Samsung N310 now shipping

The Samsung N310 is apparently now shipping. SammyNetbook forum member justinl posts that he already received his. He says the case material is “very tactile,” with a non-slip feel. And describes the keyboard as one of the best netbook keyboards available. Performance-wise, this netbook is pretty much par for the course, which isn’t surprising considering it’s specs are pretty much exactly the same as most other netbooks on the market today.

As you’d expect, the glossy screen reflects some glare and probably isn’t well suited to outdoor use.

The Samsung N310 isn’t shipping in the US yet, but it is available for order in the UK and Korea.

via SammyNetbook

Thursday, May 7th, 2009, 1:47 pm by Brad | Tags: ,

Asus Eee PC 1004DN to pack ExpressCard, new software, optical disc drive

We already knew the upcoming Asus Eee PC 1004DN was going to be the first member of the Eee PC family with an optical disc drive, an ExpressCard/34 slot and a fingerprint scanner, along with an SD card slot and 3 USB ports.  But it looks like Asus is also throwing in a contingent of new and shiny software to make the netbook experience better.

The folks at Eee PC Italia dug up the user manual for the 1004DN, and it’s full of little surprises. For instance, there may be several different versions of this netbook with different optical disc drives. Asus is also loading several new pieces of software, most of which I assume will soon be available on other Eee PC models. In addition to the classic Super Hybrid Engine for adjusting the CPU speed and the Eee Tray application for adjusting the screen resolution, the 1004DN user manual mentions:

  • Data Sync – This is a utility for synchronizing files on your Eee PC with another PC. This could certainly come in handy for people who picked up a netbook to use as a second or third machine and not their primary computer.
  • EzMessenger – This application if for chatting and sharing files with other Eee PC users on your network.
  • Font Resizer – If you want to adjust the system fonts on your computer to make them easier to read, this program can help.
  • Eee Splendid – This utility adjusts your contrast, brightness, color saturation, and other display settings.

There’s also an application for registering your fingerprints. And the Eee Storage service for backing up files to the free server space Asus provides new Eee PC customers is also included.

You can read more about the Eee PC 1004DN in the Liliputing Product Database. And you can read the entire user manual after the break. Unfortunately the one thing the manual doesn’t tell us is the price. It seems clear that the Eee PC 1004DN will cost more than most computers in the Asus netbook lineup. But what we don’t know yet is just how much more expensive it will be.

Update: The official Eee PC 1004DN support page, complete with user manual and drivers is now online. via Netbook News.de

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Sunday, April 5th, 2009, 9:53 am by Brad | Tags: ,

Repository of user generated netbook reviews

your-netbook-reviews

The internet is filled with reviews of various netbooks, written by professional journalists, and bloggers. But sometimes the best reviews come from the customers. That’s why web stores like Amazon and Newegg provide users with the ability to write detailed (or brief) reviews of products. But if you don’t feel like sifting through those stores, Your Netbook Reviews is a new web site dedicated to netbook reviews from users.

Users can rate netbooks onfeatures, value, usability, and design and write a few sentences or paragraphs about each device. There aren’t a ton of reviews at the moment, but as more people contribute the site, it could become a valuable resource.

For another valuable resource, check out the Liliputing Product Database.

Thursday, December 25th, 2008, 12:19 pm by Brad | Tags: ,