Notebooks / Accessories

As Nicholas Negroponte told us a few months back, One Laptop Per Child’s (OLPC) XO laptop will be getting a Microsoft Windows XP operating system. It will not, however, completely replace the Sugar Linux OS that has been on the systems to date.

A joint press release from Microsoft and One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) revealed that trials of the XO running Windows are planned to begin as soon as in June in select emerging markets. The release also mentioned that the intent is to create a version of the XO laptop that provides the ability to host both Windows and Linux operating systems. Finally, a Sugar/Windows XP Boot Camp?!

Then again, what’s the use of having the Sugar interface if XP will be able to support the laptop’s e-book reading mode, standard Wi-Fi networking, camera, writing pad, and custom keys as well as power-saving and other features of the XO hardware? Next week we’re heading up to Cambridge to get some hands-on time with the new system. Stay tuned for our initial impressions.

Mini-notebooks, such as the Eee PC 900 and the HP Mini-Note, could be the hottest things around since those nude pictures of Lindsay Lohan. But how about the real temperature of these little guys? Do they toast your legs while sitting in bed? Do your fingertips get warm while typing on the keyboard?

After some heated time with the HP Mini-Note, I took it upon myself to do some scientific testing of the small systems. Using a Raytek Mini Temp Non-Contact Thermometer Gun—our new favorite toy in the office—I’ve been testing the heat on four of the most popular mini-notebook models: the Eee PC 900, the Eee PC 701, the Everex CloudBook, and the HP Mini-Note. I also threw in a normal Dell Latitude D630 notebook as a standard laptop variable.

Since laptops have a few different heat-sensitive regions, I took readings on the the underside of the notebook, on the keyboard between the G and H key, and on the touchpad. Each of the readings on the system were taken after the same usage pattern. Our extended usage patterns consisted of three different tasks with the system running on battery power: transferring of 2GB of files from an external USB drive, surfing the Web and playing the same House episode on Hulu.com, and making a Skype video call.

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As it happens, we have access to a few different Eee PC models here at LAPTOP. So, when we started examining the Pearl White Eee PC 900 we received last week, we plunked it right down next to our original Eee PC 701 (in white) and our Galaxy Black Eee PC 4G Surf. After we peered at its 8.9-inch screen, we compared the Eee PC 900’s keyboard with prior Eee PCs.

Touching the different keyboards, we found that the two white keyboards (on the 701 and the 900) were identical in size and feel. It seems like nothing has changed keyboard-wise between the 700 series and the 900 series. However, when we touched the keyboard on our black 4G surf, we had a startling revelation: the black keyboard feels different than the white keyboard!

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I am a fan of ASUS’ Xandros tab-based desktop, but for everyday advanced users, it just isn’t cut out to do the dirty work. I much prefer working in the more Windows-reminiscent Xandros full-KDE Mode with a Start Launch button and easier access to utilities and programs.

I figured enabling the advanced desktop mode on the Eee PC 900 would be a cinch if I just followed the step-by-step directions for the 700. But there’s the rub. I followed our instructions for the 700 extremely closely; however, when I got to the step to type in “apt-get update” in the terminal, an error message popped up saying the files could not be located.

Thanks to some helpful EeeUser.com forum members I was able to solve the problem by following these steps.

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Last week the long-awaited Eee PC 900 arrived at our office. After it underwent the Ellis Island sign-in process—okay, rather our laptop tracking database—it was greeted by some eager onlookers. Like a great big bag of Cool Ranch Doritos, we passed the system around, and I think many of us licked our fingers clean. After we were done pawing at the new system and making comparisons to its older, inferior brother, I sat down to review it.

My initial impression of the system was that, though minimally different from its predecessor, it had come a long way. The 8.9-inch screen is so much easier on my eyes; I don’t think twice about storage space when it comes to downloading files or applications, and a multi-glide touchpad adds a touch of class to a budget system. Sure I had my reservations: two hours of battery is less than ideal and the system goes into a power-saving mode that affects performance. But overall, I was damn pleased.

Will my high regard for the system live on? Can the Eee PC 900 make me forget about all the other notebooks in the world and be the one I promise to love and cherish? I intend to find out over the next few days. Join mEee on the ride.

It seems that our interview with MSI’s Andy Tung still leaves many wondering about the detailed specs of the MSI Wind. Here are the complete specs for the system, courtesy of MSI. We hope this will answer any and all questions about the Wind, that is until we get our review unit in and we report back on how it runs.

Editors note: This post has been updated with the correct weights of the system.

Linux Version ($399)
CPU:1.6GHz Intel Atom
Operating System: Linux Novell SUSE
Chipset: 945GMS+ ICH7-M
Display: 10-inch/ 1024×600
Hard Disk Drive: 80GB / 2.5” SATA
VGA: UMA
Memory: 512MB DDR2/ 667MHz
Card Reader: 4-in-1 (SD,MMC,MS, MS Pro)
USB Ports: 3
Mic-in/Headphone
Webcam: 1.3 MP
WLAN: 802.11b/g
Bluetooth: No
Battery: Three Cells / 2.5 hrs
Dimension: 10.23 x 7.08 x 0.748 inches
Weight 2.3 lbs Read the rest of this entry »

In our mini-review of the Acer Aspire 8920G a few days ago, we mentioned we were impressed with the machine’s gorgeous Gemstone Blue design, Media Console touch controls, and powerful 5.1 CineSurround audio, but many wondered how it would fare under more rigorous testing.

The results are in. We put the Acer Aspire 8920 through the paces, and it emerged as one of the best notebooks of 2008. Drooling yet? Check out the full review of the Acer Aspsire 8920G.

The mini-notebook market has no shortage of compelling systems, especially with this week’s release of the Eee PC 900 here in the U.S. And with models from both Acer and Dell on the way, how can a lesser-known brand stand out in the crowd?

MSI’s Director of US Sales Andy Tung certainly thinks his company’s entry will shake things up. In our 40-minute interview, Tung shared that the Wind will:

• Come in two display-size variations: an 8.9-inch and a 10-inch. Only the 10-inch display will be available to the U.S. market.
• Be available starting June 3rd. The Linux version, running Novel’s SUSE, will have 512MB RAM and an 80GB hard drive. It will retail for $399. The Windows XP version will have 1GB RAM, an 80GB hard drive, and Bluetooth, retailing for $549. However according to MSI a base configuration of the Windows XP product will be available for under $500.
• Come in four different colors, including black, white, silver, and pink. Both sizes will be available in these colors.
• Get 6 hours of battery life with the standard six-cell battery. Tung attributes the power savings to the Intel Atom processor, since the system will not have a solid state drive.

Tung left few details out in our chat about the Wind. Check out the full interview and giant image gallery below and stay tuned for our full review of the MSI Wind. The full specs of the systems can be found here.
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We got word this morning from 3K Computers that they have officially changed the name of its new $399 mini-notebook from the Longitude 400 to the RazorBook 400. Frankly, we were unaware of the system, needless to say of its original name.

It seems to go head-to-head with the orginal Eee PC with the following specs:

• 7-inch WVGA LCD Display (800 × 400)
• 400-MHz 32-bit Single Core Mobile Processor (by Ingenic)
• 512MB DDR2 memory
• 4GB flash drive
• Linux OS
• WLAN
• 3 USB ports Read the rest of this entry »

This past week, my favorite five-year-old, Paige, was in town, so I decided to give her the ol’ Pepsi/Coke Challenge with the ASUS Eee PC running Xandros and the CTL 2go PC running Windows XP. Both are touted as computers for children and both feature educational software. Based on our typing tests last week, both mini-notebooks also have keyboards that are best suited for children’s hands.

Paige is already familiar with video iChat on Macs and enjoys the games and videos on iCarly.com, Zoey101.com and Starfall.com. But which laptop better held the kindergartener’s attention?

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