Baby PC - News and Reviews

Top 5 Reviews of HP Mini 311

Charles Papp — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:22:00 +0000

The HP Mini 311 is not your ordinary netbook. Even though it has an Intel Atom N280 (1.66GHz) processor like many other netbooks on the market today, what sets it apart is the NVIDIA ION Graphics which takes the load off the CPU and thus significantly boosts the overall system performance. You'll notice a big difference especially during graphics intensive uses like watching a movie or playing games, which are things that netbooks have not been particularly good at... until now.

We've gathered and summarised the top 5 reviews published to date on the HP Mini 311 to help you decide if this model suits your needs or not.

	Laptop Magazine (with Photos, Video, and Performance Test Results)
	Pros:	Excellent graphics performance Stylish design Good battery life Loud speakers
	Cons:	Touchpad has too much friction Slow boot time

	Netbooks (with Photos, Video, and Specs)
	Pros:	11.6″ display, giving users more real estate to enjoy digital content NVIDIA ION allows users to play popular games at low settings HDMI port, which can be used for displaying content on an external monitor or HDTV Six-cell battery that fits neatly within the computer’s silhouette Mouse buttons that are in the right place
	Cons:	None noted

	TechRadar (with Photos)
	Pros:	NVIDIA Ion graphics chip will playback HD video without issue The mouse keys and trackpad are better and decently sized for a netbook Finally a netbook you can do some serious work with
	Cons:	Keyboard isn't firm enough for our liking A single core Atom processor isn't quite cut out for the job

	CNET (with Photos, Video, and Benchmarks)
	Pros:	Nvidia Ion graphics adds HD video and basic gaming functionality Reasonably priced High-def display
	Cons:	Annoying touch pad Streaming Flash video support for new Nvidia Ion graphics is spotty Extra for a white lid

	PC Magazine (with Photos and Performance Benchmarks)
	Pros:	The 92% keyboard delivered a very good typing experience HDMI-Out is supported natively, something you don't normally find in Atom-based netbooks 3DMark06 scores were in the same ball park as the MacBook Air and annihilated those of its netbook counterparts Reasonably priced and offers features most netbooks lack World of Warcraft and Mini Ninjas were lag-free and absolutely playable
	Cons:	I would have been more impressed with the keyboard had it been full size The touchpad is unusually wide and responsive, while the mouse buttons made these loud clicking noises Lack of a Direct X 10-capable graphics chipset crippled games like World in Conflict and Crysis

More detailed specs and pricing available from the Baby PC Online Store:

HP Mini 311 with Windows 7 Home Premium and NVIDIA ION

Asus Eee PC 1201N coming with Windows 7 Home Premium

Charles Papp — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:26:00 +0000

According to this leaked Asus Eee PC Roadmap, it looks like Asus has lined up 3 new netbooks to launch around the time Windows 7 is scheduled for release on the 22 October 2009.

Two of these are variations of existing models (1005HA-P and 1005HA-M) but with the addition of Windows 7 Starter Edition to replace the current Windows XP versions.

The new model that we find particularly interesting is the new Asus Eee PC 1201N, the 12" big brother of the current 1101HA...

The new 1201N will feature:

Display: 12" LCD screen (the largest yet in the Asus Eee PC line-up)
Processor: Intel Atom N270 1.6Ghz
Graphics: Nvidia ION
Hard Disk: 250 Gb
Memory: 2 Gb
Battery: 6 Cell
Connectivity: 802.11 N Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Software: Windows 7 Home Premium

The Nvidia ION graphics will be a welcome addition, especially with the larger 12" screen. The extra hard disk space (250 Gb instead of the usual 160 Gb) will also come in handy, and so will the 2 Gb RAM, breaking through the current 1 Gb licensing limitation imposed by Windows XP on current netbooks.

The Asus Eee PC 1201N is the only one in this roadmap that features the Home Premium edition of Windows 7. The others will be loaded with the Starter Edition. Asus is obviously positioning this unit as a more powerful, professional netbook on top of the list, in the "Elite" category.

Source: EeeUser Forum

Are netbooks getting bigger?

I'm not sure if the short green line of the 1101HA indicates that Asus expects that the 1201N will quickly replace the current 1101HA, or maybe I'm reading too much into it. Either way, I find it interesting that Asus is joining Samsung (NC20), Lenovo (S12), iiView (A2), and others in the 12" Netbook Lineup.

Is 12" the sweet spot for the ultimate portable, yet comfortable, computing on the move?

iiView A2 Slim Netbook Hands On Review

Charles Papp — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:37:00 +0000

Now that we've been using the iiView A2 Slim Netbook for a couple of days (watch the Unboxing Video too if you missed it), we want to share with you some of our hands on experience in this short video.

We were impressed with the performance of the iiView A2, especially the smooth playback of HD Video on the 12.1" WXGA 1280 x 800 screen. The pre-installed Windows 7 Home Premium operating system also adds to the whole user experience.

It would be nice if the keyboard was a little larger, extending to the edges of the chassis, but it's a comfortable size and the keys are well laid out.

Another big plus is the matte non-reflective screen and the matte finish on the inside to prevent fingerprints from showing up as you use it. It only has the elegant gloss finish on the outside of the lid.

It's great to have Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed which performs well on this machine. The System Properties show an overall Windows Experience Index of 2.0 because of the integrated Intel(R) GMA 950 video adapter. Other than that, the unit comes with 2Gb RAM and a 320Gb Hard Disk Drive which are double that of the usual specs you'll find in other netbooks on the market today.

We were also pleased to see some useful applications already pre-installed, such as the RocketDock launcher to give it a more Mac-like feel, as well as Skype, Google Earth, avast! Antivirus, WinRAR, Adobe Reader, and Super Internet TV which give you easy access to over 2,000 Internet TV and Streaming Radio channels around the world.

One other interesting find was the iiView Help application which allows you to share your desktop remotely with an iiView Support Representative to get hands on help online should you need it. By the way, the iiView A2 comes with a 2 year replacement warranty as standard.

Overall, it's a very well built netbook and we hope you enjoyed watching the video.

iiView A2 Unboxing Video

Charles Papp — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:01:00 +0000

The iiView A2 has most commonly been referred to as a MacBook Air clone, but I think it looks more like the Asus Eee PC 1101HA Seashell. On the inside, although it has most of the usual characteristics of a Netbook, it also has a few surprises!

Being the first person in Australia to receive the newly released iiView A2 Netbook, I wanted to share the unboxing experience with those of you who have your eyes on this "Baby PC".

This particular iiView A2 unit is almost identical to the final release version, but there are a few subtle and not-so-subtle differences, so watch the unboxing video and read the article to find out more...

The iiView A2 will be available in Australia from the 26 August 2009 right here on BabyPC.com.au, the official home of the iiView A2 in Australia.

Initially, the iiVew A2 will come in Black or White, with the possibility of some other colours being released later, depending on demand. The final release White model will have all white keys on the keyboard, unlike the black keys you see on this preview model.

The unit shown in this unboxing video came with Windows 7 Ultimate, however the model available to the public will have Windows 7 Home Premium (Release Candidate) preloaded, with a Windows Vista Home Premium license included, which makes it eligible for a free upgrade to the final release of Windows 7 Home Premium when it becomes publicly available from the 22 October 2009.

A more thorough hands-on review is now available here.

Video Tutorial on the Touch Features of Asus Eee PC T91

Charles Papp — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:05:00 +0000

ASUSTek have put together a very nice video tutorial demonstrating the unique touch enabled features on the new Eee PC T91 Tablet Netbook (see below).

It's a good presentation covering some of the cool apps of the TouchSuite software, like the Calendar, the Notepad, Memos (which lets you place sticky notes on your desktop), and my favourite, the FotoFun app, which has some pretty cool UI effects.

All of these are manipulated with just one finger! I'm sure the addition of multi-touch in the next model (T91A) will make things even more interesting, but the single touch looks pretty impressive as is, for a light, portable, and budget priced device.

The video also shows off the widgets screen and browsing in the touch enabled IE browser...

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[Click Here to watch it on YouTube]

Asus Eee PC T91 arriving to Australia in August

Charles Papp — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 03:15:00 +0000

ASUSTeK Computer (Aust) Pty Ltd announced the Australian release of the long awaited Eee PC T91. According to the press release issued yesterday (see below), the T91 will appear in major retail stores with a recommended price tag of $999 sometime in August.

Even thought the T91 has already made its debut in the US on the 15th of July, and it has already been advertised in some catalogues in Australia last month, no physical stock of the T91 has been available yet on our shores.

It is yet to be seen how long stocks will actually last, as we're not sure if the "limited quantity" announcement from ASUS_NA on Twitter last month applies to the Australian supplies too.

ASUSTek Australia Press Release

ASUS Australia added the Eee PC™ T91 to its highly-successful Eee PC™ line-up. This new model is the first to sport an 8.9” swivel touchscreen and a suite of touch-optimised software that enables users to get the most out of finger or stylus input. Transcending other models in its class, the Eee PC™ T91 is yet another example of ASUS outstripping its competitors in terms of being the first to market with cutting-edge innovations.

Touchscreen and Convertible Tablet PC Form Factor for Flexibility of Use

A key benefit of the Eee PC™ T91’s touchscreen and tablet PC form factor is the flexibility they afford users. No longer must the device be used on a flat plane such as a table. With the Eee PC™ T91 folded flat like a slate, users will be able to use it comfortably while standing up. Users will be able to read notes, sketch ideas directly onto the screen, chat on IM, surf the Internet, and play games while walking. Furthermore, theEee PC™ T91 accepts fingertip input and handwriting, ensuring that scrolling through documents and keying in text are simple affairs.

Sensational Software Suite

The Eee PC™ T91’s unique software applications, collectively known as TouchSuite, allow users to perform a myriad of fun tasks with their fingertips, such as touching up photos, creating photo albums, leaving handwritten desktop memos for loved ones, and sketching cartoons or custom emoticons. Programs of particular note include:

FotoFun

FotoFun allows users to flip through, organise and edit their photos via a customisable photo album interface. With just the flick of a finger, users can perform tasks such as adjusting image brightness, zooming in and out, and adding beautiful overlays such as frames. Users can even upload their edited pictures to popular photo-hosting websites conveniently via FotoFun.

Memos

Forgetting important appointments is a thing of the past with Memos. Memos allows users to jot down handwritten notes which can then be ‘stuck’ on the desktop. Users can even send interactive memos across Eee PCs™*. For example, a memo sent from a son’s Eee PC™ T91 reminding his father to see the doctor will appear on the father’s Eee PC™ T91.

Touch Gate

Touch Gate takes ease of use to a new dimension by enabling users to switch between different user interfaces on the fly. Users can choose from XP Mode, which is the standard Windows XP interface with the addition of a convenient application dock; Widget Mode which displays a plethora of information in neat, easily-organized widgets; and Touch Mode, a streamlined interface featuring large icons that makes it extremely easy for users to launch programs with their fingers.

The programs above represent just a fraction of the software specially designed to add a touch of convenience to computing.

Ensuring easy on-the-go usage, the Eee PC™ T91 measures just 225cm by 164cm, and weighs a mere0.96kg—making it one of the smallest and thinnest gadgets with an 8.9” display in the world today. It also features Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth® connectivity, providing quick and simple wireless connections to the Internet and personal devices. At the flick of a convenient switch, users can change from the traditional landscape mode to a hand portrait mode.

Completing the portable package, The Eee PC™ T91 features ASUS’ exclusive Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) which reduces energy consumption up to 15%, letting users enjoy up to 5 hours of continuous use per charge*. Additionally, users can also choose to upload up to 20GB of media and documents to the free online storage facility known as Eee Storage** for access to files anytime, anywhere.

The Eee PC™ T91 is available from August at major retailers and computer resellers with an RRP of $999.

* Battery life is subject to product model, normal usage conditions and configurations.
** Eee Storage is complimentary for the first 18 months.

Summary of Asus Eee PC T91 Tablet Reviews

Charles Papp — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Another first from Asus has hit the streets with the release of the long awaited Asus Eee PC T91, in what will possibly be followed by a new breed of convertible tablet netbooks. What's all the fuss about? Is it really that good? Does it live up to the expectations? Here's a quick summary of the news, reviews, and opinions about the Eee PC T91 after a couple of days in the wild...

Amazon.com finally had the Asus T91 on sale after a false start a few days ago for US $499 but stocks lasted for only a few hours (click here to see the current status on Amazon.com). Asus North America did warn their Twitter followers that buyers should be quick because the T91 will only be available in "limited quantity" on the 15th of July (see the Tweet from ASUS_NA here).

Based on my observation, so far only the Black model was available in stores, and in all the reviews published in the last couple of days. There will be a White one (with black tones) available eventually. It is also worth mentioning that this is the first of 3 different versions of the T91, with the T91A and T91Go (and maybe others) coming out later this year. This first model lacks multi-touch, 3G, GPS, and TV tuner, but does have 52GB Hybrid Storage (16GB SSD + 16GB SD Card + 20GB Eee online Storage), as well as Bluetooth v2.1 and Wi-Fi 802.1 b/g/n.

Several reviews have already been published by some that were lucky enough to get their hands on one of these new touch sensitive tablet netbooks as soon as they appeared. Their reactions and opinions varied, as one would expect, but here are some highlights:

	CNET (with Photos, Video, and Performance Test Results)
	Liked:	Touch Tablet features at Netbook Price Smaller than original Eee PC with bigger screen, and easy to carry Custom Touch Gate interface and included touch optimised proprietary applications Impressive battery life for such a small device (4 hours and 20 minutes on video playback battery drain test)
	Disliked:	Processor speed not the best available (1.33GHz Atom Z520 instead of 1.66GHz N280) Would rather have Firefox than IE Built in 16GB SSD a little too small (offset by additional 16GB SD card included)

	Engadget (with Photos)
	Liked:	Pretty attractive, compact little machine Sturdy and smooth screen swiveling action Surprisingly easy to type on the small keyboard Really clean and pleasing Touch Gate interface and elegantly designed applications
	Disliked:	Z520 CPU a bit slower than N270 or N280 Switching between interface screens sometimes lagging Virtual on-screen keyboard good enough but not too impressive

	Gizmodo (with Photos)
	Liked:	Impressively smooth in action, even with the slower CPU The touchscreen is pretty accurate with the stylus Being able to literally scribble notes and some whizbang photo flick gestures
	Disliked:	The 8.9-inch screen is "weenie-sized" Only five programs on the Touch Gate homescreen The LED-backlit screen suffers from the typical Asus dimness

	GottaBeMobile (with Video)
	Liked:	Very light and very small ("perfect size") Feels good and solid, with sturdy hinge TouchGate UI very pretty
	Disliked:	The glossy screen can be a real detriment and a fingerprint magnet Inking wasn’t an optimal experience

	LaptopMag (with Photos, Video and Performance Benchmarks)
	Liked:	Convenient, compact and lightweight design Very sturdy screen with decent display Smooth thouch screen interface Very attractive TouchGate desktop environment Strong Wi-Fi performance Better than average battery life (for a 3 cell)
	Disliked:	Sluggish processor performance No palm rejection or accelerometer Limited storage space Battery not user replaceable

	Liliputing (with Photos and Video)
	Liked:	One of the sexiest netbooks to hit the market to date Fairly wide, responsive touchpad with nice texture Reasonably long battery life Good value for money
	Disliked:	Small size keyboard with small right-shift key CPU performance sluggish Subpar built in stereo speakers Battery not user replaceable

	NotebookReview (with Photos and Performance Test Results)
	Liked:	Thin and light chassis design Good build quality with firm keyboard and fantastic swivel hinge Bright display with good colour and contrast Pretty good speakers producing good volume Impressive battery life
	Disliked:	Processor speed relatively slow (not suitable for HD video, DVD quality OK) Integrated battery Weak stylus / pen

pretty attractive, compact little machine

Asus Eee PC T91 for sale in Australia now?

Charles Papp — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:27:00 +0000

The new Asus Eee PC T91 tablet style netbook PC has appeared for sale in Australia in a Beta Electrical Cataloge advertised for AU $999.

While the rest of the world is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Asus Eee PC T91, it appears that it is already available for sale in Australia. However, when I called Beta Electrical on Tuesday 7 July 2009, they did not yet have them in stock. A Sydney store said they were expecting the first shipment to arrive in a few days time, while a Melbourne store said that their supplier is out of stock and they are hoping to get some in sometime after the 15 July.

It looks like it won't be long now, before this revolutionary new Tablet Netbook priced under AU $1,000 will start popping up in Australia!

Asus Tablet Eee PC T91 will come in 3 models

Charles Papp — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:08:00 +0000

The eagerly anticipated new Tablet PC from Asus will come in 3 different configurations: T91 (standard), T91A (with multi-touch), and T91Go (with 3G, GPS, TV).

According to AsusTablet.com, an Asus UK representative confirmed that the new T91 range of Asus Tablet PCs will be available in the following 3 versions:

T91 with an Intel Atom Z520 CPU, WiFi, a single-touch screen, and Windows XP
T91A with the similar specs as the T91 but with a multi-touch screen, and running Windows 7
T91Go with the T91 specs (yes, with a single-touch screen, and Windows XP) plus an integrated 3G module, GPS, and a digital TV tuner

The T91 and T91A will weigh just 0.96 kg (just under 1 kg), whereas the T91Go will go just over 1 kg at an official weight of 1.02 kg. The additional 60 g on the T91Go is obviously due to the extra chips for the 3G, GPS, and TV tuner.