Review: HP Mini Netbook 110 Series

Netbook is all the rage these days. Whats not to like: Cheap! Compact! Lightweight! and loaded with features. The perfect mobile experience! I'd even argue that with Intel's ATOM CPU clocked in at 1.6 GHz and 1GB of DDR2-6400 RAM, these things are often good enough to compete with a top of the line ultraportable laptops costing 6x as much from a year ago. Netbooks are making such a huge splash that electronics retailers have dedicated sections in store or on websites as well as seeing some of the best computer makers jumping into the scene (HP, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, Asus, Acer, Dell and more...)

Yours truly got a hold of an HP Mini Netbook 110-1025DX which is sold for around $329 (Amazon $321). This Netbook happens to fit the exact bill for my purpose at the best price point. Depending on what you use your netbook for, you may want to consider all the options. To help you deicde, I will share with my requirement which is why I bought this unit:

Must have:
*CPU and RAM: Intel Atom CPU (N270 1.6GHz or faster), 1GB or higher
*I/O: Ethernet, WiFi, Webcam, Mic
*Screen: 10" screen with 1024 or higher resolution
*OS: Windows XP
Optional features (price influencers, 110-1025DX's features bolded):
*Storage: 16GBSSD, 32GB SSD, 160GB HDD or 250GB HDD (speed and battery life vs capacity)
*Battery: 3-cells vs. 6-cells (hours vs weight)

Overall, I was quite impressed with HP's Mini Netbooks 110 series. With the 3-cell battery, this netbook weights in around 2.6lbs and lasts for about 3 hours. HP did a great job with the keyboard design by giving you full size keys. The trackpad has a scroll bar built in with two buttons (one on each side) which takes a little while to get used to. Packed with 3 USB ports and 5-in-1 card reader, I had no problem connecting various accessories to this little powerhouse. I installed the usual set of utility software as my fullsize laptop and this little machine handled them just fine. Size wise, its about the size of a small text book and weights just a tad less than the MacBook Air. The AC/DC brick is even very small and light weight (about the size of a Snickers bar). I was really impressed with today's Netbook selections. Its cheesy to say this but "good things do come in small packages". HP Mini Netbook 110 series is definitely a cool mobile experience!

Smartphone Mobile Experience Progresses Nicely

A little over a year ago, when I was shopping for a laptop, I really wanted a laptop that was 4lbs or less (in the ultra-portable category) with high performance. I thought this would give me the freedom to experience mobile computing on the fly. At the time I was looking at the Sony VAIO S series as well as Dell's XPS M1330 both will cost me roughly $1800-2000 with a reasonable spec. I ended up with a 15.4" MacBook Pro because of its sheer power and graphics capability. In the back of my mind, I always thought I'd pickup an ultra portable later on.
Throughout the past year, some interesting things happened. MacBook Air, Netbooks like the Eee PC and extreme ultra portables have arrived the scene. While small, their cost and low CPU performance never made me think twice about them. Yesterday, I saw an amazing offer from Dell XPS M1330 with reasonable features for as low as $800, I still did not find myself intrigued at any of the options mentioned above. Why is that?

For one, the smartphones have really stepped up over the past year. iPhone in its current firmware version has drastically improved since its first days (albeit still lacking copy & paste function). Google G1 has arrived offering a new flavor in open source mobile experience. BlackBerry(s) have been refined including its all new touchscreen interface. Even the boring old Windows 6.1 is now sexier thanks to HTC's overlay.

But what does this mean? It means that smartphones have finally leveraged light and robust applications to carry a very focused functions which gets our job done whenever we want to: ie. check your emails or chat online via IM, look up weather conditions for local or traveling destination, get a stock quote, grab a movie review to help you decide what to rent/buy, look up side effects of a medication, check flight status, and so much more can be retrieved on your little smartphone from anyone at anytime.

I didn't bring my personal laptop on my last trip visiting friends and family to the West Coast. My iPhone managed to get me through the entire trip for all the basic computing needs. I was even playing a FaceBook game called Mob Wars over Safari in the non-mobile friendly site. To be fair, I did bring my work laptop along simply because I was in the middle of a project integration and VPN is required to access some information. Perhaps that will be the next step for smartphones. As for me, the chances of me picking up an ultraportable laptop in the near future is slim so long as my MacBook Pro is still going strong.

Review: Lenovo IdeaPad S10

It’s mid August and I’m out on the Internet shopping for a netbook as a birthday gift for my mother-in-law. I came across a 15% off deal from Lenovo.com on their IdealPad S10 netbooks. When ordering from their website, I saw that they have different colors. There is the traditional black on black, red on white, blue on white, pink on white and white on white (you get the idea). It wasn’t easy picking a color but it turns out that most of the colors are not out yet. Also, my discount code limited me to the red on white model S10 42312du. So okay, I added it into my shopping chart and checked out. I selected ground shipping and expected the netbook to arrive in two weeks or so, perfect for the birthday.

Two weeks gone by and I had yet to see any packages from Lenovo. I checked online and the shipping date has been changed to 9/16. I had to break the news to my mother-in-law that her gift is still being built and it looks like a month out. From time to time, I would check the shipping status and saw no change. I had also read posts from other people who was also waiting for their IdealPad S10 just like me and some are reporting a two-month wait! The demand for this things has gotten so bad that Lenovo’s site stop taking orders. (They are back for sale as of this review.) I didn’t bother calling to yell at a Lenovo rep as I know these things are selling like hot cakes and there also seems to be a supply chain issue. Also, I believe Lenovo is a big enough company and I trust that they will delivery. As 9/16 came along, I checked the status again. Now the shipping date has changed to 10/3. So I let my mother-in-law know that it’s being pushed back a little more as the anticipation kills me. I started to think, wow, maybe I should had ordered TWO! On 10/6 it arrived. Lenovo was nice enough to upgraded my ground shipping to 3-day UPS – didn’t even have to call and yell at them.

Specification S10 42312DU – List Price $439.00

From checking on Lenovo’s website I see that they have a white on white for $399. As far as I can tell, the model I got that retails for $39 more is just for the paint job.

Intel ATOM Processor N270 Single Core ( 1.60GHz 533MHz 512KB )
Windows XP Home Edition
10.2 WSVGA AntiGlare TFT with integrated camera 1024x600
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
512 MB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz
80GB HD 5400 rpm
Broadcom 11b/g Wi-Fi wireless Battery

3 Cell Lithium-Ion
2.64lbs

Packaging/Shipping

I was a bit surprised when got the packaging. The IdealPad S10 was shipped in its original box, the boxes that shelving or storage. The sides of the original box were not taped together so anybody that come in contact with it can pull apart the flap and see (even touch) the inside (the netbook). Lenovo should have shipped it in a brown shipping box. Luckily, netbook didn’t get damaged from the shipping process. Although on one side of the box, I can tell somebody had stuck their fingers into it and pulled on the flap to look inside as it was creased in the middle of the flap. Inside the netbook sits between two foam sleeves and next to it is a box that contains the power adapter and the battery.

Unboxed

At just over 2 ½ lbs this 10 inch wide screen is a beauty. Like the Apple iPhone 3G, the rounded edges give the IdealPad S10 a very thin feel. The built give a solid feel even as I’m walking around the house with it in one hand. There are 2 USB ports, one on the right and the other on the left side. The power adapter port, VGA out and express card is on the left. Kensington Lock, network, microphone, headphone and a 4-in-1 memory card reader on the right.

Power up

The IdealPad S10 booted up into Windows just like any regular laptop. The first thing that came up after booting was Norton Internet Security. Knowing that this kind of software usually have a trail period, I canceled out and uninstalled it. Then I configured the wireless to connect onto my WiFi network. Installed Firefox, spybot, AVG free, and skpye. Since my mother-in-law is only using this netbook to browse the web and video-chat with remote family and friends, I’m already done with my installs. Though out the process, I was surprised on how fast this little guy is. It felt just as quick as my Centrino Sony laptop and my Dell desktop as it rips through the installs one at a time. The LCD can be very bright and has great viewing angels.

Keyboard

A few things are expected when it comes to the netbook sized notebooks. A smalls keys and the lack of an optical drive. Although smaller, the keys on the IdealPad S10 are responsive and gives a good finger feel, but there are two keys that I struggled with as they are shiffted out of place. The number “1” key and the right “shift” key position will take some time to get used to.

Verdict

Since the introduction of ASUS Eee PC, computer manufactures rushed to jumped onto the bandwagon. Although this may be had been trend, Lenovo seems to have put together a winner. Built solid and speedy and priced to sell. The Lenovo IdealPad S10 is $30 below the MSI Wind and if you forgo the color options, it’s only $399 making it one of the least expensive netbook in the market. If you do not mind the 2 ½ hours of battery life from its 3 cell battery then this is the netbook for you! Hopefully down the line, Lenovo will make an extended battery to compete with ASUS’s 5 hour – 6 cell battery.

Lowepro Fastpack 250 Review

(Image Gallery Uploaded Here)

In preparation for an upcoming trip, I am looking for a carry-on solution for my mobile gadgets: laptop and digital SLR. The requirements are:

1. Fits a laptop up to 15.4"
2. Fits a Nikon D80 SLR w/ 18-200mm Lens attached
3. Extra room to spare for other items... flexible
4. Must be in the form factor of a backpack... not messenger bag

All of the above has been satisfied by the Lowepro Fastpack 250.

The laptop compartment has a convenient side-loading entry. Many other bags uses the zipper behind the shoulder straps making it difficult to open or close the laptop compartment. The bag is very well padded all around.

The camera sits on the lower portion of the front compartment which allows for the bag to stand up (not top heavy like other backpacks requiring the SLR to be loaded towards the top). The camera compartment also has A LOT of room to spare. I have a D80 w/ 18-200 lens attached and it still has room to spare in front of the lens (2-3 inches clearance) and top of camera area (possibly meant for a small speed light attached). One of the problems with other backpacks I've seen is that the camera compartment doesn't allow the space for a large lens attached to the camera body.

Like other Lowepro designs, sitting next to the camera are 4 customizable compartments for accessories like additional lens or speedlight. The best part about this bag is unlike others, it doesn't force you to use all of its available compartment for camera-related accessories. The top front compartment is roomy for anything you want. There are two more smaller compartments on the front side of the bag for accessories... very convenient for traveling indeed. For a finishing touch, there is also a water bottle net on the side and a "cell-phone" sized pocket on the left shoulder strap.

Overall, I am very happy with this backpack; I will upload some pictures shortly!

Tip from Toby: Whenever you have a laptop/camera bag combination. Insert the laptop so the LCD/LID faces away from the camera body. Upon impact, it prevents your laptop LCD being shattered or cracked.

Update: (05/05/2008) - I've taken this backpack along with me to my trip to Asia recently. Having spend 3 weeks on the road with this bag, I must say it worked out well for me. The bag provided adequate protection and storage space for my laptop, DSLR and handycam. Overall, the size of this bag is a bit bulky but is necessary to hold enough of items to help me with my air travels. It fits in the airplane overhead compartment just fine, but may be too bulky to stuff under the seats. When riding in cars, the bag is at the awkward size where its kind of big to hold on your laps but if you set it on the floor, you'll have to make your feet twist a certain way which makes long rides uncomfortable. Again, the storage is more than adequate, the side pocket was handy to stuff stubs or bottled water on the go and the top storage compartment was big enough for me to roll-out my adidas track jacket into a ball and stuff it in. I am very pleased with this purchase.

Battle of the Ultraportalbe Laptops

Being a “mobile” fanatic, I am always on the lookout for cool portable laptops (albeit I have never actually bought one, and have always said I would). However, I have strictest requirements for my ultraportable standards. It has to 1). look good, 2). have good power (ULV processors just don’t cut the cheese), and 3). Must be under 4lbs.

Based on all the contenders out there, I have three ultraportable laptops on my radar. All three of these machines must have the basic requirements for me:
1. Extremely lightweight, beautifully designed, with razor thin LED-based LCD screen that is also very energy efficient.
2. Real Intel Core2Duo processors
3. Offers solid state drives to save even more battery juice.
4. Built-in Webcam and Mic

Please find my quick comparison below to help you choose the best one for you.

1. MacBook Air - $1,799 (1.6GHz, 80GB HDD) or $3,098 (1.8GHz, 64GB SSD)
Pros: Thinnest laptop ever!
Pros: Georgous design
Pros: Runs OS X and Windows via Bootcamp (its like having 2 machines in one)
Pros: Did I mention it being absolutely goregous?
Pros: Weights in at 3lbs. Lightest 13.3” ultraportable on the market today.
Cons: Weakest CPU of the three. 1.6 and 1.8 is a bit weak
Cons: Weak HDD options (80GB HDD and 64GB SSD)
Cons: Integrated everything: Battery is non-removable (atleast not easily by user), integrated RAM (2GB max), 1.8” HDD (very expensive to upgrade)
Cons: Lack of expansion options (no SD/Memory Card reader), USB drive is known to be too narrow to allow 3G modems to be connected (via Engadget), lack of ethernet
Cons: Lack of a CD/DVD drive built in. So the weight savings is kind of cheated.
Cons: Priced at $1800 and $3100

Bottom line: This newest laptop to date is a statement for the ultra-cool guys or gals (or atleast you can pretend to be).

2. Sony SZ-791 $2,499 ($200 Price Drop already... Did MacBook Air caused it?) Winter 2008 Model
Pros: This beast has the 2.5GHz CPU with 6MB of L2 Cache (that is faster than my MacBook Pro w/ 2.4GHz and 4MB L2 Cache which was the fastest out there). This could be the first laptop to finally able to man-handle Windows Vista.
Pros: Simple minimalist design using carbon fiber with a good business look to it
Pros: Sony always managed to squeeze in so much technology to their design
Cons: Sony’s insane amount of bloat ware
Cons: Priced at $2700

Bottom line: The most powerful laptop on the market today comes with a hefty price tag. I’d take this over MacBook Air, however!


3. Dell XPS M1330 - Price Starting $999 (Well-Equipped at $1,600)
Pros: Sleek design, slot loading DVD drive, very thin and light weight
Pros: Great entry price, starting at $999. Well equipped at around $1600
Pros: Decent CPU power. Up to Core2Duo 2.2GHz
Cons: Must buy 6 cell battery adds more weights (approx 4.5lb) if you upgrade video card.
Cons: Dell quality can be questionable, especially from first batch users
Cons: No option for blue-ray or HD DVD drive

Bottom line: While the best CPU it offers is no longer king of the hill, I would consider this to be the best value/performance/design in this class. I’d take this one if I hadn’t already bought a MB Pro. It would not surprise me to see Dell up the CPU to 2.5/2.6GHz in the next month or two. Winner!

Noteworthy :
Asus EeePC – is a $300-$400 range ultra-compact machine. Running on Linux on a 7” screen with built-in Webcam and Mic, making this the cheapest ultraportable solution bar none. If your objective is just to use a machine to surf the web and check emails on the go and would like to stay below 2.8lbs., this would be it. Again, for its price, it easily blows the Sony UX and Samsung UMPC’s out the water.

Apple MacBook in Starbucks

I was just at a local Starbucks and noticed that the number of customers using the sleek new MacBooks out-numbered PC-based laptops. Of the five laptops I noticed, two are 15" MacBook Pros, one is the regular MacBook, one IBM/Lenovo and one Dell. I can't help but wondering if its because New Yorkers are more of MacBook users or if its just because MacBook users like to carry their laptops around town, especially in Starbucks.