Dell Studio 14z: Full Featured Laptop Looks to the Future

The Dell Studio 14z isn't a typical laptop. But it's not a net book either. However, some of the features that it includes (or doesn't include) are very similar to the features that could be found in many net books. For example this laptop has no optical drive. The media card reader has also been nixed. According to PC Mag, the features that aren't there don't seem to be a big deal when you look at some of the technology included in this machine.

In their place, the Studio14z is jam-packed with forward-thinking features, including a fantastic resolution, both DisplayPort and HDMI technologies, and Nvidia's integrated graphics platform. It's the kind of laptop you'll want to take on the road or back to school—that is, if you're ready to leave the past behind.

SOURCE
The Dell Studio 14z will make an excellent computer for anyone who is looking for a net book on steroids. It's processor is powerful and it sounds like a solid system.

Viewsonic Introduces Netbooks?

In a move completely unexpected by myself (and apparently a few others as well) Viewsonic who usually only does monitors and displays is introducing a netbook. This is interesting to me because they wouldn't have introduced it if they didn't think there was a market for it still, even though the netbook market has started to get quite a lot of attention.

ViewSonic is most well known for its display products, but the company has dabbled with various types of mobile computers in the past and was one of the first companies out with a tablet PC. A new announcement of two new netbooks sees ViewSonic entering an already crowded market space.

The two models are the VNB100 and VNB101 and although the model names aren’t that different, the two models have distinctly different designs. The VNB100 is the budget model of the two, yet it offers more features than the more expensive VNB101.

SOURCE

These new netbooks don't really seem to introduce anything new; they simply are Viewsonic's attempt to create something cool using their technology. Why does it make sense for a company like Viewsonic to get involved in the netbook market? I think it makes sense because they make good LCD screens and that is probably the most expensive component in a netbook. The processors and other technogly in the netbook is really not that expensive and therefore a company that makes quality LCD screens could do very well at making a quality netbook.

HP Claims that the Mini Helps Make the Computer Personal Again

Once upon a time computers were called PCs, for Personal Computer. Apparently, somewhere along the line they lost their personality (or perhaps we lost ours) and they became simply machines that would be constantly vying for our time and threatening to destroy our relationships.

Ok, so maybe that's not so true.

Anyhow, whether that's true or not, it's all about to change. Or at least that's what Hewlett-Packard would like you to believe. The HP Mini is definitely, for lack of a better word "cute." and you can choose one of three different "designer" looks. Of course, the user that HP is targeting with this computer is most likely the home netbook user or the blogger. I must say that for writing blog posts, this netbook looks like it'd be up to the task.

At over 10 inches diagonally, the screen isn't cramped. The keyboard looks decent and the laptop looks sharp. It's also light weight enough to haul just about anywhere.

Apple Netbook Rumors: Just Rumors?

That's right, all the rumors about an Apple Netbook (or Tablet PC) are exactly that: rumors. However, I for one would like to see an Apple Netbook, especially now that Google is getting in the game.

It makes perfect sense: the iPhone is simply too small.

While the iPhone may be great for many people, it's just not ever going to be able to compete with a Netbook. It's in a class by itself. Now, even if you're not an Apple products fan, let me explain why an Apple Netbook makes a lot of sense. Think iPhone and then think Palm Pre, Google Phone, Blackberry Storm, etc, etc. The iPhone has created a whole class of knockoffs and would be iPhones some of which come closer to giving it some serious competition than others (having used the Pre for the first time this morning, I would say that it is definitely getting closer than any of the others have at creating some serious competition for the iPhone.

That's exactly why we need an Apple Netbook: to make the Netbook really take off. Right now if you walk into a hardware retailer, you find gobs and gobs of laptops with a few Netbooks scattered here and there. I've used a few of them, and so far the quality is dismal and the prices (even for PCs) seem quite high. An Apple Netbook would no doubt raise the bar in quality and value. The Macbook Air, while cool, doesn't really count as a Netbook as it is still too big.

So Mr. Jobs, now that you're back at Apple for a bit, could you please bring us a Netbook that's worth talking about?

Another Valentine's Day Idea: Sorry it's a Few Days Late

This Blogger has a pretty cool article describing the HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition netbook. She also has a contest describing how you could win one. Apparently the contest was over on the 11th so far. Tanya makes no bones about what she likes about the HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition. Here's her favorite features:

1) The color is a perfectly appropriate Valentine (and anytime) Red with lovely lavender peony flowers! GORGEOUSLY RED HOT!
2)The HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition notebook is a trendy, designer clutch! Its compact & light weight so I can take it anywhere-work,PTA meetings, grocery store, doctor's appointments, practices, all while maintaining the hottest fashion style!
3)The generous 60G hard drive is roomy, like a walk in closet!
4)The built in Wireless G Card means with a Wifi signal I'm connected to the internet all the time, anytime, anywhere!
5)I am able to speak Windows XP, its user friendly!

The Sony VAIO® P Series Lifestyle PC: Finally a Netbook I Like

So far most of the netbooks that I've seen have been completely unattractive to me. They're bulky and ugly. Of course Apple and Sony both have solid reputations for producing products that are not only sleek and cool but very useful as well. Though I've never seen the Sony VAIO P Series in person, I can tell just by looking at it that it'd be a really cool netbook to pack along. The 8" diagonal screen will make viewing web pages mostly enjoyable, as compared to so many of the netbooks that have screens that are like 5" inches wide. Of course, who would view web pages on a netbook?

The only drawback about the VAIO P that I can see (though I've never used one) is the price. At a starting price of $899.99, the P doesn't come cheap. However, if you really really want one, I'm sure you'll find a way to get it. Another flare, the P comes in a variety of different colors so you can get one that fits your decor.