Netbooks set to go Dual Core - Can VIA and AMD Take on Intel’s Atom?
Posted 01/03/09 at 06:28:16 PM by Justin Kerr
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2008 will defiantly go down in technology history as the year of the netbook. Ultra portable PC’s defied the economy and helped push sales of notebooks beyond that of desktop’s for the first time in history. Netbooks have been thoroughly reviewed here at Maximum PC (see December 2008’s issue) and it’s clear from the both the comments, and the activity in the forums that those who are holding out are doing so primarily for one of two reasons.
1.) The form factor is too small.
2.) The machines are underpowered.
Though not much can be done to address the first complaint, the second will likely become a moot point in 2009. This is the year we will start to see dual core and graphics accelerated netbooks go main stream. With the Intel Atom 330 already launched, the stakes will be raised considerably with new offerings from both VIA and AMD. As disappointing as this must be for AMD, it appears as though the VIA offering will be the strongest Intel competitor, but this may change closer to launch. The VIA 3000 family will be an X86-compatible processor based on its existing Nano 1000, and 2000 series platform. What promises to give VIA the edge over AMD however, is compatibility with the SSE4 instruction set. This will give them a substantial performance boost in many processor intensive tasks.
To be fair, little is yet known about AMD’s offering and more details are likely to be released at CES next week. What we do know is that two new processors under the code names Caspain and Consesus have been added to the company’s roadmap. We also know that despite the fact that AMD claims it has little interest in netbooks, these chips are the closest competitor to the Atom we can find from the AMD camp. One thing is certain, by late 2009 or early 2010, netbook shoppers are going to have a lot more choices. And as we all know competition will go a long way towards helping to drive down prices.
What would it take to make you consider a netbook?
Netbook wishlist
Submitted by iuristantum on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 5:30pm
I really like the netbook concept. Nevertheless, here's my overall wish list for a netbook:
-Dual Core processor
-2 GB SDRAM Min.
-160 GB HDD or 64 GB SSD
-NVidia GPU (Ion platform maybe?)
-HDMI, USB
-WiFi
-Integrated camera and mic
-OS, anything will do.
-6 cell battery
-720p, 1080p better.-10" display, anything more I would not consider a netbook or mini laptop. Anything less is just uncomfortable. They hit the right spot with 10" displays.
-Good touchpad and as close to full size keyboards, or full size if possible, with some space for the hands. I would also consider a small "rolling ball" mouse, on the right side near the place I usually place my hand. Hopefully it will work better than the mac mouse button, which is garbage.
-Price: $375.00 Max.
I'm not being ambitious. But for now I'll wait for a dual core processor and better video before buying. Money is tight.
Too expensive
Submitted by Tekzel on Sun, 01/04/2009 - 9:05am
I already have a nice notebook, a small one with a 12.1in screen (HP TX1215NR) with Windows Vista Home Premium. I also want a netbook, but I don't want to spend much. I want one with a dual core CPU for around 200 bucks for that ultra portable factor. If and when that happens, I will get one.
Submitted by decapitor on Sun, 01/04/2009 - 8:39am
Well I'm happy with my Mini 1000 with upgraded MTron SLC SSD. Really quite fast for anything office or net related and plays World of Goo and Peggle just fine as well. Compliments a beastly desktop quite nicely. And the keyboard is totally workable, which is the number one thing for me anyway, cause otherwise I just wouldnt use it as much.
The Right Parts List
Submitted by GWEEDOspeedo on Sun, 01/04/2009 - 7:36am
I appreciate companies like Dell and HP offering to build customized netbooks but it's still hard to get the right combination of parts for a cheap system that will be good enough for basic internet, office activities, and some media. I think netbooks should cost the same as the cheapest PC's you can buy but maybe a hair more because they're portable. My ideal netbook is sub $400 with an 8"+ screen, atom processor, 1gb ddr2, 8gb+ SSD, and 5+ hrs battery life. It's possible to build a better performing PC for about $200 so, to me, a netbook like that shouldn't cost much more.
Netbooks
Submitted by Tclynch on Sun, 01/04/2009 - 5:21am
Well, I'm no longer an Online gamer and find most of my computer time is for doing reports, surfing the net or facebook. Frankly, I love my netbook (Aspire One). Just got it for xmas and am very happy with it. I will be getting an extended battery, though. I have seen where the extended batteries can last as long as 7-9 hours. I love the weight and size of it. It's very easy for me to carry around into a coffee shop, quickly boot up and get my email.
Submitted by aerocrj on Sun, 01/04/2009 - 2:55am
The biggest thing keeping me form bying a netbook is it's size. My laptop is my primary computer with an 17' wide screen and full size keyboard with the number pad on the side. When I do travel the size doesn't bother me. I don't see myself getting a netbook anytime soon.
Well, I am certainly glad
Submitted by I Jedi on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 11:08pm
Well, I am certainly glad that I haven't bought a laptop, yet. I will definitely be sure, however, to pick one up before I go to college this year. Wait till the second quarter of '09 when they're out for sure. Good update MaximumPC.
Battery
Submitted by Vano on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 6:54pm
The battery is what holds me back from bying one of these. It doesn't matter how much power a laptop has, if it only can last 2-3 hours - what is the point of having one?
Until I see one with 10-15 hours running time on one charge (withough need a car battery carring in the backpack), I'll stick with desktop.
When I think of netbook
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 5:39pm
When I think of netbook performance a raging river of frozen butter comes to mind. Watching paint dry also comes to mind.
Submitted by PCIV on Sun, 01/04/2009 - 2:43pm
Using a C2D macbook, my XP 1800+ seems slow.
On the other hand, it is blazing for my momand her 750mhz P3 laptop.
A netbook would be plenty fast for her, if i hook up a bogger screen.
Possibly missing the point
Submitted by darrellfjohnson on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 7:15pm
I haven't had too much experience with netbooks, but I think you may be missing the point. As long as netbooks can boot in under a minute and browse the web and work with MS Office 2k3 or OpenOffice.org without a ridiculous amount of slowdown they are fast enough. Netbooks aren't made for general computing or gaming. They don't have to push the performance boundary as long as they are less expensive than regular notebooks.
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