Apple MacBook Pro 13″ Review
As you well know by now, I’m a fan of a variety of things: netbooks, SFF, iPhone, generally anything small and cool that’s a computer. However, being a site dedicated to all things small computing (see?), I sometimes find myself asking where the line is. To be more precise, at what size is a device no longer “small” and more “normal” in size? Is the 13″ MacBook Pro “normal” because it’s out of the typical netbook size? I don’t know and I don’t care, so here’s my review.
Samsung N120 Netbook Review
Update: thanks to an astute reader who pointed out I never got around to posting pictures, I posted pictures. Enjoy.
Samsung N120 Netbook Front
The netbook scene has become something of an Asus show since they brought out the Eee PC 1000HE, and for good reason. In my review of the Asus Eee PC 1000HE, I talked about the positives and the very few negatives, which were pretty much limited to the negatives all netbooks have (surprise: Samsung’s touchpad sucks!), but honestly, it was most positives, and for good reason. Asus really outdid themselves with the 1000HE. Sure, it’s not the prettiest netbook out there, but it’s massively functional. How does the Samsung N120 netbook shape up? Read on to find out.
Asus Eee PC 1000HE Netbook Review
I take a different approach to doing reviews and prefer to look at real-world use, so let’s look at the Asus Eee PC 1000HE netbook with that idea in mind. Aside from actual user impressions, I’m going to include what it’s like to use this netbook with Windows 7, OS X, and possibly linux (but I don’t promise). I’m not going to bother with running all of the benchmarks and getting the numbers, however, so if that’s what you’re looking for, please read any of the other excellent reviews that are out there. (Here’s a spoiler: it performs as well as 95% the netbooks out there.) However, if you’re looking to find out what it’s like to actually use and work on, keep reading.
The review: Acer Aspire One (AOA110-1722) Netbook
The Acer Aspire One at its default desktop.
So I’ve already done a preview and unboxing of this little netbook, but it’s time to get a little more in-depth with things now that I’ve had a chance to spend some time with it. For those who want the the general consensus and don’t want to wait until the end, here it is: it’s good! For the rest, I’ve spent the last week and a half using and evaluating the One and have some observations and numbers to share.
Acer Aspire One (AOA110-1722) First Impressions and Unboxing
The Acer Aspire One's home -- initially, at least.
Introduction
First, I’m a writer and my preferences may not mimic yours. I’m more concerned with the keyboard and screen than anything else. Battery life is also important, but everything else takes a backseat. However, in the interest of providing useful information to others, I’ll attempt to cover as many bases as possible. There’ll be more details (technical and otherwise) when the final review of the netbook is up.
Sleeve on top, netbook on bottom
Unboxing
As soon as the Acer One is yanked out of the box and the plastic bag its in, it’s immediately apparent that the high gloss finish is a fingerprint magnet. Similar to a Macbook, it picks up fingerprints and shows them off for everyone to see. A minor quibble, but certainly something that some people are endlessly frustrated by.