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Acer cuts price of its 2-month old ‘netbook’ PC

August 22nd, 2008, 5:30 am by

Acer Aspire oneJust two months after launching its first netbook computer, Acer America plans to announce today that it chopped $50 off these 2-pound laptops. The Acer Aspire one is now $349 for the Windows XP version and $329 for the Linpus Linux Lite version.

Why the sudden price drop? To lure the back-to-school crowd, says Acer.

Netbooks, the newest category of computers, are a new option for students this fall, thanks to last spring’s debut of Intel’s tiny Atom chip. Most netbooks — also called nettops, ultra portables and mini computers — are around 2 pounds, have Wi-Fi for Internet access, screen sizes below 10 inches and cost between $300 to $500.

But with the onslaught of netbooks in recent months — about a dozen since spring– I wondered if people really wanted them or if this was all just a marketing ploy by PC makers to expand the computer market. Everyone from HP to newcomer Sylvania and Hannspree were coming out with one (the only PC brand without one rumored on the way is Irvine’s Gateway, which is owned by Acer). An analyst I interviewed believes companies think the market is bigger than it actually is.

I wouldn’t mind ditching my 6-pound laptop for a smaller, lighter laptop. Not that lightweight laptops are new. For many years, the lighter laptops, like Toshiba’s old 7-inch Libretto for $2,000, were just too expensive. The new netbooks skimp on features but at $399, you may not care.

Acer Aspire one

Acer’s Aspire wasn’t the most expensive out there, nor the cheapest. But with the $50 price drop, it does become one of the cheapest, next to a very low-end $299 Eee PC from ASUS.

The $349 Aspire AOA150-1570 , in particular, weighs 2.17 pounds, and has 1GB of memory, a 120 GB hard drive and Windows XP. The Aspire one AOA110-1722 is the model with Linux.  A third model, the AOA150-1447, includes better specs, such as a six-cell battery and 160 GB hard drive, and costs $399.

Images courtesy of Acer

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Will crazy colors spur interest in new netbooks?

August 19th, 2008, 7:31 pm by

Sylvania g Meso netbooksI can’t get enough of these netbooks! And now they come in four new colors: Onyx, Snow, Solar and Blossom.  (I guess that’s artsy speak for black, white, yellow and pink).  Sylvania unveiled its ‘MESO‘ line ” to match your attitude,” says the press release.  Sylvania G Meso netbooks

These smaller, thinner and cheaper computers are sprouting up everywhere whether or not people want them. I definitely like the idea of a lighter computer, but I’m a girl who likes performance so trading the extra pounds for a less powerful processor and minimal features hasn’t made me bite. Yet.

These new 2.2-pound MESOs have an 8.9-inch screen, an Intel Atom chip,  80 GB hard drive, 512 or 1 GB of memory, Wi-Fi, web cam, card reader, 3 USB ports and your choice of Linux-based Ubuntu Netbook Remix or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. Battery lasts 4 hours.

That’s not too bad, especially for the $399 price tag (or the price of a 16 GB iPhone and a year of its e-mail service, MobileMe). It’s on pre-order right now at Amazon, TigerDirect and others. See how it compares to the other netbooks on the market at “Mini PCs you may have missed.”

But I do wonder why Sylvania skipped blue and green. Could they not think of some creative twist on the name? Got any colorful suggestions?

More pics: From Sylvania g’s web site:

Sylvania g Meso netbooks Sylvania g Meso netbooks Sylvania g Meso netbooks

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Another PC company to launch cheap ‘netbook’

August 11th, 2008, 2:11 pm by

Averatec’s upcoming netbook computerSanta Ana’s Averatec is jumping into the category of smaller, cheaper computers with its own netbook.

Averatec, the brand name of Korean manufacturer TriGem Computer Inc., already has laptops with 12-inch screens (and recently launched a nifty-looking iMac-ish all in one computer). But the new netbook-sized computers will be around 10.2-inches, which puts them on the larger end of netbooks.

Averatec’s upcoming netbook computer

Darren Lee, Averatec’s director of marketing, filled me in on the details. This new PC will also be an Intel Atom-based netbook but Averatec is going after folks who just want a smaller laptop — not a larger PDA.

The larger screen plus a near-fullsize keyboard with a real ‘Shift’ key will also have a larger hard drive of around 120 GB, Lee said. It’ll still be sub-3 pounds and cost around $399 or $499. Expect the new netbook by Christmas.

“Here’s our take on it: Everyone’s getting in. It’s a trend happening right now. We have the resources to get in so we will,” Lee said. “Since we have a relationship with (retailers), we can get it into stores.”

Most companies sell their netbooks online only.

Who doesn’t make one these days? Read my last story on this: Netbooks everywhere. Do people really want them? and feel free to take the poll HERE.

If you’re wanting to read up on netbooks, check out my past posts on the topic:

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Mini PCs you may have missed

August 11th, 2008, 3:06 am by

 

**FYI** This version of “Netbooks everywhere. Do people really want them?” published in Tuesday’s paper **

In researching the whole netbook phenomena, I wanted to put them all in one, simple post for anyone looking for the new options. These smaller, usually cheaper, laptops have sprung up in recent months thanks to the new tiny Atom chip from Intel. However, not all use the Atom.

In a past post, “Netbooks everywhere! Do consumers really want them?” one analyst mentioned that it seems like every PC maker is jumping in because, well, everyone else is doing it. HP, Acer, Lenovo plus a slew of other brands have jumped in. Rumor is that Dell and Toshiba may make the jump soon. Here’s what we know so far … (Click on images to enlarge photo.)

 
HP announced the Mini-Note PC last April. It uses a processor from Via Technologies. The 2.63-pound netbook has a 8.9-inch screen and a keyboard that is “92 percent the size of a full size keyboard.” Price: $499. HP Mini Note PC 

HP Mini Note PC
The Acer “Aspire one” came out last month, weighs 2.17 pounds, has a 8.9-inch screen, Wi-Fi and a 3-hour battery. Other features include a webcam, five-in-one memory card reader plus an SD card reader, and 3 USB ports. It’s $379 if you get the 8 GB solid-state drive; or $399 for the 120 GB regular hard drive. Acer Aspire one 

Acer Aspire one
MSI Wind NB is a 2.6-pound, has an 80 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM, Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel webcam and keyboard that is “80 percent of a full-size notebook.” Other features include 3-hour battery, 3 USB ports, and a 4-in-1 card reader. It’s priced at $480. (Don’t forget to check out the “Love” edition.) MSI Win NB U100 

MSI Win NB U100
ASUS Eee PC 901 – Has an 8.9-inch screen, 12 GB storage, 1 GB of memory, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a webcam and lasts about 7.8 hours. It’s $549. Two other Atom-based Eee PCs, the 1000 and 1000H, are $699 and $649, respectively, because of larger screens and storage space. ASUS Eee PC 901ASUS Eee PC 901
SYLVANIA g – Has a 7-inch screen, a Linux-based operating system and weighs 1.8 pounds. It starts at $399. Coming this month, Sylvania is adding an 8.9-inch and 10-inch model to its netbook lineup — both run on Intel’s Atom chip. Those are expected to cost less than $500. Sylvania g netbook 

SYLVANIA g netbook
SYLVANIA g MESO –
Announced 8/18: The 2.2-pound MESOs have an 8.9-inch screen, an Intel Atom chip,  80 GB hard drive, 512 or 1 GB of memory, Wi-Fi, web cam, card reader, 3 USB ports and your choice of Ubuntu or  Windows XP. Battery lasts 4 hours. Price: $399.		 Sylvania G Meso netbooks 

SYLVANIA g MESO
Lenovo IdeaPad S10 – Has a 10.2-inch screen, a keyboard that is 85 percent the size of a laptop’s keyboard and an energy-efficient LED backlit display to conserve battery. Also includes Wi-Fi, two USB ports, 4-in-1 card reader, Express Card slot, webcam and includes Windows XP. Available in October for $399. Lenovo IdeaPad S10 netbook for $399 

Lenovo IdeaPad S10
ASUS finally unveiled the Eee Box, a desktop version of its miniature notebook computers.The 2.5-pound, 1-inch computer is touted as “slimmer than a paperback novel.” Features include an 80 GB hard drive, Intel Atom chip, and 1 GB of memory. It’s $349 and doesn’t include a monitor.

ASUS Eee Box

ASUS Eee Box
Upcoming: Hannspree, a TV company in Irvine, plans to launch its netbook by the end of the year. It’ll have the Atom chip, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a hard drive — essentially, the usual laptop components. Expected price is $299.

Hannspree’s netbook

Hannspree’s netbook
Upcoming: Averatec, a PC company in Santa Ana, plans to launch its netbook by the end of the year. It’s thinking bigger — with a 10.2-inch screen, 90-percent keyboard, 120 GB hard drive. Still hopes to stay below 3 pounds for $399 or $499.

Averatec’s upcoming netbook computer

Averatec’s netbook

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Netbooks everywhere! Do consumers really want them?

August 5th, 2008, 12:01 am by

Lenovo IdeaPad S10 netbook for $399Ever since I sat down with Intel last spring to hear more about its tiny new Atom chip, mini computers with these chips have been popping up everywhere.

Lenovo became the latest company with a ‘netbook’ or ‘nettop,’ a new category of computers that are smaller, lighter and often cheaper than a laptop. With Internet access, the portable computers are targeting those in the market who want something between the smartphone and laptop.

Before that, it was Sylvania (with the g netbook), MSI Computer Corp. (and its MSI Wind) and ASUS (with new models of its Eee PC). Coming soon, there’s Hannspree. Plus reports around the web said these nettops/netbooks were also on the way from BenQ, Clarion, Gigabyte and Compal. Rumored to come are netbooks from Dell, HP and even Irvine’s Toshiba.

But smaller, lighter and cheaper means a sacrifice. Read the rest of this entry »

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Eee PC, MSI Wind: Smaller doesn’t always mean cheaper

July 9th, 2008, 3:20 pm by

At least two new laptops are now available with the new Intel Atom, Intel’s smallest chip ever.

The under-$550 computers from ASUS Computer and MSI Computer Corp. are both selling at Amazon, NewEgg and other online stores (see list after the jump). ASUS added the Eee PC 901 to its lineup of low-priced PCs that start at $299, while MSI  began selling its Wind NB U100 series (pictured below).

MSI Win NB U100 has Intel’s new Atom chip

Eee PC blackThese mini machines are also called Nettops, net books, mini computers or mobile Internet devices (or MIDs). Intel had said it expected such machines to be in the $200 to $250 range. But, apparently, not these two. MSI’s  is $480 while the Eee PC 901 (on right) is $549. Then again, these nettops are more loaded than some of the $299 desktop computers available from eMachines, Dell and HP.

Debby Lee, with ASUS, says its Atom PCs include Bluetooth, the more expensive and durable Solid State Drives of 12 GB to 80 GBs, plus a new scratch-resistant case. Comparably, the company’s $299 Eee PC has a mere 2 GB of storage, 512 MB of memory, Wi-Fi and not much else.

“From our point of view,” Lee said, “it is a mobile internet gadget.  It will not replace your desktop or laptops at home.”

Expect to see more of these smaller, cheaper laptops thanks to the Atom chip. I mentioned the Atom last April, when Intel stopped by to show it to me in person. Intel’s tiny new Atom chipIn the photo on right, the Atom is the little green and black square.

At the time, Intel said Lenovo’s IdeaPad U8, the Eee PC, a brand called “Thinno,” and a computer from Compal will also include the chip. Since then, I’ve also learned that TV maker Hannspree is planning an Atom-based computer. Read about “TV maker Hannspree to start selling low-priced laptops.”

Even more companies are coming out with nettops. According to the Intel Mobility blog, other MIDs spotted at the recent Computex tradeshow included BenQ, Clarion and Gigabyte. Check out the photos at the MIDs photo shoot. Read the rest of this entry »

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Intel’s tips for conserving PC power and saving money

May 1st, 2008, 7:26 am by

Intel’s Dan SnyderIntel Corp.’s new Atom chip will use less power than the company’s existing mobile processors. But don’t stop at Atom. Intel’s Dan Snyder, who I met on Monday, offered his own tips for conserving energy and minimizing your computer’s impact on the electricity bill.

1. Use power management in Windows. How to links: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Apple tips.

2. Turn the computer off. The belief that leaving a computer on all night uses less power than shutting it down and turning it back on is not true anymore, unless you’re doing this multiple times in an hour.

Apple’s MacBook Air uses SSD drives3. Get excited about SSD’s, or solid state drives. This is the technology used in flash memory cards for digital cameras, cell phones and other small gadgets. As the capacity of these cards have increased, the technology is now being used as an alternative to hard drives in laptops. The new MacBook Air has them, as does one of Toshiba’s Portege’s. SSDs use less power and are faster than traditional hard drives.

Interestingly, as Intel is moving to a smaller-size chip, at 45nm, the company plans to use its older factories — currently building the larger 60nm chips — to make SSDs.

4. Plug all your computer gadgets and accessories (printer, external hard drives, scanner, etc.) into a power strip and when you’re done for the day, unplug it or turn it off.

FREEBIE: Dan also dropped off a bunch of orange Intel pens. Anyone want one?

Free pens!

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Intel shows off smaller, more powerful Atom

April 29th, 2008, 12:04 pm by

Intel’s tiny new Atom chipMini computers are coming out this summer from Lenovo, Compal and others that contain the new tiny Intel chip named Atom.

Dan Snyder from Intel stopped by my office to show me more. He brought samples of the gadgets, a.k.a. Mobile Internet Devices, which look like Playstation Portables and are about 2 to 3 times larger than an iPhone but much smaller than a small laptop.

Intel’s tiny new Atom chipThe Atom chip is not only much smaller than a regular chip, but it uses less power — between 0.6 to 2.5 watts compared to a regular chip’s 65 to 100 watts. In the photo on the right, the Atom is the tiny green/black speck on the far right (click image for larger view). It’s made from Intel’s 45 nm technology. Lots of Atom background material HERE.

Its small footprint and low power usage is a boon to upcoming computer devices like the Internet gadget from Lenovo, in the photo below, which comes out this summer, Snyder said. A more efficient processor uses up less battery and ultimately means you can browse the Internet for much longer.

Intel’s Atom powers Lenovo’s new mini computer

Intel Atom powers the new Thinno laptop

(**UPDATE** Ahh… it’s Lenovo’s IdeaPad U8, here’s a YouTube video on it.)

While Atom may be too big for the iPhone, it is powerful enough to fuel the new type of computer option dubbed Nettops. Snyder also brought in one of those, called “Thinno,” (on right) which I have never heard of. That orange pen is the same one in the chip photo above. Apparently, this rivals ASUS’ 7-inch Eee PC. Thinno runs on Atom, which is a multi-core chip of around 1. 6 GHz.

Snyder admits that he’s not sure if people really do want a computer that is in between the size of the iPhone and a laptop. There are success stories (check out Samsung’s Ultra Q PC) but those target a very niche audience. How often do you see people whip out their Mobile Internet Devices, when they could be using a cell phone or a laptop?

Intel’s Atom powers the Compal

Companies developing these MIDs believe the market is there and Intel is just encouraging that along. One last photo to leave you with: The Compal, on right, another ultra mini computer. Looks like Compal is another Asian computer maker. This is also coming this summer in the U.S., says Snyder.

Snyder shared tips on keeping your PC-based energy usage down, which I’ll share in a later post.

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