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Subnotebook

  • 16-05-2008 4:32pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 202 ✭✭


    Any one getting one of the many subnotebooks being released lately? I was looking at HP Mini-Note but reviews have been less than glowing. The MSI Wind is looking good with the specs and the price it's being put at as it's only $550 for the 80GB Xp version. Any recommendations?


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 622 ✭✭✭Pete4779


    I was looking for a subnotebook/UMPC as well. The options seem to be as faras I can tell:

    ASUS Eee PC 900/901: the 900 is apparently going to be withdrawn and replaced by a 901 model in around 3-4 weeks. No one seems to have the 900 in stock anymore. Plus, the specs are sort of limited: 2-3 hrs battery and 20GB HD. It also has no Bluetooth, so it wouldn't be a real synced up solution if you like having your phone/camera/laptop all connected wirelessly. No ExpressCard slot = no HSDPA/3.5G either. I don't know what they are going to add in the 901 or why the 900 was pulled so fast but it's probably because of the HP and MSI competition.

    HP MiniNote 2133: I was on the verge of ordering one today until I read about the MSI Wind. The MiniNote seems to get great reviews on build quality but performance for video and music seems to be really unusable (unless you just want to do word processing or web). It apparently struggles with H264 or DivX. They are in stock now at Misco. We don't get the 1.6Ghz option in Ireland, so just the 1.2Ghz. The battery live is around 2-3 hrs as well, but HP also stock (right now actually, on HP Parts Ireland) the 6 cell battery for €141 (Part numbers to search the HP ireland site for are on www.hp2133guide.com. Also, there are apparently a lot of video problems with Skype due to the underperforming CPU, and that makes it not much good for travelling and hooking up to WiFi, etc., . The YouTube videos of 7fps performance at best is bad as is the inability to play DivX smoothly at full screen or Youtube.

    MSI Wind: I have ordered one of these for when it is released in a few weeks. The specs are superior to the others in terms of video performance, and the CPU is the superior 1.6Ghz Atom. (Confirmed here: http://www.vr-zone.com/articles/MSI_Wind_PC%3A_Intel_Atom_performance_%28Updated%29/5803-1.html. It also has a 1.3 MP webcam vs the MiniNote's VGA (0.3MP?). It uses the same 2.5" SATA connection for HD so both are upgradeable anyway. However, it ships with XP, which is a great choice IMHO. The price is midway at around €450. The bod advantage seems to be 6-7 hrs battery on the extended 6 cell battery and significantly increased CPU performance meaning proper video/audio experience. That will probably add another €100 or so to the cost.

    Kohjinsha SR8 or SH8/Vye S41B: these are a bit more expensive. You can getone of the original Kohjinsha ones from Japan through Conics or Dynamism, or else get the Localised version which is branded and sold as Vye (the UK distributor). The top spec one (80GB drive, 2GB RAM, specs sort of in line with the Mini Note or Wind) is around €900. It has a flip screen though and hand writing recognition so can be used as a tablet. The CPU is much slower than the others though. The price makes it a non starter now I think. It seems the future (for me anyway!) is a cheap small UMPC that is almost "disposable" - and not as great financial loss if stolen or broken (unlike say a €3k Vaio TZ),and can be upgraded yearly, coupled with a desktop or big laptop at home).

    Dell are apparently going to release a similar MiniNote style UMPC, and it will likely be announced this week (possibly today). It would be good if people could whatever other mininotebook/UMPCs they see coming as it seems this market is going to become quite large and is also going to see rapid product cycles (e.g., €500 is not much for a UMPC, you could easily justify the next one in 9-12 months with whatever is released then. The other older way was keeping a €2000 laptop for 2-3 years).


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,125 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    Apparently acer and gigabyte are launching an eee pc killer as well. This seems like it's going to be a very competitive market very soon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 790 ✭✭✭conor_mc


    Good write-up on the current options Pete.

    Just wanted to add this link for those keeping an eye on this segment like myself... UMPCPortal

    Seems there'll be a lot of movement in this area over the summer months. Incidentally, a big trade gathering (Computex) started today in Taiwan, so expect to see alot of news/announcements over the next few days.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,225 ✭✭✭Scruff


    Read a review of the MSI Wind here and was pretty impressed. Are there any umpcs coming out that have nvidia\ati graphics that would have a bit more performance than the intel GMA-950?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,814 ✭✭✭TPD


    MSI Wind definitly looks like the best bet between price and function so far. I'm kinda annoyed I bought a 12" in February, I want a Wind now but can't justify having both.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,020 ✭✭✭eVeNtInE


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 213 ✭✭powerfarmer


    Just got the Advent 4211 yesterday, its the MSI wind but sold by PC world and its associate stores I can recomend it based on my experience so far, its compact ,fast, and the screen is quite good . £280 in the UK equivalent to around 350 euros . Was on holiday in UK so brought it back with me.PC world Ireland dont seem to have it yet tried Cork and Limerick said they might have it in 2 weeks.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 622 ✭✭✭Pete4779


    A few pics or a review from yourself would be great powerfarmer. I read about PC WOrld selling an Advent branded version, and also that it is actually around €40-50 cheaper than the OEM/MSI version, with identical specs.

    Mine should ship within a few days; I'd love to here your report on performance and battery, specifically with playing DivX, YouTube, etc., .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,726 ✭✭✭qwertz


    Is that Advent 4211 available in PCWorld Dublin yet? Thanks!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15 syphax


    About the Eee 901: it supposedly has built in Bluetooth, the new Atom processor, and better battery life than the 900.

    There's also the 1000/1000H (linux/XP versions) coming out at some point in the future, which are much closer in size to the MSI Wind, with storage upped to 40/80 gigs respectively, but otherwise same specs as the 901.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 346 ✭✭hatful


    so which is better 901 or the Msi. I have ordered the asus 901 but I am think of exchanging it for the MSI. Surely the asus 901 has better battery life?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 213 ✭✭powerfarmer


    Ya I'll do up a review when I've used the thing a bit more (typing this on it!)but so far, I m very happy with it I got almost two hours out of the battery on its first charge just surfing so hopefully the battery life might improve after a few charges mine has the 3 cell battery but there will be a 6 cell version available soon . Even though its badged as Advent it has MSI stickers on the base . The screen is very bright , the built in webcam works ok but i've only just played with it , the keyboard is good to use for its size havnt tried the wireless yet but it works fine with my 3 broadband ZTE modem
    Has anyone got one from an Irish PC World store? or have they had any in stock yet wonder what they will charge for them here


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,726 ✭✭✭qwertz


    I called PCWorld and they said that there is no stock yet and it will take a few weeks. He recommended to try it north of the border.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,858 ✭✭✭CuppaCocoa


    qwertz wrote: »
    I called PCWorld and they said that there is no stock yet and it will take a few weeks. He recommended to try it north of the border.

    Have been in the U.K. for the past week and have tried unsuccessfully to get my hands on one of these! I was told that they only get 2 in at a time! None of the branches within a 50 mile radius had one and they had no idea when they would get another delivery! Rare as hen's teeth apparently!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,761 ✭✭✭Col_Loki


    There is a new Acer aswell.... http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_One/prod.asp

    It looks pretty good and with prices from €277 its hard to beat.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    I'm tempted...might wait 'til i go to the states and see what prices/availability is like over the water first.


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