by Matthew on March 6, 2010
When Microsoft launched Windows 7 last August, netbook manufacturers immediately jumped in and provided them pre-installed with the Windows 7 operating system. Although there are some XP netbooks still available for purchase, we tend to see Windows 7 dominating the netbook charts with four out of the top five mini computers running Windows 7.
Why Windows 7 is Best
You may ask why Windows 7 is the best of the two operating systems to go for (given that Windows Vista was a big flop). Several reasons include that
1.)It’s new and people prefer new vs XP that’s 10 years old
2.)More up to date
3.)It seems to run better on devices as Microsoft have optimised it very well.
Having used Windows 7 for several months now I find it better than XP and way better than Windows Vista which was a big fail and clunky, buggy etc… in my eyes.
Which Windows 7 Netbook?
To help you choose the right Windows 7 netbook we really need to look at what you need first. The list for me when choosing starts with what size screen I am looking for. Netbooks start in the 7 inch diagonal moving up to about 11 inches before they jump to the notebook category. For me the sweet spot seems to be in the 10 inch range. The screen size is acceptable and the larger screen allows for a larger keyboard up to around 95% of a full QWERTY normally which is easy to adapt to when typing.
Next on the list is the CPU. I personally would go for an Intel Atom N450 netbook for 2 reasons. Firstly, a lot of new netbooks run them allowing for greater choice and secondly they run quicker than the older N270 netbooks and more efficiently which saves battery power.
Next on the list is the graphics chip. I generally use email, internet and occasionally browse/edit photos. For me an internal graphics chip such as the Intel GMA is sufficient. If you want to go for a gaming netbook then look at the NVIDIA ION based netbooks that have a bit more kick where graphics are concerned.
Next is RAM… 1GB tends to be average with some netbooks coming with 2GB built in. For me, the more RAM is the better although anything above 1GB is good for what I use. A Windows 7 netbook will need at least 1GB to run.
On to storage… netbooks come with either SSD (solid state drives) or HDD (hard disk drives). SSD’s cost more for the storage but are more rugged and more efficient power wise. HDD’s have a larger capacity for cheaper money. If you think your netbook will get knocked around a lot in a bag then perhaps choose an SSD model. If you look after the netbook then a HDD will serve you well.
Connectivity… Wireless is standard on all netbooks I have ever seen, so really the option comes down to if you want 802.11b/g or 802.11n (or both). Wireless N networks are the quickest, but you need to have the hardware at home to connect it to. We are finding that a lot of netbooks are starting to ship with Wireless N though giving you more choices. Bluetooth isn’t always essential but can be should you want to transfer files from your phone etc… Another optional extra on some netbooks (and built in to other Windows 7 netbooks) is 3G connectivity allowing you to connect to the web wherever a mobile phone signal can be found. If you want access from anywhere without wanting to search for a wireless network then choose a netbook with 3G (or get a 3G Mobile Broadband connection).
Windows 7 Netbook Favourites
Now on to some deals from various places. The top selling Windows 7 netbooks currently are all by ASUS according to sales numbers at Amazon. Those particular netbooks listed above are great all-rounders that will allow you to surf, email, watch Youtube and edit photos without problems.
Higher spec netbooks that include the NVIDIA ION chipset can be found here. Netbooks running NVIDIA ION chipsets are more apt at handling HD video and more graphic intense applications.
by Matthew on February 26, 2010
The ASUS Eee T101MT is an Intel Atom N450 netbook tablet that was first spotted a few weeks back. The ASUS T101MT recently started showing up various places to be reviewed.
The tablet has some fairly standard specs which include an Intel Atom N450 CPU with hyperthreading running at 1.66GHz. 2GB of RAM is included (on the review version) and for storage it uses a hard drive with a 320GB capacity that runs at 5400 RPM. The screen measures 10.1 inches and has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 12, 2010
Amazon have a good deal on the ASUS Eee 1005HA netbook running Windows 7 Starter. The processor running in this particular Eee 1005HA is the slightly older Intel Atom N270 that was super-ceded about a month ago by the Intel Atom N450 processor, but for doing web browsing and checking emails and such the N270 works very well. If you want an Intel Atom N450 processor then a comparison can be found over here.
The ASUS Eee 1005HA has an 8.5 hour battery capacity which almost provides a day of work under less strenuous usage. The screen measures 10.1 inches and the keyboard measures a decent size compared to a full sized keyboard (usually 92% – 95% on the ASUS models. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on January 12, 2010
ASUS had a number of new netbooks on display at CES this year that included the ASUS Eee 1005PE model. What makes this model stand out is it’s impressive 14 hour battery life. The reason for the increase is down to the new Intel Atom N450 processor that the 1005PE uses that requires less power to run, thus allowing for longer usage between charges.
The ASUS 1005PE follows on from the excellent selling 1005HA model. It has a 10.1 inch LCD screen that can display 1024×600 pixels. The Intel Atom N450 processor runs at 1.66GHz and the netbook has 1GB of DDR2 memory installed that can be upgraded to 2GB if desired. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on December 22, 2009
When we first wrote about the best netbooks available a few months back the ASUS Eee 1005HA was at the top of Amazon’s netbook charts. Another check today shows that the netbook still holds the top spot firmly without any signs of shifting from the top spot. A lot of this is due to it being a good all-round netbook that has a fantastic battery life, good sized screen and looks great.
The ASUS Eee 1005HA can run for 10.5 hours on a single charge. It runs the latest Windows operating system (Windows 7 Starter), had 1GB of RAM along with an Intel Atom N280 processor running at 1.66Ghz. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on December 9, 2009
If you are wanting to find the best netbook computer then 1 way of hunting them down is to see what’s currently selling. Amazon have a list that’s updated regularly to let you know what the best netbook is to buy. Just looking over the list we see that the Asus Eee range hold 2 of the top 5 spots which is quite impressive. When looking for the best netbook that suits your needs it is important to list exactly what you are looking for. Will you be travelling a lot and be away from a power source? Pick one that has a decent battery life. Will you be carrying a lot of files around like photos and using the netbook as a primary computer? Pick one with decent storage. Are you looking at using the web while out and about? Look for one that has built in 3G connectivity. This guide covers the best netbooks and the features that makes them stand out. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on November 30, 2009
Black Friday saw the introduction of a number of fantastic deals on electronics. Today, it’s Cyber Monday where yet again, you can get more fantastic deals on gadgets. This report covers a number of discounts and deals on netbooks which make a decent present for anybody (or more than likely yourself) for Christmas. Details after the jump… [click to continue…]
by Matthew on November 19, 2009
We have mentioned the ASUS Eee 1201N a couple of times in the last few months. We now see that it is ready for pre-order.
The Eee 1201N has a 12.1 inch screen running with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It has an Intel Atom 330 dual core processor along with NVIDIA ION graphics. Priced at just under $500 it comes at a fairly decent price. The netbook is also ASUS’s first ION netbook to be released.
The ASUS 1201N is part of the Seashell line of laptops and looks similar in some ways to various other models from that range such as the best selling Eee 1005HA. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on November 16, 2009
Samsung announced today that they are launching the Samsung Go on to the AT&T network on November 22.
The Samsung Go is a netbook that has access to the AT&T network and runs the Windows 7 Starter Edition operating system. The Samsung netbook it’s self weighs 2.8lbs making it fairly light weight. The screen is backlit by LED and measures 10.1″ and has a WSVGA format displaying 1024 x 600 pixels. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on October 19, 2009
With the launch of Windows 7 being right around the corner, ie, this Thursday, Amazon is quickly building up a list of netbooks that will run the new operating system when launched. Each of the 28 (28 are featured, but there are more listed on the site) netbooks can be pre-ordered now. Included in the list are some of the best netbooks that are currently selling with Windows XP including the Asus Eee 1005HA that we reviewed a few weeks ago. That particular Eee PC is to be made available this Thursday costing $399 and will run Windows 7 Starter.
Other netbooks included in the list are the Acer Aspire One, Sony Vaio, HP Mini and Toshiba models to name a few. Prices range from $299 for the cheapest (the Gateway 10.1″ netbook) up to $499 for the most expensive. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on October 5, 2009
The Asus Eee 1005HA has been top of the best netbooks list for a few months now. For this reason we decided to take a look at the netbook to see exactly why it sits up the top there on Amazon’s list and what makes it such a good seller.
The Asus 1005HA comes with a 10.1″ LED backlit screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, it has 1GB of RAM, a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 processor and a 160GB hard drive. It’s most impressive feature is the 6 cell 63Wh battery that is capable of keeping the 1005HA powered for 10.5 hours on a full charge.
The netbook measures 1.4 inches at the thickest point and shrinks down a fair bit up to the front of the device. The reason that the netbook is larger at the back is due to the high capacity battery that has been included. However, on the whole, the netbook isn’t badly proportioned at all and the extra size at the back really isn’t noticed. On the back of the device you’ll find a similar hinge to what Dell uses on their Mini series of netbooks where the screen slides back behind the device giving you a little extra space. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on September 30, 2009
A new Asus Eee PC was spotted recently. It is named the Asus Eee 1001HA and first impressions show that it is similar to the very popular and best selling Asus 1005HA.
The Eee 1001HA has a 10.1 inch display along with a 160GB hard drive, 801.11n wireless connectivity and the keyboard measures 92% from full size.
Asus has uploaded a user manual for the netbook to its support site, and the first page reads “Eee PC User Manual Windows XP Edition Eee PC 1005 / 1001 Series.”
[click to continue…]
by Matthew on September 15, 2009
Asus have finally given a release date of their new Eee Keyboard. The new keyboard will be launched next month.
The Eee Keyboard is a standard sized keyboard that has a built in computer which has a 5 inch touchscreen to the right side of the device. As well as having the built in computer, the keyboard can connect to a TV, monitor or projector either with a wired or wireless connection. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on September 8, 2009
The Times have suggested that the Asus E-Book that is due out in the next couple of months could have dual colour touchscreens similar to what was prototyped by Asus at CeBIT recently. Also more rumours have now come saying it might actually undercut both Sony and Amazon in terms of price.
It might seem like quite a bold claim from Asus that they could undercut competing products with them also having a 2 screen setup, however, we are talking about a company who got the netbook craze moving forwards along with generally cheaper prices than the competition. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on August 29, 2009
Welcome to the GadgetVenue Netbook Guide. We have created this guide to help you find the best netbook for your needs. Lets first start by giving an overview of exactly what a netbook is and why they are becoming so popular over this last year.
Netbook – General Details
Netbooks are small, lightweight and generally inexpensive devices that work just like a laptop or desktop PC. Due to their small size they are easy to carry around and very convenient for leisure, work and travel. They generally have screens between 7 and 11 inches with the 10 inch screens being quite popular. Power wise they are not the most powerful of machines although with the introduction of the Intel Atom N450 range of CPU’s we are seeing better performance both speed and battery wise. The new Intel N450 run up to 1.86GHz in speed. This is enough to run Windows XP or even Windows 7 although with that along you are not going to be able to run a game of Quake 3 in full detail. However, 1.86GHz is ample for most people’s needs and they work excellent for web browsing, email and some basic photo editing. Battery wise they vary and you see some that achieve around 3 hours of usage while others like the ASUS Eee 1005PE can achieve an impressive 10+ hours on a single charge.
Due to the small size of netbooks, they tend to not weigh much and usually they vary from 2 – 3 lbs depending on screen and general size. Optical drives are not included on the majority of netbooks to cut down weight and size. If you need to transfer files on to a netbook then the easiest option is just inserting a cheaply available USB flash drive or transferring files over a network.
Netbook Connectivity
All netbooks have wireless networking built in usually at b/g speeds which again, is ample for home usage. Some of the newer models support 802.11n if you really want fast file transfers. Netbooks often have Bluetooth connectivity too allowing you to connect a plethora of devices over the air to them. Likewise, a handful of them have built in 3G cards allowing users to sign up to a data-plan and surf the net anywhere you can pick up a mobile phone signal. For this reason, netbooks are very connected to the internet. Other features that sometimes are included are GPS allowing your netbook to work as a decent satellite navigation device.
Netbook Operating Systems and Storage
Since the launch of Windows 7, the new operating system has proved to be popular on netbooks. Windows 7 runs better than XP we have found and as most new netbooks come pre-installed with this OS, it makes a great option.
Other operating systems include Linux and Android although it seems looking at sales charts that the Windows based netbooks come out tops. An interesting operating system to look out for later this year is Google Chrome OS although there are no available netbooks yet running the OS that are on sale.
Netbooks normally come with either 1GB or 2GB of RAM. I recommend getting the most at the price you can afford. Don’t go below 1GB if you want to run Windows 7 though (although all Windows 7 netbooks will have sufficient RAM for the basics).
For storage, netbooks either have SSD (solid state drives) or HDD (hard disk drives). SSD’s tend to run quicker and are more rugged (no moving parts) as well as being more efficient battery consumption wise. However, SSD’s are more expensive usually (per GB). Hard drives offer plenty of storage usually starting around 160GB moving all the way up to 250GB or 320GB generally.
Netbook Keyboard Size and Screen Size
When choosing a netbook, screen size and keyboard size are very important as they are what you look at and what you type on. If the screen is too small you struggle to see it, and like wise, a smaller screen generally means a smaller netbook and that leads on to a smaller keyboard. But, on the opposite side of the scale you also don’t want to go too big as you might as well choose a laptop. The sweet spot with netbooks tends to be a 10 inch screen and these generally have a keyboard that’s about 92-95% the size of a full size keyboard. A 10 inch screen is easy to see with a good set of eyes and the 92-95% keyboard size is easy to get to grips with.
Netbook Summary
When choosing a netbook it is important to first know what you will be using it for. If it’s going to get light usage and your not familiar with a Linux netbook then choose a Windows XP or Windows 7 netbook. If you want something with a little more kick for graphics then choose something with a dedicated graphics chip.
