Google’s Laptop, Netbooks vs Tablet & Eye-Tra...

Will Google’s Laptop Make Waves?
Pretty much anything Google does gets attention in the tech arena. The introduction of the web giant’s laptop, the Chromebook, was no different. Given its roots, it is no surprise that it was designed with web surfing in mind. In December of last year the company released the product to test the market and get public feedback.

The fact is, most people perform many tasks online from shopping to banking transactions. This would explain why Google saw fit to endow the laptop with Chrome OS (not to be confused with Chrome, the web browser from Google) as opposed to the other browsing software available. Currently, official launch date is set at June 15, 2011 as Google works to correct problems that were identified.

One of the most significant problem with the laptop is the use of Google’s OS, Chrome, which utilizes cloud computing. This in the opinion of some critics is a problem in itself. It is said that the technology does not run very well on some networks. In fact, while some users are happy with the Chromebook, they have not been quick to forego Windows and Mac OS. Still, if there is one thing Google has in its favor its brand recognition. The company also has the obvious technical capabilities to sort out the problems that have been experienced so far.

Will Netbooks Lose Out to Tablet PCs?
There is no denying that netbooks came along at exactly the right time. They gave an eager public the ability to do what most of them wanted to do – simply browse the Internet. Infinitely portable, it was smaller than the laptop and carried a smaller price tag.
While they were still in the testing phase many predicted they would be the next big thing, and they were. Growth in the sale of netbooks was staggering, and figures reached over 30m million within just a few years. As with everything else in the tech industry however, it couldn’t last forever.

The current hot ticket is tablet PCs, with Apple and Motorola leading the charge. While Apple’s iPad is still the one to beat other players including HP and Dell have been coming out with impressive offerings. Netbook sales have dipped and already industry insiders are predicting doom for the once hot tech product. Much of this has come in the wake of the iPad’s rapid rise in the market. There are still some factions that insist that the netbook will continue to have devotees and new users in the years to come.

The Eye-Tracking Laptop is Now Here
It seems there is no boundary that laptop makers are not willing to shatter when it comes to tech developments. While 3D laptops are still catching on there is even more for tech lovers to salivate over. One of the hottest trends currently is the use of eye tracking laptops which is being partly driven by Lenovo, fast becoming a major player in the market.

Lenovo teamed up with Tobii Technology to reveal the new laptop at a trade show held in Germany back in March. As revolutionary as it may seem, it is actually in keeping with the direction that the industry seems to be heading. There is an increasing emphasis on moving away from typical inputs as can be seem in gaming with the introduction of Microsoft’s Kinect.

How it Works:
On the face of it, the technology works in a relatively simple fashion. A built in camera zeroes in on the user’s eyes and follow even the slightest movement. This is what Tobii is known for developing and so far critics have been impressed. When using the laptop you can do many things you would do with a mouse or keyboard; make selections, open new windows, scroll up and down or zoom in on pictures.
Originally Tobii was focused on developing the technology for people with special needs. With Lenovo’s help they hope to reach a wider audience with their products. There is also a focus in the industry on trying to reduce the incidence of repetitive motion injury.

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Five Tips For Buying Laptops On Sale

Are you shopping around for laptops on sale? here are five quick and easy steps to find the laptop you want while on a tight budget.

Step one. Decide exactly what are you looking for.

What kind of user are you ? Do you want a computer just for working with text (reading text messages, creating and editing documents, answering emails etc), or do you want to make software, design graphic and use your laptop for gaming. If you want a computer that is capable of running the newest games or if you are a professional graphic designer, then you’re probably should buy a more powerful, new computer instead trying to find a cheap one on sale. But even if that’s the case, you can always try your luck. There is a chance that you will find an almost brand new laptops for sale. Many people in the world are chasing „what’s fast and what’s new” that constantly buy new hardware and look to practically give away the old one.

Step two. Find a laptop sale on the Internet, alternatively in the ads.

The most popular and the most recommended units are usually displayed on the front pages of those directories. Often they are the best purchase, but sometimes you can find a pearl at the bottom of a mud puddle. A little digging pays off, especially when you are a little more advanced than a average user and you know exactly what you are looking for. If you’re ready to do some personal evaluation, you may even want to consider buying a used unit. The last step revealed in this article provides information on how to buy a used laptop. If you are not the „know-all-about-computers” type, and you’re still wondering what’s what in the computer business, contact the salesman or laptop producer for details on the model that you like. In step three I cover some general hardware tips on what to look for in a good laptop :

Step three. Decide which components suit your needs.

Look for a unit that exactly matches your dream laptop, or at least a unit that is the closest equivalent. The most important things you should consider, in order, are :

CPU and cooling: I recommend Core Duo. It would be perfect for most tasks. While a single processor may be enough for word-processing and internet browsing only, buying a laptop with Core Duo will give you the comfort of working with most up-to-date applications, including some games. Laptops of the Core Duo family have two processors mounted on the motherboard. Those processors split similar tasks and are perfect for multitask systems such as Ms Windows XP. Two or more processors gives you warranty that the operating system runs smooth and saves you loads of time.

Now cooling is extremely important. If you plan to buy a used one, be sure to ask the previous owner if the computer needs extra cooling (sometimes the little-built in fan is not enough). If the laptop suddenly goes off without a warning, it’s a good sign that it’s overheating. If you plan on traveling with your laptop often – buy a computer with a decent cooling. There are also external laptop cooling pads available, but the’re not too handy, so they’ll do well for home users only.

Memory and disk space: Memory is crucial to the multitask operating system such as MS Windows. Each application you run at a given time takes a bite out of memory. If you open many windows and applications at once and often, don’t even think going below 2GB on your laptop. As for disk space – make sure, you will have enough for your needs. 80 GB is a must, and if you like to gather files or download tons of pictures, look for double the space.

Graphic chipset/card: If you work with graphics or still want to play some games, you don’t want to buy a laptop that has an integrated graphics card. Trust me on this one. A integrated card uses up the system memory and is not as fast as stand-alone cards. If you want faster graphic cards invest in a laptop with Geforce or any other card that has those two: a accelerator on and it’s own memory chipsets on board.

Battery life: The longer the battery life, the better. With Core Duo average battery life lasts for about 3,5 hour. That is pretty decent. To prolong the life look for a laptop without the unnecessary components ( For instance – you save a lot of energy when you turn off wireless network adapter, so if you don’t need one, look for a pc without it on board. Alternatively you can buy a pc with a button that let’s you conveniently turn the WN feature off )

Look for these extra features that might be crucial to you; sound card, wireless network adapter, on-board internet camera, touch pad or stick and so on. Make sure the weight, shape and size of the unit suit both your room and your personality. 

Step four. Chose your laptop model and compare the prices.

There are services online which help you decide, which model to purchase considering the price. Portals like Bizzarre.com or Pricegrabber.com let you compare the price of a particular units in different stores and in places like Amazon. Additional research pays off.

Step five. You want to buy a used laptop ?

Make sure, that the offer is safe and the computer you want to buy is still in good shape. It would be great if you could personally visit the person selling the laptop to check, that everything is in order, that the computer is perfectly intact and there is no parts missing. Check the keyboard. Turn it on and make sure that every component is working, including the sound card and graphics card. Also, you might want to rent a laptop. For your current situation, it may be the best decision.

If you don’t have the leisure to visit the seller personally, ask, if you can take the computer for a try first. If want to take it, ask if you may return it later in case anything wrong pops up. Check, if the computer is still on warranty(when you buy an used unit, be prepared, that it may no longer be on warranty). Also make sure, that there is a good computer service in your area that can do some maintenance for your new laptop in the future (make sure, that the service will accept the computers brand you’re about to purchase)

That about covers the topic. Last piece of advice would be: if you want to buy anything, and you don’t know much about it, don’t hesitate and ask your more experienced friends for advice. They’ll be glad to help.

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Are You Looking For Laptops On Sale?

Are you looking for laptops on sale? Of course you can go ahead and scour the intenet, run to all electronic stores, or even go through the newspaper. If you’re looking to get a good laptop for low cost, take a glance at the Asus Eee laptop.

The Asus Eee laptop is like the little engine that could. One of the best small laptops for sale that are available is this one. The overall size of the unit is only 8-3/4″ x 7″ x 1″ and weighing less than 1kg. Making it quite easy to carry around without the bulkiness. Fits in a briefcase, handbag , pocketbook, or even a small knapsack. They claim to be more durable to bumps and shocks to the unit. Which is a good thing, I would think that something the size of a notebook and just as thin would take any abuse.

It’s size is not the only thing that’s small. You can pick one up of less than $400. As far as cheap new laptops go, this is one of the best. What’s inside is a 1.6 GHz Intel atom processor along with an Intel 950 graphics card, 1GB if RAM, a 80 GB hard drive, 512 cache memory and a few more items that make you want to give it some thought. As for start up speed, Asus claims the Eee is usable with Lixus booting in about 10 seconds (give or take). You can shoose to use Windows and take a fe more with that OS. When compared to a Mac, they’re ready in about the same time.

The programs that are available as standard with the Asus Eee are Microsoft Works, along with Star Office8 office suites (speedsheet, word processor, calender programs, database and much more. Keep in mind that with the 80GB hard drive, you sure have more than enough room for other software programs.

It seems that the Asus Eee at it’s regular price is like finding other notebooks on sale.

Update: One of our new readers, Jan D, sent us this list of places to find good deals on laptops. Thanks Jan!

1. Walmart can’t be beat for good prices on computers including laptops from Dell with their Inspiron 1545 Laptop PC with an Intel Pentium T4500 Processor and Windows 7 Home Premium software 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Works 9 software and Skype VoIP Software. Walmart is also selling a Holiday Laptop Bundle with your choice of laptop computers including the Acer As5334-2737, the Compaq Presario CQ62-219WM or the Toshiba Silver Satellite L455D-S5976. The Holiday Bundle also includes an extra 4GB Flash Drive, wireless mouse and laptop accessories.

2. Geeks.com has super deals on laptops from Toshiba such as the Pentium Dual-Core ULV, the Athion II Dual Core P320 or Dell’s Inspiron 1545 Dual-Core T4400. Prices are around $500 for refurbished laptops.

3. At Newegg.com laptop computers from companies such as Lenovo, Toshiba or Asus may cost as little as $400.00. Even at $400. you are getting a dual core processor.

4. Target carries HP Pavilions for $699.00, Toshibas are also sold for about the same price at $619.00 including the Toshiba Satellite with a 320GB hard drive for only $529.99.

5. Be sure to check with the “For Sale” ads in the local newspaper. Many times you can find used laptops in the want ads for a small price. Also consignment shops will pass on electronics such as laptop computers for a small cost to you. 

Reader Question: For those of you that have owned an Asus, what did you pay for it and were you satisfied with it? Would you buy another one?

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