Windows 7 is finally here and all the new laptops, netbooks, and desktops that have been waiting in the wings for the October 22nd launch will start shipping. If you’ve been living with that 4 year old laptop and wondering what to do about Windows 7; now comes decision time. Do you upgrade the old Windows XP or Vista machine with a Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade for $119.99 and go searching for new drivers or buy a new computer? You could always hand the old laptop down to the kids and move over to the Apple camp with a newly announced $1,000, 13” MacBook Pro or you could keep using your old desktop and treat yourself to a new netbook with Windows 7 and all the drivers already installed.
Look Before You Leap
Windows 7 on a netbook can be a big improvement over XP. You get out from under an over-patched, aging OS and you get that new improved user interface, or do you? Many of the new netbooks will be shipping with Windows 7 Starter which is the entry level version of Windows 7. Missing from Windows 7 Starter (among other features) is:
• Aero Glass
• Taskbar Previews
• Aero Peek
• Desktop Personalization for customizing backgrounds, colors, or sounds
• Multi-monitor support
• DVD playback (for external drives)
When Windows 7 Starter was first announced Microsoft, to the dismay of many, said they were going to limit the number of open applications to three. Fortunately, they came to their senses and have since removed that limitation but it’s clear that this is very much a “starter” version and not the version Microsoft wants you to finish with.
Our advice is to look for Windows 7 Home Premium edition on a netbook or plan on spending the $79 (or $50 with a family pack) to upgrade Windows 7 Starter to Home Premium on your netbook.
No 64 Bit Mode?
We’ve seen reports that say Windows 7 performance improvements are only seen on 64 bit computers. Windows 7 supports both 32 bit and 64 bit instruction sets except for Windows 7 Starter which only runs in 32 bit mode. However, even if you do get Home Premium or a higher level version you’ll still need 64 bit hardware. Unfortunately, not all Atom processors implement a 64 bit instruction set. In fact, N and Z series Atom processors which most netbooks run on can't run the x86-64 instruction set. If you want 64 bit performance on a netbook you'll have to look hard for an Atom processor that supports it or go with a netbook with an AMD 64 bit processor like the Gateway LT3103u.
Ten Netbooks for Windows 7
We picked these netbooks for you to consider when shopping for a new Windows 7 equipped netbook. Some will have gone on sale on October 22nd while others should appear on the market soon thereafter.
New Large Screen, ION-based Netbooks
A new class of larger screen netbooks will be introduced along with Windows 7. They have slightly larger displays (11.6 – 12 inch) than the standard 10.1 inch netbook display. Many of them incorporate the Nvidia ION platform that includes an Intel Atom processor along with an Nvidia GeForce 9400M. The ION platform supports high end graphics like OpenGL 3, and allows playback of 1080p high-definition video and audio over an HDMI port. So far the reviews are somewhat mixed with lots of excitement about a powerful graphics engine in a netbook that doesn’t compromise battery life while other reviewers have experienced shorter battery life when running graphics intensive apps.
ASUS Eee PC 1201N
The ASUS Eee PC 1201N has a 12.1 inch (1366 x 768) display, 320GB hard drive, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N330 dual-core CPU, 3GB of RAM and NVIDIA ION graphics engine. ASUS will also offer a scaled down version with no ION chip, the 1201HA.
Lenovo IdeaPad S10
he Lenovo IdeaPad S12 is based on the Nvidia ION platform. The IdeaPad S12 has a 12.1 inch (1280 x 800) display, 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI output, 2 USB ports, a card reader, and a 6 cell, 6 hour battery. It is expected to cost around $550.
Samsung NC510
Early reviews of the new Samsung NC510 have been generally favorable. Like the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 and HP’s Mini 311, the Samsung NC510 incorporates the Nvidia ION platform which includes a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N280 processor Atom and Nvida graphics chip. Fortunately the added horsepower doesn’t come at the expense of battery life as one reviewer claimed 6.5 hours of light use per charge.
Subsidized Netbooks
If you want to get a 3G enabled netbook at a reasonable price and don’t mind paying a somewhat high monthly fee for 3G service you might want to consider one of these netbooks.
HP Mini 311
Verizon will be offering a version of the HP Mini 311, which is an 11.6 inch (1366 x 768) netbook running on the ION platform. It has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 2GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, and runs Windows 7 Home Premium. After a mail-in rebate, the HP Mini 311 will cost you $250, which is less than the $399 you’d pay if you bought it from HP. On the other hand when you add the $40 - $60 a month you'll be paying to Verizon for two years you might be better off buying it from HP.
Nokia Booklet 3G
Nokia has teamed up with AT&T to offer the Nokia Booklet 3G that is expected to cost $299.99 with a two-year AT&T Data Connect Plan. You’ll be able to buy a Booklet 3G at Best Buy stores or Best Buy Mobile standalone stores when they arrive at the stores in the middle of November. The netbook has a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, 10.1 inch (1280 x 720) display, 1 GB RAM, 120GB hard drive and a rated 12 hours of battery life.
The problem with these subsidized netbooks is what you get, or don’t get for your monthly fee. Right now you only get 250MB a month for $40 which is hardly anything by today’s standards.
Non-ION, Non-Subsidized Netbooks
Toshiba Mini NB205
The Toshiba Mini NB205 10.1 inch display netbook has been getting high marks from reviewers for its larger keyboard and touchpad. It has a large 250GB hard drive and a battery that's rated for 9 hours of use. It starts at $380. It looks like a Windows Starter version will be available for a little over $400.
ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-H and ASUS Eee PC 1008HA
As we write this the word on the street is that Asus Eee PC 1005HA which is part of ASUS' thin and light Seashell line, will be offered in two different Windows 7 versions. Both will have 10.1 inch display 1GB of RAM, 250G hard drives, and Intel Atom N270 processors. The 1005HA-H will offer Bluetooth and a 10.5 hour battery and the 1005HA-M has a matte screen, will not include Bluetooth and only have an 8.5 hour battery. Word also has it they will both ship with Windows 7 Starter.
The ASUS Eee PC 1008HA weighs just 2.4 pounds and is only 1 inch think. It has a larger keyboard like the Toshiba Mini NB205. A Windows 7 Home Premium version is available on Amazon for $479.
Gateway LT3103u
The Gateway LT3103u netbook is one of the only non-Intel Atom powered netbooks that we’re aware of. It has a 64 bit Athlon processor that theoretically should support a 64 bit version of Windows 7 providing 64 bit drivers are available it weighs 3.04 lbs. and has an 11.6 inch LED-backlit display and a 250GB hard drive.
New CULV ASUS Laptops Boasts Long Battery Life
We’re not sure if the new Asus UL20A-A1 is considered a netbook but we think Intel’s “consumer ultra-low voltage,” (CULV) processor technology has great potential for long lasting netbooks or laptops. The 12.1 inch display, Asus UL20A-A1 laptop should be available sometime soon with Windows 7 for under $600.
Thanks to Andrew
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