Dell

Everex StepNote or a NetBook?

Viable Alternative to the NetBook assault?

Viable Alternative to the NetBook assault?

So check this out.  Buy.com is selling this refurbed Everex StepNote for an incredible price of $350.  This is cheaper than some of the NetBooks flooding the market right now.

For a very similar price, you get the full usability of a normal laptop.  Dual Core (T2080), DVDRW, WXGA screen (1280×800), and the usual expansion possibilities.  Downside of this choice?  Slightly bigger and heavier.  Reasonably so, you are lugging around the Optical Drive with this one.

Compared to the newer, sexier Dell Inspiron Mini 12, I think I would choose this option.  Why?  The RAM on this is upgradable to 2GB.  Unfortunately for the Dell, RAM is not upgradable.

How about to the newer, sexier HP Mini 1000?  The HP can definitely be considered geek-worthy fashion accessories, but the smaller screen and the lower performance kind of kills the deal… for now.  Plus, (and I shed a silent tear here), the Mini 1000 did not inherit the high res screen of its 2133 predecessor.  If HP ever offers the Mini 1000 with 2133’s screen resolution @ 10″ - I am sold.

Slightly heavier and doesn’t have the same pizzazz as the netbook variants. Hmm…  Difficult choices indeed.

OK I am done debating.  I’ll choose the Usability over Cool factor.  Where’s that Order Button?

Which one would you pick?

Share/Save/Bookmark

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 Bargains, Dell, Everex, HP, Intel, Personal, Technology No Comments

Dell Inspiron Mini 12 finally available

The new Dell Inspiron Mini 12

The new Dell Inspiron Mini 12

I have been waiting patiently for the 12″ Netbooks to show up in the channels, and today Dell finally released the slightly upgraded cousin to the Inspiron Mini 9.

Personally, I find the 9″ netbooks to be a little too small for everyday use.  The 12″ models should alleviate the usability problem yet still provide for the ultraportable experience that netbooks set out to provide.

Price wise, these are much cheaper than the higher-end 12″ ultraports based on the Core 2 Duo chips.  And since it’s unlikely that anyone will get a 12″ form factor laptop to do any gaming or graphic work, performance shouldn’t be the top concern at this size to begin with.

Starting at $550, it’s not a bad price.  I would however, want mine config’d with a 6 cell and the slightly speedier CPU.  For $600, it’s a great deal compared to the high end 12″ers, but still priced out of the impulse-buy category.

If Dell runs their usual promotional discounts, this may just become a hot item this holiday season.  I sure won’t mind finding one of these under my tree!

For more info or to grab one for yourself, go to Dell’s site here.

Thoughts?  Please leave a comment below or at the forums here.

Share/Save/Bookmark

Tags: , ,

Thursday, November 13th, 2008 Dell, Personal, Technology No Comments

Search

 

What I'm Doing...

Posting tweet...

Polls

Battle of the Social

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Post Categories

UserOnline