Wireless Easy Dock Boosts Netbook Usability
Computers have evolved into more powerful and efficient processing systems, laptops and netbooks were designed for portability over the traditional desktop, and even cell phones are beginning to display computer-like qualities. As technology advances, the desire for convenience has successfully sustained itself.
Warpia’s newly released “Easy Dock” further continues the convenience trend. The Easy Dock enables the user to connect and transfer information to the monitor, speaker, keyboard, and mouse on a netbook or laptop to a conventional desktop setting.
Furthermore, through technology from Wisair, the process is done completely wirelessly. With the Easy Dock, any consumer can utilize both the portability of a netbook and the processing power of a desktop.
Warpia’s new product will be compatible with Windows 7, XP, Vista, Apple’s Leopard and Snow Leopard, and is currently on sale for $149.99.
Nettop : Desktop :: Netbook : Laptop
Nettops are to desktops what netbooks are to laptops. Nettops run on the Intel Atom processor and tend to be smaller (and have smaller screens) than regular desktops. Their all-in-one-package factor provides a high level of convenience since it minimizes the amount of separate computer parts that an individual would have to deal with upon setup.
Recently, nettops have grown in popularity, and while they are less powerful than the original desktop, they are also easier on the wallet. In this economy where price plays a big factor in a consumer’s purchasing decisions, it is no wonder why there is a growing trend in the popularity of these devices. The sale of nettops may even be able to save the overall declining sales of current desktop computing technology.
The price of nettops currently ranges from $400-$800 dollars. For consumers who greatly dislike the Windows Vista operating system and don’t want to wait for Windows 7, don’t worry. Nettop devices can operate on Windows XP technology.
Via Cnet.
New Dual-Core Atom Only A Slight Improvement
PC Pro’s recent test of the new dual-core Intel Atom chip showed it to be only a marginal improvement over the previous single-core model. While it gained much hype at its announcement last August, the new test may temper much of the enthusiasm about it.
Called the Intel Atom 330, it has a 533MHz FSB but runs at the same 1.6 GHz as previous iterations of the chip. While clearly faster than the now-standard Atom N270, it has not met expectations completely.
The results of the test showed the chip to be a mere 16% faster than the previous one.
It is important to note that the device tested was only a desktop version, not a netbook-ready version. As such it is as of yet impossible to determine how battery life wil be affected by the 330. Energy efficiency is obviously a crucial for netbooks, so if the 330 turns out to weigh down on the battery, manufacturers and consumers will be likely to pass it on.
Read more about the test here.
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In other news, check out Larry Digman of ZDNet’s article concerning recent confusion over AMD’s announcement about the netbook market (which we covered in our November 13 article):
