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The netbooks are coming, the netbooks are coming!

Summary: With Intel's release of their Atom processors just around the corner, more inexpensive ultraportables are making their way to the market. CNet UK has a preview gallery of the MSI Wind netbook that, while a bit more expensive than competitors from HP and Asus, looks to be an outstanding entry, as well as one of the first to offer said Atom processors.

Christopher Dawson

By for ZDNet Education |

With Intel's release of their Atom processors just around the corner, more inexpensive ultraportables are making their way to the market. CNet UK has a preview gallery of the MSI Wind netbook that, while a bit more expensive than competitors from HP and Asus, looks to be an outstanding entry, as well as one of the first to offer said Atom processors. The latter detail hasn't been confirmed, but it looks pretty likely based on press information.

Exact details aside (like a 10" screen, highly usable keyboard, and an "overclocking button" that improves performance with a battery life penalty), it is very clear that both Intel's Atom release and Via's Nano release will mark a serious push in this market. According to the CNet preview,

This could be the best mini laptop so far -- it's comfortable to use, has a good display, is super-affordable and promises great performance

Press coverage of the Via OpenBook reference design has been positive as well. Engadget noted,

“we're quite impressed that VIA's crammed as much inside the OpenBook as it has, and perks like 3G / 4G connectivity, a trio of USB ports and a media card reader are making that MacBook Air look positively last century..."

I certainly smell Father's Day presents here, but I also smell lots of new small laptops unboxed before next fall when students and teachers will be able to capitalize on their light weight and low cost (meaning that we can have more portable computers available than ever).

Topics: CXO, Hardware, Laptops, Mobility, Networking, IT Employment, Wi-Fi

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  • EEE at my school

    I'm a little more skeptical about the current generation of UMPCs adoption in schools than you are, but the teachers I work with share your enthusiasm. I don't mean to blogspam, but I just finished writing my impressions of the eee 900 after using it with some teachers and a student at my school and it seems applicable to this post. You can catch it here

    http://hartmansblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/eee-900-vision-of-future-school.html

    If you have the time I'd love to hear your thoughts. BTW, the 10" eee coming out on Tuesday seems like it might solve some of my gripes. Cheers! -joe
    jlhartman
    Reply Vote

  • Not too sure.

    I'm still not sure these mini laptops are the best answer to a school's needs. I am sure they could fill a need, I am about ready to buy one myself; but at a school, for the kids, I have a hard time saying this is the way to go. I still don't think we can give every kid one and have most of them survive a school year, I am really not convinced that the costs of textbooks can be offset by using e-books or some form of machine based texts; and I really hate that these cost nearly as much as full sized/full power machines. In fact, you can get a core duo shuttle KPC and add a new 15 or 17" LCD and inputs (not theirs, you'll have to shop), and spend less than the Eee. Admittedly not portable, but in a classroom lab, they MAY work better.

    But then, not everyone uses their machines the way I do, and maybe their usage would require a netbook, or at least be better served by one.
    ajole
    Reply Vote
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