Netbook ACE

Choosing a netbook: Screen size and screen resolution

Joe — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:53:22 +0000

One of the primary factors that influences what size netbook you’ll purchase is the screen size — and while it may not seem that there’s a large difference between a 7″ and 8.9″ screen size, that couldn’t be further from the truth. First, take a look at a quick screen size comparison I mocked up:

But that doesn’t tell the whole story: your netbook experience will be influenced not only on the screen size but also on the display resolution. 7″ screens tend to have very low resolution — meaning that you’re not only suffering with a smaller screen, your resolution is so low that your screen holds less information. To illustrate, take a look at how much information you’ll miss on an 800×480 — it barely fits a whole YouTube video.

Before purchasing your netbook, consider the screen size and other factors by looking over Netbook Ace’s Netbook Buying Guide.

Gmail goes Offline with Gears

Joe — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:45:38 +0000

Google announced yesterday that Offline Gmail has now be moved to the labs: anyone with a Gmail account can activate this feature and start taking advantage of full use of Gmail even while you’re offline or suffering a shotty internet connection. From the blog:

From public WiFi to smartphones equipped with 3G, from mobile broadband cards to fledgling in-flight wireless on airplanes, Internet access is becoming more and more ubiquitous — but there are still times when you can’t access your webmail because of an unreliable or unavailable connection…. Today we’re starting to roll out an experimental feature in Gmail Labs that should help fill in those gaps: offline Gmail. So even if you’re offline, you can open your web browser, go to gmail.com, and get to your mail just like you’re used to.

Combine this with the portability of your netbook and there’s no reason you can’t Gmail in the air, on the subway, or in a wireless black hole. This feature requires you to enable Google Gears. Check out the release video:

Offline Gmail is still in its experimental phases, so Google asks that we’re all patient with glitches.

35 million Netbooks to ship in 2009

Joe — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:34:52 +0000

According to an ABI Research report published today:

The time is right for the netbook. According to analysts at ABI Research, a confluence of social and technological factors has created a kind of “perfect storm” that will lead to a market explosion for netbooks over the next few years. The firm forecasts worldwide shipments of nearly 35 million this year, rising to an estimated 139 million in 2013.

ABI cites the rise of smartphones and PDAs which raised consumer expectations about being able to be connected and have quick access to information: “Enter the netbook with its light-weight, medium-sized form factor and low-cost processors leading to moderate overall price points may finally have “right-sized” mobile technology for productive travels.”

Jolicloud: The OS for netbooks

Joe — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:06:34 +0000

Designer Tariq Krim continues to build Jolicloud – a Linux-based operating system designs specifically for netbooks. The operating system will be optimized to make use of web applications, such as Gmail, Zoho, Google Docs, etc and will provide large application icons to make navigating quick and simple. At first glance, it looks eerily similar to the version of Ubuntu on my Dell Mini 9.

But, take a look at the top bar. Facebook-styled updates and what appears to be easily accessible online storage have a prominent place near the universal search bar. Rumor has it that Jolicloud will be released later in 2009.

Google Gears + Your Netbook = Productivity Powerhouse

Joe — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:29:24 +0000

All the Web 2.0 application users out there have probably begun noticing that Google Gears is starting to act as support to a variety of web applications. In fact, Wordpress (the blogging engine I’m using) now supports Gears to speed up the administrative tasks I perform regularly on my blog. But, to fully appreciate Gears, you have to pair it with your netbook for some amazing productivity. How’s Gears help?

By storing Web 2.0 application logic offline - reducing the time your computer spends going out to the internet.
By caching your application data on your computer - keeping local copies of your emails, documents, etc. so that you aren’t waiting on your browser while trying to speed through your junk mail folder.
By hosting an entire application offline - that’s right, Gears can host an entire application offline. Most apps are using it to reduce server hits, but a select few allow you to totally disconnect, use the application, and trust that your data will sync up the next time you’re online.

There’s a host of applications already using Gears — including Gmail, Google Docs, MySpace, Zoho, Remember the Milk, and more.

Netbooks top 2009 “tech trend” lists

Joe — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:04:05 +0000

Brutal admission: I bought my netbook on a whim — it was, by no means, a planned purchase. My desktop needed replacing and, while purusing Dell.com, I noticed a deal on the XPS system: Buy an XPS and get a Dell Mini 9 for $99. I was curious and Dell’s marketing was effective. However, since my Mini arrived, I’ve been obsessed with the netbook concept. They’re far more effective than web browsing on a tiny smartphone, yet far more convenient than a bulky laptop. Netbooks are likely to change not only our relationship with computers, but the relationship between computers and software.

According to many speculators and technology connoisseurs - like Digital Trends, Business Week, and CNN Money - netbooks are anticipated to be one of the hottest technology trends for 2009. Netbook sales are quickly accelerating and, in the last quarter of 2008, netbooks sales topped sales of Apple’s iPhone. These ultraportable, low budget computers went from relative obscruity at the start of 2008 to among the most searched for products. Don’t believe me? Just check out Google Trends traffic: