Showing posts with label EEE PC News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EEE PC News. Show all posts

## Monday, April 6, 2009

### Atom N270 (N280) vs Via Nano Benchmarks

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In a recent article (review of the Samsung NC20) the important German magazine c´t confirmed what I'm saying since long time: from a performance point of view Intel Atom and VIA Nano are absolutely comparable, they achieve a similar performance level, especially if compared to available netbook processors.
For details see Intel Atom N270 vs VIA Nano vs Core 2 Duo vs Pentium M Benchmarks Performance
What c´t says (free translation, I'm not a professional translator...):
VIA Nano's new microarchitecture is a big improvement especially compared to VIA C7. This is confirmed by the CineBench R10: here the VIA Nano achieves double as much points as the C7.
... without HyperThreading the Intel Atom is much slower than the VIA Nano, even enabling HyperThreading the VIA Nano achieves better benchmarks results (Nano: 886, Atom: 843)
On the other hand, thanks to HyperThreading, the Intel Atom Windows system is more responsive than the VIA Nano Windows in case an application generates a high CPU load.
...With respect to CPU power both VIA Nano and Intel Atom can't compete with mature notebook processors.
...The Samsung NC20 doesn't have enough horse power to handle the user's manual: many seconds are required to leaf through it.
Bottom line: both Intel Atom and VIA Nano are low end processors, ok only if you want to use your netbook for email, casual Internet browsing and basic multimedia (MP3, video). If you want to do more buy a notebook with a decent CPU!!!!
Benchmark (CineBench R10) numbers

- VIA C7 at 1.6GHz: 406 points
- VIA Nano U2250 1.3-1.5GHz (in the Samsung NC20) : 886 points
- Intel Atom N270 (Hyper Threading not used): 545 points.
- Intel Atom N270 (Hyper Threading used): 843 points
- Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 (single core mode): more than 3000 points
- Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 (dual core mode): almost 6000 points

Intel Atom N270 vs N280: I don't have right now CineBench benchmarks for Atom N280, on the other hand I expect basically the same results that we got for the N270.
See also Intel Atom N270 vs VIA Nano vs Core 2 Duo vs Pentium M Benchmarks Performance

## Wednesday, April 1, 2009

### Intel Atom N270 (N280) vs Via Nano Performance

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I reposted the article
See

- Intel Atom N270 (N280) vs Via Nano Performance
- Intel Atom N270 vs VIA Nano vs Core 2 Duo vs Pentium M Benchmarks Performance

## Saturday, March 28, 2009

### DVD burner for EEE PC and any netbook, why not?

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In a world with Internet flat rates, tons of gigabytes in hard disks, USB memory sticks and flash cards you don't have to burn DVD so frequently. However especially if you aren't a power user a DVD player/burner is an essential piece of hardware. DVD are especially handy to back up and restore the hard disk, not to speak about playing out music/movies from your private CD/DVD collection.
Netbooks and subnotebooks typically miss a DVD burner, especially for space reasons. The EEE PCs are not an exception. The new Asus SDRW-08D1S-U DVD records on 8X DVD+R, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-R and 5X DVD-RAM and access 8X DVD-ROM and 5X DVD-RAM formats. While obviously designed with the EEE PC in mind, the Asus DVD burner can be used on MSI Wind, Samsung NC10 or any other netbook. You just plug it to the USB port(s), while for the player functionality you don't need of installing any software, for burning DVDs you typically need some software. Asus ships the burner in bundle with Cyberlink Power2Go 6 LE.

## Tuesday, February 17, 2009

### Xandros Linux on ARM - When on first ARM Netbook?

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Very interesting news: Xandros has been ported to ARM, we'll soon see EEE PC with an ARM processor?Link to the article: http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2075296337.html
See also chart of 2009-2010 netbook processors and operating systems
"Xandros is porting its desktop Linux distribution -- noted for use in the pioneering Asus EEE netbook -- to two ARM-based platforms for netbooks and other mobile devices. The ports are part of a larger push to support ARM-based devices, including 3G-enabled MID-like devices and even smartphones, says Xandros.
The two Xandros ports are to the Qualcomm Snapdragon and netbook-focused Freescale i.MX515. The ports will include "a variety" of user applications, and will support both keyboard and touchscreen input, says Xandros. Applications are said to include a browser, push-based email, PIM, instant messaging, a photo viewer, a media player, and a Microsoft Office-compatible office suite."

## Tuesday, February 10, 2009

### Kindle 2 on sale/pre order at Amazon.com

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A little off-topic here, however there is a major news: the new Kindle 2 can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com and will be shipped end of February.
I must say the after looking around in the Kindle Store I understand the reason for the big sales success: I'm impressed from the big selection of books and magazines and especially the low price tag. If you are a "power reader" the saving is considerable, you pay:

- $9.99 for new books
- $9.99-$13.99 monthly for newspapers (it means $0,30 to $0,50 per issue!)
- $1.50 for magazines

You can download any time the book/issue you want via 3G wireless, of course you don't pay the data transfer.
Some features of the new Kindle :
Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines
Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback
Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots
Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images
Longer Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging
More Storage: Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books
Faster Page Turns: 20% faster page turns
Read-to-Me: With the new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you
Large Selection: Over 230,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs available
Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise

## Sunday, February 8, 2009

### Netbook Buyer guide update with ExpressCard and High Speed Wifi search

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I already presented the EEE Netbook database, now I've added the possibility to refine the search for netbooks on sale with ExpressCard, high speed Wifi (WLAN draft n) support and a weight limit.
Direct link to the EEE Netbook database/finder
Some examples:

- find 10-inch netbook with high capacity battery and ExpressCard
- any netbook with ExpressCard and weight below 1000gr
- 10-inch netbook below 1000gr and high speed wifi (draft n)i

## Friday, February 6, 2009

### Atom N280 shipping with GN40 Chipset

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Intel started shipping the new Atom N280 together with the GN40 chipset. Both N280 and GN40 aren't mentioned at all in Intel website.
Intel deleted the the confidential document with first official information on CPU clock 1,66GHz (just 0,06 GHz more) and bus of 533MHz while news sites worldwide talk about 667MHz FSB.
In any case, we'll see very soon the first Atom N280 netbooks. Asus and others already announced the first models.
GN40 vs 945GSE: voice say that the (compared to the 945GSE) the FN will have much better 3D performance and will be able to play high video (blue ray). On the other hand, according to unofficial information, the Atom N280+GN40 should be slightly less power efficient.
GN40 vs Nvidia Ion: I doubth that the GN40 will outperform the Ion in 3D performance, Intel doesn't have a big 3D tradition however who knows...
In any case you know what I mean about 3D performance and benchmarks for netbooks: I'm sure that 3D games are not of interest for the vast majority of netbook users! Who really cares about 3D benchmarks for netbooks? If you want to play 3D games you won't be happy with a netbook, the display is far too small and the processor isn't that powerful...
Other posts on Intel Atom

## Sunday, February 1, 2009

### Netbook Processors and Operating Systems for 2009-2010

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Relevant posts

- posts on Apple / Leopard OS on netbooks
- posts on Atom processor
- posts on VIA Nano processor
- posts on dual core processors for netbooks

Netbooks/mini laptops represent now a significant part of the overall IT market, million unit of EEE PC, Aspire One, Samsung NC10 and MSI Wind were sold in weeks.
The netbook race started and in the next 6months to one year we'll see new processors and I bet also the first Android netbooks. The figure shows a possible scenario of operating systems and processors used in netbooks for 2009-2010.
1) Netbook processors
The vast majority of netbooks shipped today are equipped with Intel Atom processor, VIA C7 and Celeron netbooks are almost not shipped anymore.
A lot is moving in the netbook processors segment: we already saw netbooks mounting a MIPS processor, the first VIA Nano netbooks are coming in weeks and a bunch of ARM based netbooks are under development (see below). Voices say that also Apple is developing an own processor (ARM based).
Available Netbook Processors

- Intel Celeron, Atom, Core
- AMD Geode
- VIA Nano, C7
- Ingenic JZ4740 (MIPS based)

Netbook Processors 2009-2010

- x86 compatible: Intel Atom (single and dual core), Intel Core, VIA Nano (single and dual core), AMD Neo, Godson 3 (?)
- ARM based: Qualcomm Snapdragon, Freescale i.MX515, ZiiLabs ZMS-05, Apple (?)
- MIPS based: Ingenic JZ4740, Godson 3(?)

To be noted that Godson 3 processor is built on top of MIPS cores however implements x86 compatibility.
2) Netbook operating systems
While Microsoft Windows well supports x86 compatible processors, ARM and MIPS based processors aren't supported by Windows XP/Vista/7 and I don't think that the situation will change very soon unless ARM and MIPS processors will get a big success in the netbook market. It is also true that ARM and MIPS are already supported by Windows Mobile, however I don't think that Microsoft will let Windows Mobile and Windows 7 compete in the netbook segment.
In any case ARM and MIPS are omnipresent in portable devices and got a very good Linux support.
The Linux community is very active, the first netbook optimized distributions are coming our (e.g. Ubuntu Netbook Remix, Intel Moblin 2)
Google Android targets mobile devices (e.g. mobile phone), nevertheless I don't see a reason why not to use Android on netbooks as well. It means that the effort spent to port Android on ARM and MIPS platforms may enable an easy porting of Android on ARM and MIPS netbooks.
Apple excuse for not entering the netbook market is that actual netbook processors don't offer enough performance. Apple is waiting for next generation of netbook processors (or his own processor) to present the first "iNetbook" of course running MAC OS / Leopard.
Relevant posts

- posts on Apple / Leopard OS on netbooks
- posts on Atom processor
- posts on VIA Nano processor
- posts on dual core processors for netbooks

## Thursday, January 22, 2009

### Apple Netbook/Mini Laptop? Not with Atom N270 or Nano Processor

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Short update: in a conference call Tim Cook explicitely said that Apple won't build a netbook/mini laptop with this generation of processors (i.e. Intel Atom N270 and VIA Nano).
According to Apple, current processors are too slow, not sufficient for a good customer experience.
Let's see whether a dual core Atom or next generation of Intel Atom (Pineview, with integrated graphics and memory controller) will have sufficient performance, according to Apple.
To be noted that what Tim Cook said could be an answer to what an Intel executive said a few months ago (iPhone internet browsing is slow because of the ARM processor), furthermore there are rumors of Apple being developing an own processor, to be used in Apple Netbooks. It means that Apple may enter the market with an own processor and is already starting the marketing campain saying that current processors are too slow...
Relevant posts

- posts on Apple / Leopard OS on netbooks
- posts on Netbook performance
- posts on Atom processor
- posts on VIA Nano processor
- posts on dual core processors for netbooks

## Monday, January 19, 2009

### Intel Atom N270 vs VIA Nano vs Core 2 Duo vs Pentium M Benchmarks for Netbook Performance

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I see much confusion when comparing Intel Atom and VIA Nano performance: the VIA Nano processor performs slightly better in number crunching (single thread) benchmarks, again SLIGHTLY! It doesn't mean that a netbook running VIA Nano processors are faster, not at all. Actually the opposite is true in some use cases! Especially with multi-threading applications.
I tell you something: having an Atom or a Nano processor won't influcence that much performance as you can with 1-2 GB RAM and a fast hard disk or SDD.
I personally consider current Intel Atom N270 and VIA Nano processors at the same performance level, little below Pentium M and far below Core 2 Duo processors.
I prepared a couple of charts showing the performance difference Atom/Nano vs Pentium M and Core 2 Duo processors.
The first chart shows SPECint_rate_base2006 and SPECfp_rate_base2006 for

- Intel Atom N270
- VIA Nano N2100
- Pentium M 780
- Core 2 Duo T7800
- Core 2 Duo T9500

As you see there is a huge CPU performance difference between the netbook, "low end" processors (Intel Atom/VIA Nano) and more Intel processors that you find in notebook since years.
The core efficiency can be also seen if you consider the benchmark figures divided by GHz and number of cores. This is what I show in next chart: Pentium M and especially Core 2 Duo are far more efficient than Atom and Nano. Of course we didn't expect something different since Atom and Nano are designed for low cost/low performance and especially low power designs.
See also

- popular post on Atom Performance vs Core Duo vs VIA C7
- other posts on Intel Atom Processor
- other posts on VIA Nano Processor

## Saturday, January 17, 2009

### Bluetooth for Aspire One A150, Samsung NC10, Medion Akoya Mini E1210 netbooks

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UPDATE: Netbook and Bluetooth - Integrated vs USB Dongle
Please go directly to the newest post, since t he Bluetooth dongle suggested in this post may have major software problems!
You want to buy the netbook that best fits you (e.g. using the netbook features database),
you are close to buy a top class netbook/mini laptop, such as the Samsung NC10, the Acer Aspire A150 or the Medion Akoya Mini E1210 when you see that it is missing a Bluetooth interface. What to do? You really need Bluetooth in the netbook to synchronize the mobile phone calendar or just to listen to music!
My suggestion: Bluetooth support in the netbook shouldn't be a go/not go criteria, you can simply add Bluetooth support using a Bluetooth USB dongle, there are many starting just below $10 (USD) and some of them are so tiny that you even won't see it.
This micro USB Bluetooth adapter simply disappears in the USB port of your netbook, so you can plug it once and forget it. You won't notice it! No damage to break it!
The Samsung NC10 or the Acer Aspire A150 got 3 USB ports so you'll have "just" two USB ports left, however it is far enough for 99% of us!
(At the time of writing) Beside the mentioned one, many other netbooks aren't equipped with a Bluetooth port: the HP MiniNote 2133, Acer Aspire A110, Fukato Jupiter, Lenovo Ideapad S9/S10, Fujitsu Amilo Mini Ui3520, Gigabyte M912, EEE PC 700/701/900/901. So if you really like the netbook however you miss Bluetooth, just buy an USB dongle/adapter!
Important! Installing a Bluetooth USB dongle/adapter is matter of minutes with Windows XP, for a Linux netbook the installation is a bit more complex and you need a minimal linux experience, look here for instructions on EEE PC (mostly similar for other netbooks).
UPDATE: Netbook and Bluetooth - Integrated vs USB Dongle
Please go directly to the newest post, since t he Bluetooth dongle suggested in this post may have major software problems!
Remember that using the EEE Journal Netbook database helps find your dream netbook, with or without Bluetooth and refining the search with many other paramenters (operating system, size, battery, etc...)
http://www.eeejournal.com/2008/12/netbook-feature-database.html

## Tuesday, January 13, 2009

### Atom N280, new Intel Atom Processor and DVD for EEE PC 1004D

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Asus presented at the recent CES a new interesting EEE PC netbook model, the EEE PC 1004DN. The major innovations in the EEE PC 1004DN netbook are a DVD drive and especially a new processor: the Intel Atom N280 CPU.
The coming of the Atom N280 has been already indirectly announced by an "confidential" Intel Sales document, at page 5 (bottom rigth) the Atom N280 was signaled as available for Q1 2009 in the netbook processors box.
Atom N280 vs N270
What I find interesting is the fact that (according to the Intel document) beside a marginal increase in the CPU clock the Atom N280 is very similar to the N270. The Atom N280 is clocked at 1,66GHz while the Atom N270 is clocked at 1,6GHz. Both are single core, got a 533MHz FSB and 512MB cache (L2).
It means that the netbook performance improvement can't be perceived and, if the information above is correct, the first benchmarks will definetly confirm it.
Some internet news stated that the N280 has a 667MHz FSB, other sites talk about 1,86GHz clock however these are just rumors. I'm not sure how reliable these informations are, in any case it is known that current Atom family can achieve about 2GHz clock, I won't be surpriced to see very soon a 1,86GHz or 2GHz Atom processor.
See also

- popular post on Atom Performance vs Core Duo vs VIA C7
- other posts on Intel Atom Processor

## Friday, January 2, 2009

### MSI Wind U115: Can Hybrid Storage boost Netbook Performance?

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MSI announced the Wind U115 as the first netbook with hybrid storage. According to MSI, the hybrid storage should significantly boost netbook performace and extend battery time.
Hybrid storage isn't new to the laptop world, the major news is that so far "hybrid storage" was mainly pointing to hard disks that included a flash memory as well. The hybrid hard disks that I saw so far show (if at all) a very small (less than 5%) performance and battery boost. This is probably due to the fact that the included flash memory aren't big and fast enough, if I well remember current hybrid drives include less than 1GB flash. This is far too less to see major improvements.
MSI Wind U115 is equipped with 8GB flash (SDD) and a 120GB "traditional" hard disk. I think that this solution has really potential, the only questions I have are:
1) how fast is the included SDD? A slow SDD will kill performance
2) how smart is the device driver? Microsoft ReadyDrive shows only disappointing results so far. the drivers seem to be very rudimental. However microsoft isn't alone: a russian company is working at a solution (eBoostr) working on Windows XP as well.
Relevant posts

- Netbook performance

## Saturday, December 20, 2008

### How to really boost netbook performance

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With boosting netbook performance I mean how to improve system responsiveness, application speed, boot time.
You can significantly improve netbook performance by boosting at least one or more core subsystems: processor, memory and storage. Netbooks currently on sale are tiny laptops designed to run easy tasks and especially with low cost in mind. Unfortunately the three subsystems are often a bit too slow....
What about graphics acceleration? Nvidia Ion platform (GeForce 9400M) and similar chipsets won't help boosting netbook performance, it helps (a bit) in running 3D games and some special applications (e.g. video encoding/decoding). However don't expect desktop level graphics performance! More in a next post...
Update: see posts on Nvidia Ion
Netbook Performance - Processor
UPDATE:

- Intel Atom N450 (Pineview) vs Atom N280 vs N270 Benchmarks
- Intel Atom N470 Netbook Expected Benchmarks/Performance
- HD Video for Netbooks: with Atom Nvidia Ion or ARM CPU?
- ARM11 vs Cortex A8 vs Cortex A9 - Netbooks processors
- Nvidia Tegra 2 for Dual Core Netbooks/Smartbooks in 2010

Keep in mind that we talk about overall system cost in the range $200-$500, price range of modern smartphones!
Intel Atom N270 CPU is current market leader. Especially if compared to "normal" laptop processors, Intel's Atom N270 isn't really a benchmark champion, nevertheless Intel engineers reached a good balance between the three P: Power Performance and Price, especially if the netbook runs Windows XP or Linux. The Atom N270 is a bit too slow for Vista, on the other hand it seems that Atom N270 systems will be ok for the upcoming Windows 7.
VIA C7 and current MIPS based processors do not reach Atom N270 performance levels.
A higher processor clock and especially the first dual core CPUs can definetly boost netbook performance. Intel already announced netbook dual core Atom CPUs for end of 2009 and I'm pretty sure that we'll see soon a single core Atom processor clocked at higher frequency. The Atom N270 clock of 1.6GHz is well below the maximum clock frequency allowed by the technology, a realistic maximum value should be slightly above 2GHz. Intel's competitors don't sleep... in 2009 we'll probably see a handful new netbook processors platforms from VIA, Qualcomm, Nvidia and AMD. More in a next post...
Netbook Performance - Memory
Many netbooks are still sold with only 512MByte DDR memory, this is the biggest performance bottleneck, especially for netbooks running Windows XP. Linux netbooks run a bit faster with half GByte memory.
No question: at least 1GByte is required for acceptable performance, 2GBytes are required to boot Vista.
Netbook Performance - Storage
The storage subsystem has also a major impact in overall netbook performance. Many netbooks are sold with cheap SSD disk, this can be really a pain. Although the low access time, the transfer rate of cheap SSD drives can kill overall system performance. I guess that in two-three years max we'll get affordable and quick SDD drives, in the meantime the best solution is a quick 5400 2.5-inch hard disk.
UPDATE: SSD Disks for Netbooks?
You can use the netbook bestseller database to find the perfect netbook ;-)
Relevant posts

- http://www.eeejournal.com/2008/08/netbook-processor-performance-atom-vs.html
- http://www.eeejournal.com/2008/05/eee-pc-news-benchmark-comparing-atom.html

## Wednesday, December 17, 2008

### Netbook features database: find best netbook for you!

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I've updated my netbook/mini-laptop/mini-notebook comparison table with many more models and details, it can be a great help to find the best netbook for you!
I called it "netbook database" with many details/features about the most important netbooks/mini laptops actually on sale and especially some filter criterias that can help you choose the right netbook to buy.
You can search by display size, operating system, bluetooth support and battery. In the next few days I'll add more and more search criteria and especially details about performance/benchmarks.
Among others, you can currently find

- Many EEE PC 701, 900, 901, 1000, 1000H, S101, N10
- Acer Aspire One models
- MSI Wind U90 and U100
- Samsung NC10

Display class
Operating system
Bluetooth support
High capacity battery
Weight
ExpressCard
WLAN/WiFi
Link to the netbook/mini laptops database

## Sunday, November 30, 2008

### Reduced Sale Price for MSI Wind U100 Netbook

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See also

- All MSI Wind related posts

MSI reduced the price of the MSI Wind U100, one of the best netbooks currently for sale, I found some online stores selling the MSI Wind U100 with Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, Windows XP and 120GB hard disk for $350 USD. For a few days even Best Buy sold it for the same price. Of course for $350 you'll get only a 3-cells battery.
Also in Germany you can currently buy the MSI Wind U100, 120GB hard disk and Windows XP for only 328 Euros at Amazon.de see link below.
The main price for the price reduction is the immanent market launch of the new MSI Wind netbooks: models U110, U115 and U120. Still using the Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor, the major differences are in interfaces and storage. I'll post more details very soon...
See also

- All MSI Wind related posts

Amazon USA
| Amazon Germany

## Monday, November 17, 2008

### AMD Conesus, Intel Atom Alternative for Netbooks?

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See also

- All posts about dual core Atom processor
- All posts about Intel Atom processor

Not it is official, AMD is going to ship a new processor, Conesus, a dual core CPU with a total of 1MB L2 cache (2x512KB), DDR2 and BGA package. Available CPU frequencies, TDP and pricing are still unknow. Also not clear is the production process: some news sites state that the AMD Conesus is going to be produced with the new AMD 45nm process, if you look at the AMD roadmap below (source gizmodo) you'll see that the Conesus is still using the 65nm process. To be noted that Intel Atom is also built using a 45nm process.
According to AMD officials, Conesus doesn't address the netbook market and will be shipped in ultraportable and mini notebooks/mini laptops. This looks like a contraddiction: I'd really like to understand the difference, if any, between a netbook and a mini notebook. For sure AMD doesn't wants to miss the huge netbook market.
AMD guys (see AMD blog) use the term mini notebook to refer to EEE PC, MSI Wind, Aspire One and so on.
Why is AMD saying that Conesus doesn't address the netbook market?
I got two reasons, both of marketing nature

- AMD wants to stress the fact that Conesus got more performance than Intel Atom. That's why AMD is basically saying: with Conesus you can do more than with Atom. It is actually true that Intel Atom is a bit too weak to be used in notebooks, it will be interesting to see whether or not Conesus will have a performance edge... of course don't forget that Conesus is a dual core CPU while actual netbook include only the single core Atom processor.
- The term netbook was introduced by Intel about a year ago, to refer to EEE PC and similar products. AMD doesn't want to use a term "invented" by Intel. Actually the word netbook was invented by psion a few years ago...

In any case the good news is that Intel will get tough competition for the netbook market: beside VIA Nano, also ARM, Qualcomm and AMD announced CPUs for netbook. It means for us more performance at a lower price!
See also

- All posts about dual core Atom processor
- All posts about Intel Atom processor

## Saturday, November 8, 2008

### Dual core Atom not yet in EEE PC S101 Netbook

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NEW posts about dual core Atom processor and Intel Atom processor
Yesterday I already raised some doubts about the news of a dual core Atom Netbook (EEE PC S101) running Windows 7, now there is an endgadget update:
"Microsoft's PR folks just got in touch to let us know that the device demoed was not a dual-core Atom, but actually a single-core chip. Apparently the speaker misspoke when mentioning what kind of processor was being used."
Some background: in a video from the WinHEC published by endgadget, a Microsoft guys presents Windows 7 on a EEE PC S101 netbook and he talks about a dual core Atom processor.
See post explain what was wrong about it.
NEW posts about dual core Atom processor and Intel Atom processor

## Friday, November 7, 2008

### Dual Core Atom Processor for EEE PC Netbook with Windows 7

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NEW posts about dual core Atom processor and Intel Atom processor
SEE UPDATE: the original news from endgadget wasn't correct, the EEE PC S101 has a single core Atom processor!
The facts first: at the last WinHEC event Microsoft presented a preview of Windows 7 running on a Netbook, the EEE PC S101 according to some blogs; according to the Microsoft presenter, the EEE PC is equipped with an Intel Dual Core Atom processor clocked at 1.6GHz (see video).
Another fact is that Asus doesn't ship (yet) netbooks based on dual core Atom processor. However it is only a matter of time:
So what's wrong here, how to interprete it?

1. There is no question that the showen netbook is one of the EEE PC S series, at least from the design, however I bet that Asus would use a new model number for a netbook with dual core Atom processor maybe EEE PC S201, of course not EEE PC S101 since this model is marketed with a single core Atom processor.
2. If the netbook is really equipped with a dual core Atom processor, the EEE PC model shown at the WinHEC is an Asus preseries model. BUT: in the video the speaker doesn't talk about a preseries netbook. The speaker just mentioned 1GB SDRAM, dual core Atom 1.6GHz and 16GB SDD hard disk storage. From his speach he was referring to a standard netbook rather than a preseries EEE PC.
3. There is also an interesting possibility... as you know the Intel Atom CPU is multithreaded, maybe the speaker is not so deep in technical stuff and exchanged a dual threaded processor for a dual core processor. It isn't a joke, I saw it already in the industry... some marketing guys don't understand the differences between dual core and multithreading.

At the end of the days this is just guessing and it is a matter of time: Intel already announced a dual core Atom (the Atom 330) and I guess that in max 12 months we'll see the first dual core Atom netbooks in the market. Remeber that (according to Intel) the Atom 330 is addressing only the nettop market, it means that Intel is going to announce the first dual core Atom processor for netbooks.
Some more interesting thoughts....
If the showen netbook is really equipped with a dual core Atom, this is a sign that also the new Windows 7 runs much slower than Windows XP and needs considerable horse power to run. Otherwise why not to demo Windows 7 on a "normal" netbook equipped with the single core Atom CPU?
NEW posts about dual core Atom processor and Intel Atom processor

## Monday, November 3, 2008

### Acer Aspire One A150X, A150L or A110?

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The Acer Aspire One is a big sale success, it is one of the best 8.9-inch class netbooks, well maybe even more, the Acer Aspire One is one of the best netbooks that you can currently buy. I like very much especially the keyboard: one of the best for the 8.9-inch netbooks. What I miss in the Aspire One is only Bluetooth.
I think that the main reason for the Aspire One success is(was) a price level much lower than similar featured Asus EEE PC 901
If you want to buy an Acer Aspire One netbook be aware of the fact that there are three models currently shipped, all three equipped with the Intel Atom processor N270 1.6GHz, wifi a/b/g, 3xUSB and a 0.3 megapixel webcam. Please note that, as mentioned above, the Aspire One doesn't include Bluetooth yet. If required you may use a compatible Bluetooth USB adaptor.

| The main differences between the three models are Aspire One A110L, Linux Linpus distribution. 512MB DDR2 and 8-16GB SDD hard disk. 3 cells battery. Aspire One A150L, Linux Linpus distribution. 1GB DDR2 and 120GB hard 3-cells battery. Aspire One A150X, Windows XP, with 1GB DDR2 and 120GB hard disk with 3-cells batery or 160GB hard disk with 6-cells battery.

What about price?
You can buy the Aspire One A110L for about 300 US$/Euro (8GB SDD), for the Aspire One A150L you have to give out about 50 bucks more.
The Aspire One A150X is currently available online for about 350 US$/Euros (with 120GB hard disk and 3 cells battery) or 400 US$/Euros (with 160GB and 6 cells battery).
Which Acer Aspire One to buy? I prefer the Aspire One A150 models, however at the end of the daysl... it's up to you! First of all you should be clear on the operating system: are you ready for Linux? If the answer is yes and you just want to have a good netbook, to be used for casual surfing and email the Acer Aspire One A110L is already ok for you.
If you want to do something more than casual internet surfing and emails, you definetly have to think at one of the Aspire One A150 models. Again, if Linux doesn't scare you, grab the One A150L, otherwise the One A150X is the netbook for you!
Remember that the some One A150X ship with 6 cells battery, giving you about 4 hours of battery life vs 2 hours for the 3 cells battery (standard for all Linux models).
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