Troy Richards asked:




Specifications: The Toshiba Mini NB205-N210 netbook comes with an 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N280 processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM that is upgradeable to 2GB, an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator GMA950 graphics card, a 160 GB hard drive, a 10.1″ display, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The 3 USB ports has an interesting feature where they can charge a device while the computer is off. The six-cell battery that comes with this model has an impressive capacity. Manufacturers claim that it can last up to 9 hours on one charge.

Design: Toshiba Mini NB205-N210 netbook is designed in the basic netbook style and measures 7.6 x 10.4 x 1.3 inches. It weighs approximately 2.9 pounds. It looks and feels sturdy and stable. There is also a built-in accelerometer that can detect sudden movements, which helps it recognize when the netbooks is falling to ensure the hard disk is protected. The Toshiba Mini also comes with a built-in webcam and the standard connectivity of 3 USB 2.0 ports, a VGA port, a memory card reader, a headphone jack, a microphone jack, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.

Features & Performance: In terms of performance the Toshiba Mini NB205-N210 netbook performs quite similarly to other netbooks in its class due to their similar configurations. The built-in graphics card is good enough for casual gaming and simple graphics work. The six-cell battery included is amazingly efficient and can last up to 9 hours on a single charge. Toshiba’s flawless reputation in producing durable and reliable laptops adds confidence to this purchase.

Overall: The Toshiba Mini NB205-N210 netbook’s design makes it stand out amongst its contenders although internal specifications are somewhat similar to that of other netbooks in the market. The stunning and sturdy design, amazingly long battery life, USB charging feature and built-in accelerometer however are plus points in its favor and will help it stand out from the rest of the netbook pack.

Joy

Roberto Sedycias asked:




The netbook is actually being noticed by diehard laptop devotees. Most devoted laptop lovers might have thought – “This is it. This is the one for me.” Slowly but surely, they are being lured into the smaller and lighter realm of the netbook.

For students, this can mean the difference between lugging their laptop around all day, when maybe they only have one or two classes. Or when they grab lunch, maybe they want to drop the heavy laptop off at the dorm room for when they come back to download the day’s notes. Sitting at a desk gets old after sitting behind one for several hours a day; even if there is a nice home/dorm office desk setup aside from being in classrooms. Maybe the student wants to prop up in bed and type some quick ideas or update the week`s schedule – enter the netbook.

Following are the small details that make the netbook so appealing for quick tasks, updates or even as a general notebook for random thoughts or shopping lists.

The netbook tends to have a 7-10 inch screen. However some manufacturers have produced a couple of models with 11-12 inch screens, which might be categorized by most as a laptop. Usually they are built to weigh a mere 2-3 pounds. This attribute alone is a big selling point for the times someone needs a computer, yet there will be no access to a desktop where one is going, therefore the point of carrying a USB stick would be moot. Now the USB can be brought along to the next destination, with the netbook not weighing much more.

Linux and Windows XP are the standard operating systems for netbooks. Some have Vista installed, but the netbook`s smaller memory capacity usually does not support Vista well. Most memory on the devices is 512 MB to 1 GB (giga byte). They do have a capacity for as much as 2 GB. Most netbooks come with many standard specs that a laptop does – webcam, microphone, USB 2.0, a port for headphones and another microphone and etc.

The netbook is designed to be very easy on battery life, unlike most laptops. Hence another example of the appeal of the netbook`s portability; however, this also translates to smaller processing systems, making it ideal for small daily tasks for students, business people, writers, or the busy mom typing out the grocery list. The laptop at home will be utilized later for the more heavily processing tasks.

Many netbooks can be attained for US $300-500. Some do go as high as $700-800. For those who can justify the cost of the netbook as a compatible backup and new family addition to their laptop, it is a viable option. There are also many people who would benefit from saving or just weighing the pros to make a notebook the latest addition to their technology brood – students, writers, high schoolers who need extra, more convenient study time, doctors and nurses who need extra time to type up and organize notes, etc.

Welcome to another technological breakthrough, just when it seemed there could never be any more additions: enter the world of the netbook, a fabulous adjunct to the notebook, and their grandfather, the good old desktop.

Glenda

John Kessler asked:




Since everybody is all for high-tech, it really isn’t surprising that companies are racing towards merging current technologies. Take, for example, the netbook and the touchscreen media player. Is it really possible to merge them to make a cutting-edge device?

With the Touch Book netbook, it is possible. Made by the company Always Innovating, Touch Book is due to be out in the summer of 2009. The price is pegged at $399 for a netbook with keyboard, although you can have the tablet only version for $299.

Key Features

This netbook differs from other units with its detachable keyboard and its touchscreen interface, which turns it into a portable media player or gaming device. But with an 8.9-inch screen size, it is hardly as portable as other media player devices, although it is just the typical size of a mini laptop.

The operating system operates in two modes: one for keyboard and touchpad, and one for tablet-only use. You don’t have to a stylus pen to use this.

Another feature is its long 15-hour battery life. The manufacturer insists that you can leave this computer on like a cell phone and not have to worry about overheating parts. Instead of using Intel’s Atom processor, the Touch Book uses Texas Instruments’ ARM processor. It is said that this processor delivers powerful desktop performance yet uses only a fraction of the energy.

Other features of the Touch Book: 8GB micro SD card, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, 3-dimensional accelerometer, speakers, microphone and headphone, 6 USB 2.0 ports (3 internal, 2 external, and 1 mini).

This netbook will be shipped with Mozilla’s upcoming mobile Internet browser for touchscreens.

Susan

John E Lincoln asked:




The Apple iPad has just been released. Looks like a cool device, right? Like an iPhone, the screen adjusts to the phones positioning. It has crystal clear viewing capabilities for video and photos. And the touch screen… I mean wow! We’ve never really see navigation quite like this.

While this all may be true, the question is buzzing around, who is the iPad really meant for? Is there a consumer demand driving this product supply or is Apple looking to create a new demand, like they did with the iPod.

There has also been speculation that this device is simply a business move by Apple to simulate another Apple store. Hey, if you were Apple you’d probably want to have two Apple stores, right? Who wouldn’t want 50 hosted VoIP developers rushing to create the next hosted VoIP PBX app: especially if you make a small commission off each sale?

Granted, it does have a touch screen keyboard so you can at least type. But what it all comes down to is that the flashy navigation, emphasis on apps, use as a reader and major push as a multimedia device makes it seem more like a toy than a piece of machinery intended to help a professional get work done.

Now, this very may well be what Apple was going for with the iPad. Maybe they wanted to create a more superfluous device. But why create something that seems so expendable in the wake of an economic recovery?

Don’t get me wrong, I love the iPad. I love what Apple is doing with the device and the way their technology is progressing. Also, I like that the iPad has speakers and a microphone so it could potentially run a softphone or other http://www.freedomiq.com applications. But who is the iPad really meant for? Is it meant for you? Tell us what you think below.

Douglas