Britain’s ARM.

Freescale has thrown its lot in with ARM, saying ARM-based processors have battery life of about eight hours — about four times as long as Atom — less heat generation, eliminating the need for fans, and far cheaper prices.

Burchers said he believed that in time ARM could capture about half the world’s netbook chip market, with the first ARM-based netbooks coming to market this summer.

Freescale designs its netbook chips for free software operating systems such as Ubuntu, saving manufacturers the cost of license fees for Microsoft Windows.

“I think for developed countries you’ll see good, better and best. I believe the good and better will be based on ARM. I believe the best will be Atom-based and will still run Windows, because you can do more with it,” Burchers told Reuters.

Freescale believes netbooks built around its technology will be able to be made at a cost of about $100. Netbook prices currently start at about $200.

Freescale is focused on developed markets but is now talking to Indian technology firm Encore Software, which is reported to be planning to supply millions of ultra-cheap netbooks to India’s government as part of an education program.

“We quickly rushed down there, found who they were and are now engaged with them,” said Burchers, when asked about media reports of an Indian government project to supply netbooks for as little as $100. “I do think it’s a huge potential market.”

Asked about what kind of consumer would buy netbooks in economically hard times, Burchers said: “Nobody needs this stuff but they want it, everybody wants it. And at the price point of $199, it’s a great Christmas present or birthday present.”

Source: http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNewsMolt/idUKTRE51G00620090217?sp=true

Intel confirmed on Thursday that it’s shipping the Atom N280 processor to PC makers, which should bring more performance and improved graphics capabilities to netbooks.

The new single-core Atom processor is paired with a chipset that allows users to watch high-definition content on netbooks while drawing less power. The new GN40 chipset includes a hardware-based high-definition video decoder that allows users to watch 720p HD video content.

Intel originally perceived Atom chips for netbooks to run basic applications like Web surfing and productivity applications. The capability to decode HD video should allow netbooks to better handle streaming video content, said Bill Calder, an Intel spokesman.

Previous Atom chips — like the Atom N270 with the 945GSE chipset — do not include hardware-based HD video decoders. Seeing a void, companies like Nvidia released products to improve netbook graphics capabilities. Nvidia’s Ion platform allows netbooks to display 1080p content, for example.

The Atom N280 runs at 1.66GHz, a marginal speed increase over the N270, which runs at 1.6GHz. The new processor also has a faster front-side bus that runs at 667MHz. The front-side bus helps connect the CPU to system components. The Intel Atom N280 processor draws about 2.5 watts of power, similar to the N270.

Intel did not disclose pricing of the chip.

The N280 will power Asus’ $399 Eee PC 1000HE netbook, which the PC maker claims offers up to 9.5 hours of battery life. No shipping date for the netbook has been announced, though Amazon is taking preorders for the laptop.

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/159060/intel_now_shipping_atom_n280_processor.html

Hewlett Packard has released a custom version of Ubuntu Linux designed for Netbooks — specifically for the HP Mini 1000 Mi Edition.

The operating system is based on Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron, and can run pretty much any application that normally runs on Ubuntu, including OpenOffice.org, Firefox, Thunderbird, Pidgin and so forth — with which the OS conveniently comes preloaded. (You’ll have to install GIMP, though.)

On the other hand, the GUI hardly resembles Ubuntu, according to DownloadSquad’s Brad Linder. When you first boot up the custom OS, you are greeted with a screen with a web search engine, a list of favorite web sites and shortcuts to your music and photos, he says:

If you click the Start New Program button, a program launcher will open that separates your applications into Internet, Media, Utilities, Work, Play, and All tabs. The settings manager shows you everything you’d find in the typical Ubuntu settings screens, but it’s arranged in a new way that makes it easier to find what you’re looking for with fewer clicks.

HP has also added a custom media player called HP MediaStyle that resembles Apple’s FrontRow.

Is this the best Linux interface for Netbooks to date? Linder says the software is designed for making basic tasks basic, but “experienced Linux users can always fire up a terminal window by hitting Alt+F2 and entering ‘gnome-terminal.’ ”

The software will come preloaded on some of the company’s Netbooks.

HP also plans to post a utility on its web site in the next few days that will allow you to create a system restore USB flash disk from Windows:

You can already create one if you’re running Linux. You can use this utility to either restore a Mi Edition netbook to factory default settings or to turn a Windows XP HP Mini 1000 into a Mi Edition device. I would not advise anyone to try using this install disk on unsupported hardware as you’ll probably end up with an operating system that doesn’t support your WiFi card or other hardware.

It’s not clear whether HP plans to offer the software for non-netbooks. But if you want to try adding installing the user interface over a normal Ubuntu installation, you can try adding the HP repositories and using the Synaptic package manager to install a package called glassy-bleu-theme.

Best ultraportable Ubuntu ever?

Source: http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=1221

Microsoft has officially announced the five versions of Windows 7 it will sell at launch within the United States, together with a version specifically designed for low-cost netbooks.

The five versions available for U.S. customers will be: Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate. But Microsoft will only sell Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional at retail, in a bid to eliminate some of the confusion caused by a plethora of Windows Vista versions.

A sixth version, Windows 7 Home Basic, will only be sold in emerging markets, Microsoft said.

Microsoft did not release the prices of the new Windows 7 versions, and offered no additional details as to when they would launch. Most expect Windows 7 to ship near the end of 2009, however. Microsoft also declined to say when it would stop selling Windows Vista.

“We’ve learned a lot over the years as we’ve released versions of Windows to the market. We spent a lot of time listening to customer and partner feedback,” Microsoft said in a document describing the changes that was released to PCMag. “We heard from customers that they liked the choices Windows Vista offered, but that upgrading sometimes meant tradeoffs. Customers told us that they want us to make it simpler to identify which version is right for them.”

And that means that a single version – Home Premium – will be offered to consumers, with a separate version – Professional – offered to businesses. Both the Home Professional and Business SKUs will contain discrete features that aren’t overlapped to the other.

So why not leave it at that? “When you have a customer base of more than one billion, two options can’t satisfy all of their varied needs,” Microsoft explained. “For that reason we will continue to offer a few targeted SKUs for customers with specialized needs.”

Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, meanwhile, won’t be sold directly to consumers. Instead, Windows 7 Ultimate will be an upgrade offered only as an add-on, which also means that consumers will be forced to pay for Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional, and then pay again for the upgrade. However, Microsoft will roll out all of the versions on a single disc, allowing users the choice of either buying offline media or applying for an online upgrade key that will unlock the additional capabilities.

“Ultimate combines all of the features of Windows 7 Home Premium plus provides access to all of the Enterprise features including BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, AppLocker, BranchCache, DirectAccess (accessing a corporate network without Remote Access Server installed), MUI, etc.,” Microsoft said. BitLocker and AppLocker lock down data and applications, respectively.

And Ultimate Extras? Gone. “Our new approach to planning and building Windows doesn’t have the capacity to continue to deliver features outside the regular release cycle,” Microsoft said.

Perhaps the largest change, however, is Microsoft’s recognition of the netbook market. Previously, Microsoft sold its Starter software only into emerging markets. Now, the company has positioned Starter as an ideal entry point for extending Windows 7 into netbooks. The catch? Like other Starter editions, that netbook will only run three applications at a time, an arbitrary limitation the software imposes. Those limitations ignore background services like antivirus applications, but trigger when the controlling antivirus application is opened, Microsoft’s documents say.

Starter is described as a “worldwide entry-level SKU”. “Windows Starter has been our entry-level offering in emerging markets with Windows XP and Windows Vista,” Microsoft’s documents say. “With Windows 7 we are making Windows 7 Starter our worldwide entry-level offering for small notebook PCs (also known as netbooks).

“While these PCs with sufficient hardware will be able to run any Windows 7 SKU and we believe that most consumers will want the rich experience offered by Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional, we recognize that some consumers want a very low price point for their small notebook PC and only have basic computing requirements,” Microsoft added. “Windows 7 Starter meets the needs for a certain segment of customers with reduced computing requirements.”

One interesting twist: Microsoft claims that any netbook should be able to run essentially any version of its Wndows 7 operating system: “However, Windows 7 was designed in a way that any edition of the OS should be able to run on small notebook PCs with sufficient hardware,” the documents say.

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2340311,00.asp

Asus is taking pre-orders for a netbook based on Intel’s second-generation netbook platform, the secret-shrouded N280/GN40 chipset. Early product specs confirm that the second wave of netbooks are likely to offer faster graphics and lower power use, along with room for much, much larger batteries.

Asus is the company that arguably touched off the netbook craze with its original Eee PC, originally launched in July 2007. The little Eee PCs started out with Intel Celeron processors, and switched last June to Intel’s 1.6GHz Atom N270.

Now, according to Asus’s website and a promotional Facebook group, the company is set to ship a netbook based on Intel’s next-generation Atom N280, reportedly codenamed “Pineview.” Thus far, Intel has made next-to-no information on this CPU public, beyond referencing a GN40 companion chip and a miniscule 0.06GHz increase in clock speed compared to the N270. However, it’s widely believed that Pineview will integrate northbridge functionality, with an IGP (integrated graphics processor) that will clock at 200MHz and may be capable of HD video playback. For more details, see later in this story.

Asus touts the N280 in its new Eee PC 1000HE netbook as providing “better performance at only 2.5 Watts of power.” Taking no chances, the company has equipped the device with a massive 8700mAh battery, which is claimed to allow “up to 9.5 hours of run time.”

Despite its power, the battery “sits flush with the chassis,” claims Asus. Indeed, photos of the device (above) reveal a tidy footprint, and with a cited weight of 3.2 pounds, the PC 1000HE isn’t significantly heftier than the netbook norm, either.

Without revealing what operating system the PC 1000HE will include, Asus says the netbook will provide “fast bootup and shutdown times.” The device will also sport a new “chiclet” keyboard design, as pictured, plus a “multitouch keypad [that] allows two-fingered zooming and scrolling,” according to the company.

Asus says the PC 1000HE includes a 160GB hard disk drive and a 10-inch display with LED backlighting. The device also offers 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth, according to the company.

Source: http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS9895185354.html

These won’t last, so I’m going to make it quick: Dell’s outlet store has the Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook on sale for as low as $178 shipped.

That price is for the low-end model, which features the 1.6GHz Atom processor, 512MB of RAM, a 4GB solid-state hard drive, and Ubuntu Linux. It’s available in Alpine White or Obsidian Black.

Once you land at the outlet store page, click Outlet Laptops, then Inspiron & Mini Laptops, and then Inspiron Mini. Under Inspiron Mini 9, click Continue, then Check Availability and Prices. In the ginormous list of recertified models that appears, click the Price column to sort low-to-high. You should see the aforementioned Mini 9 models for $209. Add the one you want to your cart, then apply coupon code $C$TXXP1CT3BLC to bring the price down to $177.65.

To Dell’s credit, refurbished (“recertified”) Netbooks get the same one-year warranty and 24-7 tech support as new units.