Computer Reviews

Ah, the granddaddy of netbooks, the Eee PC. Asus were the pioneer of this small form factor portable computer. Thankfully the 7inch screens from the first models have had a few upgrades since then. This newer 10 inch size, gives a little more to those who don’t have teeny-weeny hands and don’t want to wear binoculars to see tiny text on screen.

Apart from the awful, almost unpronounceable name, this computer provides a huge range of features, in a package that is small enough to drag around anywhere and with a battery life long enough to last for an entire day.

Here’s some of the main features:

• Intel Atom CPU
• 1GB memory
• 160GB hard drive
• 10 inch screen with 1024 x 768 resolution
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• LAN, Wifi and Bluetooth
• 2.81 lbs

The styling is good. So no childish looks from this mini-performer. The screen provides enough size for webpage viewing, although sometimes requiring left to right scrolling. For desktop use I’d recommend an extra monitor as it’s easier to view. The VGA port will connect to almost any monitor, but some monitors no longer have VGA ports, so check first.

1GB of memory is just right.

160GB hard drive is fine, but I’d prefer a smaller solid state drive instead. There is an extra 10GB of online storage offered, but this strikes me as gimmicky, I would much rather they provided a subscription to one of the big online storage firms. I just don’t know how much to trust their in-house offering as Asus are a hardware company.

Networking is a critical component for netbooks that, by their very name, are designed to be online. Fast Ethernet is the staple of office networks, and Wifi 802.11n allows faster wireless speeds on networks that support it. Bluetooth is also included and will connect to Bluetooth microphones and stereo headphones.

The Asus Eee PC just can’t really go very wrong. The important part is that there are no important features missing. The blue Samsung netbook is $50 cheaper than this computer, but has less battery life, so weight up what is most important to you.

Pros:

• Compact
• Cheap enough
• Light
• Standard features

Cons:

• Little more expensive than some other similar netbooks
• Gimmicky online storage

The Samsung is an unusually solid netbook with good performance and doesn’t look like a cheap kids toy. I’ve seen quite a few positive comments on this model and it offers a good mix of styling and performance. As with all netbooks it won’t blow other computers away, but the price is right and the specifications balanced enough to give a good experience.

Here’s some of the main features:

• 2.8lbs
• 10.1 inch screen
• 1024 x 600 resolution
• 1GB of memory
• 160GB hard drive
• Fast Ethernet
• Wireless 802.11b/g/n

The size of the screen is enough for a web browser, although it will be cramping some websites and they might need to be zoomed out for optimal viewing.

The Intel Atom processor is the stock specification for netbooks ever since it was first introduced so there are no surprises and no real performance differences between this and other netbooks.

The keyboard, often a tough point for those with larger hands, is about 90% the size of a standard keyboard and is big enough to use comfortably, albeit not for a full weeks work at the computer.

The outside of the netbook is robust and does well against scratches and abrasions.

1GB of memory will handle most web browsing needs. This will allow two or three programs to be open at the same time. Firefox with 15-20 tabs, Tweetdeck and an instant messaging client will handle just fine. Running one at a time will yield better results though.

I’m glad that 802.11n wireless networking is included. As netbooks are meant to be connected to the Internet mostly and do almost everything online, a decent network connection is pretty important. Speeding up the local connection, i.e. the wireless connection from the computer to the Internet router, makes the experience that much more seamless.

Other extras include audio input, audio output, built-in speakers, built-in webcam, built-in microphone, VGA port, and three USB ports.

I’m not drooling over netbooks as I once was, but I think this one would be high up on my list if I was planning on getting one. It hits does well where it needs to and looks good to boot. The $300 price is pretty tough to beat.

Need a higher specced laptop at a decent price. The HP Pavilion DV6-1354US offers a 15.6 inch screen, a dual-core processor and 4GB of memory, a great desktop replacement laptop for home use and light travelling.

Here’s a quick rundown of the main features:

• 2.2GHz Intel Core2 Duo T6600 processor
• 15.6″ LED backlight screen
• 4GB memory
• 500GB hard drive
• DVD burner
• Wifi draft n 300Mb/s

This processor is a bit of an unknown featuring the Penryn core. Jumping to a new core in the T series, it offers slightly lower power consumption which is somewhat negated by the higher speed it is run at. The processor will provide enough oomph for daily activities. With more power than the ultra-low voltage processors on offer in this price range, this computer will only last up to four hours on battery, but give more speed.

The 4GB of memory is more than enough and is being seen on more and more notebook computers around the $700 price mark. That’s great because upgrades will not be necessary that often. That’s enough memory for browsing the web, instant messaging, using tweetdeck, writing documents, listening to mp3s and creating spreadsheets all at the same time.

I sometimes wonder why hard drives on personal computers continue to increase in size as so much information is going online. Currently my local hard drive usage is limited to storing the photos and movies that I will later upload to my Picasa account where they are safely stored. Online storage can be safer than local storage because the computers your information is stored on are purposefully designed for storing information and have backup systems in place, unlike the hard drive in your computer. This computer offers enough to store around 100 DVD movies on it.

More useful for those who spend a lot of time online are the fast network connections. The standard Ethernet is offered, giving a very standard wired option for connecting to a network or to the Internet. This is always the failsafe as Ethernet is widely used in both the home and office. The slightly more exciting bonus is 802.11n Wifi connectivity which offers up to 300Mb/s transfer speed, perfect for a home network and a nice fast connection for Internet connectivity.

The wide screen monitor is always appreciated in these smaller form factors. Adding a large monitor to the notebook computer while at home is not problem as the extra monitor will just connect to the video outputs for a larger viewing area. This system boasts an LED backlit monitor which is a newer technology for lighting up the screen.

Software-wise, the addition of Windows 7 is welcome and it’s the 64-bit version to boot. Adoption of 64-bit technology has been slow in the consumer marketplace, but it should pick up with the support of Windows 7.