The search for a long battery life netbook / laptop
Just when I thought I found a netbook I liked, along comes another.
Asus’s new released 1005HA includes some of the newer specs that we’ve seen with the new MSI Wind U115 and Toshiba’s newest entry NB 205.
What I liked about Toshiba’s NB 205 is the sheek slim look, the keyboard is fabulous and the touchpad is one of the largest I’ve seen in a netbook. What I didn’t like about the netbook, No Wireless N for greater range not sure why they would of skipped this, seems to be an oversight. The next is where the power button is, when the lid is closed, the power button appears to still be exposed risking the chance that it could turn on by accident. Minor issue, is no muti-touch pad. At $400, not a bad netbook at all though.
What I liked about the newest Asus Eee Netbook 1005HA is it does include Wireless N, Multi-touch pad and slightly cheaper at $389. Otherwise, they both sport the newer processors N280 and LED monitor which is probably why we are seeing longer battery life, not to mention larger capacity 6 cell batteries. Note: Best Buy has the Asus model 1005HAB that has N270 Processor instead of the N280, no bluetooth and appears to be a smaller capacity battery rated at 4.5 hrs, but only $299.
Also one additional note on the MSI Wind U115, it appears Microsoft is not going to allow MSI to continue selling Win XP with the Hybrid disk setup. In fact, MSI no longer sells this. You can still get one though at this link if interested at least for now. Although 8 GB SSD is too small, you can purchase a 16 SSD module for around $60. This though will void your warrenty though. It’s unclear if the higher battery life is due to the hybrid technology or just the fact it’s a 9 cell vs. 6 cell battery since they all seem to have the same processor and LED display.
Personally, I’m looking for one with the following requirements:
Light and compact
Little or no Heat
Long Battery Life
Large Touch Pad (Muti-touch would be nice)
Large Keyboard (Backlit would be ideal)
Instant On technology would be nice as well (See Splashtop | Presto | Hyperspace)
Using it for internet and email, as an ebook reader, video and IM chatting, flexible enough to do basic office work that may involve some presentations, hence network, wireless and VGA external monitor port a must which all netbooks seem to have.
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