Netbook Reviews

Samsung has come out with yet another beautiful product, the N210 10.1″ netbook. This Korean Company has been surprising its users with few laptops and notebooks every now and then, with the hope of etching a place in the user’s hearts. Science has always made us wonder about its great development. The leap that it takes from one stage to the next is amazing and it engulfs us into it so much that the man kind finds it utterly impossible to live without its aid. The invention of the netbooks also finds their own place in the society and so does this new entry.

The Samsung N210 Mini Notebook has all the basic features built up in a neat and simple way with a look that is not so attractive but definitely not bad. Even if the looks did not appeal much to the users, there is something that makes this product a big highlight. It is the battery life. The battery life is so really high which is very advantageous for the frequent travelers. The word “Samsung” takes the meaning “Tristar or three stars”. Has this product, done justice to its name? Does it receive three stars for its excellence? Read further to find if this could be your choice.

Design:

The black, white coloured netbook has been designed in such a way that it implies one of sophistication and also neatness though it is not completely attractive or cute. The screen of the N210 is a 10.1-inch WSVGA non-gloss LED backlight display type. The matte or non-gloss type means that the users can heave a sigh of relief. Yes, there will be no trouble in reading the screen however intense the light may be. The matte type of screen gives the liberty to use their netbook in any place they want. Also, the presence of the LED backlight display means that the users can work in a dimly-lit or dark room since the lighting condition can be adjusted. The resolution of the screen is a good 1024 x 600p and it is said that it can be extended up to a 1024 x 768p.

Fortunately this netbook does not weigh more, only an average 1.34 Kg, which would not be difficult for anybody to carry. So it is quite commendable while traveling. The netbook has a length of 265 mm, width of 188.9 mm and a height that ranges from 26 mm to 35.6 mm. The netbook can be of 3 colours, purely black, blend of black and grey and also white. The edges of the netbook have a curved design which looks good and is also easy to be bent for comfortable use. Another interesting thing is that these edges have a transparency which makes it look amazing. The design of this netbook though not stupendous, is obviously perfect.

Keyboard:

The Samsung N210 receives an A+ grade for its keyboard. It is quite pretty, in every way possible, design, looks and ease of use. Samsung had resolved to use the isolation type-keyboard or chiclet keyboard where every key is isolated or separated from each other by a very small distance. It looks great since there are nearly 83 or 84 single keys, each serving its own purpose. All the keys are neatly laid and the users can type faster with this keyboard. The keyboard is full sized with an integrated numeric keypad. All the buttons, including the function and control, arrow, shift and the like are completely within the reach of the user.

The Touch Pad with Multi touch facilities:

The touch pad of the N210 Netbook computer is a smooth and neat one, with two buttons on the base, one for left mouse button and the other for the right mouse button. The touch pad has been placed in the base of the netbook and it functions well. The advantage of this track pad is that it has Multi-touch facility which means that the users can actually view the photos using the multi touch gestures. By the swiping action the users can move from one photo to another and also zoom in or out of the photo.

LED:

The N210 has few LED indicators present on the base of the netbook. There are nearly six LEDs for indicating, caps lock, battery, Wi-Fi, keyboard, Power and Mike usage. These LEDs are neatly placed though there is one small disadvantage, the LEDs might not be visible while typing. But it is not a big minus point and is adjustable.

Camera, Headphone and Microphone:

The N210 comes inbuilt with a 0.3 MP web camera. The presence of a camera means that video chatting or conferencing is truly possible and this netbook actually serves as a bridge between the people who are far away. The headphone and microphone jacks are also present and so it is possible to speak and also listen to what is spoken on the other end.

Speaker:

There are two 1.5W speakers integrated in the device. They are positioned on the bottom of the netbook and they function fairly well.

Available Ports:

Beginning from the left hand side, there is the Power port which is used to supply power to the machine, and then follows the RJ45 ethernet port, the wired mode for accessing the internet, a fan vent for releasing the hot air out, a USB 2.0 port and then two jacks, one for headphone and another one for the microphone. On the front panel beneath the netbook is the SD card reader, the 3-in-1 memory card reader which is used to read the data from memory cards of the type, SD, SDHC and MMC.

On the right side, there are two USB 2.0 ports, a 15-pin VGA port for connecting to other PCs and a lock port to secure the netbook. On the left hand side, since the USB and the power port are placed nearer, it is possible to charge the USB from the device itself.

No ODD, No Bluetooth and No HDMI:

Three big ports are absent in this netbook. No optical disk drive, no bluetooth and no HDMI either. The absence of an optical drive means that it is not possible to watch movies from the DVD or CDs. Though USB port is a solution for this, the absence of an optical drive can definitely not be replaced. Also, there is no bluetooth facility in this machine. The HDMI port used for connecting to an external monitor is absent. So movies on the netbook can not be watched on a bigger screen. Disappointing for the movie freaks while just a negative piece of information for others.

Connectivity:

As the name implies, netbooks ought to provide its users, faster and easier connection to the internet. The Samsung opens up a whole new world for its users by giving two choices, the wired or the wireless mode of internet connection. The common wired connection is achieved by connecting to the RJ45 port. It is simple and easy. But wired connection is not possible in all places especially when you are traveling or when you are in coffee shops. For this, wireless connection 802.11 b/g/n can be availed. With the help of this “Wi-Fi” or hotspots, the users can access the internet in just few seconds.

Hyperspace:

In addition to the Windows OS, the N210 includes another operating system called the Hyperspace. This OS is one that is similar to the Linux and comes in handy at times. When you are really busy and want to access the internet at the earliest possible, the instant-on Hyperspace OS comes to the assistance. With this system, the users can boot the required software or application without waiting for the entire operating system to get loaded. With the instant-on, the most frequently used applications are displayed neatly on the left hand side of the netbook clicking which expands in the right side. For example, internet access can be made easily and quickly using the instant-on hyperspace. There are few drawbacks with this OS.

Memory and Processor:

The N210 netbook comes with a 1GB of RAM and 250GB hard drive. The 1 GB of RAM can be extended up to 2 GB. The 250 GB hard drive capacity, though not really high, is certainly enough to accommodate all the data files of the users for their use at any time. The processor used is the Intel atom N450 with a processor speed of 1.66 Ghz. The netbook has a good speed and performs well without any noticeable flaws.

Battery:

Well, here comes the part where Samsung can raise its collar. The specialty of the Samsung N210 is its battery life. The users no longer need to worry about the netbook getting switched off while in the middle of a long travel or in places where there are no sufficient provisions to charge the netbook. These days, traveling has become quite common and a normal activity. This netbook will be a guide as well as a good companion for the travelers. This netbook makes use of the 6 cell chargeable Li-ion battery. When the battery is under use, it could last well for nearly 7 hours and when the stress is decreased, it could last even longer. So, this is great news for those who give prior importance to the battery life.

Performance:

The performance of the N210 is quite disappointing in most of the fields like audio, video, 3D graphics and the like. Disappointing in the sense, this netbook does not give a satisfying output. “Average” is the word used to describe its performance. If you had expected more out of this netbook, then you might probably feel that this netbook is in the downfall. But then, this netbook has given an outstanding performance in the field of battery life. For a normal 6 cell battery, the optimal life time for its survival can be expected to be around 3 or 4 hours. But this netbook has crossed the border, and managed to touch a laudable 7 hours and few minutes, which is stupendous.

Warranty:

The Samsung N210 10.1″ Netbook has a warranty coverage for 1 year time period. So if you find any trouble or problems with the machine within that time period, no issues, Samsung takes responsibility.

Verdict:

The Samsung N210 is one of the many netbooks in the market. It does not stand apart from its crowd in features or performance, but definitely stands alone in the battery performance. With a neat and simple design, this machine is best in battery, better in Keyboard, good in the number of ports and features and eventually average in audio, video and graphic performance. Given this rating, make your choice.

Check latest Netbook Reviews and other Samsung Netbooks in this website.

Samsung N210 Netbook Computer – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Samsung
Model Name	Samsung N210
Dimensions: (L x W x H)	265 x 188.9 x 26 ~ 35.6 cm
Weight	1.34 Kg
Type	Netbook
Display
Screen Size	10.1″
Screen Type	WSVGA, Non-Gloss, LED Back Light
Screen Resolution	1024 x 600
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Internal Components
Processor	Intel® ATOM™ Processor N450 (1.66GHz, 667MHz, 512KB)
RAM	1GB DDR2(Extendable up to 2 GB)
Hard drive	250GB Hard drive
Keypad	Easy to work with the beautiful isolation/chiclet keys
Touchpad	Yes with Multi Touch Facilities
Multimedia
Graphics	Intel GMA 3150
Speakers	3W Stereo Speaker
Communication Setup
Wireless support	WLAN 802.11 BGN
Memory card slot	3-in-1 SD card reader built-in
Connectivity	3 USB 2.0 ports, 3-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for SD cards, VGA and Ethernet.
Warranty	1 Year complete warranty

Disgo Net Browser 3000 is a netbook that has been developed for people who use internet often, mark the words, only for light purposes. So this net browser is an interesting little piece of kit for those who often update their status in facebook, comment on the tagged photos or posts of their kith and kin in many of the social networking sites, for those who chat quite often using the messengers or finally for those who do light works in the simple software that have been included. Let us study the product in detail.

Design:

Enclosed in a box, the Disgo Net Browser 3000 Netbook is packed along with user manual, power adapter and an UMPC. The Browser has a simple look, the impact of its low cost and less number of features. The display screen is only 7″ which means that it is really tiny. The screen resolution is about 800 x 480 p which is good enough for a 7 inch screen, though not for a normal netbook. Since the display screen is pretty small the users might have trouble in scrolling up and down a web page quite often. The length of this little browser is about 213.5 mm, while the width and height are 141.8 and 30.5 mm respectively. Moreover, this netbook is almost weightless since it weighs a mere 100 grams which is very light and hence this machine is definitely ultra portable.

Keyboard:

It is a known fact that the size and degree of comfort of a keyboard is directly proportional to the size of the display screen. So, there should be very little expectations as regards the keyboard of this tiny net browser and if it is so, then the users would be satisfied. The keyboard is a normal one with Qwerty type of alignment and there are nearly 86 keys. Practically for a basic model that is offered at a very low price, there should be no complaints.

Touchpad:

The touch pad or the trackpad of the Disgo Net Browser 3000 7″ Netbook is located as usual below the keyboard. This touchpad is small and so those who feel uncomfortable in using the touch pad have the choice of using external mouse and so there are ports for getting connected to the normal mouse.

Microphone, head phone and Speaker:

Fortunately there have been no compromises in the field of audio output. There is a headphone jack and a microphone jack, which means that listening and conversing at the same time are ultimately possible. The audio output is reasonable. There are two integrated 0.5w speakers and the quality of the output produced by the speaker has no terrible complaints positively.

No webcam and No Optical Drive:

One big disadvantage is the absence of a web camera! It has become absolutely impossible these days to be without a web camera. In fact the camera plays a crucial role in helping us to stay connected with the faraway dear ones. But the users of the Net Browser 3000 have to live the impossible as this machine unfortunately does not support a web camera. The absence of a web camera means that video chats or conferences are also not possible. Moreover, there is no optical drive. This factor can at least be tolerated at the cost of the reduction in price of the product.

Ports:

The number of ports in this Net Browser 3000 netbook is very minimal and serves only the basic requirements. There is a port for plugging in the power adaptor, there is only one USB port and also, there is a port for using the wired ethernet connection. There are two USB 1.1 ports for connecting to external keyboard and mouse. Fortunately there is an SD/MMC card slot and the memory that these cards can hold goes up to nearly 8 GB. Also, for providing quality audio output, there is a headphone jack and microphone jack. From one point of view, it is a sad news that there is only one USB 2.0 port in this netbook, whereas from another point of view (cost under consideration) the users ought to be satisfied that it at least goes with a USB port and also an SD card slot.

Operating System:

If there is an area where the Disgo forgot to implement the latest technological developments, it is in the use of the operating system. The Disgo net browser 3000 runs on the WinCE 5.0 Version which is very old and primary software. Though the manufacturer promises the users various programs like the Microsoft Wordpad and Excel, both of which are not the full versions, Powerpoint, Image, PDF or Word Viewer and so many other programs, the operating system is quite outdated and so the amount of user friendliness and comfort is a big question mark.

Connectivity:

One big advantage with this Disgo Net Browser 3000 is the availability of both wired and wireless connection to the Internet. For wired connection there is the ethernet RJ-45 port, as said earlier and wireless connection is available through the protocol WIFI RIEEE 802.11 b/g. Internet connection is one of the major uses of this netbook, in fact, it is this connectivity that makes the users look for this product. Completeness lacks in this product. Even after getting connected to the internet, the users have to face so many limitations. The first to mention is the lack of facility to play games online or use the flash type of web sites. This is seriously disappointing and in spite of these, there is always the properly going basic functionality.

Memory and Processor:

The RAM has very little space for the users to offer, a mere 64 MB. Though this is very low, the users can make use of the USB and SD or Memory card slots where the capacity ranges from 2 GB to 8 GB and all the needed data can be stored without any trouble. The processor that has been used for the design of this netbook is ARM AK7802Q216 248 MHz. Both the RAM and processor receive only an “Okay” mark.

Battery:

The Lithium ion battery 7.4V 1800 mha is employed for the running of the Disgo Net Browser 3000. The battery life can last to a maximum of 4 hours depending upon the usage and since this is a “simple-task performing netbook” this battery life is not splendid news.

Performance:

Well, the performance of this disgo product is definitely not capable to be compared to the HP, Asus and other hi-tech company products that are being released in to the market of late, but definitely this netbook has its own unique position in the market. The audio performance is reasonable and light browsing and strain less jobs are acceptable and safe to carry on. But beyond that, there is nothing more.

Warranty:

This product has a warranty coverage period of 1 year.

Verdict:

The growing demand and dependance on the technical products brings out more and more of the same kind into the market and this Disgo net browser 3000 is one in the queue. The downs are no web camera, no bluetooth, less memory space, suitable only for light situations while the ups are only wired and wireless internet connection. The operating system is outdated and also the performance level is only average. If this netbook was invented about 10 years back, it would have got a laudable praise and appreciation for what it holds, but now, it is not so. It still has a long way to go. If you are some one who wants to use a very basic model, then do not mind the long way.

Disgo Net Browser 3000 – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Disgo
Model Name	Disgo Net Browser 3000
Dimensions: (L x W x H)	213.5 x 141.8 x 30.5 mm
Weight	100 grams
Type	Netbook
Display
Screen Size	7 inch
Screen Type	High resolution TFT wide screen
Screen Resolution	800 x 480 pixels
Internal Components
RAM	64 MB DDR (Extendable up to 2 GB)
Hard Drive	2GB flash memory
Processor	ARM AK7802Q216 processor
Keypad	Qwerty Keyboard with 86 keys
Touchpad	Yes
Multimedia
Speakers	Built-in 2 x 0.5 w stereo speakers
Communication Setup
Wireless and wired support	WIFI RIEEE 802.11 b/g, Ethernet RJ-45
Memory card slot	SD card reader built-in
Connectivity	USB 2.0 x 1 (support external memory), USB 1.1 x 2 (support keyboard & mouse only), SD / MMC card slot (up to 8GB), Microphone jack x 1, Earphone jack x 1, DC jack x 1
Warranty	1 Year complete warranty

What two people once began in a small garage in California has now reached unattainable heights! Yes, the HP Company was founded in the year 1939 in a garage near Palo Alto, and since then, it has got deep routed into the world of technology. This big Company headquartered in California, USA, is well established and for many years, has been producing trust worthy products and the mini netbooks are definitely notable. The HP Mini 110 series netbooks are those that are designed to wear a simple yet classy appearance. These mini netbooks come in three different colours, Pink chic, White Swirl and Black Swirl. So the users can select their desired colour. There is no difference in the specifications of the 110 netbooks except for their colour. These 110 series netbooks are cheaper and have adequate features that satisfy all the users who think twice before spending every pound. Let us study this product in detail.

Design:

Display:

As the common saying goes that the factor of attraction is the design and the look of a product, every company tries to design its product in an attractive way and this HP Mini 110 series is no exception to that. The current fashion for the netbooks is the imprint design on its outer attire and this 110 series has ensured the presence of this design. However, this imprint design does not have a positive welcome from all the users since some feel that the design makes the netbook look clumsy. Also, since there is a design on it, the outer part of the netbook is glossy which means that finger prints can be detected easily. So, there is a small nuisance because of the glossiness. This Mini 110 netbook is not very thin; in fact, it is slightly thicker when compared to many other models out in the market. Its predecessor, the HP Mini 1000 series was comparatively lighter and thinner. But then, there are few additional features that this 110 netbook has taken charge of, so the thickness and the heftiness are not much bothered.

This HP Mini 110 10.1″ netbook has an LED backlight display screen and the screen is fortunately of the matte type. Now this is great news for the users who get so irritated when there are problems in using the screen because of the varying light. The matte display has made the job easier, since the users do not have to worry about the glare. They can freely sit even in places where the amount of sunlight would be really high. The resolution of the screen is about 1024 x 600 pixels, which is not an excellent score for a netbook of 10.1″ screen. But indeed, for an affordable netbook that has to perform only the basic functions, this is more than sufficient. At the front side, there is an LED on the left to indicate the power and there is another LED to indicate the wireless connection.

Keyboard:

One of the achievements for the HP Mini 110 10.1″ Netbook is its keyboard. This keyboard is perfect, both in its design and comfort. The keyboard is 93% full size textured and the keys are very flat with good response. Flat keys mean that typing would be really easy and comfortable. Moreover, since the size of each key is exact, the users can type a big document in no time!

Touchpad:

The touch pad or the track pad is positioned right below the keyboard as any normal laptop or notebook. This touchpad has a smooth surface and the two mouse buttons, the left and the right are positioned on the extreme left and right sides of the trackpad respectively. This might be difficult for some users because these buttons are unlike the normal ones where the mouse buttons are placed at the bottom of the touchpad. Moreover, there is another small problem; the touchpad does not have a switch to turn on/off the usage of this pad. The lack of this on/off button might result in problems like unknowingly clicking on an icon with the wrist.

Microphone, head phone and Camera:

The microphone and camera are two important essential requirements for any netbook these days. Right from contacting a person who is far away to having important video chats, the microphone and the web camera play the top most roles. Fortunately, the HP Mini 110 netbook computer has an inbuilt microphone and camera. The web camera is positioned on the top bezel of the screen and it does a good work.

Speaker:

The HP Mini 110 series netbooks come with integrated speakers. The speaker ports are present below the screen on the top part of the netbook. These speakers do justice to the cost and they function fairly well without any serious complaints.

Ports:

The presence of ports is what decides the height of demand for a netbook, and keeping the cost in mind, this netbook has a decent number of ports. Beginning from the right side far end of the netbook, there is the Ethernet port for getting wired connection to the Internet and this is followed by a VGA Port for connecting to an external monitor. A 2-in-1 card reader is next in the queue and that in turn is succeeded by two USB Ports. The card reader is very useful since it can actually read the data from memory cards, for instance, the photos from the digital camera can be easily read and worked, with the help of this card reader. On the left hand side, there are the ports for lock or security, power, fan vent, another USB and a single port for headphone and microphone. The sad news is that there is only one single port for headphone as well as microphone which means that the users can not listen to the audio and at the same time speak over the microphone. But then, happy news is that there are 3 USB ports, which is a pretty good number for a netbook which is easily affordable!

No Optical Drive:

The HP Mini 110 netbook does not have an inbuilt optical drive and so the users have to buy it at an additional cost. So, for those who do not have any necessity for a drive, there is no trouble. But for all movie lovers this definitely adds up to their budget.

Connectivity:

The main functionality of a netbook is the facility to get connected to the internet. The HP Mini 110 1GB RAM Netbook provides both wired and wireless connection. The wired connection can be availed by connecting to the ethernet port. The wireless connection is also available using which the users can access the net at a very fast rate. The bluetooth connection is also available, but it is optional so it has to be got as an extra accessory at an additional cost.

Fan Noise and Heat:

To reduce the heat produced in the netbook, fan vents are placed and it ejects the heat out. The fan vent is present on the right side of the netbook and this fan does not produce any irritable noise. Unless the users are in an extremely silent place, the fan noise is not irritably audible. The heat produced while working also does not produce any adverse effects and it is only mild.

Memory and Processor:

For any technical product, memory is one important aspect, because the amount of storage capacity decides the demand for a product. This HP Mini 110 netbook has a 1GB of on board memory and this can be upgraded up to 2 GB if the users wish so. Moreover, there is 160GB of SATA hard drive and it can be extended to 250 GB, all at extra cost. This memory is sufficient for the normal users. Most of the netbooks these days go in for an Intel Processor and the HP Mini 110 netbook also has taken up the Intel N455 processor. The speed is really good and the basic works can be performed without any issue.

Battery:

The Li-ion battery is used for operating the netbook. It usually goes with a 3 cell battery that has a lifetime of around 2-3 hours. But then, for those who can tip off few more extra pounds, they can make use of the 6 cell battery to increase the time of work to nearly 5-6 hours. The addition of 3 cells implies that the weight and the thickness would be obviously higher. Moreover, there will be a protrusion at the back which might hinder the placing of the netbook on a flat surface for few users. But basically the compromise on extra weight and extra space is worth when you think of the battery life!

Operating System:

The HP Mini 110 netbook has the Windows 7 pre installed in it. The users can choose the Windows XP version if they so desire. The Windows is an excellent operating system that is comfortable for all the users, so, there will be no trouble in working with the operating system software and hence there will be smooth execution.

Eco friendly:

The netbooks that carry an “Ecofriendly” tag means that the design and working of the product is in such a way that it does not affect the environment. The netbook has been designed to reduce the energy costs and also to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions. This HP Mini Netbook has the “Energy Star” and this means that it serves the people in the right way without causing any damage to our environment.

Sync:

Now that the HP Sync is available, the users can easily transfer any kind of files from any notebook or PC to their mini netbook easily in just few seconds. It actually works through the HP Syncable software that comes pre-installed in the Mini Netbook. The users are also provided with a copy of the software and they can easily run the software on the required media. Using this software, the netbook can be connected to the other digital media and hence photos or files of any type can be copied to the netbook provided they are in the same network. Though this sync is very useful and sounds simple, practically there have been some complaints by the users.

Cloud Drive:

Cloud drive is an interesting software that helps the users in saving the memory space of their netbooks. In short, as the name suggests, all the files and documents required by the user will be available in the “Cloud” and the user can make use of the files from anywhere around the world, with one basic credential, the Internet connection. So, with just an internet connection the users can access “their and only their files” that have been uploaded in the HP cloud drive. The users can actually work with the files from any other PC or other media, provided they have the net connection, as said earlier. Moreover, HP offers its users confidentiality of the contents, so wipe away all the fears of the files being accessed by wrong people. It is great news that this software has been included in the HP Mini Netbook saving the time as well as space.

Performance:

The HP 110 Mini Laptop gives a good audio and video performance. This model is similar to its predecessor HP Mini 1000 in many ways except for few physical aspects where the Mini 1000 has an upper hand. However, as regards the performance, the 110 mini netbook is equally good, though excellent would be too much. The netbook overall is good and it has done justice to the amount that it costs!

Warranty:

1 year warranty is covered for this mini netbook and this service is inclusive of the parts, labour and service of any kind. However, this 1 year time period can be extended to nearly 3 years with few extra formalities.

Verdict:

The HP Mini 110 netbook is cheaper yet it has many features. It has 3 USB ports which very few netbooks offer and has all the other basic attributes that a netbook ought to have. If you are unmindful of the slight extra weight or extra thickness, then no worries, the HP Mini 110 netbook is definitely of your taste.

Check Latest Netbook Reviews, other 10.1″ Netbook Reviews in this website.

HP Mini 110 Netbook – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	HP
Model Name	HP Mini 110 Netbook
Dimensions: (L x W x H)	10.55 x 7.64 x 0.93-1.26 in
Weight	2.7 lbs
Type	Netbook
Display
Screen Size	10.1 inch
Screen Type	LED backlit widescreen
Screen Resolution	1024 x 600
Internal Components
Processor	Intel Atom N455 (533MHz FSB, 1.6GHz)
RAM	1GB DDR2 (Extendable up to 2 GB)
Hard drive	160 GB (Extendable up to 250 GB)
Keypad	Easy to work keyboard with good response of the keys
Touchpad	Yes
Multimedia
Chipset and Graphics	Mobile Intel 945GM Express; Intel GMA 950
Speakers	Built-in stereo speakers
Communication Setup
Wireless support	WLAN 802.11 BG
Memory card slot	SD card reader built-in
Connectivity	3 USB 2.0 ports, 2-in-1 memory card reader, 1 VGA video output
Warranty	1 Year complete warranty

Acer Aspire One D250 is a 10.1″ netbook produced by the international organization Acer. Netbooks are nothing but handy, compact and easy to use shorter versions of the laptops and notebooks. They are as simple as they can be, but at the same time, equally productive. The reduced sizes and the reduced features also pave way to the reduced cost netbooks. These cost effective netbooks are also known as cheaper notebooks with few features that are excluded simply because they are way too expensive to be covered within a price range.

It looks like Taiwan has always been aiming for producing good netbooks because two companies from Taiwan have been highly competitive and are producing many netbooks. They are Acer and Asus. While this Acer Aspire One D250 can no way be compared to the natural beauty Seashell of Asus, the latter company’s products can obviously not be compared to the Acer’s Aspire D250 model in terms of the cost. This D250 netbook is an updated version of the company’s previous model D150. All the errors that were found in the 150 model were corrected and there evolved a new model under the name Acer Aspire One D250 netbook. This Acer Aspire One D250 10.1” netbook is a really cheap model out in the market and it has been targeted for users who are not more into the computer and technical field, but would use it just as an aid. For instance, this model is for those who occasionally type, rarely sit for hours together in the net and listen to music only at times. Though the productivity and success of the netbooks is not much commendable, they offer the users the best of what they can. These netbooks contain many things but not everything. All the basic features are present for sure and for the first time it runs on the mobile software Android. So what are the features that Acer offers its user at a mind blowing cheaper price? Let us see.

Design:

Build:

One thing that makes a product very attractive and also makes it the most wanted is the outer appearance. The D250 10.1″ LED-Backlit Display Netbook model has an appearance that might not compel the users in to buying the product the moment they set their eyes on the tiny netbook, but then, it is definitely one of those good looking models that come within the price range of this particular one. The Acer Aspire D250 comes in four different colours, the beautiful sapphire blue, the elegant seashell white, the haunting diamond black and the bright ruby red. All these colors enhance the coolness of this object. This 10.1” netbook has a native resolution of 1024 x 600 which is good enough for its price, though not totally satisfying. Beginning with the design, the D250 netbook has appearances similar to the D150 in certain ways although not entirely. The screen has an LED backlight display which is supposed to adjust to the lighting of the environment and make the user work comfortably. But then unfortunately, the screen is covered with a glossy material and this naturally means that reflection and glare will be a problem. Particularly, if the users are going to work for a long time, they would find their eyes getting irritated because of the glossiness. This netbook has a design which makes it a light weighted device that can be carried easily in their bags. It is thinner than the 150 model. It weighs about 1.27 Kg (if the battery has 6 cells) or 1.11 Kg (if the battery has only 3 cells), with the dimensions of the width, depth and height as 258.5 x 184 x 25.4 mm respectively.

Keyboard:

The keyboard of the Acer Aspire One D250 is really small and it is placed at the base of the machine. The keyboard is neatly designed with the keys that are very small in size. This might be an issue for the regular users. All the keys are present in their appropriate places. Good typists can manage with this easily. If you are someone who is not even sure where the letter “a” is exactly on the keyboard and can not press the right button when their eyes are on the screen will have complaints on this aspect. This model is not for those who fumble for the letters while it would be completely suitable for the simple users or fast typists. The keyboard does not occupy the entire space on the base, but occupies only after some distance from the edge on all the sides. This actually reduces the size of the keys and in turn, the comfort.

Touch Pad:

The touch pad is one feature that has many errors that can not be debugged. In fact, it was this touch pad where its previous model D150 faced a fall. The pad is placed below the keyboard and it has a very small area for operating the cursor. The touch pad is separated from the rest of the surface by deepening it. The size of the touch pad is inadequate and so not easy to use. At the bottom of the touch pad is a long horizontal button that is used for the left and right mouse button operations. There might be few people who would want to use the external mouse after using the touch pad for some time because of the lack of differentiation between the left and right bar. If the size of the touch pad had been bigger, it would have been better. Also, the touch pad can sense the gestures which mean that photos can be easily moved or zoomed using the fingers. The photos can be zoomed using the pinch action, the pages can be moved from one to the next using the 2 fingers.

Microphone and Speaker:

The microphone is located at the top of the D250 netbook, above the screen and to the left of the camera. The microphone functions very clearly. It avoids the external voice and transmits only what the user speaks. The speakers are integrated on the set and it is not very good. Clarity is lacking in the speaker of the Acer Aspire D250.

Camera:

At the center of the bezel above the screen is positioned the camera that can be used for chatting online or taking snaps. The web camera is an integrated Acer Crystal Eye camera with crystal clarity and a resolution of 0.3 MP. This resolution is clear enough to have chats with friends or family who are across the seas.

Processor and Memory:

The Processor of the Acer Aspire One D250 is a normal Intel Atom Processor with two options, the lower N270 or the higher N280. The N270 has a speed of 1.6 GHz while that of the N280 is 1.66 GHz. There is 1 GB of onboard memory storage though it can be extended up to 2 GB. The hard drive storage capacity is about 160 GB which is really good. The speed of the memory and the processor are quite reasonable. Moreover, it is not good to expect more from a budget model.

Ports:

There are a number of ports available in this small netbook. Beginning with the left hand side of the netbook, there is the ethernet port for getting connected to the internet, then there is a fan vent which sends the heat developed inside the netbook to the outside. This in turn is followed by the VGA plug and a USB 2.0 ports, an audio in and an audio out. The Microphone and head set can be connected using this. If these are the ports on the left hand side, there are more exciting but common ports on the right side.

On the right side, there is the connection for the power adapter which is used to charge the battery, two USB 2.0 ports and then a SD Card slot. There are a total of 3 USB 2.0 ports in this netbook which is excellent. Moreover, the SD card slot is a Multi-in-1 reader which is really good.

Upgrades:

Upgrading the hardware or the memory will no longer be a trouble if you have the D250 model. Flipping back the netbook reveals three lids that cover the hard drive, the memory and an empty slot for mini PCIe cards. The lids can be removed by unscrewing the screws and the hard drive or the memory can be taken out. Hence, they can be upgraded to a higher version.

Android:

This is the first netbook that has been produced by Acer that comes with the special application software Android. This software works really well and the application of a software that was used for mobiles to the netbook means so much and Android did keep up to its standard.

Connectivity:

Both wired and wireless connectivity are present in this D250 Lean Design netbook. This is not something unusual for a netbook, but indeed needs to be mentioned because of the highlight, the price tag. The wireless connectivity switch is present at the left side on the front at the base portion of the netbook and this switch can be used to avail the internet connection via wireless system. The coverage of the wireless connection is WLAN 802.11 BG. Normal usage of the wired net can be made by connecting to the ethernet port. Access to internet is good enough though best would be an overstatement.

Heat and Noise:

The heat emission is as normal for any other netbook in the market. So this does not add to the down side of the netbook. The touch pad below the keyboard and the memory area at the back are the areas that get heated up easily when the stress is more. Otherwise the hotness is nominal for a cheaper netbook. The ventilation for the heat to be thrown out is present as a vent at the left side of the netbook and the noise produced by this fan is not really bad.

Battery:

There are two types of batteries that go along with this model, they are, the 3 cell Li-ion battery or the 6 cell battery. The normal expected life of the battery life on single charge is only 3 hours and this can be achieved only if the book is used for very light purposes. If the job is more, the time of lasting of the battery is very less. In fact, under slightly straining conditions, the battery was found to last for only 2 hours and 32 minutes. But then, the 6 cell battery provides battery life for nearly 6 hours which is pretty good for a netbook that is very cheap. Obviously, there would amount an extra weight because of the addition of 3 cells while it would not be a matter for those who only mind on the life of the battery.

Performance:

The netbook has so many complaints, especially in the fields of touchpad and the battery. But in spite of that, it manages to put up a decent show. The Power consumption of the netbook is a nominal 30 W. The audio and video plays back are only okay. All normal and simple operations can be performed at a good speed and with ease while the complex or straining operations do not suit this model. This netbook has a pre installed Microsoft Windows which is just basic but functions without any trouble.

Warranty:

The Acer Aspire One D250 comes with a 1 year International Travelers Warranty. Though this warranty does not include the replacement of the netbook, all the important repairing work will be taken care of by the company.

Verdict:

The Acer Aspire One D250 has many features. They are not out of the box for a netbook, but out of the box for a cheaper netbook. So many compromises have been made by Acer for producing this model just for the sake of having reduced the cost. But is it necessary? Just tip off a few more pounds, and you would be using a better netbook. But a few pounds definitely mean something. So to cut the ice short, if you are only keen about the cost, then this model would suit you. But not for those who intend to work more. Compromises can not be compromised, definitely not in the field of performance.

Check other Acer Netbook Models, Latest Netbook Reviews in this website.

Acer Aspire One D250 10.1 inch Netbook – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Acer
Model Name	Acer Aspire One D250
Dimensions: (W x D x H)	265.5 x 184 x 25.4 mm
Weight	1.11 Kg or 1.27 Kg
Type	Netbook
Display
Screen Size	10.1 inch
Screen Type	LED backlit widescreen
Screen Resolution	1024 x 600
Internal Components
Processor	Intel Atom N270 (533MHz FSB, 1.6GHz) or N280(1.66 GHz)
RAM	1GB DDR2 (Extendable up to 2 GB)
Hard drive	160 GB
Keypad	Very small but good response
Touchpad	Yes, with Multi touch facilities
Multimedia
Graphics	Intel 945GSE Express Chipset
Speakers	Built-in stereo speakers
Communication Setup
Wireless support	WLAN 802.11 BG
Memory card slot	Multi-in-1 card reader
Connectivity	3 USB 2.0 ports, Audio line in, Audio line out, 1 VGA video output
Other Detail
Warranty	1 Year complete warranty

Elonex 10.2″ widescreen netbook is one that focuses on the basic needs. Based in Coleshill in Warwickshire, this UK based organisation has been producing a wide range of products and this is one of them. The netbook by Elonex is a simple and a neat one with not many features, but includes only the most essential ones. It has an average appearance and okay features. This netbook claims to be thin, ultra fast and also ultra portable with its light weight. But it lacks some of the features that are found in many of the netbooks that are within its range of price. It is basically inexpensive, but not very good when the user starts counting the features. This is not a very expensive web book in the market and so it is reachable. But is it worth the few pounds? We had these questions too and the results are below.

Design:

Body:
The Elonex 10.2 inch netbook has the tag “Webbook” imprinted on its front side and also on the inside. The netbook comes in two colours, Black and white. Opening it reveals the screen and the keyboard. Majority of the inner part of the body is silver in colour with the exception of the black touchpad. The screen is a neat 10.2 inch with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels which is acceptable. It is as light as 1.3 Kg (yes, not very light weighted for a mini laptop), with the dimensions of 252 x 183 x 31.8 mm. The display screen has a glossy black finish and so finger print will not be much of a trouble. The overall design of the netbook is such that it is compatible and easy to work. It is thinner than many netbooks in the market and also claims to be ultra fast and ultra portable as said earlier. Ultra portable, may be, but ultra fast is not sure. But then, it has a simple design that does justice to the pounds that has to be given from the user’s wallet.

Keyboard:
The keyboard is a normal QWERTY one and has the keys covering almost the entire base leaving only little space on the edge. The keys are soft and give good and immediate response. But the keys are quite small, especially the keys other than the alphanumeric are very much small that it becomes quite a big task to type. The keyboard is thus similar to that of any netbook except for the size.

Touch Pad:
The touchpad of this Elonex webbook is tiny and is black in colour. There are two buttons at the bottom, the left and the right mouse button and they are silver in colour. This contrast colour arrangement is neat and perfect. But since the size of the touchpad is very small, it does not give laudable performance. On the contrary there have been complaints that the touch pad gets struck up in the middle and gives a poor performance at times. For light users this touch pad is more than enough.

Ports:

There have been no sacrifices in the field of the number of ports. There are 3 USB 2.0 ports which is a very good quantity for a budget netbook. It has almost all the ports. There are also 6 LEDs at the front on the right, to indicate the power, battery, connectivity and the like.

At the front, there are the jacks for headphone and microphone and the SD card reader slot follow them. The SD card slot can read any of the three types of cards, namely, SD, MMC or MS Pro. These ports are located on the left side of the netbook. There is also provision for taking safety measures using the kensington lock that is placed alone at the back side of the netbook. On the left side, there is a fan vent, which is followed by a USB 2.0 port and an ethernet port. The presence of a single USB port on one side makes connection to the flash or any drive easier. On the right hand side, there are two more USB ports, a VGA port and a Power plug.

No Camera, No Bluetooth and No Optical Drive:

Two topics under discussion have been eliminated. The Elonex webbook has neither a camera nor bluetooth connectivity. Absence of web camera in a web book might be disappointing, but since this is a basic model, if you are into only light works you would not have the need for a camera and would therefore not notice the hole in the wall. Absence of Bluetooth is not very bad news since it offers the other modes of connectivity in a satisfying manner (that too only for light users), both wired and wireless connection. The absence of an optical drive would be a great shock for those who are used to watching movies with the CDs or DVDs. This is one big drawback that the users have to get accustomed to.

Microphone and Speaker:

As any other laptop or netbook, the microphone is located above the screen at the top and functions fairly well. The netbook neither functions too well nor has any mistakes in transmitting the audio. The speakers are integrated and they produce an average audio output.

Interface:

The Elonex 10.2 inch widescreen webbook runs either on Linux’s Ubuntu or Windows XP. It basically comes with the Linux pre installed. Windows is the most compatible and it responds pretty well to the users’ request. Also, the user can upgrade to the windows 2000 if they so desire. There have been so many negatives about the Ubuntu, though it is faster, and it seems like many users are not finding it much user friendly. The market of the Elonex netbook has gone down mainly because of its OS since it lacks the “user-friendly” feature. But for simple applications and simple works, any OS would be okay. Games can be played comfortably in this model and though the screen is only 10.2” there is adequate standard.

Connectivity:

None of the laptops or netbooks these days comes without an internet connection and it has become the “Must-have” features instead of being optional. So to contribute internet connection in the wireless mode, Elonex uses the Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and this is good for sending emails or for light browsing. As usual, wired connection is available and the RJ45 plug can be used for that. The speed is about 100 mbps which is nominal. A surprising feature for the users is the compatibility for 3G! So the users can make use of the features of the 3rd Generation, though the USB Dongle should be bought separately making use of this 3G and it naturally requires few extra pounds.

Memory:

Budget netbooks do not have much to offer on the memory and this particular one could afford only 512 MB (only half GB) of memory. The hard drive capacity is only 80GB. But this is sufficient for having all the favorite songs or videos of the user. The processor is only a 1.6GHz VIA Nano C-7M which is not very popular.

Battery:

The Elonex 10.2” netbook comes with a 3 cell Li-polymer battery. The energy consumption is 30WHr.The presence of only 3 cells obviously means that there would be a down in the sustenance. The battery performance is only average. It could be stable only for 2.5 hours on average and might probably extend to 3 hours under very light conditions. This two and half hours is a good one for a budget netbook though it can not be compared to many products out in the market that offer higher battery life (it has to be said though, at a higher cost!).

Performance:

With few limitations, there should not be many expectations. If you agree to this point, then you would not be complaining to the dealer from whom you bought this product. It does a good job only under mild conditions. The audio and video performances are not up to the mark. The speed of the processor is not excellent.

Warranty:

Elonex provides the users of the 10.2″ widescreen netbook with a warranty for 1 year.

Verdict:

As said earlier, light conditions would make the working smooth. Once the user tries to impose more loads for the memory, the user would find the device getting tougher to work. This netbook would suffice the students and people who do not use it much, but it definitely has no role in an office where the work load would be more. This budget netbook lacks some vital features. In this competitive world, when a number of products are being produced everyday, the demand varies from time to time and so if you are a contented person looking out for a simple machine that can maintain your accounts, have a record of your works and also help you listen to songs with audible clarity when you are in a tensed or relaxed mood, then this could be your choice. Mark the words, this could be your choice and not “would” be.

Elonex 10.2″ Webbook Netbook – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Elonex
Model Name	Elonex Netbook
Dimensions: (W x D x H)	252 x 183 x 31 mm
Weight	1.3 Kg
Type	Netbook
Display
Screen Size	10.2 inch
Screen Type	LED backlit widescreen
Screen Resolution	1024 x 600
Aspect ratio	16:9
Internal Components
Processor	1.6 GHz VIA Nano C-7M
RAM	512 MB DDR2 (Extendable up to 1 GB)
Hard drive	80GB
Keypad	Very small but good response
Touchpad	Yes with Multi touch facilities
Multimedia
Graphics	Integrated UniChrome Pro II Graphics and video processor
Speakers	Built-in stereo speakers
Communication Setup
Wireless support	WLAN 802.11 BG
Memory card slot	3-in-1 SD card reader
Connectivity	3 USB 2.0 ports, Audio line in, Audio line out, 1 VGA video output
Other Detail
Warranty	1 Year complete warranty