Netbooks, typing and their popularity

[Hacp]

Originally posted by: taltamir

Originally posted by: hans030390
Cheap and very portable without sacrificing a lot of usability. For basic tasks, I am able to use my 10" MSI Wind just fine, including typing. I also have VERY big hands (bigger than anyone I've met). Considering a lot of people only use computers for basic tasks (and have smaller hands), a netbook looks to be a very good option.

they atom is too slow to render flash video... meaning that netbooks are incapable of running many WEB PAGES.
I WANTED one because they cheap and SMALL and LIGHT... but I think I will stick to my 8 lbs desktop replacement behemoth, or buy a thin notebook.

Huh? The atom can run flash. The only problem is high quality flash like Youtube HD.

 

[taltamir]

"high quality"... lol...
I did mean to say SOME flash... obviously it can render some of it, but it can't render all of it. Which is rather sad for an "internet machine"

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: taltamir
"high quality"... lol...
I did mean to say SOME flash... obviously it can render some of it, but it can't render all of it. Which is rather sad for an "internet machine"

you said atom processor based netbooks are incapable of rendering web pages, which isn't accurate.

they won't play back ALL high definition video smoothly..but neither will most full sized laptops.

btw, i have nothing against 8 lb laptops, i have a gateway 7805u fx which is great, but I'm glad I have the Mini 10v for those times when I dont need to play Crysis or watch 1080p video.

 

[taltamir]

I do have something against 8 lbs computers, they are a PITA to carry around... but I do it because I need a certain level of performance.

The "high definition" in youtube is DVD quality, with the low def being pathetic sub VHS quality.

I am mainly basing my statements on an article i read saying that adobe is developing a CUDA version of flash which will allow ion+atom netbooks to better render some pages which the current atom cannot do in CPU mode... however I don't remember exactly where it was, it could have been one of the stupider and crappier "review" sites which was just repeating nvidia PR instead of giving out accurate information.

I am currently in the market for a replacement for my 8 lbs notebook, and this article is why i stopped considering the atom... well, that and the fact that a new i3s and the new atom are supposed to arrive SOON

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: taltamir
I do have something against 8 lbs computers, they are a PITA to carry around... but I do it because I need a certain level of performance.

The "high definition" in youtube is DVD quality, with the low def being pathetic sub VHS quality.
...
I am currently in the market for a replacement for my 8 lbs notebook, and this article is why i stopped considering the atom... well, that and the fact that a new i3s and the new atom are supposed to arrive SOON

as far as Youtube, I think you're confusing HQ with HD. HD Youtube is 720p, considerably higher resolution than standard dvds.

my atom based netbook plays youtube HQ fine, it only skips frames on HD, which is true high def 720p. lots of notebooks have trouble playing 720p.

as far as SOON for substantially faster netbooks and a new version of Flash, good luck !

and they won't be cheap for at least a year.

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: Hacp
Another thing to ask is why are notebook makers infatuated with the 15 inch form factor? A six to seven pound notebook weighs on the heavy side. Ideal weighs lie between 3.5 to 4.5 pounds.

It's probably because initial customer complaints shifted the market towards larger laptops. My first laptop was a Compaq 14" bought in '98, and at the time it was considered a normal or even normal-large model. Fast forward 10 years the 15.4" model is now the standard size, and almost every consumer laptop manufacturer is shifting to EVEN LARGER models like the 15.6" and 16" inchers.

 

[hans007]

if you want a netbook that has a good keyboard, and will be able to render all those pages... spend the slighty more money and get the new acer as1410.

core 2 solo 1.4 ghz, with a GS45 chipset which can decode 1080p HD. Its $450, which is barely more than some higher end asus ones, and even has a 1366x768 screen. Its about $100 more than acer's equivalent atom version, except it has vista premium which will have win 7 upgrade eligibility. Well worth the extra $100.

 

[Chiapensis]

Originally posted by: hans007
if you want a netbook that has a good keyboard, and will be able to render all those pages... spend the slighty more money and get the new acer as1410.

core 2 solo 1.4 ghz, with a GS45 chipset which can decode 1080p HD. Its $450, which is barely more than some higher end asus ones, and even has a 1366x768 screen. Its about $100 more than acer's equivalent atom version, except it has vista premium which will have win 7 upgrade eligibility. Well worth the extra $100.

I've been looking at this and am about ready to buy it. It all sounds good as stated above.

Anyone used one yet? Good/bad observations anyone?

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Tom

Originally posted by: taltamir
I do have something against 8 lbs computers, they are a PITA to carry around... but I do it because I need a certain level of performance.

The "high definition" in youtube is DVD quality, with the low def being pathetic sub VHS quality.
...
I am currently in the market for a replacement for my 8 lbs notebook, and this article is why i stopped considering the atom... well, that and the fact that a new i3s and the new atom are supposed to arrive SOON

as far as Youtube, I think you're confusing HQ with HD. HD Youtube is 720p, considerably higher resolution than standard dvds.

my atom based netbook plays youtube HQ fine, it only skips frames on HD, which is true high def 720p. lots of notebooks have trouble playing 720p.

as far as SOON for substantially faster netbooks and a new version of Flash, good luck !

and they won't be cheap for at least a year.

Truth!

A lot of ppl don't realize the difference between HD & HQ, but you did a good job of explaining it.

Here's a couple of screenies...

http://www.vindsl.com/images/YouTubeHD_EeePC.png (VinDSL Channel - HD screenie)

http://www.vindsl.com/images/YouTubeHQ_EeePC.png (VinDSL Channel - HQ screenie)

As you can see, both of them are viewable on my $249 Asus 1000HD Eee PC.

Watching HD on a netty is NOT a pleasant experience! HQ is okay, but nothing to write home about...

If you'll notice, the biggest problem with HD & HQ is the weak CPUs in these things, not the video chipset.

Look at Conky. Both of these videos are pegging the CPU meter!

Flash IS the weakest link in a netty (especially a Linux machine), but it is workable.

LoL! I just got done playing 196 fights on My Brute (an online Flash game) with this thing... and I survived the experience!

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: Chiapensis

Originally posted by: hans007
if you want a netbook that has a good keyboard, and will be able to render all those pages... spend the slighty more money and get the new acer as1410.

core 2 solo 1.4 ghz, with a GS45 chipset which can decode 1080p HD. Its $450, which is barely more than some higher end asus ones, and even has a 1366x768 screen. Its about $100 more than acer's equivalent atom version, except it has vista premium which will have win 7 upgrade eligibility. Well worth the extra $100.

I've been looking at this and am about ready to buy it. It all sounds good as stated above.

Anyone used one yet? Good/bad observations anyone?

friend of mine ordered one and its in transit. i'm sure ill get to play with it soon. he actually already has an external blu-ray drive for it too, so we'll get to see if it can handle blu-ray as well.

 

[Rottie]

When will Md make CPU for netbook? Fusion CPU?

 

[taltamir]

intel will release clarkdale, their version of fusion, very soon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I...)#32_nm_.22Westmere.22