Technology and Gadgets Online

A netbook is defined as a small, lightweight and inexpensive laptop computer. The netbooks often lack certain features, such as an optical drive, and feature smaller screens and keyboards than laptops or mini laptops. Traditionally, a netbook is not powerful enough to run games or resources hungry applications, as these devices are mostly designed for light everyday use. However, in the last few years, computer producers have started developing netbooks that allow you to also play some elaborate video games or even netbooks specifically designed for the purpose of gaming.

But is it really possible for a device with a display of only 10 inch to become a gaming netbook or is it just a marketing gimmick from computer manufacturers that are trying to fool gamers into buying something that does not really respond to their needs?

In order to answer these questions, we considered the features of two of the netbooks that are pompously called gaming netbooks. But let’s first clarify the aspects that make a computer or a laptop a good gaming equipment. We are talking firstly about the processor, that should be fast enough to allow the playing of new and elaborate video games.

Secondly, there is the graphics card, that should allow the games to be played with high graphics settings. Thirdly, there’s the operating system, that should be the one required by most up-to-date video games (probably Windows 7). There would have been also the display problem but giving that in the case of the netbooks, the size is by nature reduced, we are not going to take this into consideration.

The first so-called gaming mini laptop we are going to analyze is the Asus 1015PN. Is this really a gaming netbook or there is no such thing? Well, it has a Dual Core Intel Atom N570 processor, a Nvidia ION Graphics card, both sufficiently fast and powerful to support some of the recent games, just don’t expect to run them on full details or play latest releases like Crysys 3 or COD: Black Ops; price is however consistently lower than that of a gaming laptop or mini laptop, and that’s a good thing. There is also the Asus 1015PEM that resembles very much the Asus EEE PC 1015PN, the Asus 1015B, the Acer Ao522 or the Toshiba Nb550d, all of the last three coming with AMD processors and decent graphics card. These are probably the only devices on market today that could be called gaming netbooks, considering that all the other netbooks come with Atom processor and very slow integrated graphics card.

The conclusion is that there are such things as gaming netbooks today that could shock you with their price, their tiny displays and also with the performance level they are capable of, but the options are still very few and gamers are still far from being satisfied by such devices.

“Perfection” seems to be the motto for Asus this year. Building better and better devices which combine usability with performance, this manufacturer has imposed itself on the computer market as a genuine contender, but will the 12 inch Asus EEE PC 1215B keep up with our high expectations? We have taken this device for a test run and will present the main points which we consider the most important in this review.

To start with, the EEE PC 1215B has a matte rubbery plastic lid which looks pretty good. If you have seen the Asus 1215N, then you probably have a decent idea about how the 1215B looks, they are almost identical in that respect. The matte plastic offers a good grip on the 3.2 pound device, but we wouldn’t advise you to buy it if you don’t like fingerprints on your netbook. The USB, VGA and HDMI ports are well placed and designed, so there will be no problem when it comes to connectivity.

Talking about the video capabilities of the Asus EEE PC 1215B, we have to mention the glossy 12 inch display. We have found the 1366 x 768 px resolution to be good in terms of HD movie playback and allows you to fit a lot more on the display than much of the competition that’s still using lower resolution screens. Of course the glossy finish is something that many people have a problem with thanks to the horrible reflections you are prone to getting when you work with the sun behind you. This netbook is not the worst by any stretch, but you won’t be using it outdoors.

Performance wise, your video experience is powered by the integrated AMD graphics from the AMD Brazos APU with AMD E-350 dual core processor. With 4GB of DDR memory, you could say that the 1215B is one of the best 12 inch mini laptops, but in terms of raw processing power it is better to go for an Intel i5 or higher.

Concluding, the Asus EEE PC 1215B is a good mid-range 12 incher. Not built for extreme performance but for everyday tasks, it manages to keep up to a dynamic lifestyle which combines office work, travel, and general web use.

Google has stirred things up in the world of technology by introducing a new way of looking at a computer; the Chromebook notebook. Google announced this year, that the Chromebook is a computer that relies on the web for its software and for storing personal data. Both software and data will reside in the cloud ( i.e centalized storage which is accessed through the Internet). The Laptops will store very little of which is the OS and some profile settings. The Chromebook netbook will access the Internet to connect to one’s cloud computer.

The advantage of this method of computing, is that it does not have to load software as it starts up, it just takes about eight seconds and the netbook is up and running. No need to worry about managing and installing updates or even upgrading software because the updates and upgrades are done automatically. Having an up-to-date system protects against emerging security threats. Chromebook has a feature called ‘verified boot’ which automatically repairs itself when it detects that anything has been altered.

The Chromebook is designed to work with Google’s software products, which include Gmail, Google Docs, Picasa, Google Calendar among the many products available from Google. Since the data and software isn’t stored on the local computer, in the event of loss of a computer or a damaged, you can regain access from another without losing anything.

Chromebook has four models that will be available starting June 15th from Amazon or Best Buy. There will be two Samsung models, one with a wireless-only web access and another that has both wireless and 3G connectivity through Verizon Wireless which will include 100MB of data each month. There will also be two Acer models, for wireless and a 3G model. These Laptops are fairly basic and will be configured to work as a Chromebook.

Looking for a cheap alternative? Checkout laptops under 300 $ for some other options that you may be interested in .

The laptop battery is among the most fragile things in a laptop.  Even if you own a very expensive laptop, it is still your laptop battery that is mostly the first thing to get destroyed or damaged. This isn’t because the technology being used to create or manufacture the laptop battery is still inefficient and ineffective, it is just that most people who own laptops still do not know the first thing about how to maximize their laptop battery, and just how fragile it is to misuse. It is important for all budding laptop owners to read through a couple of guidelines that will help them have a great laptop battery life in the long run.

The first tip about extending and maintaining the long battery life laptops have is through the proper observance of the charging process.  The charging process is roughly where most damages are sustained because of the overcharging and the undercharging of some users. There are users who like to keep their laptops plugged while using it in their homes or in their office. This can be quite damaging for the laptop battery since it creates a damaging amount of heat that affects the laptop battery’s ability to sustain energy. Undercharging also minimizes the laptop battery’s capacity to sustain or to store energy as well. This is most damaging when you allow your battery to run to 0% or to shut down on its own because there is no more battery left.

Overcharging and undercharging are among the most damaging things that happens to your laptop on a day to day basis. And since your laptop battery will eventually kick the bucket, you should exercise every action in order to maximize that time before you are forced to have your laptop battery either replaced or repaired. Consider these tips as you use your laptop today!

If you’re tired of cramping your fingers due to relentless typing, then you might want to switch your keyboard to a neat and slim stylus or better yet, take notes in your own handwriting. Yes, laptops are so versatile nowadays that all you need is your own fingers to be able to manipulate files and tweak every nook and cranny of your laptop.

Some people think that the only advantage of touch screen laptops over standard laptops is the absence of keyboard and mouse pad. Well, compared to the navigation of a regular laptop in spite of an additional mouse, their navigation process is speedier because of their ultra sensitive screen.

However, their prices are also comparatively high, so if you plan on indulging yourself a bit and buying one, make sure that it will be suitable for your needs and worth every penny from your wallet. There are numerous sites offering different brands of the best touch screen laptops in the market today. Here’s a couple to name a few:

Toshiba Satellite U505 is one of the cheapest laptops with touch screen interface. For only $800, you can enjoy its 2.26 GHz Intel Core i3-350M dual core processor that enables you to run four simultaneous threads. Considering its 13.3 inch body, it surely objectifies portability in a whole new level.

If you fancy having one for business purposes, then you might want to consider Lenovo Thinkpad T410s. It has an up to date hardware and fingerprint reader to guarantee its security. Even its 128 SSD drive screams ‘business’ because it is meant to protect all your files. Though it can be quite pricey, every cent you spent is surely worth it.

There are numerous touch screen laptops with different styles and features available in the market. So, don’t hesitate to get knots out of various sites to pick the best one for you.