The Kohjinsha SCC came about largely as a result of the success of the Asus EEE PC in capturing the market. The Kohjinsha SCC rode on the trend that the Asus EEE PC started when it spurred the start of an era dominated by mini notebooks or PC tablets. The Kohjinsha SCC offers the following features for the users:

Pros

The Kohjinsha SCC has two very vital characteristics that will surely impress laptop users: comfort and responsiveness. The keyboards and the mouse buttons are a delight to use. Those who plan to use the laptop for long periods of time would most likely not experience any difficulty in doing so.

The display is one of the highlights of this little notebook as well. Although it only has a 7-inch screen, the unit is fitted with thicker bezels. Some people gripe about the static state of most monitors. However, the Kohjinsha SCC took care of those concerns by fitting it with a rotatable screen. So if you have more viewers on the side, you can let them watch the screen more clearly by turning the monitor towards them. Viewing from various angles isn’t that bad as well. Even if you are looking at the screen from one side, there is no color distortion noticeable. Plus, the screen rotation is very convenient. There is no need to do it manually since all you have to do is apply a software setting and the computer operates the hydraulics all on its own.

Aside from the feature that rotates the screen, the screen can also be laid fully flat. With regards to interface, it has both a keyboard and a touch-screen interface. This allows you to just flatten the screen on top of the notebook unit and to operate it fully using the stylus included with the notebook. The fingers can be used with the touchscreen but since the Vista is not optimized for finger touch, the stylus is recommended.

The Kohjinsha SCC has more than enough memory both physical and volatile. Its memory is up to 512 MB, rivaling that of the original mini notebook Asus EEE PC. Its central processing unit is quite fast and almost similar to the Asus EEE PC at 500 megahertz.

The SCC is also very much capable of reading flash memory storage units. If you have memory cards lying around somewhere (a common occurrence if one has a digital camera), there is no need to purchase separate memory card readers. The SCC has a built-in memory card reader capable of reading three formats.

The weight of the Kohjinsha SCC is quite impressive. Aside from being diminutive, it is also very light. This means that it is very convenient to carry around to meetings or when you just want to grab a coffee.

Cons

One of the weak points in a Kohjinsha SCC is its speakers. They are not capable of generating sound that is of good enough quality or volume for an audience. You may have to connect to an external speaker to serve your purpose.

Conclusion

The Kohjinsha SCC is a decent attempt at following the footsteps of the more popular Asus EEE PC. Its small size, excellent graphics and impressive performance are enough to warrant an investment from the average buyer.

No related posts.

Does the 3K Longitude satisfy its targeted market’s needs? With the Asus EEE PC as well as other competitors in existence, will it be able to stand on its own and gather a number of loyal followers? The biggest question would be whether the features installed by 3K into its UMPC offering are worth the price tag.

Pros

Obviously modeled closely after the more popular EEE PC, this little computer is aimed at getting people the same package for the same price. It is very light: the notebook weighs less then 2 pounds thus making it very easy to carry around. You could even put this inside a small shoulder with enough cushioning, and you’re good to go.

The Longitude has a 7-inch LCD as well, which is a must in order for users to clearly see what they are working with using the computer. It has a flash-based memory of 4 gigabytes, again mimicking the specifications of the Asus EEE PC. Just like the original, 3K has fitted its mini notebook offering with a random access memory capacity of 512 MB.

Cons

Clearly, people will be pointing to the fact that 3K decided to put in a 400MHz processor for its Longitude 400 ultramobile portable computer offering. This is considerably slower compared to the original Asus EEE PC. 900 MHz and 400 MHz are clearly two worlds apart, despite the “energy saving” tag that it assigned to the Longitude. Plus, the processor is not manufactured by processor giant Intel but rather by China-based manufacturer Ingenics.

Despite the fact that it is running a version of Linux to power its processes, the Longitude 400 decided to take a turn different from other Linux-based mini notebooks by installing different office suites: it has AbiWord and GNUmeric and relatively unknown PDF reader and email client instead of the more widely accepted OpenOffice suite by Sun Microsystems. OpenOffice could have helped people who are used to Windows to adjust quickly to the shift when using the Longitude, but 3K decided differently.

Conclusion

For its features, it is best said that the Longitude 400 is merely a clone of the Asus EEE PC without its own features to boast of except for the disappointing 400MHz processing speed. This puts it behind its competitors that have managed to come up with more powerful units like Surcouf’s La Revolution that has a processor of up to a 1GHz and a 60GB hard disk. For a $399 price, users are better off purchasing an Asus EEE PC instead.

No related posts.

The Surcouf La Revolution is a surprising entry into the ultra-mobile PC market. First announced in April 2008, the Surcouf La Revolution is an offering from French computer contender Surcouf. Being priced not as affordably as most netbooks, one is left wondering what features are included in this ultraportable computer and if they’re worth their price. The Surcouf La Revolution presents with the following details:

Pros

For a UMPC, the La Revolution certainly holds an edge over its competitors in terms of hard drive space. While the more famous Asus EEE PC 4G can only accommodate 4-gigabytes of data, the La Revolution can hold a whopping 60 gigabytes. This alone can make this little French entry a good buy for UMPC users.

The La Revolution is certainly a bit more advanced (since it joined late) in terms of processing. It has a VIA C 7 that is capable of a speed of 1.2GHz, as compared to the EEE PC 4G’s 900MHz processor. Its RAM is also significantly higher at 1-gigabyte, twice the memory capability of the EEE 4G.

The La Revolution comes installed with a Genuine Microsoft Windows operating system, as opposed to the customized Linux that Asus exclusively offers its EEE PC buyers. While Linux is not a bad system, most users are inclined to purchase platforms with Microsoft Windows operating systems out of preference and years of experience in using those systems. Plus, the La Revolution is installed with an MS XP operating system, which most people consider more stable and less strenuous on the system compared to Vista.

The La Revolution has the option of a webcam, a 3G modem or a Global Positioning Satellite unit to be installed in the system for an additional price.

Cons

While it can be considered superior to the Asus EEE PC because of its specs and Windows-friendly system, the one thing that might discourage a user to purchase the La Revolution is its price. The La Revolution could still be considered quite expensive despite its apparent superiority over the existing UMPC’s like the EEE PC series and even the 3K Longitude. Some people have actually taken to calling the La Revolution “overpriced” as well.

Conclusion

Some would take the La Revolution out of consideration due to the pricing, which can be explained by the fact that it was intended for the European audience where prices come in Euro. Buyers from the United States would be discouraged due to the price tag and the shipping involved.

On the other hand, the high-performance features of the La Revolution cannot be argued and does make up for its exorbitant price. For a UMPC, you get superior hard drive space, memory capacity and faster processing speeds compared to more popular models like the EEE PC.

No related posts.

The 2Go PC came about due to the increasing number of children who use computers regularly. Whether it’s for browsing, playing games, or using the basic office applications, the 2Go PC is a fitting netbook for beginners. The 2Go PC is actually CTL’s version of the Classmate 2.

Specs

Pros

Because it is designed to work for children, this kid-friendly version of the original Intel Classmate is made to be very durable. Children are undeniably the greatest abusers of commodities, and notebooks are certainly not an exception for these adorable rascals. Thus, this durability will definitely come in handy and will make sure your child’s Classmate would be around long enough to help him with his computer requirements.

Display and graphics are also some of the strong points of this purchase. Despite having only a lower resolution for the monitor at 800 x 480, the Classmate compensates by having highly detailed and brightly colored graphics. The viewing angles for this computer are great as well; you can still see clarity and lack of color distortion even when viewing a bit to the left of the screen.

The battery is also excellent for this netbook, which is very important especially when your kid goes out to travel. The netbook has a battery life of about 3 to 5 hours, which is more than enough time for the kid to avoid boredom while inside the car and waiting to arrive at his destination. With the Classmate, the kid can play games or browse favorite websites.

Cons

While it has great graphics, the monitor is also generally very small to use. At only 9 inches, you can be certain that some windows can extend beyond the screen and compel you to scroll horizontally or vertically. This can be a hassle, but this could also not be a problem for children for whom anything goes.

The Classmate is not intended for hardcore performance needs, and because of that 2Go installed only 512 megabytes of random access memory for the notebook. This can be a problem, because some games that children play could require more memory to install. However, for other kid-oriented games that require minimal memory to play, the Classmate will certainly deliver and do its job.

Because of its processing power and small amount of memory, the Classmate also suffers from occasional slow loading which is common in stressful situations or predicaments where the computer has to handle a lot of processes at the same time. The computer may also freeze from time to time if it is forced to process numerous programs simultaneously.

Conclusion

The virtues of the 2Go PC would certainly have different appeals for different audiences. Some may consider it very inferior, but one should also consider to whom the Classmate was intended. It certainly is not meant for people that make heavy use of the computer, but for children, its performance would be adequate.

Best Places to Buy 2Go PC – Netbook Review

	Store Rating	Store Name	Price	Visit Store
	5277 Store Reviews	TigerDirect.com	$ 619.97
	1486 Store Reviews	PCNation	$ 2262.85
	185 Store Reviews	Amazon Marketplace	$ 2271.82
	2176 Store Reviews	eCOST.com	$ 2284.99

No related posts.

From MSI comes the MSI Wind U100. What features can a user expect from the netbook? Does it deliver in terms of performance and specifications? Here’s what we think about the MSI Wind Review after testing it.

Pros

Users will be delighted to find that although this is a mini-notebook, the MSI Wind has a decently-sized keyboard that will not make their hands and fingers cramp when typing. To those who are used to full-sized laptops, they’d also be impressed by the size of the Wind’s keyboard as it is surprisingly close to what they have been using. The keyboard also gives feedback, and does not require a tremendous effort to press.

The speakers on the MSI Wind give excellent output as well. The audio is very clear and crisp, even from a distance of seven feet. Music lovers will certainly love the clarity that they can enjoy without having to plug in headsets or external speakers to do so.

The Wind also does not disappoint in performance. Powered by a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom speaker, the Wind breezes through a lot of processes without a problem. Plus, it has a substantial memory as well. It boasts to have a gigabyte to use. Thus, users can expect smooth execution of tasks and programs, saving the user a lot of time.

Another excellent feature for the Wind is its TurboDrive. This feature is capable of overclocking the CPU for enhanced performance. It is also smart and is designed to consume less battery when it is turned on. The battery also can last as long as 5 hours and a half on regular use; more rigorous usage can last you up to four hours, which is more than enough time to burn.

The Wind connects easily to any Wi-Fi network. It feature great access speeds and loads pages quickly, which is very important when using the mini-notebook for business.

Cons

We have few complaints with regards to the MSI Wind. First of all, we take issue with its mouse interface. In contrast to its excellent keyboard, the MSI Wind has a mouse interface that is unfortunately very difficult to use. Unlike most laptops and netbooks, the mouse bar does not have a partition that separates the left and right buttons. This can be frustrating to use.

While its processor and memory can certainly work for certain heavy games, gamers would be disappointed to know that the MSI Wind is not ideal for 3D Games. However, you can enjoy regular games like Warcraft and other similar formats without a problem using the Wind. This is because of its screen size, which only offers 1024×600 as well as its integrated graphics chip.

Conclusion

The MSI Wind is all in all an outstanding notebook to own. In addition to its small size and ease of transporting, it is also very easy to use. Plus, it loads programs quickly and smoothly, which is what every user looks for in any notebook. While it can disappoint some gamers because of its inability to process 3D graphics, it certainly does well in other applications.

Best Places to Buy MSI Wind – Netbook Review

	Store Rating	Store Name	Price	Visit Store
	185 Store Reviews	Amazon Marketplace	$ 361.99
	2176 Store Reviews	eCOST.com	$ 360.99
	6569 Store Reviews	Overstock.com	$ 379.99
	1685 Store Reviews	Amazon	$ 499.95
	185 Store Reviews	Amazon Marketplace	$ 525.00

No related posts.

More on: Top 5 Netbooks

When Elitegroup Computer Systems launched the ECS G10IL, it was perceived that this notebook would definitely be a killer for other computing machines at its weight category. With a diagonal size of 11 inches, the price of the ECS G10IL is almost the same as its nine-inch competitors; however, it offers better connectivity.

With Asus being the benchmark for ultra-mobile lightweight computers, other notebook manufacturers have started manufacturing similar thinking machines that allow technology users to work and surf wherever they go without the hassle of bringing some deadweight. Although heavier than some two-pound notebooks, ECS G10IL could still be considered a lightweight machine with only three pounds of weight.

The ECS G10IL boasts of a sleek and very sturdy design, which may appeal to fashion-conscious computer users. The notebook’s edges are smooth and its keyboard layout is very neat. It is easier to touch type with ECS G10IL’s buttons while not allowing your fingers stroll with unidentified keys. The machine also offers three USB ports at its right side as well as a reader for Secure Digital Secure Digital High Capacity cards, MMC and MS.

The ECS G10IL’s main attraction is its connectivity. Aside from the usual broadband connection, this notebook comes with built-in mobile tri-band High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA). These Super-3G broadband technologies allow users to enjoy download speeds of up to 7.2Mb/s for the HSDPA and 2Mb/s for the HSUPA.

The ECS G10IL also comes with three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet networking, a 56 kbps analog modem, WLAN and Bluetooth connection.

Pros

The ECS G10IL is embedded with HSDPA and HSUPA connectivity for faster Internet browsing;

User-friendly keyboard layout and interface. Its keys are wider and flat, ideal for touch-typing.

This notebook may be installed with either Linpus Lite 9.4 version of Linux or Windows XP operating systems, allowing wider choice of applications for customized personal computing; and its 1.3 mega pixel camera could capture high quality and high-resolution graphics, making the ECS G10IL suitable for video teleconferences. Ideal for Messenger and other messaging systems that allows streaming of videos.

Cons

Since the ECS G10IL has no optical drive, one may have to acquire a separate optical drive for additional costs for installation of preferred programs and applications.

Conclusion

The ECS G10IL is ideal for people who don’t mind carrying three pounds of thinking metal powered with faster Internet connectivity, sleek design, easy-to-type keyboard and clear LCD screen. This machine is almost 50% heavier than it competitors but its features make it worth owning.

No related posts.

More reviews on: Top 5 Netbooks

Everex’s netbook, named the Everex Cloudbook, offers a satisfactory, albeit unimpressive, performance. The Everex Cloudbook offers satisfactory operation based on its 1.2 GHz VIA C7-M ultra low voltage processor. Upgrading the tiny 512MB RAM to 1GB does help improve its performance. Still, this is not remarkable compared to the competition.

Freemont, California-based Everex is a manufacturer of desktop and notebook personal computers. Established in 1983, the company initially made a name for itself as the leader in tape backup sales with half the world market.

The company is also known for several financial setbacks it had to endure in its colorful history. In 1993, the company declared itself bankrupt and was acquired by the Formosa Plastics Group. In December 2006, the company again filed for bankruptcy and was taken over by NewMarket Technology. Just recently, the company was in the news again; apparently their US operation has shut down but the company has not issued a word of explanation. This hints that another case of bankruptcy filing might be looming.

Design-wise, the Cloudbook is simple yet solid. We commend Everex for being able to put some sturdiness on this compact design. The Cloudbook’s 7-inch matte screen is easy on the eyes. Its 800×480 resolution offers bright images but, expectedly, isn’t designed for HD video viewing. The device does have a screen scaling system that allows you to scale resolution according to your taste.

The keyboard is cramped but we don’t think this would be a problem as most netbook users do not spend long hours typing on their units. The touchpad interface on the Cloudbook is unusually placed on the right side of the netbook. The left and right buttons, on the other hand, are on the left side of the device. The touchpad setup does require getting used-to. Most users, we expect, would be turned-off by this arrangement.

As to its share of ports, the Everex Cloudbook has the following ports: 2 USB 2.0, DVI, multiple card reader (4-in-1), Ethernet, an audio out and a microphone input port. The unit also comes with 802.11b/g WiFi. Memory is at 30GB maybe enough for some, but those who are into downloading stuff from the net would be asking for more.

If you intend to use this device for gaming, take note of its many limitations. The Cloudbook won’t be able to handle some of the latest games but is able to run many older games.

Like most users, we rant about the quality of the speakers on the Cloudbook. The speakers are simply awful. To remedy that, we suggest you use the audio output port.

For power, the Everex Cloudbook relies on a four-cell lithium-ion battery that Everex claims to last up to five hours long. Actual tests show this is more like three and a half hours.

In extended operations, the Cloudbook is both noisy and hot. The cooling fans produce very audible sound and there is a lot of heat coming from underneath the unit.

Pros

The Everex Cloudbook has an excellent high-resolution scaling system. We also like its sturdy design and solid build.

Cons

The gOS Rocket operating system is not user friendly. Everex obviously did not put much thought when it opted for this OS for the Cloudbook. The touchpad interface is uninspiring. The device gets hot almost immediately and its cooling fan generates too much noise.

Conclusion

The recent news about the closure of Everex in the US should be a warning to buyers. Now that the company has shut down, where would buyers get technical support? The question becomes more pronounced with a badly made product as the Cloudbook. Besides, there are a lot of other netbooks out there that are available for the same price with a comparable set of features.

Best Places to Buy Everex CloudBook – Netbook Review

	Store Rating	Store Name	Price	Visit Store
	529 Store Reviews	CompuVest	$ 194.99
	185 Store Reviews	Amazon Marketplace	$ 5.99

No related posts.