It’s a big day in processor land today, as both Intel and AMD announced several new chips. Both Intel and AMD launched a number of chips targeted at the segment just above netbooks, which are generally slightly larger and a bit more powerful. In addition, AMD launched its six core Istanbul server processor, as well as a new Athlon II X2 dual-core processor, and a new high-end Phenom II X2.
I’m not really sure how we should refer to the market segment just above netbooks, but below things like the MacBook Air, since I always though those were called… Notebooks. Anyway, Intel launched its SU2700 Pentium processor, accompanied by a new chipset, for this market. It runs at 1.3Ghz (dual-core), has an FSB of 800Mhz, and consumes about 10W, which is about a third of regular notebook chips.
AMD is countering this new chip from Intel with its dual-core Athlon Neo line of processors. The dual-core version has twice as much L2 cache (1MB vs. 512KB) as the single-core variant (launched in January 2009), and also comes with an integrated DDR2 memory controller. Clock frequency is unknown, but El Reg speculates it could be above 1.6Ghz.
AMD had lots more to offer, which packs six cores and is aimed at the server market. The company also released the Athlon II X2, which runs at 3.0Ghz, and a 3.1Ghz Phenom II X2.
I think you hit the nail on the head – they are notebooks. But…they are notebooks done right. I think for years notebooks have really been nothing more than transportable desktops. Brand new they came with 1 1/2 hour batteries and weighed 8 pounds. Sleek notebooks (see Sony, Toshiba, Fujitsu) were light-weight but cost $2000.
Really, netbooks just brought back to mind what notebooks were for – real portability. Notebooks should be light-weight and they should have batteries that last at least 4-6 hours. I go to Linux (aka GEEK) meetings where everbody is looking for outlets to plug there laptop in.
That is why this time I bought a netbook. However, I also looked at 12-14″ light-weight notebooks that cost around $500 and had a decent battery life. Unfortunately, there were not many to choose from – instead I had to look at used 3-4 year-old ones, such as IBM and Compaq of that era.
I think people want laptops that are portable and don’t break the bank book. With the rise of so many low-power processors, not all of which are x86, we should expect this market (just above netbook) to flourish. Really, at my age (51) and with my fading eyeballs, I would have been better served with a light-weight notebook with a 14-inch screen (and NOT a 1400×1050 screen!). Instead, I have to use reading glasses with my netbook.
All geeks are not 20.
Hear! Hear!
-Ad
I share the same problem as you.
I’ve been in the market for a netbook with long batery, small and eficient, I end buying a Apple PowerBook G4 12′ 1.5Ghz with 1GB of RAM and 4h30 hours of battery.
The old ones like IBM, Compaq and Apple are a lot better that most of the netbooks they sell today
And that is why they can have my 12″ iBook G4 with an upgraded 6hr battery when they pry it from my cold dead hands.
Sure, it’s slow, but dog gone if it doesn’t run near forever.
I’ve replaced the hard drive. I’ve replaced the magnesium sub-frame (that was a massively fun surgery!) because the old one had cracked. I’ve maxed out the RAM. When Apple decides to no longer support it, it’ll have a new lease on life with Linux, and I’m -hoping- an Andriod port.
android on that?
You may be looking for the new Acer Timeline series. Light, very affordable and extremely long battery life. The only actual downside seems to be that they are not very powerful, but far more powerful than netbooks anyway.
Check your DPI/font size/font AA settings. A higher res (at the same size) screen should be easier on your eyes properly configured.