[Warder]

Yeah, the development cycle on these things is ridiculous, but I think it's indicative of the computer/electronics industry as a whole. Everybody is trying to stay on top, or at least keep up. The only 'slow' manufacturer now is Apple with their yearly product updates and new releases.

Speaking of which - anyone think Apple will be releasing a tablet?

[Slick Slab McKnab]

i've read that they have no intention...this year. but i saw some artist conception things and it just aboutmade me wet. an apple tablet i'd consider because every single hp tablet ive seen is crap, the touch screen program just dies randomly. i dunno who else makes one, but i know theres a lot out there

[Turmlos]

Originally Posted by Slick Slab McKnab

when i saw the ?gateway? 11 inch so called netbook it immediately reminded me of a standard notebook and then i saw the specs....worthless imo. i'd rather spend the extra money and get a fully featured machine.

What about it is worthless? The battery life? With a little tweaking, you can get close to six hours out of it. Not much different than my 2133 with the six-cell. Yet it costs half as much (at release), and blows any C7-M/Atom netbook that I've used out of the water. You can even upgrade the processor in it, as I have. The only "features" it's missing are Bluetooth and the 3D Drive Guard.

I think netbooks should be defined by hardware and price, not screen size. But that's just me.

[mikez]

Originally Posted by Warder

Yeah, the development cycle on these things is ridiculous, but I think it's indicative of the computer/electronics industry as a whole. Everybody is trying to stay on top, or at least keep up. The only 'slow' manufacturer now is Apple with their yearly product updates and new releases.

Speaking of which - anyone think Apple will be releasing a tablet?

A consumer tablet? Maybe not.
But a business tablet? That would fit their development cycle.
If they wanted to sell to businesses.

A business needs a "product lifetime" that fits in with the financing and accounting practices they normally use.
They are "capital equipment" and there isn't a 3 to 9 month category for "capital equipment" unless they invent one.

But an aBlossom (Apple Blossom) machine that has a 3 to 9 YEAR practical lifetime. . . Along with annual updates. . .

Then they could target every person who needs to carry a clip-board to do their job.

- - - - -

Some of the major NetBook brand names do make "business tablets" - - -
But "thin, light, low(er) cost, only powerful enough for the purpose" hasn't taken hold in that market yet.

An interesting (to me anyway) observation - -
The set decorations on recent science fiction programs set in the future. . .
You see communicators used, the size of a thick playing card. . .
But those actors are still carrying the thick, clunky, 6 pound tablets.
Duh. . .

[Slick Slab McKnab]

well, for me at least, i think its "worthless" in the sense that for that size i'm going to want something that will at least play a dvd or install my software and play my games without having to carry extra equipment. a ten inch netbook is just perfect from my angle; extra portable, ample screen for for a quick web fix and good enough for daily use. so i'm sort of looking at it from a size aspect vs. the hardware that's in it.

but i don't think they should be defined by price and hardware only. size plays a part. i mean, a 400 buck dual core compaq that's 15 inches sure isn't a netbook. or is it?

i see where you're coming from though. the disc drive is not an issue, i havent used mine in over a year. and that thing is kinda sexy. =P

Originally Posted by Turmlos

What about it is worthless? The battery life? With a little tweaking, you can get close to six hours out of it. Not much different than my 2133 with the six-cell. Yet it costs half as much (at release), and blows any C7-M/Atom netbook that I've used out of the water. You can even upgrade the processor in it, as I have. The only "features" it's missing are Bluetooth and the 3D Drive Guard.

I think netbooks should be defined by hardware and price, not screen size. But that's just me.

[stefcep]

Man, how lucky are you guys in the US-you pay $399 and we in Aus pay $799 Aus, but $1Aus=$0.85 US

[Slick Slab McKnab]

Originally Posted by stefcep

Man, how lucky are you guys in the US-you pay $399 and we in Aus pay $799 Aus, but $1Aus=$0.85 US

ship me a ford falcon ute and i'll ship you a 5101 for free. =D

[rfisher]

New HP Mini 311 Ion...Yum. Up to 3GB

http://blog.laptopmag.com/hands-on-w...11-ion-netbbok