Comments on: 68% of netbooks over 10” http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/ Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:32:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: KevinR http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22437 KevinR Thu, 21 May 2009 16:50:19 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22437 I do sort of agree with you, but my contention is that in the un-evolution of the netbook the newer models get nearer and nearer to a laptop and further and further from what you (John) or an UMPC craver or a small mobile user (Smartphone escape-y) might want. In many ways John you were lucky you were OK with a clamshell design and an HDD; otherwise the choices are narrowing and getting more expensive. All the newest model netbooks are I still contend becoming cheap laptops and will steal from the laptop market while bringing nothing new to the table. The interesting models, the SC3s, the M528, the convertibles, the E700s, SSD machines, anything-not-a-clamshell are all falling by the wayside or pricing back into the usually rather expensive UMPC market. I do sort of agree with you, but my contention is that in the un-evolution of the netbook the newer models get nearer and nearer to a laptop and further and further from what you (John) or an UMPC craver or a small mobile user (Smartphone escape-y) might want. In many ways John you were lucky you were OK with a clamshell design and an HDD; otherwise the choices are narrowing and getting more expensive.

All the newest model netbooks are I still contend becoming cheap laptops and will steal from the laptop market while bringing nothing new to the table. The interesting models, the SC3s, the M528, the convertibles, the E700s, SSD machines, anything-not-a-clamshell are all falling by the wayside or pricing back into the usually rather expensive UMPC market.

]]> By: johnkzin http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22407 johnkzin Wed, 20 May 2009 18:03:29 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22407 I've been doing all of that on my 7" 1024x600 screen without any problems, for the last 7 months (Samsung Q1 Ultra). The only reason I moved to a Dell Vostro A90 (9" 1024x600 screen) from there was that the 4 row thumb keyboards become a little too restrictive for mobile typing. If it had had a 5 row keyboard, I might have stuck with it though. Eye/neck strain weren't a problem at all (it's a small device, I move it up to my field of vision, not move my field of vision down to the device). IMO, a 1024x600 screen is more than capable of 4-8 browser tabs for reading/replying to email, reading RSS, blogging, web forums, etc. And, frankly, an 11"-12" screen is too big a device for me to care about. 12" is the low-end of the laptop arena, and I am completely not in the market for a laptop. I’ve been doing all of that on my 7″ 1024×600 screen without any problems, for the last 7 months (Samsung Q1 Ultra). The only reason I moved to a Dell Vostro A90 (9″ 1024×600 screen) from there was that the 4 row thumb keyboards become a little too restrictive for mobile typing. If it had had a 5 row keyboard, I might have stuck with it though. Eye/neck strain weren’t a problem at all (it’s a small device, I move it up to my field of vision, not move my field of vision down to the device).

IMO, a 1024×600 screen is more than capable of 4-8 browser tabs for reading/replying to email, reading RSS, blogging, web forums, etc.

And, frankly, an 11″-12″ screen is too big a device for me to care about. 12″ is the low-end of the laptop arena, and I am completely not in the market for a laptop.

]]> By: johnkzin http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22406 johnkzin Wed, 20 May 2009 17:56:18 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22406 My Dell netbook didn't steal a sale from the Dell laptop line. If a netbook hadn't been available (anywhere) I wouldn't have bought a laptop either (from Dell nor anyone else). If Dell didn't have the netbook I wanted, I would probably have gotten the ubuntu version of the HP Mini 1000. If netbooks in general didn't exist, I would have stuck with my Samsung Q1 Ultra. I'm sure I'm not alone in the "I don't want a laptop" part of the mobile market... so I'm sure that the "[netbooks] are (all) stealing sales from [the laptop] market" is only partly true, not entirely true. There are definitely sales that the netbook makers are getting, that they wouldn't have otherwise gotten at all, if they hadn't entered the netbook market. My Dell netbook didn’t steal a sale from the Dell laptop line. If a netbook hadn’t been available (anywhere) I wouldn’t have bought a laptop either (from Dell nor anyone else). If Dell didn’t have the netbook I wanted, I would probably have gotten the ubuntu version of the HP Mini 1000. If netbooks in general didn’t exist, I would have stuck with my Samsung Q1 Ultra.

I’m sure I’m not alone in the “I don’t want a laptop” part of the mobile market… so I’m sure that the “[netbooks] are (all) stealing sales from [the laptop] market” is only partly true, not entirely true. There are definitely sales that the netbook makers are getting, that they wouldn’t have otherwise gotten at all, if they hadn’t entered the netbook market.

]]> By: Felip http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22392 Felip Wed, 20 May 2009 12:41:20 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22392 Yeah, the small convertibles are an interesting device. We'll see if they are a success. Yeah, the small convertibles are an interesting device. We’ll see if they are a success.

]]> By: KevinR http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22389 KevinR Wed, 20 May 2009 12:31:32 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22389 Hi chippy. It does sort of prove the discussion in various "Asus only three models" threads on the web, that the manufacturers have all chased the mass "hey, thats a cheap laptop" market rather than making a new UMPC-ish or webbook niche. The crazy thing is that they are (all) stealing sales from their normal laptop market with these devices. Even if the netbook units were underpowered for a particular job, Joe Bloggs is unlikely to know afterwards let alone beforehand. Or conversely its the proof that you only need a high end machine for a) games and b) micro$ofts latest bloat. I'm wondering if the (smaller) convertibles will save a true netbook niche as they are better suited for ebook, bedtime reading, webcam monitoring, etc. Folded you can hold them close enough to read cleanly. Hi chippy. It does sort of prove the discussion in various “Asus only three models” threads on the web, that the manufacturers have all chased the mass “hey, thats a cheap laptop” market rather than making a new UMPC-ish or webbook niche.

The crazy thing is that they are (all) stealing sales from their normal laptop market with these devices. Even if the netbook units were underpowered for a particular job, Joe Bloggs is unlikely to know afterwards let alone beforehand. Or conversely its the proof that you only need a high end machine for a) games and b) micro$ofts latest bloat.

I’m wondering if the (smaller) convertibles will save a true netbook niche as they are better suited for ebook, bedtime reading, webcam monitoring, etc. Folded you can hold them close enough to read cleanly.

]]> By: KevinR http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22386 KevinR Wed, 20 May 2009 12:25:29 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22386 Chippy mentioned that the graph was "(rounded down to nearest inch)" and the website might also have strained the accuracy if they've been working in SI units rather than imperial inches. So there are probably a few statistical wobbles in the data. Chippy mentioned that the graph was “(rounded down to nearest inch)” and the website might also have strained the accuracy if they’ve been working in SI units rather than imperial inches.

So there are probably a few statistical wobbles in the data.

]]> By: johnkzin http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22356 johnkzin Tue, 19 May 2009 22:46:01 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22356 Are they classifying the 8.9" netbooks as 8", because I have seen _zero_ 8" netbooks... but a ton of 8.9" and 9" netbooks. Are they classifying the 8.9″ netbooks as 8″, because I have seen _zero_ 8″ netbooks… but a ton of 8.9″ and 9″ netbooks.

]]> By: Who at Computex will cover this? http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22325 Who at Computex will cover this? Tue, 19 May 2009 12:01:25 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22325 Who is going to Computex (if going, can you cover this)? Gecko Netbook runs on AA batteries (YouTube Videos to watch) http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10238203-1.html Quote: ------------ "Sipping only 1.2 watts, this allows the Netbook to run off eight NiMH AA-size batteries for up to four hours, though there is a lithium ion option with a six-hour uptime. Using store-bought AA cells allows the Netbook to be used in rural areas where electricity might get spotty. Word is NorhTec's Gecko EduBook will be launched at computer expo Computex Taipei in June and will retail for less than $200". Introducing the Xcore86 and new Gecko Edubook http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNQWMKxlL4c Windows XP running on new Gecko Edubook http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II5UfMCWVUU If this had a Pixel Qi screen, I would like it (and if it had a better keyboard for adult use, like the 10" class, or even the Sony one, that would be better too. However, I do like the power use, and the AA battery concept. Who is going to Computex (if going, can you cover this)?

Gecko Netbook runs on AA batteries (YouTube Videos to watch)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10238203-1.html

Quote:
————
“Sipping only 1.2 watts, this allows the Netbook to run off eight NiMH
AA-size batteries for up to four hours, though there is a lithium ion
option with a six-hour uptime. Using store-bought AA cells allows the
Netbook to be used in rural areas where electricity might get spotty.

Word is NorhTec’s Gecko EduBook will be launched at computer expo
Computex Taipei in June and will retail for less than $200″.

Introducing the Xcore86 and new Gecko Edubook
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNQWMKxlL4c

Windows XP running on new Gecko Edubook
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II5UfMCWVUU

If this had a Pixel Qi screen, I would like it (and if it had a better keyboard for adult use, like the 10″ class, or even the Sony one, that would be better too. However, I do like the power use, and the AA battery concept.

]]> By: Felip http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22324 Felip Tue, 19 May 2009 11:35:56 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22324 Well, the most heavy use I give to my MSI Wind is to browse the net using Firefox (4-8 tabs) for a few hours (reading news, replying e-mail, writing blog posts...). I got somehow used to the small keyboard and performance was not too bad, but some webs didn't fit in the screen and my eyes (and neck) suffered the long time looking at the small screen. Well, the most heavy use I give to my MSI Wind is to browse the net using Firefox (4-8 tabs) for a few hours (reading news, replying e-mail, writing blog posts…). I got somehow used to the small keyboard and performance was not too bad, but some webs didn’t fit in the screen and my eyes (and neck) suffered the long time looking at the small screen.

]]> By: turn_self_off http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22323 turn_self_off Tue, 19 May 2009 11:25:37 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22323 Ok, ill bite. Whats your definition of "heavy use"? whatever the big brands whats to sell netbooks as, i dont think asus ever intended the eeepc range to be anything more then a cheap web surfing machine for kids... Ok, ill bite. Whats your definition of “heavy use”?

whatever the big brands whats to sell netbooks as, i dont think asus ever intended the eeepc range to be anything more then a cheap web surfing machine for kids…

]]> By: Felip http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22322 Felip Tue, 19 May 2009 10:59:18 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22322 Forget definitions, any computer with a 1024x600 screen is too limited for heavy use. Netbook or not, I'm more for 11-12" ultraportables with WXGA screens and comfortable keyboards. Forget definitions, any computer with a 1024×600 screen is too limited for heavy use. Netbook or not, I’m more for 11-12″ ultraportables with WXGA screens and comfortable keyboards.

]]> By: fixup http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22321 fixup Tue, 19 May 2009 09:45:53 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22321 Actually 9" screen is enough, but people want full-size keyboard so >= 10" is the right size to have a full-size keyboard without wasting screen space. Even a tiny-freak like myself never liked the 7". It is still not pocketable, then what's the point? To me, it is either a think and light >= 9" like the eeePC 900a, or a pocketable like the UMID mBook M1. Nothing between is going to have a market. Actually 9″ screen is enough, but people want full-size keyboard so >= 10″ is the right size to have a full-size keyboard without wasting screen space.

Even a tiny-freak like myself never liked the 7″. It is still not pocketable, then what’s the point? To me, it is either a think and light >= 9″ like the eeePC 900a, or a pocketable like the UMID mBook M1. Nothing between is going to have a market.

]]> By: turn.self.off http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22318 turn.self.off Tue, 19 May 2009 08:24:24 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22318 and stef's kind claims another buzzword victim... and stef’s kind claims another buzzword victim…

]]> By: Sokonomi http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/05/68-of-netbooks-over-10%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-22317 Sokonomi Tue, 19 May 2009 08:21:01 +0000 http://www.umpcportal.com/?p=7483#comment-22317 It makes you wonder what exactly defines a netbook. Are there any official guidelines? Ive heard some company shout the term netbook can only be used on internet capable clamshelll devices without any form of drive (DVD/CD/Floppy), but thats about it. For me netbook just means weak but cheap notebook. :P It makes you wonder what exactly defines a netbook.

Are there any official guidelines?
Ive heard some company shout the term netbook can only be used on internet capable clamshelll devices without any form of drive (DVD/CD/Floppy), but thats about it.

For me netbook just means weak but cheap notebook. :P

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