Recent Comments:
How would you change Dell's Inspiron Mini 9? {Engadget}
Sep 27th 2008 2:37AM Mario: Intel did create a low power chipset code named "Poulsbo" to go with the Atom. Unfortunately they decided SATA took too much power so they dropped it in favor of IDE. This, while perhaps a necessary decision, is a deal breaker for most as no one wants to buy an IDE these days. Especially and IDE SSD.
Danny: Yeah, but the dell mini 9 also fails many of the other criteria I mentioned, namely the keyboard and the horrible SSD. While I do give it props for being the first passively cooled netbook, I still wouldn't consider purchasing it.
How would you change Dell's Inspiron Mini 9? {Engadget}
Sep 26th 2008 7:19PM Oh, and I am not adverse to 10" netbooks either, but I don't make them to big. If you are going to make a 10" netbook don't keep the chunky bezel, you have to slim that thing down.
Another thing I didn't mention was resolution. 1024x600 is a step in the right direction but we need at least 1280x768 to finally be 100% compatible with all the programs out there that hog vertical real estate. Hopefully those panels will get cheaper too.
How would you change Dell's Inspiron Mini 9? {Engadget}
Sep 26th 2008 7:16PM This is not just how to change the mini 9, but all netbooks to date.
1. Portability. Stick with the 8.9" screen size, the current netbooks are starting to get a little chunky and more like cheap laptops.
2. Keyboard. Squeeze the best no-compromise keyboard in there. No odd shift keys, cutting off the function buttons, or making it too small. And in Canada, NO BILINGUAL!
3&4. Battery life and Cooling. They go hand in hand becuase the biggest weekness is the mobo. The older chipset we are currently using consumes too much power, and runs too hot. If we tried harder we could have a 3.5h passive netbook without resorting to batteries that stick out the back.
5. 2.5" HDD. I am a big proponent of SSD, but in order to make netbooks cheap we are either putting sub par flash memory in them, or HDDs. The next netbook I buy will have an HDD simply so I can replace it with a 2.5" SSD. Since many companies are making HDD and SDD versions, why not make them use the same chassis? Put a little SATA flash chip in there for the SSD version and a 2.5" HDD for the HDD version.
While many notebooks are getting some of these points right, none of them are reaching them all. They are obtainable goals, it's not like I am asking for a miracle here, it will just take some time. Everyone is so afraid of their netbooks costing too much so they churn out the same old product. Hopefully costs will come down enough they will be able to innovate.
Lenovo IdeaPad S10 gets reviewed {Engadget}
Sep 25th 2008 10:04PM I want a new netbook to replace my aging 701 so bad. I can't wait till all these are out. So far the Samsung S10 and the Toshiba NB100 are looking nice.
I can't decide...
Intel officially ships 1.6GHz dual-core Atom 330 processor {Engadget}
Sep 20th 2008 9:46PM I agree that we need a better chipset for netbooks. Unfortunately i am not to pleased with the decision Intel made to remove SATA support from the Poulsbo line. Apparently IDE requires less power, but seriously. IDE? I want to buy a netbook and throw a 2.5" SSD inside, and there is no way I am investing in an IDE SSD.
Poll: What's your Zune 4.0 must-have? {Engadget}
Sep 18th 2008 7:48PM Mass storage compliancy. Seriously, I will never buy a player that requires special software to use.
Rogers announcing new data plans, peace of mind in October {Engadget Mobile}
Aug 29th 2008 3:32PM Oh and you damn well better not have to sign a three year contract to get these plans, because they are NOT worth it!
Rogers announcing new data plans, peace of mind in October {Engadget Mobile}
Aug 29th 2008 3:31PM Yeah well this is still a kick in the face. Nothing compared to the unlimited data you guys get. I don't NEED unlimited data, but they make the entry level plans so freaking useless and the realistic ones so expensive. Drop everything down a notch so that I can get 500MB for $15 and 1GB for $25 and I will be happy. No scratch that not happy, less pissed off.
The HTC S740 gets handled {Engadget Mobile}
Aug 29th 2008 3:27PM How can you say the keyboard is "basically the same"? Take a good look at the touch pro again, because I think you are forgetting an entire row of keys.
UK's Advertising Standards Authority yanks iPhone ad for being misleading {Engadget Mobile}
Aug 27th 2008 1:33PM It's about time apple got smacked down for it's false advertising. I mean let's be realistic here, Apple constantly over hypes their products and advertises things they can't really do. Don't even get me started on the Mac adds...
