Marks & Spencer exclusive netbook offers lots of hyperbole, little substance

The status quo for the netbook has not shifted much since the Eee PC took over the world, but now Marks & Spencer has come along to revolutionize the segment with the Elonex-sourced MSNB-2009. Delivered using the company's typically overstated advertising techniques, the machine is said to be "stylishly designed for life on the move," "both portable and powerful," and "style and sophistication" wrapped in a "glittery high-gloss finish." What's inside is rather less sparkly, the same 'ol 1.6GHz Atom and 160GB HDD configuration that put us to sleep years ago. M&S calls this "an aspirational laptop for the modern lifestyle" and we totally agree: if you buy this you'll aspire to buy something better. Available now in three shocking colors for "only" £279 -- about $450.

[roxics Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:11AM]

Wow! Those colors are so aspirational!

How about a good graphics card in a netbook for starters. I'm not asking for much.

[roxics Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:38AM]

@jackfreeeman05aolcom

That's great man. I love how someone with an aol email address is spamming an aol owned website.

Side question. Does anyone know how to become verified on Engadget? I just can't seem to figure it out. I've been a member here since 2006. Why am I unverified?

[mrspiteri Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:47AM]

@(Unverified) try logging out and logging in again...something to do with an old cookie from the previous design.

[roxics Posted Dec 18th 2009 11:08AM]

@mrspiteri
Ok, I think I got it. Pretty easy. Thanks. :)

[TikiTeko Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:12AM]

The magenta one comes with the added benefit of being a personal blinding weapon.

[spotter300 Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:14AM]

they should stick to things they're good at, like sandwiches

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:18AM]

@spotter300

And socks, don't forget socks.

[TheNightPhoenix Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:52AM]

@(Unverified)

And Chocolate Knickers

[spotter300 Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:57AM]

@TheNightPhoenix
I love that woman

[Prospero Posted Dec 18th 2009 3:22PM]

@spotter300

Yes. M&S sandwich good...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:17AM]

They're marketing the pink one with the tagline: “glitter and twitter”

[NAME Posted Dec 18th 2009 12:11PM]

@(Unverified)

The two best 2 ways any female can WHORE herself out.

[fourthletter Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:22AM]

M&S sell loads of LCD Tvs, Radios and iPod accessories, much like these netbooks they all look like plastic-made-in-china-ODM CRAP!
Nasty indeed.

[naz Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:32AM]

"This is not just a Netbook, this is a Mass produced Garishly coloured Overpriced Netbook"

[Karnak Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:59AM]

I know you generally can get away with lying your arse off in adverts, certainly more than should really be possible.

This however must be taking it too far:
"Boasting an Intel® Atom™ Processor with 1GB of RAM the MSNB-2009 delivers the ultimate in mobile performance."

[Oflife Posted Dec 18th 2009 11:13AM]

M&S should stop making their own brand plastic gifts and electronics and stick to what they do best - food. There is no other high street store that ensures each and every editable item they sell is better than the rest, only Waitrose coming close. To quote Google's own mantra, "Play to your strengths." For those who make the perfect prawn sandwich do not make the best netbook, so help me lawd!

[supermonkey1890 Posted Dec 18th 2009 11:33AM]

@Oflife

Maybe they do taste better than other netbooks....fancy trying it?

[d0mth0ma5 Posted Dec 18th 2009 12:11PM]

@Oflife Amen brother, although their (non-tech) Home stuff is pretty nice too.
@(Unverified) Valid

[Oliver Taylor Posted Dec 18th 2009 12:15PM]

For those outside the UK, M&S has basically run the most annoying set of ads for the last 4 years about how its not just food, its M&S food. I guess they think that their brand really means something in the computing market.

Example ad below from a few years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHFKE6PD_6U

[artist Posted Dec 19th 2009 1:43PM]

@Oliver Taylor
I worked there for a couple of months (windsor) and their food IS AWESOME!!!

[YpoCaramel Posted Dec 18th 2009 12:40PM]

Their suits aren't bad either. Nothing particularly fancy but more than workable for work.

[artist Posted Dec 19th 2009 1:42PM]

lol that's like a walgeens' netbook...
FAB!