Nothing But Netbooks! Acer Aspire One, Dell E, Eee PC, HP Mini-Note, MSI Wind, and Other Netbook News, Reviews, Coverage

For what it’s worth, Buy.com is now offering the MSI Wind for pre-order with free shipping, in all three colors. No estimate for shipping date, just “be one of the first to receive this product when it arrives!” An additional $10 off if you use Google Checkout for the first time (see link at top of the product page).

Product page link

NOTE: This link is being provided for information only, and should not be considered an endorsement of Buy.com.

Posted under Uncategorized

NewMarket Technologies announced that it will be buying a 75% stake in Everex, the maker of the Cloudbook, as “part of a comprehensive plan to build a national mobility technology solution.” The deal is scheduled to be closed by September. No word on how this will affect the Cloudbook itself, if at all.

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Posted under Cloudbook

UK’s Mobile Computer reviewed the Acer Aspire One. They liked the touchpad more than the similarly laid out one on the HP Mini-Note: “the narrow buttons have a far more positive feel and the sensitivity is properly set to match the horizontal and vertical dimensions”. Lots of really nice pictures in the review, including a good one of the battery slot area.

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Posted under Acer Aspire One

Testing done by the folks at HP2133guide.com has shown improved benchmark scores for the HP Mini-Note with Vista Service Pack 1 and the updated video drivers recently released by VIA. There are also results for Windows XP with Service Pack 3 and the new drivers, although for some reason on XP the 3DMark03 score was a tad lower after the upgrades.

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Posted under HP Mini-Note

According to an announcement on MSI UK’s web site, the first model available on July 1 will be, not surprisingly, the Windows XP version with 3-cell battery and 1GB memory, in white. The official model number is U100-015UK. Black is slated to be available near the end of July (no word on pink model, other than that it “will be launched in the near future”). Price is £329.99 with VAT. Four UK stores offering the Wind were also announced.

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Posted under MSI Wind

From Down Under, a quick review of the Wind by GadgetZone:

• It works with Vista: “Performance in Vista was smooth and encountered no lagging or long load times”
• With the 6-cell battery, the Wind tips backwards if the screen is tilted too far.
• The screen “wobbles”

Price: $699 AUD (no word on which configuration). They gave it a rating of 3.5 out of 5.

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Posted under MSI Wind

User hamshu on the MSIWind.net forums posts the tale of how he got a hands-on with the MSI Wind at a mall in Shanghai, although he had to push his way past an elderly man and a small child to get at it! (Hopefully he was just kidding.) Anyways, he also got to play Warcraft III on the Wind against the store clerk. Some of his observations:

• It’s really glossy, so will attract fingerprints.
• Noticeably warm but not uncomfortably so.
• Was able to view YouTube video in Firefox with WC3 running in the background.
• Box comes with 3 CDs: System Restore, BIOS, Drivers/Manual.

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Posted under Eee PC 900, MSI Wind

A nifty chart from PC Magazine that compares Acer Aspire One, HP Mini-Note, and two Eee PC models.

Posted under Acer Aspire One, Eee PC 900, HP Mini-Note

An MSIWind.net email interview with MSI’s US office answers some burning questions about the first release:

• $499 price confirmed for 36-cell, Windows XP, 1GB memory (3-cells temporarily offered for $479 until 6-cells are in supply)
• 1-year warranty, no extended warranty at this time (could be offered later)
• Linux version will only come in 3-cell version, in “early August”
• They do not anticipate supply issues with Atom processors, but batteries will be a limiting factor to supply

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Posted under MSI Wind

CNet UK has posted their official review of the Acer Aspire One. They give it an 8.8 out of 10. Major points:

• They like the keyboard- were able to touch type with it.
• Different pricing from what has previously been reported: £220 for the basic Linux version, “around” £320 for the Windows version.
• One year warranty- additional year extended warranty available for £49.99.
• 4800mAh battery for £79.99.

Review summary

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Posted under Acer Aspire One