Actually, that's what the netbook is meant to do - web surfing on the cheap. It's not meant to be a notebook replacement.
Well, I have an EEEPc and it does the net-surfing job quite good in my college library. However it's a bit sluggish, since it's a Celeron M 900 downclocked to 600MHz.
RM1300-1500 just to surf net? I don't think it's worth it at all. I know it's not a notebook replacement, but I don't see the value in it. At that price, it's possible to get a phone with Wifi, and it's far more portable. But experience won't be that great. Then again, experience is not that great on a netbook either.
Actually, it's only about RM 1,000 for the basic netbook. The higher-end models are more expensive because they use Windows XP and have a relatively large HDD. As for its capability, it's really quite usable. It's about as powerful as the first-gen Centrino notebook. Only problem is the screen is limited in resolution - 1024x600. But that's much larger than what a phone can do and the keyboard makes for much easier typing. Best of all, you can bring it anywhere and hook it up to a monitor for a much better viewing experience. You can't do that with a phone.
Let me correct a few mistakes you made. For anything below 1K, it comes with Celeron 900MHz, it's not even close to first gen Centrino. As for highend models with Atom 1.6GHz, it's still slower than a first gen Centrino. You can't even watch a HD movie on it. My phone also has a full QWERTY keyboard, many phones also have it. If you really need high res for web surfing, Nokia E90 or the new Xperia X1 comes with 800x480, not that much smaller. Yes, they are more expensive, but it can do for more than a netbook can. GPS, phone, internet connection via HSDPA etc. And if you need to output to VGA, what's wrong with carrying a slightly larger sub-notebooks? I regularly use my phone as my notebook replacement. I surf net everywhere, from toilet to shopping malls and even before I close my eyes on bed, I still can surf with my phone. Talk about flexibility.
No la.. I bought an Aspire One with an Atom processor for just a little above RM 1K (USD 285). As for the HDD version with WinXP, you can get one for as low as RM 1.3K (USD 370). I don't think you can watch HD videos on a first-gen Centrino actually. The Atom is using the GM945 chipset so the integrated Intel GMA is the same used in the Centrino platform - definitely not good enough for HD playback. Then again, it only has a screen res of 1024x600 - it's definitely not designed to play HD videos. Actually, I'm not saying that it's a good replacement for a phone. It's a totally different device and is much larger. But personally, it's a good and cheap Internet device. Great for anyone who comes over to use too. However, I think the best example of how useful it can be can be seen at Computex Taipei. So many tech journalists can be seen typing directly on their netbooks, uploading their photos and posting their reports even in the super-cramp conditions. It's not the ideal notebook, but in a pinch, it works almost as well as a notebook.
I've seen mini-desktops which features Intel Atom too. Heard many people are starting to use them, including the office.
Centrino is more powerful than Atom, period. It's more likely that a Centrino can view HD than an Atom. Any graphics card acceleration is pointless, since you need the right player, right codec to take advantage. For a computer, it's cheap at RM1000, but for what it can do, I don't feel so, especially with that Atom. If it comes with a slightly more powerful processor, at slightly higher price, I wouldn't mind. BTW, Dell Mini 9 is the best netbook sold today IMO. And it's also one of the only few SSD-based netbook left. It's pointless on desktop environment. What's wrong with C2D? I've also seen C2D in similar form factors.
try to type a 1-2k word long report on ur phone. heck, try to do it live. ppl love netbook simply because it's light, and it does word processing well, and it's below 800 dollar, and you get full web browsing experience. and those who buy netbook never intend to watch HD content on it. 700g does make a different. especially at airport, where the seat is small, and I don't want to have a 2kg , warm notebook on my lap. 2 years ago, you had to pay RM12k for this sort of form factor (the fujitsu P series, or was it the Q series?). these days, plenty of journalists use netbooks to file their report. the MSI 6 cell does more than 3 hours. seriously, i never had any issue with atom's processing capability. as a matter of fact, i think what this tiny little chip can do is amazing. for daily office usage, it's good enough. Excluding gamers and professionals, who needs a chip that's faster than a 1.2ghz ULV core 2 to travel? btw, have you ever tried to use a netbook, for maybe a day, before? my understanding is that you are expecting the atom platform to do what the centrino can offer. this is why intel don't allow manufacturer to go above 10". i know dell has a 12" offering, but, well, it's dell. fundamentally, the atom is meant for smartphone. the current generation can't enable this sort of form factor, because silverthorne/diamondville is a babystep. but moorestown will in fact, go for smartphone. it's just that intel is able to tweak it so that it can be used on a subnotebook form factor. so really to expect it to do what a full-fledged notebook can do, i dun think such expectation is reasonable at all. the key point is you need to find one that has good usability. the MSI wind, LG x110, and ECS netbook, these are usable netbooks never liked the asus EEE 900 series, or acer aspire one, or lenovo's. I can't work on them. but, well, all said and done, the new 13' macbook is still the best mobile machine bahahahahha...
That's the thing. It's not a notebook but I don't need a notebook all the time. Sometimes you just want something to surf the 'net, post something in the forums or read some documents. Definitely easier to use a netbook than a full-sized notebook.
Yes, I want the netbook to do a lot more than just web surfing. I agree I have high expectation. Sometimes I even feel that Centrino is a little too slow for my daily usage in office, that's why I feel that netbook will not meet my expectation. And no, screen is not the main issue, form factor is not the main issue, it's the processing power. And office work, I mean just Office applications, surfing, IMs. No photoshop etc. Since it only supports 2GB RAM, PS is out of question anyway. Yes, netbook is small. But it's not small enough for me to carry everywhere. The closest example would be a camera like D40. It's small, much smaller than D3, but I still need a separate bag for it. If I knew I'm going to carry a notebook/netbook just to surf net or type office documents, I probably wouldn't consider. I definitely won't bring one for vacation. And no, 2 years ago, you can buy U1010 for RM4k+. Not sure is it 1 or 2 years ago. Ask Marauderz. And yes, the new Macbook is 1 extremely attractive notebook. I'm extremely impressed what it is capable of doing. That is something I would really love to have over a netbook, although it's 4x more expensive. The finger gestures are even better than iPhone. Obviously, thousands or millions of people will disagree with me since the sales figures say so. It's one of the biggest innovation since notebook, but I just don't see the appeal.
i wasn't referring to the U1010. UMPC form factor was doomed even before it hit the market. i was talking about the ultraportable with built-in 3g modem by fujitsu but i can't recall its exact part no. must be the Q series. take the X110 as an example. launched last week, cost 1k dollar. see the price difference? Yes, netbook is small. But it's not small enough for me to carry everywhere. The closest example would be a camera like D40. It's small, much smaller than D3, but I still need a separate bag for it. If I knew I'm going to carry a notebook/netbook just to surf net or type office documents, I probably wouldn't consider. I definitely won't bring one for vacation. you lost me here. Either I bring a netbook, or i bring a notebook. these days, it's netbook for me. fast enough to get my work done, and it's lighter than notebook. what's more, it's affortable. bad luggage handling? Not an issue. this is not a thinkpad that costs 7k so no baby treament here. figner gestures on the new macbook is one feature that puts all so-called mobile computing innovators to shame.
hmm,seriously...the Atom processor thingie, i think it's individual preference...chai don't seem to like it at all while Dr Wong prefers it (since it get job done) bringing a netbook would be much easier and lighter too compare to carrying a notebook. previously though of getting a netbook (dell mini 9) but later on decided to get a normal notebook since i'm used to carrying bags around (feels as if i'm naked without my notebook sometimes...)
Actually, the Atom should have no problem handling Photoshop. The only reason why I won't be installing it is because the Aspire One only has 8GB of storage. Of course, the small screen makes it tough to do all but the most necessary photo editing. Netbooks are definitely not meant to be full notebook replacements, but if it has a HDD or more storage space, I don't see why not.
hmm, since it comes with a SD slot, can 1 actually slot in a *lets say 16gb SD card* and install application on it? will it run?Atom running photoshop ...hmm, even a bigger 16GB SSD hdd cost around 3xx while 32 cost double.
My EEEpc is in use during college days. Run up to the library and i can surf the net okay. Or, reading some documents in the canteen. Convenient for sure.
If only they can make 12" notebooks thinner and lighter, I would definitely prefer that over a netbook, or specifically powered by Atom. RM3000 is fine.
well, for you 3k ok mah..but for some of us..a bit hard lor...netbook seems to be affordable lor hehe..
