Asus and Intel have announced a computer that will break almost every price point for basic computers sold today and will be aimed at consumers on a budget. It is designed mostly for internet browsing and word processing. The laptop is only 7 inches and sports a standard keyboard, wifi, 512 MB of RAM, 4/8/16 GB flash memory hard drive options, a webcam and only weighs 2 lbs. The laptop also features an SD slot for expandable storage space.
The laptop will run either Windows XP Home or Linux and has an easymode which strips the OS to basic functions such as email or internet. The name “Eee” comes from Asus’s claim that this computer is easy for anyone to use. They coined the term, “easy to learn, easy to play, easy to work.”
You can already order the laptop from amazon and will compete directly with Palm’s folio and Via’s Nanobook.
I’ve been noticing alot of ultra portable laptops hitting the market lately and feel this is a great way for manufacturers to start going. Alot of consumer need a computer just for word processing and internet access which makes almost any computer over $500 overkill. Here is a great solution for tight budget business email or the strapped for cash college student. Another nice thing is the design of the unit… It’s actually quite appealing with the Macesque appearance.
The long awaited Macbook Air has finally been announced. The computer includes everything you could want and is a remarkable display of engineering and design from the Apple team.
The new laptop brings some new features to the table. Multi touch is now supported on the trackpad and function just like the iTouch and iPhone. The computer also features two options of newly designed 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors. These processors have been custom fitted for the new engineering standards.
The computer also features some new and interesting battery technology that is half the sizes and still provides 5 hours of wireless use.
The computer does lack a DVD drive. And while this seems to be a downfall it isn’t due to the innovation that has sprung up from it. These new laptops features something called, “Remote Disc.” Remote Disc allows the access of any DVD Drive (Mac or Windows) on the same network or wirelessly using bluetooth.
The laptop is also adopting the N wireless technology cards and Bluetooth 2.1 is used to further the push for bluetooth technology.
The Macbook Air is also continuing the streak of Green Machines in the Apple camp. It’s Energy Star certified, Mercury and PVC free and is fully recyclable.
My favorite features come from the hard drive…
Buyers will have two options-
1) An ultra slim PATA 80GB HD
2) Solid State 64 GB HD
There is no doubt the computer looks sexy and will surely make and impact on the engineering of hardware components. For awhile it has felt like everything has been growing in size in both laptops and desktops. This hopefully shows an alternative.
The only thing I feel consumers will shy away from is the lack of a DVD drive. But honestly- Burning CDs is a thing of the past and anytime I’ve ever installed software I’m at home or work near a plethora of other comps.
