The netbook quest continues...
So as you have read on my virtualization blog already I’m an experimenter (yes it’s a word) of Netbooks. (And lately I don’t seem to talk too much about virtualization.) I love the concept however I am going to give you my buying guide and I hope to save you some time and money, not to mention how best to use your netbook.
Here is my ideal candidate for a netbook:
- 10.1 Screen or smaller
- 1366 x 768 resolution
- 3 (preferably 4) USB ports
- HDMI Port (optional, but huge bonus)
- 2GB RAM (We can debate this as a necessity all day long, but its so cheap, why not have it?)
- At least 1 multi-card reader slot (supports SDHC)
- No Moving Parts – (No fans, no platter hard drives)
- 8 Hour battery life
- Under $500
- Tablet Functionality
- Best available netbook processor at the time
Will this ever happen? If it does it won’t be any time soon. I get kind of analytical about decisions like this so I make a scorecard with a weighting system. Your criteria may differ. If you look at the above list, last year you would be saying, “Yeah right, good luck”. However this year maybe not. There are several netbooks with some of the above features, but not a single one with ALL of the above features. I’m sorry but anything over $500 and 12” screen is a notebook.
For example:
Gigabyte T1028
· Netbook
· Tablet
· http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/04/test-gigabyte-touchnote-t1028m-10%E2%80%9D-touchscreen-netbook
Dell Mini 10
· 1366 x 768
· HDMI Port
· ONLY 1GB RAM (Are you kidding me?)
· http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-10?c=us&cs=19&l=en&ref=lthp&s=dhs
Acer Aspire One 751h
· 11.6 Screen
· 2GB RAM
· 6 Cell battery
· Low end processor?
HP Mini Note 2140
· So close, Just too expensive
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF25a/321957-321957-64295-3841267-3955550-3872994.html
So I continue on my quest for the perfect netbook. Rumor has it the Dell Mini 10 will have 2GB RAM soon enough. So I may go with that as my netbook. That is really the only thing I am missing out of the current Mini 10. As I see new models that come close or something worth noting I will mention it.
PS – A must have for any netbook owner is this Eagletec USB flash drive. Its tiny and its awesome. No I don’t make a commission or anything, I bought one and it’s the coolest little thumb drive I leave permanently plugged in.
http://usb.brando.com.hk/eagletec-usb-nano-flash-drive_p00892c041d15.html
