Netbook Roundup: Affordable, Light and Long-lasting

[DJ_Wheels]

Another MSI Wind review: Mobile Computer - Hands-on with the MSI Wind ultra-portable

[DigitalDD]

The MSI Wind reminds me a lot of the Dell Latitude X1, only the MSI Wind seems to be a 10" version of it with a lower screen resolution.

[Tulkas]

nice job coffee


I think joe talked about the side-scrolling. A few weeks ago I was at bestbuy and saw one of these suckers. The screen is so freaking small, and looking at the poor resolution hurt my eyes. Having to scroll the screen to get from the left to right, and top to bottom was terribly annoying.

The only reason I like the idea of these things is what most of you have been talking about. It seems like if it has an optical drive, it will replace portable DVD players (or soon to come). Witht he ability to play movies, decent long battery life, plus the added functionality of a computer...I would opt a few extra bucks for that over a standard portable DVD player.

I kind of see it for class. Certainly it makes gaming extremely difficult to almost impossible. But in my experiense, having a bigger screen for school is better. For in class when you are just taking notes (AND NOTHING ELSE), maybe so, but for the most part, I like to multi-task. Small screens make research take longer and it is very difficult. Having multiple programs, websites, chatting with your partners, etc...it becomes a big pain and hassle.

Overall, I think this is simply going to end up mostly being a little toy.

[CoffeeShark]

I firmly believe the subnotebooks like these are a 2nd computer, or only a main computer for people who ONLY email, surf and write letters.

kind of like a motorcyle, you can't drive it in the winter, but at times, it's all you want to drive. You don't want to take the truck out, you just want to buzz around quickly. Now, you won't be picking up the family, or going to Home Depot, or go skiing, but it's perfect to take out for a spin, or run to the coffee shop, or go to a friends house.

[joe]

Originally Posted by CmdrTulkas

Overall, I think this is simply going to end up mostly being a little toy.

funny, that's what I hear a lot of girls say about trip7...

(good post though tulkas, and I agree mostly but with a condition, I think the first few generations of these machines fit your toy description (specifically the EEE), but now that we're seeing further development, I think it's a genuine new class of computers that can be really useful)

[MajorMalfunction]

Just wait until the quad-core Atom comes along, with mini-Geforce graphics!

[CoffeeShark]

Originally Posted by MajorMalfunction

Just wait until the quad-core Atom comes along, with mini-Geforce graphics!

I know you're kidding, but i'm afraid all these will start getting into the $750 range, which defeats the purpose. (the HP already gets there when decked out).

I have a $800 12" laptop, other than the 3.5 pounds it's got more power than any of these small systems.

I'd like to see them stay in the $400 range, without getting overblown on features.

[MajorMalfunction]

lol, I agree. But I think if the technology is ever there companies will use it, while still keeping the budget models around. Unfortunately there's the psychological aspect of it; we're more likely to appreciate the budget price tag and modest specs if it's all that's available.

[bacon_x]

if, for what i want, the prices on these jumps, i will invest in a regular smaller laptop for the quality and power for the same price. like you said coffee, i hope they stay cheaper, because this is what i need/want

[joe]

details about the next Asus Eee PC (901): Eee PC 901 Specs Out, WiMax Version Planned - TrustedReviews

and a look at the upcoming MSI Wind: First Look: MSI Wind - TrustedReviews