New CES Netbooks Offer Faster Processor, Longer Battery Life

The biggest PC trend of 2009 was the tiny netbook, and all the major manufacturers are releasing their latest updates at CES this week. The biggest change for 2010 is the use (pretty much right across the board) of Intel's newest Atom processor. Part of Intel's Pine Trail chip line, the N450's processor speed remains the same as last year's top-of-the-line N280 processor at 1.66 GHz, but it increases the front-side bus speed to 667 MHz. But more than speed, the N450 helps to increase the battery life in this year's crop of netbooks by incorporating the memory and graphics controllers onto the processor. As the UK's Register notes, while the N450 has doubled the wattage requirements of its predecessors to 5.5 watts, incorporating the controllers into the processor saves an additional 6 watts of power (for about a total 3 watt savings).

For the most part, the basic specs on the new crop of netbooks are very similar. In addition to the N450 processor, you get a 10-inch screen, typically 160 or 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM, and either Windows XP or Windows 7 Starter operating system. What separates them are the extras--from design flourishes to added battery life.

ASUS
One of the first netbooks to hit it big and define the category, the Eee PC from ASUS is back with its standard Seashell line of netbooks, and the battery life has been increased to an amazing 14 hours with its top-of-the-line 1005PE model. Meanwhile, the sub-$300 1001P model doesn't do too badly at 11 hours of juice. The 1005PE and 1001P Eee PCs are currently available for pre-order.

But ASUS is also jazzing things up with the 1008P line designed by Karim Rashid (seen at right in brown), which features a woven basket design on the cover and a plethora of material, production, and textural innovations, such as the combination of rubber paint, in mold roller (IMR), and metallic materials to create thoroughly unique finishes.

Acer/Gateway
Acer refreshes its Aspire One line with the new AO532h, which includes the Windows 7 Starter operating system across the board as well as faster Wireless-N networking. And the inclusion of the N450 processor bumps up the AO532h's battery rating to 10 hours. Gateway (now an Acer subsidiary) has also released similarly specced netbooks (in red, black and white)

Dell
Pretty much the basic netbook specs, but Dell modifies the design of its Mini 10 netbook with improved keyboard and textured palm rest as well as the "hinged forward" design that helps to make it slimmer. Additionally, you can configure it at Dell to include a 720p HD display and built-in HDTV receiver (via Wired's Gadget Lab).

HP
HP also modestly redesigns its Mini netbooks and offers them in three flavors, including the HP Mini 210 with the netbook spec basics and the 2102 with a brushed metal finish instead of plastic. Most interesting of this trio, though, is the Mini 5102 with two unique configurable options: an optional carrying handle that makes it look like a small briefcase and a capacitive multitouch display. Check out the hands-on photo review of the touch-enabled 5102 over at Pocket-lint.

Toshiba
Toshiba also gets into the spirit of the netbook season with its NB305, which enhances the netbook basics with a full-size keyboard and trackpad, Wireless-N and Bluetooth connectivity, and up to 11 hours of battery life.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

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