Skip to Content

Try your hand at the Spore Creature Creator and win free stuff from Big Download!
AOL Tech

Posts with tag eee

HP Debuts Super Small Sub-$500 Laptop

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Apr 9th 2008 at 7:49AMBreaking News

HP Reveals ASUS Eee Competitor
The market for cheap sub-notebooks is simply exploding. It all started with the OLPC XO, then Intel jumped in with the Classmate. Soon Asus revealed its critically acclaimed Eee PC, and these low-priced, low-powered (often Linux-running) machines truly started to take the world by storm.

The latest entry into this field is the Hewlett Packard 2133 Mini-Note PC. The Mini-Note starts at $499, for the entry level model with 512 megabytes of RAM, 4-gigabytes of storage, a 1-gigahertz VIA processor, and Linux. At the top of the heap is a $749 model loaded with Vista Business, 2-gigabytes of RAM, and a 1.6 gigahertz VIA processor. The $749 model also comes with a 120-gigabyte hard drive that spins at 7,200 RPM for super fast data access. Many full-sized notebooks only come with 5,400 RPM drives, and most ultra-portables are saddled with a 4,200 RPM drive.

The first batch of reviews are in, and they're all pretty positive. Some complain about the lack of power due to the VIA processor, and the awkwardness of the side-mounted touch pad buttons, but most are blown away by the full-sized keyboard and the 8.9-inch screen that at a resolution of 1280x768 can display a full Web page without any horizontal scrolling, unlike the ASUS Eee.

The Mini-Note sounds like a strong competitor to the Eee and other cheap compact notebooks, but the price does sound a little high. An Eee PC similarly equipped to the lower end Mini-Note costs about $100 less, and for the $749 asking price of the high end model, you could buy a much more powerful laptop, though one not nearly as small.

From Engadget

Related Links:
  • Permalink
  • Email this
  • SHARE
  • 0 Comments

Microsoft Extends XP's Life Again -- For Low Cost PCs Only

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Apr 7th 2008 at 9:17AMBreaking News

Microsoft Extends XP's Life Again, for Low Cost PCs
Windows XP is turning into the operating system (OS) that just won't die. After extending the life of its last generation OS from January of 2008 until June, Microsoft is giving the aging system another stay of execution, this time till June 30, 2010, or one year after the launch of Windows 7, whichever is later.

If you're thinking this sounds too good to be true, you're right. There is a catch. Windows XP will only be available and approved for so-called Ultra Low Cost PCs (ULCPC), such as the Eee or Classmate. Microsoft is giving manufacturers the option of using XP Home or Vista Home Basic on its ULCPC devices. But even in its most stripped down form, Vista is often more than these machines can handle and makes them operate more slowly.

This seems more or less like an admission that Vista has been a disappointment for Microsoft. The OS was geared at high powered desktops with dedicated graphics cards. Unfortunately for Mr. Gates and crew, the computer industry took an unexpected turn towards smaller and cheaper computers. Small form factor desktops, home theater PCs, and ultra-portable laptops are the hot markets right now, places where low power components are necessary to keep components cool, quiet, and lasting hours on a single battery charge.

We don't doubt Microsoft did its best, but Vista was not long for this world.

From Cnet

Related Links:
  • Permalink
  • Email this
  • SHARE
  • 1 Comment

Windows XP Version of Asus EeePC Out Next Week

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Apr 1st 2008 at 9:17AM

ASUS Eee Loaded with Windows XP Out Next Week
The Eee PC has been a hit for ASUS, and exposed many to their fist taste of Linux, but the budget priced sub-notebook has had its popularity limited because hasn't been available with Windows. At last, that's set to change, since ASUS has finally given a price and street date to its Windows XP based Eee PC.

As of April 9, you'll be able to pick up the same exact Eee PC with a Intel Celeron processor, 512 megabytes of RAM, 7-inch screen, and 4 gigabytes of solid state storage, but with Windows XP installed instead of Linux. Best of all, it'll cost the same $400 it costs for the Linux version. Keep this in mind, however: Windows XP is a lot more resource-hungry than Linux, so don't expect the EeePC with Windows to be all that fast. In fact, it could be a whole lot slower than the Linux version, but at least you'll be able to get your Microsoft Outlook on!

We've covered the advantages and disadvantages of each before, so if you're in the market for an Eee take a look at our Laptop Guide before deciding on Windows or Linux.

From Engadget

Related Links:
  • Permalink
  • Email this
  • SHARE
  • 0 Comments

Tiny Asus eeePC Gets Tiny Add-Ons

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Mar 3rd 2008 at 5:55PM

Asus Unveils Eee Add-Ons

Asus has never been a high visibility company in the world of laptops or PCs -- until recently, that is. With the release of the tiny EeePC, Asus became an instant celebrity in the computer world.

The PC maker is now trying to milk its hit ultraportable for all it's worth. At this year's CeBIT (a large technology trade show) in Germany, Asus is showing off a collection of Eee-themed accessories. The add-ons aren't anything revolutionary, but they do give even more regular-computer functionality to the nicely-priced mini-PC.

The new eeePC peripherals include a VOIP (Voice Over IP) USB handset for Internet calling, a Wi-Fi access point, a slim external DVD-RW drive (since the eeePC doesn't come with a built-in one), a confusingly large USB HSDPA cellular modem (for getting online anywhere there's a cell phone signal), a TV tuner, USB mice, and headphones -- all made to match the toy-like white (or black) plastic of the Eee.

Pricing or availability haven't been announced, but we'll be sure to keep you posted.

From Engadget

Related Links:
  • Permalink
  • Email this
  • SHARE
  • 0 Comments

Intel Launches New 'Atom' Processor For Low-Cost Laptops

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Mar 3rd 2008 at 9:31AM

Intel Give Low Cost, Low Power Processor a Name, AtomIntel Give Low Cost, Low Power Processor a Name, Atom

Intel is prepping to take over the low cost laptop and PC market with its newly unveiled Atom line of processors, which joins Core 2, Pentium, and Celeron in the chipmaker's lineup. Formerly codenamed Diamondville and Silverthorne, Atom is an ultra-low power, low cost chip that is aimed at machines like the ASUS Eee, UMPC's, MID's, and may have had a spot in the next version of the OLPC had Intel and OLPC-creator Nicholas Negroponte not had a falling out.

The processor is built on the same 45nm manufacturing process that powers Intels new Penryn family of processors, but is otherwise a completely different chip from it's Core 2 branded brethren. Atom was designed from the ground up to use as little power as possible and provide the highest possible yields of functional chips from a piece of silicon, keeping costs incredibly low. It will also come in a Wi-Fi-and-graphics-optimized version that will be called Centrino Atom. In other words, even sub-$500 computers will be able to see speeds and processing power typical of much pricier computers.

Intel is still mum on price points, all we know is the low end single core version is targeted at laptops in the $250-$300 range that will be out later this year.

From PC World

Related links:
  • Permalink
  • Email this
  • SHARE
  • 0 Comments

The 'WiMax' Computer Revolution is Upon Us

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Jan 8th 2008 at 5:30PM

Asus Joinst he WiMax Party
Well the OQO wasn't alone for long. At a joint press conference with Sprint and Intel yesterday Asus announced that in 2008 it would be launching several laptops with WiMax capabilities, including an update of the popular sub-notebook the Eee PC, though adding WiMax requires using Windows XP instead of Linux.

WiMax is the next generation wireless network technology championed by Intel. Sprint is building out its nationwide wireless broadband network based on the service called Xohm.

In addition to the Eee PC, Asus will be adding WiMax to its Ferrari branded gaming notebook, the multimedia focused, sub woofer equipped M50, its R50A UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC), V1 business laptop, and F8 mainstream laptop.

The laptops should all be available by mid year just in time for the commercial launch of Sprint's Xohm network, which Atish Gude (Senior VP of Mobile Broadband Operations at Sprint) said should launch in late April early May. "This is the year WiMax becomes reality," he said. And judging by the partners jumping on the WiMax bandwagon he may be right.

Related links:
  • Permalink
  • Email this
  • SHARE
  • 0 Comments

Best Buy's $200 Black Friday PC and Other Cheap Computers

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Nov 12th 2007 at 3:25PM

Best Buy's $200 Black Friday PC, and Other Cheap Computers
Shopping on Black Friday requires a certain amount of masochism -- struggling through the crowds, punching mothers in front of their children to get that cheap plasma TV -- it's dangerous business.

If you decide to brave the battlefield at Best Buy this year, you'll be rewarded with an opportunity to grab an eMachines PC with a 17 inch LCD monitor for the super low price of $200. Don't expect the world though. The PC is rumored to be powered by an Intel Celeron running at 2.66 Ghz (meaning no efficient and powerful 'Core' for you), comes with 512 megabytes of RAM (which is the bare minimum for doing just about anything on a computer these days), has a measly 80 Gigabyte hard drive, and it has no DVD burner.

Don't get us wrong -- $200 is still a heck of a price, but you could get so much more, or at least more interesting for a tad more cash. For instance, Wal-Mart is selling their own $200 PC without monitor. The gPC, as it's called, runs Linux instead of the resource-hungry Vista and uses an ultra low-power (and carbon-neutral) processor from Via. Or, how about the diminutive and cheap Eee from Asus which is also powered by Linux (noticing a trend here?). Priced from $200 to $400, these little laptops let you get all your basic computing tasks done by focusing on web applications.

Or, if you're in the market for something truly different, head on over to Laptop.org and you can get yourself one of the OLPC XOs (also Linux powered). These tiny, innovative convertible laptops are meant for kids in developing nations, but for a limited time you can order one for yourself as long as you're willing to pay for two. The second one gets sent to a child in the third world on your dime. In that case, $400 gets you a technological marvel, a piece of history, and a warm, fuzzy feeling.

From Engadget

Related links:
  • Permalink
  • Email this
  • SHARE
  • 19 Comments


    AOL Tech Network



    Latest Reviews from CNET.com

    CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

    Top Product Reviews

    Weblogs, Inc. Network

    AOL News

    Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

    Joystiq
    Download Squad
    The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
    BloggingStocks
    Xbox 360 Fanboy
    Autoblog
    Big Download Blog
    AOL Sports Blog