Comments on: Battle of the $300 Netbooks

You want a super-cheap laptop? Let's see what $300 can get you in a Netbook.

[jtjt145]

The PROBLEM with the table above: OS | Windows XP | Windows XP | Windows XP

I truly hope I am not the only one taking offense with this. Not only Is any version of Windows less safe, slower and less functional, it is also more expensive. For the M$ shills, who argue that Micro$oft's margin on netbooks is very small: If you think that the cost of any pc ends with the OS, you haven't done your homework! Another advantage of non-Micro$oft OS: Other operating systems can be trimmed to boot in seconds, an area where Windows doesn't even have an entry line.

I say, get rid of Windows and put Linux onto those things! The fact that no other OS appears in the OS line shows Micro$oft's strangle-hold on the OEM pc manufacturers, preventing them to make optional offers available.
It is time for the public AND government institutions to wake up and forbid this sinister MONOPOLY.

Arthur

[BingItOn]

Problem is COMMENT | tjt145 | tjt145 | tjt145

[monkeyfun14]

First of all the only problem here is you **** my internetz troll.

Secondly insulting potential users of Linux doesn't sell your OS.

Thirdly Microsoft isn't stopping anyone from offering Linux Dell,Hp,Etc have been doing it for years. Linux has no advertising doesn't mean the competition should do it for them.

And fourthly I rather not use a OS like Linux that wants me to type a programs file name to install it thats so 90's

[Vegaman_Dan]

@Arthur:

Linux *has* been offered on netbooks- and the OEM's stopped offering it due to lack of customer demand and sales.

Remember, just because you want Linux on a netbook doesn't mean that others do, and in this case, the OEM's are going to go where the money is and offer what customers want and will buy- and that wasn't linux. Just the way it is.

[linux2268]

Even if I buy a XP netbook and put linux on I have still paid MS a fee for the OS I didn't want ,I as a consumer wants choice and I choose not to want MS ,and the sooner the companies listen to customers rather than MS the better !!!.

[bluemist9999]

I use both Ubuntu and Windows. Both are fine OS's. Certainly, Ubuntu is probably more secure, and looks great with Compviz. But I am also a very technical person.

For non-technical people, selling PCs with Ubuntu is like selling a car which uses a joystick instead of gas/brake pedals and a steering wheel. It's just too different for non-technical users to adopt.

Non-technical users know specific key presses and specific menu layouts. When these change, many of these users get confused and need retraining to be productive again. Also, keep in mind, probably 90% of PC users are like this.

So, what happened was the OEMs initially did offer Ubuntu linux, and I think Dell still offers it if you wish. But, when 95% of comsumers didn't want the Ubuntu netbooks, the OEMs decided to stock XP-based netbooks, instead.

Basically, OS and technology wars are irrelevant for John Q. Public. To him, a computer is a tool, nothing more and nothing less. So, yes, the OEMs are listening carefully to the consumers. If the Linux-based netbooks sold like hotcakes while the XP-based ones languished, every netbook manufacturer would be on that bandwagon.

[Apple_fan_95]

You can get linux on the dell and the hp....and it is cheaper! You might want to get your facts straight before you go and attack people.....just a suggestion.

[mt71449]

I have been using Ubuntu on my Netbook/UMPC for a while, and I love it. I am amazed at wat I can accomplish with it, pretty much everything.

[Seaspray0]

@jtjt145. Sorry, but linux can't be mentioned in every article. It represents a very small percent of users, and cnet does do way more than that percent of their articles geared towards linux. As for your request, the OEM's did put linux on them and they didn't sell. That I can blame on you and other linux users for not buying enough of them built that way. Besides, there's nothing stoping you from loading linux on it. Stop the whinning.

[renGek]

You sound like the lame users I deal with who demands our service is 100% linux compatible even though he was the first linux user we had in the 3 years that our service was running. Yeah like I don't have enough to do already and I'm going to waste my time to appease ONE person. Talk about EGO.

If I was a manufacturer why the heck would I spend resources building and selling something that won't make nearly as much profit as product B that caters to a much bigger audience? What kind of dumb business plan is that?

[alaris3k]

lame, a battle is 3 netbooks? nice of you to leave out some of the better manufacturers like Lenovo. can you say paid advertisment?

[ikramerica--2008]

Also left out the Dell Vostro A90. Same specs as mini9, 16GB SSD, bluetooth, $294.

[ikramerica--2008]

Also left out the Dell Vostro A90. Same specs as mini9, 16GB SSD, bluetooth, $294.

Oh, and Linux...

[Vegaman_Dan]

@ikramerica--2008:

"Oh, and Linux..."

If that is the case, based upon your previous comments and those of other Linux supporters, that means the laptop should cost around $100 since Linux is so much cheaper / free than other alternatives, right?

Why is the netbook still as expensive as the Windows offerings then?

[Philstera]

I'll wait until Windows 7 comes out with a multi touch screen and then Im all over it.

[Mr. Dee]

These updates are excellent, but I agree, I will wait until Windows 7 arrives. I hope Microsoft would make a tool available that turns your thumbdrive into Windows on a stick to make it easier for existing XP Netbook users to upgrade.

[BingItOn]

I got asus netbook in $399 and installed Windows 7 beta and overall I have a great experience, beside I had to install one missing driver.

[BingItOn]

I means in $299.

[crue24]

Windows 7 is a frtee upgrade for the next year. I'm running it on mine and love it. By the time I have to pay for it, I'll be ready to buy a new one that will come with Win7.

[E B]

I don't care about Linux -- some flavor of Windows is probably fine. Yes, Linux might be cheaper, but I want something I can actually USE without tinkering, and Linux ain't it (yet). Four things I'd like:

1. 802.11n/g/b standard. If you've got a low-powered CPU because the net is supposed to do the work for you, you'd better have the bandwidth to LET the net do the work for you.

2. Touchscreeen. Yes, I know this breaks it out of the realm of reality into dreamland, but I want a cheap netbook with a touchscreen that I can "write" on, ideally with any stylus or even my finger, and have it work. Keep the keyboard, make it optionally fold out of the way, and add the touchscreen.

3. No cell contract. I love the price of the HP, but there's no way I'm signing up for a cell contract for this thing. See item 1.

4. VPU support, so low-end accelerated video is possible. I want to hit youtube and hulu. I think nvidia is building a VPU for this space, that is supposed to dramatically increase the Atom's capabilities without dramatically draining battery power.

[Jeremy Chappell]

I'm not sure that Ubuntu is the answer - probably Android (soon - probably not quite baked on this hardware).

As for Windows? Seriously? On a Netbook? Windows is engineered for "big" computers (well something with more than a 9" display anyway). And these puppies won't do games, or serious Wordprocessing...

I can't see the point in Windows on these. Personally I think you want an email client, a browser, something to look at photos, and a lightweight wordprocessor (you're not really wanting to type much on it are you?)

And no, I don't want to run Mac OS X on it either...

[monkeyfun14]

Windows 7 runs fine on netbooks and so does XP these things are not even that underpowered...

1GB of RAM and 1.6ghz processors these were what we were using to run XP not to long ago.

[forever4now]

I like Acer's plan to dual-boot Android & Windows. If you want/need to use Windows, you can. Otherwise, Android offers you the benefits of fast boot & runtime, super long battery life, touch-optimized UI, location-based services, cell phone calls, SMS/MMS, multi-media playback, and access to all the other cool apps in the Android Market.

A similar approach could be used on smartbooks, with Ubuntu instead of Windows (since Windows does not run on ARM). This would be awesome! You would run Android most of the time, but if you need OpenOffice, or any other Ubuntu-supported app (developers could even run Linux dev tools!), you could launch them.

My vote is for this Android dual-boot configuration to be standard on all netbooks...perhaps with Windows/Ubuntu as optional add-ons.

[Seaspray0]

@jeremy chappell. The specs on these netbooks beats some of the specs on some of the older desktops at work. Those work desktops are running windows xp with the full suite of office, as well as other corporate apps. They will do serious wordprocessing. Netbooks were not designed to be game machines. The netbook specs well exceeds the minimum and recommended hardware requirements for XP.

[skshrews]

Run Windows XP on Asus 900 HA (1GB memory), boots up <30 seconds, "wakes" from sleep < 10 seconds.

Have been using for work (medical) and have been very happy. No problems typing.

I was going to install Windows 7 RC but XP has worked so well I'm going to stay with XP. Networking, printing, Citrix client have all worked well.

I too believed the "technorati" that XP wasn't usable on a netbook, until I used it on a netbook.

[wanorris]

If what you want is something lighter weight (Android, or the more mature Windows CE), you probably want what they're calling a smartbook -- a lower-cost alternative that runs on ARM chips. Prepare to see a wave of them soon.

Personally, if I wanted a phone with a keyboard, I'd get a phone with a keyboard -- oh, wait, I have one.

I want a netbook to run desktop apps when I want to and have my choice of the best web browsers out there without having them be "Lite" versions or a couple of versions behind. If I feel like it, I want to be able to bring up my word processor of choice, a command line, my favorite text editor, even Photoshop or Gimp.

Right now, that means x86 running Windows or Linux. Mac OS counts too, if Apple ever releases a netbook.

[dnosotti]

The next generation Atom processor, N450, should be available about the same time as Windows 7. It will have a faster 200 mhz processor, 667 front side buss, and most importantly a better graphics chip to support HD video. That's worth waiting for.

Meanwhile the price of the current crop should drop to $200 and would represent a bargain while supplies last.

[nonicks]

you missed on Lenovo S10E.
Well it's not @ $300 but, it's available at FRYs for $329.

The point is Lenovo beats all three you mentioned hands down in Performance.
1 - Laptop grade machine, 10.1 inches screen though
2 - Fastest FSB
3 - Fastest RAM

Sleek finish. Doesn't look made up of CHEAP plastic ..like an Acer one.

[Vegaman_Dan]

I've had to service all these netbooks before and the Lenovo, while being the most expensive, is also the cheapest in build quality and production. There's a reason why I get to work on those the most- they need the most service more often. Next up would be Dell, then Acer and HP.

[Vegaman_Dan]

The article includes the HP netbook but qualifies the price with 3G because you have to buy it through a subsidized price with a carrier. If that netbook is included for $199, then it should be pointed out that the Acer Aspire One is also available at Radio Shack with a contract and 3G for $99. That's half the price of the HP and makes it the lowest price of all the offerings.

[seymourcray]

Who types commands in Ubuntu 9? It has a graphical interface to install programs... way slicker than Windows or anything else... M$ and Apple, get your act together compared to this new puppy.

[mt71449]

I have been using Ubuntu on my Netbook/UMPC for a while, and I love it. I am amazed at wat I can accomplish with it, pretty much everything.

[robd11]

why hasn't anyone mentioned a DVD player? yeah, I could download stuff, but that's illegal or expensive and hard to do. or I could "backup" the DVD disk using an external drive, but that's cumbersome and illegal too. is it too much to ask for a DVD slot? also, do any of these things have the eraser mouse? I hate the touch pad.

[kwhsy82]

DVD would consume power rapidly. But I'm also curious if they have the horsepower to run it.

[seven7dust]

I wonder when those Ion netbooks will come out ?
cause thats when the performance increase will actually mean anything !
the bottleneck right now is that crappy intel graphics chips !

[kwhsy82]

I "get" Netbooks are a category and I "get" why Windows is a popular option.

Conversely, if you count the volume of IPhones/Pres, etc., being sold, you kind of wonder if a non-Windows OS will basically dominate this category of "intelligent portable devices."

Laptops in essence grew up to run Windows (or Mac OS or for a small but vocal few, Linux). Everything from input to processors were optimized for that. Conversely, the MacOS and Pre's OS and the ARM processor are evolving for a different form factor and price. Maybe they will simply prevail. Yes, I know an IPhone and netbook aren't "the same", but in two years?

[ricegf]

Well, this was rather disappointing - 3 identical netbooks don't offer much contrast in a market that's certainly more interesting that is implied here. I'm partial to Linux-based netbooks, but even for a Windows-only "battle", this one was pretty darned boring. Perhaps the flood of ARM-based netbooks this fall will liven things up a bit - for those willing to look.

[Neumenon]

Linux is garbage and will never take off on a consumer level. Get over it already.

[scriven]

Amazing that no-one notices the missing consideration, which is the main reason why most people buy netbooks, apart from price: weight!

So far, these are all close to 3 lbs, and at that weight I have the MacAir with SSD and a 13" screen and full size keyboard. OK, the price is high, but I bought it because of the weight/thin spec. I'm hoping for the titanium case and SSD to get us down to 2.2lbs without losing rigidity.

[dredgerie]

what about the Acer AOP531h-1791? It's got 2GB Ram, and a six cell battery, with the standard other features. Although its more expensive, you can find it under $450, and it's only 2.8 lbs- plus, you don't have to tear it apart to install the extra ram or worry about voiding your warranty... just a thought.

[DThomasX]

Recently, here in Texas Radio Shack was running a special -- buy an Acer Aspire One (configured like in this article, but with an AT&T aircard installed already) for $49 if you were willing to sign on to a 2-year AT&T contract for $60/month. Great computer!

[ordinet]

I also am concerned about weight. The whole point of a netbook is its portability - they were never intended to be a primary, full-service computer. I have a desktop, a laptop - both have very different purposes - I want a small, lightweight computer/appliance to toss into my purse to take traveling, to take to the grocery store with recipes in it (or to surf for a recipe for an unusual ingredient), to send a quick email - to check my email - and no, I don't want to do this with a tiny phone screen. I want a little computer. As demand grows for heavier, bulkier machines (inevitable with more features), this function becomes lost. I am less and less interested in having one.