Best NetbooksAccording to Retrovo, 61% of netbook users do not like the new Windows 7 starter edition. So if you have gone out of your way to carefully choose one of the best netbooks around - don't put Windows 7 Starter Edition on it.
Best Netbooks - Windows 7 Any Good?
The reason being that there are limitations on Windows 7 starter edition that weren't there with Windows XP, which Microsoft has not tried to hide, but people don't seem to take any notice.
If you want Windows 7 on a netbook then you need to get the Windows 7 Home Premium version.
Windows makes its software to make money not to make people happy, but customers really should check things out before handing over their hard-earned cash. The message is clear, get Windows Home Premium for your netbook !
There are alternatives to Windows of course, one of which is Linux, and some reports are saying that Linux could get over 30% of the netbook market share this year alone. That's not good new for Microsoft of course, so if you don't like Microsoft, then check out Linux.
Microsoft say “For the most enhanced, full-functioning Windows experience on small notebook PCs, however, consumers will want to go with Windows 7 Home Premium, which lets you get the most out of your digital media and easily connect with other PCs.” You can't have it clearer than that. From what I can see from the forums netbook owners who are using Windows 7 Home Premium are quite happy with it.
Looking for a powerful netbook ? Then take a look at the latest netbook offering from Asus the Eee PC 1201N, which features a twin-core Intel processor and dedicated Ion Nvidia graphics, making it one of the best netbooks on the market with regard to processing power. Scroll down for video preview by Laptop Magazine
This Asus netbook has an Intel Atom 330, with two cores running at 1.6GHz, which is the same chip as that used in the Eee Box 1501 mini PC.
(Asus Eee PC 1201N Netbook - priced around $550 it has now been reduced to around $488)
The Nvidia Ion graphics are designed to allow streaming 1080p videos to be viewed from YouTube just as effectively as a high-end desktop PC. You will also be able to run video games such as Call of Duty 4, although at reduced resolutions and low detail settings on the 1201N's 12.1", LED-backlit 1,366x768-pixel display.
The 1210N also comes with 750GB of "hybrid storage" which means a 250GB internal hard drive and an extra 500GB of online storage with Asus, if you don't mind storing stuff with someone else. Note the Good News that it is also fitted with Windows 7 Home Premium ! The WIndows 7 Started Edition is really not recommended.
Other specifications include 802.11n Wi-Fi, 0.3-megapixel webcam, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, HDMI video out, and a 5- hour 6-cell, 63Wh battery.
According to ElectricPig the 1201N ultraportable netbook will be availablefor around $560 which seems a lot to us, as you can get a decent notebook for that price. (Update : You can now get the 1201N from Amazon fo around $488)
Asus EeePC 1201N Netbook Video Preview
If you think $500 is a lot of money for a netbook even one of the best netbooks, then you may wish to check out the cheapest netbook available the Menq E790 which costs just $80 !
If you are looking for one of the best netbooks on the market then take a look at the stunning Acer Ferrari One below ! Cnet UK says the Acer Ferrari One uses AMD's new netbook processor, the Athlon X2 L310 in preference to Intel's offering, as a result, this along with its impressive graphics, makes the Acer Ferrari One the "fastest and best netbook we've ever tested". [NB : The Ferrari Netbook is made by Acer not Asus]
But first some netbook facts and figures
13.5 million netbooks were sold globally in the first six months of 2009
over 50 telcos have started selling subsidized netbooks
established PC makers like Sony, Toshiba, Fujitsu and Lenovo are late to the party and are playing catch up
the rise of netbooks is forcing down the price of notebooks and laptops
Netbooks are used more often than notebooks in public places
$100-$200 is the preferred price range for subsidized netbooks
there is Netbook available for $80 with no subsidy from a telco - click here for the cheapest netbook ever
(................. Acer Ferrari One Netbook)
In Europe the most popular netbooks by far are made by Acer, not by Asus who actually invented them
Analysts from Canalys Mobility Forum said Acer had 32.4% of the netbook market in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in the third quarter of 2009.
Asus has 19.6% of the market. Samsung, has 12% of the market in, Toshiba has 4.2% and Dell has 3.5%.
Shipments of netbooks are at 3.7 million into EMEA for the third quarter, which is almost 70% more than last year.
Netbooks now account for 14% of all PCs shipped during the quarter, up from 8%.
Acer Ferrari One Netbook
According to some the Acer Ferrari One is one of the best netbooks ever made - it certainly looks the part !
If you want a Ferrari and you like red, then the Acer Ferrari is the netbook for you.
According to CNET it is not just a pretty Ferrari case it is also a fabulous netbook with a huge keyboard for easy typing.
The Acer Ferrari One uses the much faster AMD 2nd Generation Ultra-thin Platform (Congo) and AMD Athlon X2 L310 dual core processor, plus ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics which gives a lot more graphics power than ordinary netbooks. It also has a 11.6” 16:9 Hi-definition display with Acer CrystalEye™ video camera, Dolby®Home Theater®v3 and 5-hour battery life.
It also has 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, plus a unique feature an ATI XGP graphics port, that lets you connect more powerful external graphics cards.
Cnet were so impressed they said the Acer Ferrari One is “arguably the best netbook we have ever tested”
Acer Ferrari One Netbook Specifications
Processor and chipset AMD Athlon™ X2 dual-core processor L310, supporting AMD HyperTransport™ 3.0 technology
AMD M780G Chipset
Memory Up to 4GB of DDR2 667/800 MHZ memory
HDD 160 GB or larger
Display 11.6” HD 1366 x 768 (WXGA) pixel resolution
Graphics ATI Radeon™ HD 3200 Graphics up to 2GB of HyperMemory™
Audio Optimized 3rd Generation Dolby Home Theater® audio enhancement
2 Built-in stereo speakers,
Acer Crystal Eye webcam,
WPAN1: Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR
56 W 5600 mAh 6-cell Li-ion battery pack (5-hour battery life)
Dimensions 11.22 x 8.03 x 0.9/1.2 inches,
Weight 1.5 kg (3.31 lbs.) with 6-cell battery
Options Acer DynaVivid Graphics Dock, 1 GB / 2 GB DDR2 667/800 MHz soDIMM module, 6-cell Li-ion battery pack, 3-pin 65 W AC adapter, External USB HDD
Video of the Acer Ferrari One 200 - in German for some reason ! But you get a free German lesson thrown in for nothing.
If you would rather have a Lamborghini than a Ferrari then check out the Asus Lamborghini VX6 netbook
It may not be one of the best netbooks you can buy but the new Menq netbook the EasyPC E790 is certainly the cheapest. It will set you back the princely sum of $80 once it becomes available. The EasyPC E790 is an Android-based netbook that has a 7-inch 800 x 480 display and a Samsung ARM926EJ-S3C2450 processor. At the moment it runs under Windows CE, but Menq will release an Android firmware update soon. You can use Skype with it and Charbax explains all the weird and wonderful details (possibly) in his nutty 18 minute video below - well worth the watch! He keeps calling it a laptop, but I would rather call it a netbook but it does seem to have some sort of word processor.
The EasyPC E790 has an ARM9 processor so it's not the fastest in the world in fact, it’s pretty slow, but that might change once Android has been installed.
They aren't available yet but if you are looking for cheap netbooks or even the cheapest netbook available then keep checking in a large supermarket chain near you, the Menq E790 should be with you soon!
Menq EasyPC E790 Netbook Specifications
Processor -- Samsung 400MHz to 533MHz S3C2450 processor
Memory -- 128MB
Flash -- 2GB
Flash expansion -- SD card slot for up to 32GB
WiFi -- 802.11b/g
Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet (RJ45)
Display -- 7-inch 800 x 480 TFT, 65,536 colors
USB -- 3 x USB ports
Audio -- Speaker; 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
Other features:
Power and reset buttons
LEDs for power, battery status
Skype, YouTube support
Battery -- 4,000mAh battery
Dimensions -- 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches (213.5 x 145 x 32mm)
Weight -- 1.8 lbs (0.8 k)
Operating system -- Microsoft Windows CE 5.0; appears to support Android
Video of Menq EasyPC E790 Netbook by Charbax
If you are looking for Christmas presents for the kids then a nice colorful kids netbook could be just the thing - check out the Asus Disney Netpal Netbook (pink or blue available) and Dell's Nickelodeon based netbook Dell Mini Nickeloden Netbook
Netbooks used to have small screens - up to 10" - but there is now a move towards larger 12" screens. This is of course an improvement but it does cause problems as 12" netbooks are heavier, the battery life is shorter and they are also more expensive.
Samsung has earned itself a reputation for making some of the best netbooks on the market, although at times they are more expensive than the competition, The NC20 has a great keyboard and nice screen but the trackpad could be better.
The processor used in the NC20 is a VIA not an Atom but the performance is nearly identical. The 1280x800 screen resolution is OK as is the 5 hour battery life.
The NC20 does however have an excellent keyboard and screen. The price of less than $500 bucks is also good for a Samsung
The main selling point of the Samsung NC20 is the 1.3GHz Via Nano CPU it can run the same software as chips from Intel and Advanced Micro Devices.
The NC20 is the first netbook with a Via CPU but previous models form manufactuerrs such as HP have been disappointing. This new Nano is a great improvement, being designed specifically for small, low-power laptops.
Dimensions
Samsung NC20-21GBK Netbook
1.3GHz VIA Nano U2250, 1GB DDR2, 160GB HDD, Windows XP, 12.1" LCD - MPN: NPNC20KA02US
The Samsung NC20 is larger than the Dell Inspiron Mini 12—and the Lenovo ThinkPad X200. Its dimensions are 11.5 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches, the NC20 is also heavier than most netbooks at 3.4 pounds. It's too big for a purse but fits into a shoulder bag.
It has been given an Editor's Choice award at laptopmag who point out the slightly better performance than the current Intel Atom based netbooks. In the US the NC20 will cost about $100 more than the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE ($399), which is smaller but with a longer battery life. The NC20 is however easier to read due to its 12-inch screen, so if this is important to you, it is a good choice.
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