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What Are The Best WIFI Speakers? Wireless Surround Sound Systems Reviews
Monday, January 23, 2012
What Are The Best Gaming Laptops? Check Out Our Gaming Laptop Reviews
Saturday, January 21, 2012
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Sennheiser RS 180 Digital Wireless Headphones
Thursday, January 19, 2012
With the right set of wireless headphones you can revolutionize how you spend time watching your favorite television shows and movies. A quality product might require a substantial budget, but you usually get what you pay for when it comes to this type of technology. Sennheiser is a company that has given top brands a run for their money, and these days they are considered one of the best companies around. They definitely pick up the ball and run with it when it comes to the RS 180 that is definitely a substantial upgrade from previous models. It gives you every basic feature you’ll ever need plus additional ones that really enhance your experience to the next level. There’s no way you’ll go back to the way things were once you experience full Dolby surround sound with the RS 180.
There are practical uses for this is set of headphones such as being able to limit noise so you don’t bother your neighbors or the person sleeping beside you. But if you are only looking for headphones for those types of purposes, you’d probably be better off getting something cheaper. This is a product for people who love sound and want to enjoy various forms of media while being able to listen to every little detail. You get a full array of customization that will allow you to expand your listening experience while fine tuning your favorite aspects of sound and music.
These wireless headphones boast an extremely comfortable design and with the right adjustments, you’ll barely notice you have them on at all. That makes them perfect for long viewing sessions where you want to minimize distractions. A powerful transmitter allows you to set yourself up anywhere you like whether it’s on your couch or in a lounge chair in the corner of the room. You get a wide range of motion with a signal that can also travel through walls.
That means you can listen to music while doing chores without having to move the transmitter. It also like a long battery life that means there will be minimal breaks in the action, and a relatively quick recharge time as well. The only reason this wouldn’t make a suitable option is if you need something with a microphone for playing video games. You’d be better off going with a traditional wireless gaming headset if you want to enhance sound that way. Otherwise, this is a top-of-the-line product that’s blends traditional audio delivery with modern features to present the perfect package.
DVI vs HDMI
Sunday, January 15, 2012
DVI or Digital Visual Interface and HDMI or High Definition Multimedia Interface are both types of interface that you use to connect your computer or console to a display, usually in the form of a monitor or HDTV. Before we begin with the differences I think it is important to see what is the same first. As such, both DVI and HDMI cables:
- are display cables and interfaces
- transmit digital video information
- can transmit up to 1920 x 1200 pixel resolutions (480p ~ 1080p)
DVI
First on the list is DVI or Digital Visual Interface. The main facts and differences about DVI are listed below:
- DVI came first (it was developed before HDMI)
- DVI just transfers digital video signals
- is mainly used on computer monitors
- can transmit video signals in both digital and analog format
- has three versions: DVI-A, DVI-D and DVI-I (DVI-A = analog format, DVI-D = digital format, DVI-I = both analog and digital formats)
- has a pin-like interface
- does not have security features
HDMI
Second is HDMI or High Definition Multimedia Interface. The main facts and differences about HDMI are as follows:
- HDMI was developed based on DVI, so HDMI came after DVI
- HDMI transfers both digital video and audio signals
- is mainly used on HDTVs
- transmits video and audio signals in digital format
- only has one version
- has a contact interface much like USB
- has a security feature called HDCP or High Definition Content Protection
Which one is better?
Generally, if you’re using computer monitors as your main display then DVI is your better choice. With more than one DVI ports you can hook up to six computer monitor displays from a single source or computer, which creates a much higher resolution than just 1920 x 1200. These multiple displays allow for better surround effects especially when being used with stereoscopic 3D. So if you’re a computer gamer with this multiple monitor setup, DVI would be better than HDMI. However, since DVI just transmits digital video, you will need to hook up a separate digital audio cable to hear any sound.
Likewise if you use HDTVs as your main display device (for watching Blu-ray media or playing game consoles) then HDMI is a better choice. This is because it combines both HD video and audio signals in a single cable. While it is limited to 1920 x 1200 or the standard full HD 1080p resolution, there are no Blu-ray media or gaming consoles which go higher than this, so this is not an issue. However, since most Blu-ray media require HDCP security, it makes HDMI better suited for HDTV viewing.
Technically, HDMI is better than DVI partly because it was developed after DVI and partly because it brings in more features, such as digital audio and HDCP. The only problem for this is the fact that HDMI cables are much more expensive than DVI cables. It is also important that you get good quality HDMI cables, as a cheapo alternative may result in bad audio or some missed features. In my experience, Giraffe HDMI cables are probably your best bet. You can get these and many other excellent HDMI cables separately at sites like bestbuy.com and Amazon.com.
Which one is better for gaming?
The answer for this is simple. It depends on what games you like to play. If you are more of a computer game player, then DVI is the better choice. If you are a console gamer then HDMI is better. If you play both on the same display then HDMI is the better choice, although if you are stuck with a DVI only display, you can always get a HDMI to DVI converter dongle, which is relatively inexpensive.
Bottomline: DVI for computers, HDMI for HDTVs and HDMI for both
Best Processor For Gaming: What Is The Best Gaming Processor?
Sunday, January 15, 2012
After AMD released their Bulldozer processors and Intel came out with their Sandy Bridge-E, many people have been left wondering what processor should be on their consideration lists. For gamers this is still pretty much a no-brainer. When Intel released their Sandy Bridge micro-architecture they also came out with K-unlocked versions of their Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i7 processors. The best processor for gaming is still the Intel Core i5 2500K. The reasons for this are listed below:
- Performance
- Overclock potential
- Price
- Upgradeability
Performance
At 3.3GHz the Intel Core i5 2500K is more than fast enough to fulfill any game’s system requirements much less allow for maximum settings. Most of the time, maximum settings in a game are more dependent on the performance of your graphic card. However, a good solid performer like the 2500K lets your graphic card pull out all the performance it needs to deliver smooth gameplay. I will grant you that there are newer processors out there for both AMD and Intel. However, the AMD Bulldozers are not performing as expected nor are they pulling out the performance necessary for most gamers to get a satisfying gaming session. The recently released Sandy Bridge-E processors on the other hand are much too overpowered. This means that while they may run any game in existence on maximum settings, they won’t even break a sweat doing so, which will not only waste resources but will burn a blackhole like nothing you’ve seen before in your pocket.
Gaming Performance
I’ve generally found first person shooters to be one of the more hardware intensive games in the market. As such I’ve used the benchmark score from Anandtech.com for Far Cry 2 and Crysis: Warhead. As stated by Anandtech.com they used the Intel Core i5 2500K with an NVIDIA GTX 280 on 1680 x 1050 pixel resolutions compared against a field of other competitors using the same hardware and settings. The benchmarks are shown below:
As you can see from the graph, The Intel Core i5 2500K is only outperformed by the Intel Core i7 2600K and even then not by all that much.
In Crysis Warhead the Intel Core i5 2500K manages to trounce its higher-end Intel Core i7 2600K sibling. According to Anandtech.com, the processor was further stressed by setting the Physics setting on enthusiast level.
Overclock potential
Sure, the Intel Core i7 2600K has a higher core clock speed than the Intel Core i5 2500K’s 3.3GHz. However, the Intel Core i7 2600K can only reach a stable overclock on air cooling of just 4.5GHz, compared to the 2500K’s 4.8GHz to 5GHz. All you need is the right gaming motherboard that will allow you to pull out the latent overclocking potential hidden inside the 2500K and you can see a massive jump in performance for your next game. I personally found the 2500K to be very easy to overclock with most automatic overclocking functions pushing the processor to 3.9GHz or so and a little tweaking here and there can get you a very nice but stable overclock of 4.5GHz (matching speeds with the 2600K).
Price
While it can be overclocked to perform as high as it’s Core i7 sibling, the Intel Core i5 2500K is priced much lower than the Core i7. At its current price it is also much lower than any of the newer stuff, even the AMD Bulldozers. While its standard core clock performance may not allow it to match the same level as these newer processors, its overclock potential allows it to match speeds with ease. A quick look at Amazon reveals it to be priced at $233.04. The Intel Core i7 2600K is priced at $315.00 while the closest competitor processor within this price range is the previous generation AMD Phenom II X6 1090T at $222.99.
Upgradeability
It is an unfortunate fact that most gamers do not have much money. So buying a processor and motherboard along with all the other components would probably be as much as a gamer could do in building their new gaming rig. Thankfully, the 2500K comes with an integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics which should allow you to play World of Warcraft and other 3D MMORPGs on medium settings or Starcraft 2 on lower settings. While you save up the cash you can then opt for either a better motherboard or graphic card. My bet would be on the graphic card as even an entry-level NVIDIA graphic card these days can let you play the AAA games on medium to maximum settings. Once you have some more cash you can get a gamer’s motherboard and proceed to do some overclocking which will let you play practically all games on maximum with little to no extra cash required.
Comparing the Competition
Comparing the Intel Core i5 2500K with the Intel Core i7 2600K for gaming doesn’t make much sense here as the 2600K is only better if you want hyper threading for multiple core processing. Almost all games out there do not use hyper threading at all and to top it off, the 2600K is almost $100 more than the 2500K. A closer competitor would be the AMD Phenom II X6 1090T due to nearly the same price, but the 2500K beats this older processor hands down by offering better performance, integrated graphics and newer technology. While the AMD Phenom II X6 1090T does come in with 6 cores it operates at a TDP of 125W, which means that it gets hot very quickly and uses up a lot of energy. Since the 2500K only uses 95W it runs cooler and uses less electricity, while the newer technology allows it to do stuff like transcoding and processing many times faster than the AMD Phenom II X6 1090T.
The Intel I5 VS I7: Which One Should You Get?
Sunday, January 15, 2012
During 2011, Intel released their 2nd generation of their Intel Core processors under the Sandy Bridge micro-architecture. While the technology was new, the naming conventions remained the same. While old Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors left the shelves to be placed in budget desktop models, the rest of the world kept going and people in general still do not know what the difference is between an Intel Core i5 and an Intel Core i7 processor.
Same socket, different chipsets
The fact is, both the Sandy Bridge Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors use the same LGA 1155 socket. Both processors feature integrated graphics and both have K-unlocked versions that allow for massive overclocking. Both use the same type of DDR3 dual-channel memory. However, there are different chipsets for both these processors, namely the H67 chipset and the P67 chipset. The H67 chipset features onboard graphic display ports such as a HDMI port, VGA port and DVI port. The P67 chipset does not have these ports and is meant to be used with a graphic card. On the other hand, a H67 chipset motherboard can still use a more powerful graphic card.
The processors are interchangeable so you can switch out the Intel Core i5 on your H67 chipset motherboard with your Intel Core i7 processor or do the same with your Intel Core i7 and an Intel Core i5 with a P67 chipset motherboard. The only difference here is that when you switch the Intel Core i5 over to the P67, the integrated graphics in the Intel Core i5 will be turned off.
Performance
The Intel Core i5 is designed for the mainstream to midrange user, which is IT talk for the normal everyday guy and gamer. The Intel Core i7 on the other hand is made for the upper midrange to performance user, which usually means the more hardcore gamer, programmer or 3D renderer. Without a doubt the Intel Core i7 is more powerful than the Intel Core i5. It will outprocess the Intel Core i5 each and every time, especially for situations which require multi-tasking such as 3D rendering or video editing.
Overclocking
Both the Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i7 have K-unlocked versions that are designed for overclocking. This is the only way the Intel Core i5 can ever beat the Intel Core i7 as it can be overclocked to a much higher speed than the K-unlocked version of the Intel Core i7. In my experience, this means you can push the Intel Core i5 K-unlocked version all the way up to 5GHz on normal air cooling. Any higher than this will require more extreme cooling such as liquid cooling or liquid nitrogen. A K-unlocked Intel Core i7 can only reach about 4.5GHz on air cooling. But, the overclocked 4.5GHz Intel Core i7 is a lot more stable than the overclocked 5GHz Intel Core i5. Since it is a higher performing processor the overclocked 4.5GHz Intel Core i7 also outperforms the overclocked 5GHz Intel Core i5.
Upgrade Path
This makes for a very interesting upgrade path. Say you start out with a H67 chipset motherboard and a dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with integrated graphics. At this point you can do some light gaming, watch full HD 1080p and do all your office work. As you progress, you find that you want to play the latest games, so you have a choice, you can get a quad-core Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 with an entry-level graphic card. As you keep going you find that there are some games which your system cannot play on maximum settings. At this point, you can shift to a new motherboard with a P67 chipset using the same Intel Core i5 or i7 and graphic card. This will increase performance somewhat, but you may also have to get a midrange graphic card. At this point you can pretty much play everything on maximum settings. Now you can comfortably do everything, including programming, 3D rendering and so forth with ease. However you have now fallen in love with overclocking. At this point you can get a better chipset motherboard and continue upwards or make the shift to Sandy Bridge-E. This gradual process of upgrading is more affordable in the long run and lets your computer grow at the same time as you and your needs grow. Recent additions to chipsets and processors using Intel’s Ivy Bridge chipsets (H77, Z75 and Z77) let you extend that upgrade path very high and should be more than enough for most people. The Sandy Bridge-E is for the really fanatical performance user and is very expensive but making the shift earlier might be better in the long run.
The Sandy Bridge-E
The Sandy Bridge-E is an extension of the Sandy Bridge micro-architecture, which is what the “E” stands for. Under this extension Intel released several Intel Core i7 Extreme processor and an Intel X79 chipset. The chipset and processors use an entirely different socket called the LGA 2011 socket. It also uses quad-channel memory, so you need 8 special quad-channel pieces of DDR3 memory to make it run. So far, tests have shown the performance increase over its closest Sandy Bridge Intel Core i7 processor and chipset to just be about a third more, but for those looking to reach the highest overclocking score in the world, this is the Intel board and processor to choose. As you can expect, getting all new processors, motherboards and memory makes Sandy Bridge-E very expensive.
The Best laptops under $500
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Laptops tend to dominate the larger screen range with those going from 15-inch screens and above offering a great combination of performance and viewability. They are also just shy of not wearing out your shoulder if you intend to carry one of these 15-inch laptops around all day. They can also outperform any netbook and give some desktops a run for their money. Speaking about money, these 15-inch laptops do not need to cost a bomb as you can get some serious contenders for below $500. While there are a ton of choices on the popular laptop buying sites such as Amazon.com and bestbuy.com, we have narrowed down some pretty good choices. Check out the following for our list of under $500 laptops:
ASUS K53E-DH91 ($479.00) – the All-rounder
Designed as the all-rounder workhorse laptop, the ASUS K53E-DH91 offers a dual-core business class processor with 4GB of memory and a lot of space with it’s 640GB hard disk drive. The 15.6-inch screen can handle a maximum resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Coupled together with built-in Altec Lansing HD speakers, this laptop provides smooth 720p HD media playback with great sound. Connectivity is limited somewhat with just two USB 2.0 ports but it still packs in 802.11bgn wi-fi connections so you can browse the Internet or email as you see fit. You can find it at a starting price of $479.00 from the usual sites such as Amazon.com although you may find some better deals at bestbuy.com. The features for this laptop include:
- 2.1GHz Intel Pentium B950
- 4 GB DIMM RAM
- 640 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
- 15.6-Inch Screen, Intel GMA HD
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
- LCD Native Resolution: 1366 x 768
- Speakers: Altec Lansing HD
- USB 2.0 Ports: 2
- VGA Video Out Ports: 1
- Wireless Type: 802.11bgn
Samsung Series 3 NP305V5A-A06US (449.99) – the Multimedia Master
Fielding the new AMD range of consumer Fusion processors the Samsung Series 3 laptop holds a lot of promise for those who like to dabble in multimedia. This is because the new processors are designed to provide faster encoding and transcoding of multimedia for different formats. While the 1.6GHz processor is a bit slower it has four cores making it very good for multi-tasking. The integrated AMD Radeon HD 6520G graphics also ensure super smooth 720p HD playback on the laptop and smooth full HD 1080p via the HDMI port to a larger HDTV screen. This also makes the laptop much better at playing games especially since the graphics support DirectX 11 so you can do some light to intermediate gaming on it. We found this being sold at Amazon for a discounted price of $449.99 (normal price is about $539.99) but you could probably find better deals for it elsewhere as well. Features for this laptop are listed below:
- 15.6-inch LED-backlit display with 1366 x 768 resolution for native HD 720p viewing (220-nit brightness)
- 1.6 GHz AMD A6-3410MX quad-core Accelerated Processor (2.3 GHz with AMD Turbo CORE Technology; 4 MB cache)
- 500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
- 4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (8 GB maximum)
- AMD Radeon HD 6520G graphics (supports Microsoft DirectX 11).
- 8x multi-format CD/DVD drive
- 1.3-megapixel HD webcam
- Built-in stereo speakers with 3 watts of power (1.5W x 2) and SoundAlive enhancement
- Up to 5.9 hours of battery life (at default brightness)
- Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and Bluetooth 3.0
- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
- 3 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1 x HDMI port, VGA video output, Multi-format memory card slot, Microphone and headphone jacks
HP G6-1c79nr Notebook Computer ($499.77) – business class performer
Featuring rounded corners and solid design the HP G6-1c79nr is built more for your comfort and performance than the usual 15-inch laptop. The keyboard design offers plenty of space while the Intel Core i3 processor ensures that you get the performance that you need. While it does have stylish HP imprint finish cover, the laptop is the type of computer better suited for an executive on the move as it is designed to be tough yet easy to connect to a projector or HDTV via the built-in VGA or HDMI ports. A Super Multi DVD burner lets you playback presentations or burn them as you need them while the Intel HD 3000 graphics are more than enough for any office work. You can get the laptop for $499.77 at Amazon which is just below the $500 limit range but it should be a good presentation laptop for the mobile road warrior on the go. Features for this laptop include:
- Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
- 15.6-inch diagonal HD BrightView LED-backlit Display (1366 x 768)
- 4GB DDR3
- 640GB 5400RPM
- Battery Life Up to 5.5 hours
- 802.11b/g/n WLAN
- SuperMulti DVD burner
- Intel HD 3000 graphics
- HP Imprint finish in charcoal gray
Sony VAIO EL2 VPCEL22FX/B ($469.99) – Stylish entertainer
If you want to turn heads at under $500 then you should pick up the Sony VAIO EL2 VPCEL22FX/B as its textured lid and stylish curves will make sure you get that second glance every time. With its 15.5-inch screen and native 720p HD resolution it makes for a very good multimedia laptop especially coupled with one of the new AMD E-450 APUs. However, it also packs in an integrated numeric keypad so number crunchers who work with such things will get a kick out of this one. Featuring plenty of Sony’s proprietary software you can expect easy one-touch operation and specific function buttons for everything from video and multimedia to troubleshooting and instant Internet access. At price of $469.99 it can be found at Amazon.com and other laptop buying sites. Features include:
- 15.5-inch LED-backlit display with 1366 x 768 resolution for native HD 720p viewing
- 1.65 GHz AMD E-Series E-450 dual-core accelerated processor (APU) with 1 MB L2 cache
- 320 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
- 4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1333 MHz; 8 GB maximum)
- AMD Radeon HD 6320 graphics (integrated on APU)
- 8x multi-format CD/DVD drive
- Built-in stereo speakers
- Up to 5.67 hours of battery life at default brightness with standard battery
- Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) for ultra-fast connectivity to home and business networks.
- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
- Connectivity & Expansion
- 4 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1x HDMI port, digital audio and video via a single cable, VGA video output (analog, RGB)
- 1x Memory Stick Duo slot, Secure Digital memory card slot (compatible with MMC cards)
- Microphone and headphone jacks
Dell Inspiron I14RN4110-7616PBL ($479.99) – the Colorful Value-added consumer-level laptop
On top of Dell’s exceptional service the Dell Inspiron I14RN4110-7616PBL also features a 4G WiMAX mobile broadband built-in. This makes it great for areas that support it as you can stay connected minus any unsightly USB dongles sticking out of the laptop. It has a range of colors to choose from including peacock blue and many others. Powered by a consumer level Intel Core i3 processor the laptop has a slightly smaller screen size of 14-inches but still manages to display 720p HD resolutions for smooth media playback. As a plus it is also lighter and easier to carry about while also lasting logner than your average laptop. It can be found at around $479.99 at bestbuy.com along with other sites. Features include:
- Intel Core i3-2310M processor
- 4GB DDR3 memory
- Multiformat DVDRW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
- 14″ high-definition LED display
- 500GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
- Intel HD Graphics 3000
- For lush images. HDMI output for connection to an HDTV.
- Built-in 1.0MP HD webcam
- Makes it easy to video chat with family and friends.
- 8-in-1 media reader
- Supports Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, SDXC, microSD, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card formats.
- 3 x USB 2.0 ports
- Wireless-N 1030 (802.11b/g/n)
- Embedded 4G WiMAX mobile broadband technology
- Weighs 5 lbs. and measures just 1.2″ thin
Best Netbooks under $300
Saturday, January 7, 2012
While you can get some good refurbished netbooks for under $200, you don’t have to go too high to get a good brand new netbook at just under $300. The main advantages of buying a new netbook from a more well-known brand includes:
- up-to-date technology
- new battery = longer life unplugged
- 1 year warranty + support
As such, we have compiled a list of some promising netbooks based on current 2012 results in the major online netbook markets (Amazon.com, bestbuy.com, etc.)
HP Mini 110 ($269.99)
While this is the entry-level model in the HP netbook line-up it still delivers very good performance. The processor may be a single core Intel Atom N455 but this also means that it has better battery-life. HP has pretty solid build-quality too so it should be able to take a beating while looking good. Best to get this one at the HP site itself although you can still get the price above at Amazon and bestbuy. Features include:
- Windows 7 Starter
- Intel Atom N455 processor
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
- black (standard), pacific blue, or sonoma red
- 10.1″ diagonal LED display
- 1GB DDR3 memory
- 250GB hard drive
- Three USB ports, Wireless-N
HP Mini 210 ($299.99)
A step up higher than the Mini 110, the Mini 210 is virtually identical to the Mini 110 except that it has more colors to choose from and better audio in the form of Beats audio technology. An extra $30 could be worth it if you’re the type who likes good audio from your netbook and want it in a shade of pastel color. Again, the best place to get it for the price above is probably at the HP site, but it can be found for this price at Amazon too. Features include:
- Windows 7 Starter
- Intel Atom N455 processor
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
- charcoal, ocean drive, luminous rose, crimson red, sweet purple
- 10.1″ diagonal LED display
- 1GB DDR3 memory
- 250GB hard drive
- Three USB ports, Wireless-N
Asus Eee PC 1015PEM-PU17 ($279.99 – $299.99)
I’ll be the first to say I’m biased with Asus, but the good thing for this netbook is that it should last you at least 8.5 hours unplugged and it will have one of the best netbook keyboards in the market. They also look good due to their seashell inspired design and come in a variety of colors. This is the Intel Atom powered version with a dual-core processor to boot so you can do more multi-tasking with it. The price above can be found at bestbuy.com. Features include:
- Intel Atom N550 1.5 GHz (Dual-core)
- Intel GMA 3150 graphics
- 1GB DDR3
- 250GB Hard disk
- 10.1″ Color LCD with LED-backlight
- 1024 x 600 pixel resolution
- Wireless-N (Fast Ethernet), Bluetooth,
- Windows 7 Starter
- 6-cell Li-ion Battery
Asus Eee PC 1015B-MU17 ($280 – $299.99)
While it has the same awesome battery-life and great keyboard, this version runs on AMD’s latest Fusion processor or APU. I admit that this is one of the lower-end versions, but the AMD C-30 APU comes with an embedded ATI Radeon HD 6250 graphics and a HDMI port. This means graphics are better than any other Intel netbook and you can hook it up to a HDTV for smooth full HD 1080p media playback. It also has better audio with 7.1 surround sound. Prices for this model can be found at best buy.com. Features include:
- AMD APU C-30 1.2GHz
- ATI Radeon HD 6250 graphics
- 1GB DDR3
- 250GB Hard disk
- 10.1″ Color LCD with LED-backlight
- 1024 x 600 pixel resolution
- Wireless-N (Fast Ethernet), Bluetooth,
- Windows 7 Starter
- 6-cell Li-ion Battery
Acer Aspire One AOD257-1633 ($279.99)
Normally, I wouldn’t recommend Acer products but Acer’s netbook range are quite worthy. The main selling point for this netbook is that it uses higher-end components at a lower price point. This includes a higher-end Intel Atom dual-processor and a larger 320GB hard drive. Prices above can be found at both Amazon.com and bestbuy.com. Features include:
- Intel Atom N570 1.66GHz (Dual-core)
- Intel GMA 3150 graphics
- 1GB DDR3
- 320GB Hard disk
- 10.1″ Color LCD with LED-backlight
- 1024 x 600 pixel resolution
- Wireless-N (Fast Ethernet), Bluetooth,
- Windows 7 Starter
- 6-cell Li-ion Battery
Top 5 netbooks under $200
Thursday, January 5, 2012
There are always good deals going on the Internet and under $200 netbooks are no exception. If you’ve read the earlier tips mentioned before this you should have a rough idea of what to look for. However, for those of you who’d like a clear-cut netbook model to look for, we have a number of top netbook suggestions.
For the branded used and refurbished netbooks our top 3 netbooks would be the:
Dell Inspiron Mini 9: Smaller than other netbooks due to it’s 8.9-inch screen this 2008 model is good mainly because of it’s 8GB SSD (or solid state drive). While this may seem like a really small amount of space to work with, it is a known fact that SSDs run faster and have a much longer life expectancy (better known as Mean Time Before Failure or MTBF) than normal HDDs. The smaller size also means that this netbook is easier to carry about but can still match the performance of newer netbook models.
The specs for the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 include the following:
- Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz
- 1GB DDR
- 8GB SSD
- 8.9-inch screen
- Windows XP
You can generally find the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 starting from around $199.
Asus Eee PC 1005HAB Netbook: Featuring a larger 10.1-inch screen, this netbook has one of the largest and most comfortable keyboards on any netbook in the market. The 92% full size QWERTY keyboard is solid making this netbook a great workhorse computer for the student or writer looking to do a lot of typing. While it does have older components, it still should offer good performance for its price.
The specs for the Asus Eee PC 1005HAB Netbook include:
- Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz
- 1GB DDR2
- 160GB HDD
- Windows XP
- 10.1-inch screen
Most of the time the Asus Eee PC 1005HAB Netbook starts from $175 but due to the price and performance it is often in great demand, so snap it up quick if you see it.
Asus Eee PC Seashell 1005PEB Netbook: This is one of the few good looking netbooks in the used or refurbished netbook market. The pink one in particular will turn quite a few heads. It even has a cool-looking chicklet style keyboard so if you can find one that is relatively scratch free, then you should be the envy of most of your friends. Since it is a more recent netbook it also has better features.
The Asus Eee PC Seashell 1005PEB Netbook has the following specs:
- Intel Atom N450 1.66ghz
- 1GB DDR2
- 250GB HDD
- 10.1 inch screen
- Windows 7 starter
You can get this fashion accessory netbook from around $190.
You may note that I make no mention of any of the 11 hour netbooks here because the battery is almost always the first to go in a used or refurbished netbook. Therefore mentioning a netbook specifically for it’s great battery life here is moot. Regardless of this all three of the netbooks mentioned above have great long-lasting battery life with the two ASUS netbooks lasting an estimated 8.5 hours on a single charge. You can find these netbooks at buy.com or Amazon.com. You may also find them at bestbuy.com but as of the time of writing there were no netbook models being sold for under $200 at the site.
For the 7-inch non-branded netbook computer crowd, these models come to mind:
EPC-702D: While it is another lower-priced 7-inch netbook, the EPC brand is a bit better well-known than some of the other brands. As such build quality is somewhat better and looks nicer than your average OEM netbook (that looks like everything else). The point is that it can be had for just $89 plus $7 for shipping at ebay and other online sites. It generally has better overall specs than your usual netbook in this range and performs better as well, despite the processor being slower than our other model. The battery for this netbook will only last you about 3 to 5 hours on a single charge.
The specs are as listed below:
- CPU: VIA WM8650, 600MHz
- O/S: Android 2.2 (Support Flash 10.1)
- Display: 7.0 inch digital screen, Resolution: 800 x 480
- Memory RAM: DDR2 256MB
- Hard drive: 4GB
- 1.3 Mega Pixels Camera
- Support SD / MMC card
- Support WIFI: 802.11b/g
- LAN: LAN 10 / 100M Ethernet access
- Interface: 3.5mm audio jack, SD / MMC Card slot, DC IN, RJ45 jack, 3 x USB ports, Microphone jack
- Lithium Battery: 1200mAh
- Weight: 602g (Included battery)
The 7-inch budget beater: This is another netbook featuring a 7” panel. Quite obviously, this is an unknown no name brand, but the main key feature for this one is that it is offered here for only $79, with lower-priced packages if you intend to buy more than one. Bear in mind that it is using a tablet processor (that has been overclocked), only 128MB of RAM and only has 1GB of storage space, and you won’t be surprised by the performance for this netbook. It can still connect via wireless-b/g Wi-Fi and supports external 3G but the 500mAh Li-Ion batteries will only last you at most 1 to 2 hours.
The specs are as listed below:
- CPU: VIA ARM-WM8650
- Processor Clock Speed: 800 MHz
- O/S: Android 2.2 or Windows CE 6.0
- Memory: 128MB RAM
- Storage Device: 1GB NAND Flash
- LCD Size: 7″ PANEL
- Display Digital Screen TFT-LCD, True color image 800 x 480 Resolution
- Networking Connection: Fast 10/100 MB Ethernet (RJ-45)
- Wireless Connection: WiFi 802.11b/g
- 3G: Support external 3G
- Keyboard: Standard English 84 key supports external keyboard
- Mouse & Touch pad: Built-in touch panel, set two shortcut key and support USB port mouse
- 3 USB Ports
- PCMCIA Expansion: SD Card slot
- Flash: Support Adobe flash10.1 player
- Battery: 500mAh or optional 1800mAh Li-ion batteries
- Net weight: 0.65KG
Buying an under $200 Netbook : Tips and tricks
Thursday, January 5, 2012
When the Asus Eee PC X101 was first announced it made a huge buzz as being one of the first 10.1-inch netbooks to be offered at below $200. These days finding one of these Linux Meego powered netbooks is very difficult, much less finding one below $200. However, you can still find a number of netbooks for under $200 provided that you can accept that:
- All branded netbooks under $200 are used or refurbished
- All new netbooks under $200 are not branded or from well-known brands
If you can accept the above then follow the tips set out below to find yourself a good under $200 netbook.
Used vs Refurbished
If you’ve looked for a particular netbook on Amazon and found it being sold at much lower prices, chances are it is under the category of a used netbook. This means that someone else has used it, and it has not been repaired. This is especially true if the seller is an individual who claims that it has been rarely used, looks 99% new and works like a dream, all of which are signs of something fishy going on or at least some reason to be suspicious. The only time I would suggest buying a used netbook would be if you know the seller directly, have seen and used the netbook in question and are certain that it is in good condition.
Refurbished on the other hand means that while the item or netbook in question has been used before, it has been checked through by an expert and repaired, with some parts being replaced entirely. I’ve found that in general, refurbished netbooks last a lot longer than used netbooks, so if you can, always go for refurbished over used netbooks. While they may be priced slightly higher than the used netbooks, there are still quite a lot of decent deals out there with some ranging from $160 to $180, below the $200 price range.
If you’re getting a refurbished netbook always make sure to get a branded model. Do not get any refurbished netbook from some no-name brand you’ve never heard of, regardless of how good the price is, with the reason for this being discussed shortly. Bear in mind that these refurbished netbooks will be using older technology and as such may not be as powerful nor have the features or functions available to the latest netbooks on the market.
Non-branded Netbooks
You may have also found any number of non-branded 7-inch netbooks being sold new at the same price as a refurbished branded netbook. This ranges from $120 to $160 although I have seen some being sold at $99. The main reason these netbooks are being sold for so cheap is because they are not using an Intel or AMD processor. Rather, they are using ARM chips or the type of processors you would expect in a PMP (Personal Media Player) and lower-end processor chips at that. Generally, these non-branded netbooks use either Windows CE or Android 2.3 as their operating system, but I have seen some that come with Windows 7.
Do not buy these cheap non-branded netbooks if you think that having to wait more than 2 to 3 minutes for an app or program to load is a long time. Avoid these non-branded netbooks like the plague if you like to have several programs open at the same time. I have used a number of these netbooks and they are slower than the slowest branded netbook in the market. However, if all you need is something to type notes or answer emails, this could be a good fit for you and some of them do look nice enough to pass muster in the design aspect.
