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Its Not A Hobbie, Its A Way Of Life
HP 2140 HD screen is here – but only if you call in
Apr 9th
The high-def screen for HP’s 2140 has finally been released, but you won’t find it on their website. As of April 6 through today’s post, you have to call into HP Shopping to get it. The part number is FM839UT#ABA. Thanks to digiffiti.com for staying on top of this.
I tried to order one myself, but being in Canada posed a few challenges. One, HP’s 800 # doesn’t accept calls from non-US area codes. Two, once I got through by calling them on Skype, I was going to have the order delivered to a buddy of mine in New Hampshire, buuuut, HP’s sales centre doesn’t accept Canadian credit cards. Thwarted again!
Looks like I’m going to have to find a different way of getting my hands on one of these units. Any ideas?
The Pirate Bay’s new feature – Facebook integration
Mar 29th
How do you spread torrents around the web without anyone realizing their utilizing The Pirate Bay? Simple. Integrate it into the world’s most popular social networking website.
All torrents on The Pirate Bay now have a “Share on Facebook” option, that when clicked, adds the torrent to your personal Facebook page, allowing viewers to click the link, and providing there’s a torrent program installed on the veiwer’s computer, start the download instantly.
This is a very clever way to spread the usage of torrents within the social media landscape. A full write up and more detailed information is available at this article on TorrentFreak.
“HD” HP Mini 2140 release date?
Mar 27th
The folks at digiffiti.com are claiming that the long awaited “HD” screen for the HP Mini 2140 is due to be release on April 6. The report also goes on to say that the upgrade will only be $25 more than the SD version. I for one, will be joining Mr. Digiffit.com in pulling an all nighter to order this bad boy.
After the bad press that HP has been getting with the use of the 1024×576 SD screen (which from this author’s previous post, agrees that it’s down right moronic), the HD version will be one to surely fly off the shelves.
Common Netbook Design Flaws
Mar 23rd
Why can’t anyone design a decent netbook?
I have been shopping for a new netbook. The current HP 2133 I have had the best design for its time, but unfortunately it suffers from a gimped VIA C7 1.2Ghz processor. My search for a replacement has shown me some common flaws with current netbook designs. The hardware seems to be made with no care about design or aesthetics, and are sometimes manufactured with a lack of common sense.
Here are my top five gripes how a majority of netbooks are being made:
5.) 4, 8, 16GB SSD, or 1.8 PATA HDs
There are not enough upgrade options available for hardware that’s designed around SSD cards or 1.8 PATA hard drives. Stick to the standard 2.5″ SATA so that upgrading storage isn’t costly or a pain in the ass to find parts.
4.) If it doesn’t work with Linux with relative ease, I don’t want it
Sorry Windows, you may work with every hardware ever made, but XP is getting long in the tooth and its insecure on the internet without protection software (which only eats into your already limited computing resources). XP also requires customization to get the most out of the retarded screen resolutions (see #3), Vista is a PIG, a WinME (mistake edition), and Windows 7 isn’t out yet. I appreciate having the option to use another OS and not being locked into using Windows cause there are no linux drivers for obscure hardware. I also don’t want to have to search for a linux guru’s assistance cause the hardware doesn’t want to cooperate with Ubuntu or openSUSE.
3.) 1024×576 = FAIL!
Who ever thought that this resolution would be a good idea needs to be dragged into the back alley and beat over the head with his/her creation. The only purpose for this resolution is so that there are no “black bars” when watching a movie. Really?! Watching a movie. So your gonna cut 24px out of an already gimped screen just so you can watch a movie with no black bars? For casual users using a netbook as an entertainment device, I’ll buy this argument. But for road warriors, the ones with the greatest need for netbooks, this is a neucance! They’re working on documents, emailing or web surfing, not watching a movie. GIVE US THE 24PX BACK YOU TOOL!
2.) How do you type on that thing?
They’re getting better, but keyboards are the biggest design flaw with most netbooks. HP caught on early with the 2133, and a few other manufactures are following suit. If it’s not at least a 92% of a full size keyboard, the hardware has to be re-designed. Its as simple as having flat instead of raised keys.
1.) Cost advantage.
I’m pretty sure the original idea behind netbooks was that they were a low cost mobile alternative to the sub $700 notebooks. The gap between netbook and notebook is quickly eroding. With “designer” netbooks reaching $800 for the same hardware that’s in the $350 Acer Aspire One, only people buying these are the same ones that were stupid enough to buy the “I AM RICH” iPhone app.
All I ask for is a base netbook, without a lot of bells and whistles, thats designed with widely supported hardware, designed with road warriors in mind, and has a designed that you aren’t ashamed to pull out of your bag at the coffee shop.
So what are the closest contenders to actually making my overly picky list?
- HP Mini 1035
The only failure with this guy is the SSD / PATA hard drives. Everything else is top notch. It’s a little pricy at $500 though. I’d rather put that money towards the…
- HP Mini 2140 HD
Its not out yet. The yet to be released HD screen coupled with the body and hardware of the 2140 is almost the perfect combo. It’s not as thin as the Mini 1000 series, but with an express54 slot, that’s not really possible. This is the netbook I’m currently waiting for.
- Dell Mini 10
Another great design. It’s failure? Intel GMA500. For those wanting to give a shot at Hackintosh, GMA500 is an epic migrane waiting to happen. The upcoming ATSC tuner option makes for a compelling reason to wait and stick to Windows.
Lenovo Pocket Yoga
Mar 16th
Lets face it. Netbooks are the hottest market since the iPhone. Sony’s P-Series netbook is making a big splash in Japan, but it’s unlikely to catch on in US due to it’s price tag.
Lenovo is adding a bit of competition with these photos they released of their Pocket Yoga.
There are no specs for this slick device, along with no MSRP. This type of product has to be a niche market though. And with these devices getting smaller and smaller, can you call them netbooks? Can you really be productive with a device that has screen an odd screen size like this and the Sony P-series?
The picture of the Pocket Yoga in the back of their jeans pocket reminds me that people already have iPhones that don’t look as silly when in your pants and probably have more productivity value.
