Lenovo launches yet another baby in the ultra book series called the ideapad u300s. This is another small and compact notebook that comes with many features and is priced lesser than other heavy duty ones in the market. The more we jump into analyzing these tiny devices, we find that the expensive ones no doubt perform better and are far better in every aspect than the cheap ones.

But the cheap priced and compact notebooks do actually fulfill the regular need of the user, although they have some flaws that are generally overlooked by a regular user. The flaw could be in the keyboard or in the track pad of the device. Nevertheless, price does seem to allure people in the market and they are ready to bear few burdens for a reduced price.

Lenovo ideapad u300s fits exactly in that category where you get it for a fairly lesser price than others in the market and a good performance in general. This review was quite hard to make as the more flaws we took out in this notebook; the more difficult it was to place in its respective category.

On one hand if we say it’s a notebook with many flaws, yet on the other hand it comes in just $1095 with an awesome display, a fast boot up time and keyboard that has backlights! Tough isn’t it? Well, anyways, lets jump into the review and see what is in store for us.

ideapad u300s

Design and body

At the very outset, it appears that Lenovo ideapad u300s does not try to look very good and sleek. The design looks more like a closed book with pages stuffed in between. The center of the upper flap and the bottom flap are at a little distance more than the edges. There is nothing ergonomic about it as it weighs about 2.95 pound in hand and does really give any great grip. It appears that the makers of this notebook paid absolutely no attention to its physical design and outlook, much of which others in the market do as looks sell really well.

ideapad u300s left

The body of Lenovo ideapad u300s is made up of one complete sheet of aluminum and covers smoothly the upper and bottom lids, interior and bezels. You do not find any screws, or knobs or any openings in the entire body, except for the logo (which is metallic) on the upper cover and the four legs at the bottom. The body of this kind is prone to scratches and for a person who wants to keep it in the bag needs to buy a sleeve that protects it. Among all the colors available, the “Clementine Orange” looks cool, or rather better than others. The graphite gray is also pretty good looking.

ideapad u300s right

The overall look of the Lenovo ideapad u300s shows that it is well made just like the Acer’s Aspire S3 and MAC Book Air. It just looks a little different and appeals to a different audience altogether. There is one thing missing in this sized notebook and that is Memory card slot, which is quite uncommon for notebooks of this category. Apart from this, all other necessary ports are available on it. Lenovo did not get the memory card slot back since it omitted it in its previous model Lenovo ideapad u260. Thank God, at least the backlit keyboard is back!

Trackpad and Keyboard

The keyboard of Lenovo ideapad u300s is the similar kind that you see on any netbook, particularly the previous Lenovo netbooks. The keys are well placed and are easy to type. However, they are too flat on the surface of the keyboard. The trackpad has been improved by the makers and it is as smooth as the one you find in the MAC air book. The friction on the pad is pretty less which makes it easy for the cursor to move around.

The keypad of Lenovo ideapad u300s is the best that has been seen in any of the Ultra netbooks until now. But that doesn’t necessary make it the best in the market.

Sound and Display screen

Lenovo ideapad u300s has a 13.3” screen with a 1366×768 resolution, which is pretty low when compared to its competitors. Imagine who would prefer this netbook when Zenbook UX312 has a resolution of up to 1600 x 900? But still this shouldn’t be a drawback for U300 as it can hardly be identified.

The viewing angles of Lenovo ideapad u300s display varies between the top view and side view. The clarity is good from side angles; however, watching the screen from top is nearly impossible. Additionally, it comes equipped with the Intel wireless Display, which was not present in any of the Ultra series netbooks previously. So, this is a good add on. Now you can simply stream any video on TV or monitors without the hassles of wires.

As far as audio is concerned, Lenovo ideapad u300s gives an acceptable output. Nothing new to discuss about it except that it has SRS speakers.

Lenovo ideapad u300s is priced at $1095 and above. With such a price tag, it surely isn’t a good choice as compared to its competitors in the market. But it surely is one of the good Ultrabooks, it not the best netbook!

The ASUS N10 is technically a net-book as it does not have a centrino processor but actually an Intel Atom chip-set. But they claim it to be a notebook rather than a netbook because of its bulky size and the large keyboard. It does not carry the Eee PC tag but definitely it looks like one ultra-portable laptop.

The ASUS N10 comes in sleek light gold color and mostly aimed for the business sectors. It is available both at the retailer as well as the reseller. If you buy it from the retailer then you will not be able to upgrade the hard drive or memory or any other component as it would void the warranty, but if you buy it from the reseller then you might be able to customize your notebook.

ASUS N10

Today let’s review the ASUS N10 JC. The specifications for this netbook are:

• Screen: 10.2 inches 1024 x 600 Glossy LED (WSVGA ), with Ambient Light Sensor
• Processor: Intel Atom N270 processor @ 1.66Ghz
• Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Nvidia 9300m GS DDR2 256MB
• Memory: 1GB PC-5300 667 DDR2
• Hard Disc: 160GB 5400 rpm with Freefall Sensor (Seagate)
• Wireless: Bluetooth V2.0 + EDR, Atheros AR92X Wireless Network Adapter (A/B/G/N)
• Ports and Slots: microphone input, VGA monitor out, 3 USB 2.0, HDMI, Kensington lock slot, headphone jack, Line-out/ S/PDIF, Ethernet 10/100, ExpressCard/34, Microphone-in, and 8-in-1 SD card reader (SDHC compatible)
• Operating System: Windows XP Home SP3 + Express Gate.
• Features:  Fingerprint reader; Built in 1.3Mp Camera; Microphone
• Battery: 6 Cell Lithium 11.1v 4800mAh 53Wh

The build and design of ASUS N10 is too classy. The glossy look and the gold color have a sparkle and draws attention. The blue status lights are not so visible during day but when in dark it gives N10 a gaming edge. The made of battery is a bit disappointing as it is made of plastic and it is not so durable.

The glossy 10.2” WSVGA LED backlit screen reflects like a mirror. There is some reflection due to the look but if that is not a problem then it should not be a major issue. The resolution of ASUS N10 display is not up to the mark. When you think of a notebook one would think that they would offer a higher resolution choice but the limiting WSVGA resolution may make some web pages hard to view and multi-tasking virtually impossible.

Nvidia 9300m GS is being used which is quite enough to play general games on the notebook. With the dedicated graphic card and its little size one would expect the notebook to produce more heat and noise. But it is quite opposite here. The ASUS N10 produced little to zero noise and heat was also considerably low. But the notebook vibrates a lot due to the hard disk movements. The keyboard is a Japanese keyboard and they keys are very smooth with sharp edge and easy to type.

On the right side of the ASUS N10 you can find the USB 2.0, Headphone(S/PDIF) out, Microphone in, VGA out, Ethernet (10/100/1000) AC power jack and ExpressCard 34 slot.  The ExpressCard slot dummy can be used to store an SD (HC) Card.

The left side is covered by Wireless On/Off, two USB 2.0, HDMI out, Graphics Toggle switch, Kingston lock.

On the front SD/MMC/MS/Pro Card reader and no ports at the back side of the notebook. The ASUS N10 has an Atheros wireless card with good range and connects almost everything. The 6 cell battery lasts for around 7 hours. On the whole the ASUS N10 does qualify as a notebook. The plus points of ASUS N10 are Switchable graphics, Easy to type keyboard/Large touchpad, good battery backup, portable, low heat and noise and its sleek design and the negative points are its dull screen, no eSATA port, the bad quality of battery.

Check out the video hands on review of ASUS N10 netbook:

Part 2:

Dell Inspiron One 2305 will attract those buyers who are looking for all in one PC entertainment. It has high quality design features. This PC is sturdy and has no fancy outlook to it.

Dell Inspiron One 2305 includes touch software which is very effective. It has a Blu-ray drive along with HDMI input which is a very attractive deal. There is also a VGA and composite video ins.

Backside of Dell Inspiron One 2305 has coaxial and digital audio ports. There is also a tv tuner input and also 4USB ports and Ethernet adapter. Doing basic functions like listening to music or playing a video file is very easy and simple. Playing games is also pretty good. Dell is very good in doing basic computing tasks.

The price for basic model is $599 and more features can be available at a higher price. The screen size is for 23 inches and it has a memory storage of 8 GB. Dell is not as fast in its performance when compared to other competing machines. Having a Datasafe pop-up software is really a put off in this model.

Dell Inspiron One 2305 is a good option for those who like home entertainment like listening to music, watching videos, playing games and also doing some basic computing who are not looking for high speed performance.

The Lenovo ThinkPad T410 2522 has a tough design and it comes with a stellar keyboard that has retained some of its hall mark features right from the IBM era. Some of the typical features of all Lenovo laptops include a bright display that is very eye catching. It comes with a Core i5 processor that delivers excellent application performance that has made a mark in the laptop market.

Lenovo ThinkPad T410 2522 continues to stand at all for its uniqueness that is not available with other modern laptops that look like clones of each other. There may some of the latest technology laptops with aluminum finishing and chrome edges, by the Lenovo ThinkPad T410 2522 is still preferred for its sturdy design.

Although it may be priced a little high, it offers the best configuration that is packed in a rock solid body which is very convenient and meets the needs and requirements of the modern user. It may appear to b a bit bulky and there are many who think that Lenovo ThinkPad T410 2522 could do better by improving the integrated graphics that hinder gaming.

There are many who still continue to fall for the classic black finishing that comes with a  stellar keyboard and a touch pad .There is a red printing stick duo and the 14 inch Lenovo ThinkPad T410 2522 seems to have given the laptop a makeover  that makes it look a little different from its predecessor.

Asus Eee PC 1500PE

It is a well known fact that Asus produces some of the world’s best netbooks and Asus Eee PC 1005PE, its latest innovation is no exception. It occupies top position among all netbooks as it has some of the state of the art technology which is a hallmark of all Asus netbooks and it is priced very low.

This is major lure for most consumers as it has become a source of pride for its owner and envy for the others. According to latest news, some of the major companies in the netbook industry are trying to ape the Asus Eee PC 1005PE in lieu of increasing their sales figures. The latest innovation is equipped with Intel’s new Atom N450 processor.

This is an advanced version and is even better than its predecessor Atom N270 and Atom N280 that is found in all other netbooks. It has a great battery life and it has an extremely diligent Atom Platform and one can run the laptop continuously for 8 hours.

Although the test results give a mixed response, the netbook was found to excel in most of the performance tests while it was slightly failing in the other areas which can be overlooked. Nothing is perfect in this world but Asus Eee PC 1005PE is very close to perfection. It has some of the latest technologies and is flanked by a 10-inch high resolution display. It has a memory of 1GB RAM and Windows 7 Starter.

Although if you compare the netbook with other CPUS, the resolution may appear to be a little crammed but it takes a little while to get hang of it. The Graphical User interface is by Nvidia and is available with all upscale netbooks. The Asus Eee PC 1005PE weighs 2.8 to 3.4 pounds and the screen size is approximately 10 inches. The height of the netbook is around 1 to 1.4 inches and the dimensions are 10.3×7 inches.

Although some users have complains about the supports system but nevertheless it has some excellent features that are not found in any other netbook. It is the first netbook that has the latest new Intel Atom N450 central processing unit and a fantastic battery life. It lacks some of the modern netbook upgrades that are available in the market.

These may include the HD display, extra RAM and it has a minor performance boost over all other previous versions. It is the new face of the first generation Intel Atom Netbook and Asus Eee PC 1005PE offers quality battery life. This is very convenient for the business executives who are constantly on the move.

Apple Macbook pro spring 2010

Apple has been known to produce a series of laptops that differ from each other with only a few updates. Most of the updates are in the form of major changes in the Aluminum unibody construction that was first initiated in the year 2008.

Some of the other minor updates include fine tuning of the minor features and changes in the processor speed or there are upgrades in terms of the size of the hard drive. But, it is surprising how different Apple MacBook Pro Spring 2010 is from its predecessors. It is a total makeover from all other Apple Laptops ever produced before.

Although this latest model of Apple laptops retains the hallmark unibody aluminum construction, it has advanced a great deal in terms of the multitouch track pad. Most consumers who used the laptop say that although the Apple MacBook Pro Spring 2010 looks like any other Apple laptop, it has many surprises in store.

The internal components have been changed and the makeover is very significant with the new core-I CPU. The 15 inches and 17 inches models of the apple laptops have progressed to Core–I central processing unit which is much advanced as compared to the  core 2 dual central processing units that are available in most of its counterparts.

The other features have also been redesigned in order to match the latest technology. Thus, there is the latest chip architecture that is backed by Intel and there is a switch that gives access to the Nvida GeForce 9400 Graphics. The graphics are integrated with the CPD and for the systems default graphical User interface.

The Apple MacBook Pro Spring 2010 is very expensive at $2,199/1,699 and is available in 15-inch configuration. Most consumers who complain that the Apple laptop is highly priced find solace in the fact that it has the same features at a Mac Book Pro B and is even better as it is $100 cheaper.

At the lowest range, there is the 15-inch model which has some of the latest graphics which are discrete and not integrated. Thus, the Apple Laptops seem to be maintaining brand loyalty by constantly improving and adding powerful component for the modern day requirement.

The laptops are available at some of the major vendors like MacMall, MAC connection, Amazon, J&R music center and computer world and B&H Photo Video. But unfortunately, Apple MacBook Pro Spring 2010 B seems to be lacking in terms of HDMI compatibility and it does not support BluRay or other Wi-Fi options.

Sony Vaio VPCF115FM/B

Most of us have common perceptions when it comes to high class products like laptops. We assume them to possess all the high-end features like great body, outstanding look, high resolution screen, Blu-ray technology, high tech graphics and much more, above all which we want them to relax prettily on our laps or on our desks making a perfect desktop replacement. Sony Vaio VPCF115FM/B is one such high-end laptop that perfectly satisfies all the requisites of a laptop.

With 16.4-inch glossy LED-backlit screen and a pixel resolution of 1920×1080, this laptop having a Nvidia GeForce 330M GPU, a Core i7 processor, 500GB 5,400rpm hard drive, 6GB of RAM, Blu-ray, Windows 7 OS and a wide keyboard, is for the people who are not conscious of the weight and the size of the device. Its beautiful thick tapered body with a large chrome logo in the center, a black matte outer finish, a predominant plastic keyboard with rubberized surface, makes it look well built and smooth to touch. The overall design of the laptop is sophisticatedly done and Sony has been very careful in not overdoing things here. The product is user friendly, robustly built and has got a clear cut structure with good navigational controls. Though it is not travel friendly as it weighs 8 pounds, but it can be termed as a spacious laptop with built-in audio and stereo speakers.

Connectivity is done through the USB, HDMI, ExpressCard, eSATA and FireWire with only three USB 2.0 ports. Games can be played with lower settings and still look great with the Nvidia graphics card. But the battery life in Sony Vaio VPCF115FM/B is not impressive as it runs on 6-cell battery for merely 1 hr 50 min which is pretty less for a high-end laptop. Sony provides 1-year warranty for this model and being priced at $1349, Sony Vaio VPCF115FM/B can be regarded as one of the best high-end laptops currently available on the mobile market.

Dell Inspiron Mini iM1012-687OBK

Dell Inspiron Mini iM1012-687OBK is a small fish in a big pond, and faces the threat of being devoured by the bigger Netbook sharks that have a bigger hard drive. But nevertheless, Dell Inspiron Mini iM1012-687OBK takes a firm stand, as it is the least expensive among all the three versions of Dell Inspiron that have been released during the same year. The model of Netbook is over priced at $349 and includes a processor 1.6Hz Intel Atom N450.

But it has a small hard drive at 160 GB only available at 5,400 rpm.  Dell Inspiron Mini iM1012-687OBK faces fierce competition from Samsung and Asus notepads which are featured to be having  the best touch pad and keyboard features respectively.

However, the touchpad available with Dell looked very much like the keys of a HP netbook, and is not very practical as the navigation is very difficult, with the mouse pads being placed in the sides of the keypad. The Dell Inspiron Mini iM1012-687OBK Netbook environment does not seem adequate but the security system is pretty enhanced. Various apps are made available at default on the home page but the user is also given the freedom to launch an application of his own preference.

It has an L2 type of cache memory which is 512 KB in size. The random Access memory is installed at 1 GB which can be extended to 2GB at the maximum. It also supports flash memory cards like memory stick, multimedia card and SD memory card slot is also available. If you are an avid user the Dell Inspiron Mini iM1012-687OBK, is not recommended as the storage capacity is inadequate.

If Dell can consider updating the model with an additional hard drive capacity, then it is sure to bring in more sales. However, even the retail version known as Dells Mini 10 Netbook also failed to survive in the ever increasing competition in the Netbook Arena.

Are you planning to buy netbook? If yes then check our store below:

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Nokia netbook

Mobile phones and Nokia always sounded like synonyms to us. The minute Nokia comes in mind we think of mobile phones. But Nokia and netbooks or laptops!! Are you kidding me??

Well, this is no joke as the World’s leading mobile phone manufacturer is all set to make its debut in the industry of netbook.

Nokia 3G Booklet is Nokia’s pioneer in the netbook segment. We can only wait and watch until they unveil their first portable computer to tell you how different is Nokia from other netbooks.

Talking about the key features Nokia 3G Booklet is based on the well known Intel Atom platform and this is also the first netbook which will be featuring an HDMI HD video output. It is not that we are trying to bend towards the good factor about the little Atom and the HD stuff, but still having that output is definitely a step towards changing the netbooks into media cantor PCs.

Battery life is said to last up to 12hrs. This is a very important aspect and through this Nokia becomes a serious contender in this field. Nokia 3G Booklet has an integrated 3G/HSDPA modem and Wi-Fi too. The wow factor is the built-in GPS receiver which will successfully team up with the Nokia Maps application.

Nokia 3G Booklet has got a 10 inch screen and weighs 1.2kg. it measures only 20mm in thickness and there is a front facing video camera and Bluetooth. Nokia 3G Booklet will soon be available at Nokia World at the beginning of next month.

There is no information about the pricing of this netbook yet.

Great deals of notebooks are being released by Gateway. The price range of its fresh series of notebooks will vary from $499 and $599. It is definitely a good deal as you will get comparatively better spec than not considerably cheaper Asus Eee PC 1008HA Seashell.

The argument is obvious but the deal is whether or not Gateway NV series is something to get away with. According to us, NV’s design is better than the other’s in this price group. Gateway NV series will be soon available in the market. In the meantime let’s have a look at the specifications.

Gateway NV5214u

• Priced at $499
• 1366 x 768 resolution with 16:9 HD Ultrabright LED display
• 4GB Dual-Channel DDR2 system memory
• HDMI and VGA ports, 4 USB ports
• 6 cell battery
• 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N WiFi and built-in webcam

Gateway NV5807u

• Priced at $599
• All the features are just like the other model of Gateway, Gateway NV5214u except for the processor – 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 versus AMD Athlon 64 X2 QL-64 Dual Core with the same clock speed.
• The chipsets are also different.

It’s all worth the cost. That’s not the end Gateway has also equipped both these models with different GPUs. It’s Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD versus ATI Radeon HD 3200.

They both come with the preinstalled version of Windows Vista Home Premium. All in all it is good bargain deal.