Eee PC - Blog » netbooks

LG to focus more on QWERTY and touchscreen phones instead of notebooks

David Gonzales — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:45:42 +0000

I have somewhat bad news for the loyal customers of LG. You might be holding off for a new, even better model than the LG X120 before buying a netbook, but it’s going to be quite a while before LG introduces any more new models in its netbook/notebook line. The company has decided that it will rather work on churning out more phones with touchscreens or QWERTY keyboard than notebooks. This is undoubtedly good news for fans of LG mobile phones, especially since it’s said the company is working towards making their phone products better than ever, but those who are looking into buying LG notebooks might want to look elsewhere if the company’s current offerings don’t seem like worth the money.

Mobile Today via Unwired View

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

LG to focus more on QWERTY and touchscreen phones instead of notebooks

Acer and Asus preparing 11.6-inch netbooks for launch soon

David Gonzales — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:31:31 +0000

DigiTimes is reporting that both Asus and Acer are preparing their first 11.6-inch netbooks, prompting LCD panel makers to gear up for production of the needed components. These netbooks will reportedly have 1366×768 screen resolution, but besides which nothing else has been revealed about these upcoming netbooks so far. As for the possibility that the new 11.6-inch models might cannibalize sales of 10-inch models, it is said that vendors are planning to differentiate between models with clear boundaries in price and functionality.

Via Electronic Pulp

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Acer and Asus preparing 11.6-inch netbooks for launch soon

HP: netbooks not to blame for earnings dip and resulting salary cuts

David Gonzales — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:12:09 +0000

HP experienced a 9% profit decline during this year’s first quarter, but the company clarifies that it wasn’t due to netbooks cannibalizing sales of their traditional notebook computers. Instead, HP CEO Mark Hurd blamed the global economic recession as one of the main culprits, as well as the broadening of available products that the company is offering. As a result of this profit decline, the company will enfore salary cuts on all Executive Council members and even its own Chief Executive, but this is done in order to let the company “emerge from this recession in a powerful position to create value for our customers, employees and shareholders over the long term and be in a better position to fund 2009 bonus programs,” according to a follow-up company statement regarding the matter. Read more notes on the company’s recent conference call over at CNET.

Via CNET

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

HP: netbooks not to blame for earnings dip and resulting salary cuts

Freescale Semiconductor plans to offer Android powered netbooks in Q2

David Gonzales — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:20:39 +0000

Freescale Semiconductor has announced plans to launch its very own Android-powered netbooks in the second quarter of 2009. These netbooks, projected to cost only about $100 (as opposed to the usual $200 cost of other netbooks), will be shipped primarily with Wi-Fi and without wireless 3G connectivity, according to a report on Reuters. I know, Android still has a long way off becoming the best known mobile OS for smartphones, so it would be interesting to see how well it performs on netbooks. Aside from Android, Freescale’s upcoming netbooks will also support third-generation operating systems from Phoenix Technologies and Xandros.

Reuters via Electronic Pulp

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Freescale Semiconductor plans to offer Android powered netbooks in Q2

Survey: 11% Would use a netbook as their primary device

QueenB — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:17:06 +0000

ABI Research has conducted a survey in the US of over 1000 adult consumers. The survey focuses around how people view netbooks and MIDs.

From the survey, a huge 79% said that they viewed netbooks as an accompaniment to laptops or desktops. While only 11% said they would use a netbook as their primary device.

Shane from Ars Technica seems to agree with the results from the survey as he himself uses a desktop primarily. While his MSI Wind is used as his secondary device, it is noted that it has however, replaced his laptop. Personally, I would be amongst those 11% of consumers that use their netbook as their primary device – an MSI Wind clone replaced my laptop and is used more than my desktop computer, which is used for the only thing traditional netbooks can’t do – read or burn disks.

Would the survey results have been different if you’d answered the questions? Tell us if you use your netbook as your primary device and why or why not.

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Survey: 11% Would use a netbook as their primary device

Amazon launches new mini-site specifically for netbooks

David Gonzales — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:45:27 +0000

Amazon recognizes that netbooks are one of their best-selling products, and as such they have opened up a completely new mini-site that’s dedicated to selling one of these little things. Listed there are the best-selling netbooks, their current prices and where they will be shipped from. If you want a sure and safe place to get your next netbook, this could very well be it. Get your credit card ready and head on there with the link below.

Netbook Computers via Netbook Boards

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Amazon launches new mini-site specifically for netbooks

Windows 7 or Linux best suited for netbooks?

QueenB — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:14:49 +0000

ComputerWorld have posted an interesting article up about which is better for a netbook, Windows 7 or Linux? Preston has spent time using both operating systems on his netbook and has explained what it’s like using each system, and how it will benefit netbooks.

In the article, he notes Linux as being a “solid, stable, operating system with a simple, easy-to-use interface”. Linux also will work with lighter weight hardware than is needed for Windows 7, which will bring the cost of the netbook down. The Linux operating system is also much cheaper than Windows 7, and even free in some cases. Both these factors indicate that a Linux netbook should be cheaper than a Windows 7 based one.

Windows 7 on the other hand, while it may drive the price of the netbook up a little, Windows is familar with many people. New features of Windows 7 may need a bit of learning about, switching to Linux would involve learning how to operate and use a different operating system. Installing and updating software in Linux is described as not for the faint hearted.

So it seems that Windows 7, will prove to be a more popular choice amoung consumers. Linux won’t however disappear from netbooks and we should still see it on “budget” netbooks.

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Windows 7 or Linux best suited for netbooks?

Telegent launches TV tuners perfect for netbooks

David Gonzales — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:46:39 +0000

A new TV tuner from Telegent Systems called the TLG2300 has just been recently launched, and measuring only 10×10 mm, it could be a perfect accessory for upcoming netbooks. Telegent’s TLG2300 TV tuner integrates the following features: RF Tuner, Demodulator, Decoder, DSP & audio/video processing, Scaler, Worldwide TV stereo, FM stereo radio and USB 2.0. It’s the industry’s first single-chip CMOS that supports DVB-T, PAL, NTSC, SECAM, and FM Radio signals. And from the company’s press release, it looks like it can be upgraded via subsequent software updates.

Excited? Well, you should be, but this won’t solve the problem of low-resolution screens on netbooks, and not to mention the horrendous 2-hour battery life. Netbook makers will have to step up and work on that soon, if this kind of accessory is ever going to catch on in mobile circles. Though it would be a good thing to have to desktop setups just the same.

Telegent Systems [PDF] via Liliputing

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Telegent launches TV tuners perfect for netbooks

Gigabyte to release netbooks with 10 inch screen

QueenB — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:43:34 +0000

Gigabyte are to release three new netbooks, planned for release in the second quarter. Unlike their previous netbook releases, the screen size will be increased from 8.9 inches to 10 inches. The netbooks will be released with a $400 starting price, making them cheaper than their 8.9 inch touch screen netbooks. There is no word on whether the new line of netbooks will also feature a touch screen or if it will follow the traditional netbook lead with a clamshell lid and no touch screen. However based on the price, it seems likely that these netbooks from Gigabyte won’t include a touch screen.

Two of the netbooks will be designed by Gigabyte themselves while the third will be designed by Quanta Computer. Gigabyte are also considering a sub $300 netbook but no further details have been released.

via

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Gigabyte to release netbooks with 10 inch screen

Netbook reviews by netbook owners

QueenB — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:59:05 +0000

If you haven’t got round to purchasing a netbook yet, or are looking for a newer one but don’t know which to choose, Your Netbook Reviews may be able to help you decide. As the name suggests, the site allows you to read reviews on netbooks written by netbook owners. Perfect if you’re looking for more than a proffessional journalists or bloggers review on a certain netbook.

Users who submit reviews can not only write about the netbook, but can also give the netbook a rating based on various aspects. A rating can be given for value, features, usability and design. As the site is relatively new, there aren’t that many reviews on it just yet, but you can expect it to grow.

via

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Netbook reviews by netbook owners