Windows 7: Battery killer?
We're talking with Brad Linder from Liliputing, who reports he, and a few other notable names in the netbook space, have had issues with Windows 7 knocking a fraction of battery life off of Intel Atom-based netbooks. He reports the difference is usually 30-60 minutes, so on some longer-lasting netbooks it wouldn't be as noticeable, but on shorter-leashed sub-notebooks, the difference will be more apparent. Check out the show as Brad explains the situation.
Guests:
Microsoft says multiple Windows 7 versions will ship on netbooks
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Microsoft tells TG Daily that manufacturers will be free to choose any version of Windows 7 to install on a netbook, rescinding a previous restriction limiting netbooks to Basic or Starter editions of the OS. Naturally, the feature-rich versions are more expensive, but as more fully-featured netbooks start shipping, it's good to know Redmond won't be artificially limiting their capabilities.
Foxconn working on Smartbooks
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Foxconn is reportedly working on Arm-based smartbooks for released next year. Smartbooks will be based on Arm-based processors as opposed to Intel's x86 architecture and will probably run free operating systems like Moblin and Android, but won't be able to run any standard applications. The smartbook category will place the devices in the sub-$200 market undercutting the popular netbook category of devices.
Intel and Dell worried about profits on 12-inch laptop market: TechCrunch
While the Atom has become the de facto netbook processor, it is not where Intel makes a huge sum of its profit. Michael Arrington of TechCrunch opines that the real reason why Dell is discontinuing the 12-inch netbook segment is because these products cut into the sales of much higher-priced 12-inch "premium" notebooks, where both Dell and Intel make much better margins.
ChromeOS’ hardware partners say “not so fast”
Google's announcement that many hardware companies are teaming up to bring ChromeOS to netbooks is receiving a nearly universal "huh?" from the alleged partners. PC World reports that companies involved, such as HP and Lenovo, are definitely interested in what ChromeOS has to offer, but are playing it safer than Google may have wanted analysts to believe.
Intel, on the other hand, is committed to working on ChromeOS. It was not mentioned in the press release listing the involved companies, but the processor manufacturer has openly shown interest in the platform.
Acer on the way to take over Dell as second largest PC manufacturer
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Based on data from research companyIDC , NYTimes.com reports that Acer now commands 11.6% of the PC market. This puts the Taiwan-based manufacturer only behind Dell, currently at second place, with 13.6% in the first quarter of 2009. Acer's rise is attributed to its high-volume sales of netbooks and laptops sold at aggressive price points worldwide; primarily in China and the US, the biggest computer-buying markets.
Microsoft wrestling with strategies to update netbooks to Windows 7
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CNET's Ina Fried reports Microsoft is struggling with ways to add Windows 7 to existing netbooks, since they don't include any sort of external media drive integrated, and may offer a Windows 7 version on a USB flash drive.
Netbooks: Not what people expect?
Geeks might know the under-powered under-sized notebooks offer more tradeoffs at a lower price, but according to an NPD survey, 42% of people are dissatisfied with their netbook purchase. Does that indicate people won't be back for another round at netbooks, and could the last few years of growth in the tiny computer market just be a figment of imagination? We talk to Nate Laxon of CNET UK and Mike Rose of TUAW.
Nate doesn't think the netbooks are all they're cracked up to be, and would much prefer a properly priced computer that offers adequate performance, but that being said he doesn't think they're going anywhere anytime soon. He sees the future of netbooks as pretty bright, especially considering how they're being bundled with cellular data plans overseas. Mike thinks as people learn more about what the devices do, buyers will know better what to expect from the machines, and as performance increases, some of the tradeoffs will go away.
What's your take, do you like netbooks? Do you think they're sticking around? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
Guests:
58% of netbook owners are satisfied with their purchase
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According to an NPD survey of 600 respondents, 58% of people who own netbooks are satisfied, compared with 70% of regular laptop purchasers. BusinessWeek points out that computer manufacturers likely need to do a better job of explaining the differences between "netbooks" and regular laptops, if they're to keep repeat netbook buyers.
Asus declares to beat Apple at design game
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John Tsang, vice chairman of AsusTek, has openly commented on its future design plans in the increasingly competitive laptop market. He specifically targets Apple computer, declaring “Our goal is to provide products that are better than Apple’s.†The company is currently well-known for its Eee-Pc line of netbooks, and currently has a netbook that competes with the Macbook Air.