iWeb Communities: Blog

Last week, the stars for the 2009 CES conference was without doubt netbooks. Every major computer manufacturer, be it HP, Dell, Asus, Acer, Sony, Gigabyte, or LG released new models, or updated specifications to their existing line-up. I have written about 2008 trends, and CES does prove that netbooks will be the main source of growth for laptop manufacturers this year.

If you are looking to do web development or sys-admin on the road, if you are looking for a secondary laptop, if you are highly mobile and travel very frequently, a netbook is highly suited. Here is for instance a highly probable scenario for a sys admin: you are responsible for monitoring a website and make sure it is running properly. While commuting or in a coffee shop, you are alerted that the website is malfunctioning. With a netbook that fits in one of your pocket, you can access to the website’s control panel or via SSH, and solve the problem right away, without having to race to an office.

To help you chose amongst the 40+ netbooks models which are now available, here’s an exclusive table comparing 4 different models.

Note: The Acer Aspire One, the MSI Wind, and the Asus Eee PC 900 has very similar specifications to the Dell. But since the Dell Inspiron 9 is cheaper and has more options, they were excluded. If you buy a netbook, don’t forget then to consider the Acer Aspire and the MSI.

	Asus Eee PC 1002HA	Dell Inspiron Mini 9	OQO Model 2+	Sony Vaio P
Model
CPU	Intel Atom Diamondville 1.6Ghz	Intel Atom Diamondville 1.6Ghz	Intel Atom Silverthorne 1.86Ghz	Intel Atom Silverthorne 1.33Ghz
Graphics (Screen Size + Resolution)	10.2″ 1024×600	8.9″ 1024×600	5″ 1024×768 OLED, Toucscreen	8″ 1600 x 768px
RAM and HD	1Gb	512Mb	2Gb, 120Gb HD shock-mounted	2Gb, 60Gb HD
Software	Windows XP	Linux or Windows XP	Windows Vista Business or XP	Windows Vista
Battery	30 Wh	31Wh	“3.5 hours”	15 Wh
Connectivity (Wireless, Expansions, 3G)	Ethernet 10/100, Headset Mic+Line, Multiformat Card reader, USB2.0, 802.11g	Ethernet 10/100, Headset Mic+Line, Multiformat Card reader, USB2.0, 802.11g, 802.11n, BT2.0, with 3G, with TV Tuner	HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, Docking connector, 802.11g, 3G (EVDO – HSPA)	USB2.0, Headset Mic+Line, Docking Connector, 802.11g, 802.11n, BT2.1, 3G, GPS
Dimensions (Size w/h/d inches and Weight)	0.4 x 7.1 x 1.12.6 lb	9.1 x 6.9 x 1.22.3 lb	5.6 x 3.3 x 1 1.0 lb	9.6 x 4.7 x 0.8           1.4 lb
Price	$499	$349	$1600 depending on mobile plans	$899

Here are  conclusions:

• Netbooks for Web Development, Sys-Admin: Asus Eee PC 1002HA, because of the screen and price
• Netbooks for Mobile Blogging, email, calendars: Dell Inspiron Mini 9, because of its price
• Netbooks for hackers who want to expand or “fine-tune”: Dell Inspiron Mini, because of its connectivity, price and Linux
• Netbooks for mobile businessmen: OQO Model 2+, for the 3G feature, Windows Vista, size
• Netbooks for school, or as a second laptop: the Asus Eee PC or the Dell Inspiron Mini 9, for their price and size

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