Is it just me, or can't you find some cheap Dells and Acers around $500 with a Core i3/i5 and similar battery life? They may not have an SSD, but still these netbook marketers/economists are having the same pricing problem that the iPad is having. Except, the iPad actually looks and feels nice - it's unique, which might make it qualify for a higher price, unlike these round-of-the-mill lapbooks :)
Also, I don't get why they keep using 1.3MP webcam as a selling point? 1.3MP wasn't worth it when it was new, I can't imagine using that as a selling point now, especially since phones are moving to the 5MP (or greater) standard. There's a big leap from 1.3 to 5, perhaps netbooks could settle around 3MP?
You won't find a i7 in a 10" enclosure (maybe not ever in anything below 14"). i7 is a very powerful processor, yet it has too high thermal dissipation to fit inside a small netbook. As for now, lightweight 10" with long life away from the socket seems to be a place only for Atom.
For i7 in small form one need look no farther then Sony Z (13.3"), or HP 2540p (12.1") I am almost positive that there are others. Power in small form factor can be accomplished but not without a price...usually a hefty one.
For a webcam, I don't think you need any more than that. Phones have higher res camera because people actually take pictures of things. A webcam is pretty much just used for video conferencing, something that doesn't require anything more than 1.3 MP.
I disagree. Video conferencing is still not as integrated into daily life as it has the potential to. There are a lot of reasons for that, but I think the quality of the stream/images influence people's emotional connection to the idea. 1.3MP was what web cams used 10 years ago, I'm surprised it's still being offered today.
for the record, 1080p is only 2MP (1920*1080). Still cameras are 5 or even up to 18MP, but that is for still shots. My current (ca 2006) Canon A630 is 8MP, but will only shoot 640*480 video. Remember that video is very expensive to store - that's why a 2hr DVD holds 4.7GB - at DVD resolution, you are at about 2-3GB per hour minimum.
In terms of processor - consider my Dad. He has a pretty powerful 2yr old notebook. But it is a 15" beast. When he travels, he wants something much lighter that will have great battery life - that's what people are getting netbooks for. If you want a gaming machine, get your 15" i7, and watch the battery last 45 minutes, and your lap burst into flames if you have it in your lap.
I highly doubt any videoconference software is even transmitting the full 1.3MP (around 1280x960) video stream. Lots of bandwidth and lots of processing power to encode and decode.
I'm really hoping this is a Matte screen; I want something a bit better than 1024x600 in a 10" package; but the only panel currently in use (1366x768 on some Dell, HP, and ASUS netbooks) is glossy and I detest glare on my screens.
I will let you know, I have one of these (tablet version w/ all options) on the way. It was only $470 shipped, so I figured it would make a good system for hauling around to clients for demonstrations. I am hoping that it isn't too glossy either.
is it normal there is a line in upper part of the screen when starting the netbook,?, or it is just the graphics is to low that why it shows? or there is a problem with screen monitor
i have my ideapad for about 4 months. i wanted to set pictures as wallpaper to the desktop but the problem is, when i right clicked the picture, it doesn't have "set as wallpaper" on it. how will i set my pictures as my wallpaper? do i need to update or upgrade my netbook? help please?
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vol7ron - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Is it just me, or can't you find some cheap Dells and Acers around $500 with a Core i3/i5 and similar battery life? They may not have an SSD, but still these netbook marketers/economists are having the same pricing problem that the iPad is having. Except, the iPad actually looks and feels nice - it's unique, which might make it qualify for a higher price, unlike these round-of-the-mill lapbooks :)Also, I don't get why they keep using 1.3MP webcam as a selling point? 1.3MP wasn't worth it when it was new, I can't imagine using that as a selling point now, especially since phones are moving to the 5MP (or greater) standard. There's a big leap from 1.3 to 5, perhaps netbooks could settle around 3MP?
Just my 2 cents,
vol7ron
Calin - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
You won't find a i7 in a 10" enclosure (maybe not ever in anything below 14"). i7 is a very powerful processor, yet it has too high thermal dissipation to fit inside a small netbook.As for now, lightweight 10" with long life away from the socket seems to be a place only for Atom.
vol7ron - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
That may be true, though, I never say "never" :)Also, nothing was mentioned about an i7. I had mentioned the i3/i5, but still, I think they could manage to keep all of them cool.
pygo - Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - link
For i7 in small form one need look no farther then Sony Z (13.3"), or HP 2540p (12.1")I am almost positive that there are others. Power in small form factor can be accomplished but not without a price...usually a hefty one.
icrf - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
For a webcam, I don't think you need any more than that. Phones have higher res camera because people actually take pictures of things. A webcam is pretty much just used for video conferencing, something that doesn't require anything more than 1.3 MP.vol7ron - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I disagree. Video conferencing is still not as integrated into daily life as it has the potential to. There are a lot of reasons for that, but I think the quality of the stream/images influence people's emotional connection to the idea. 1.3MP was what web cams used 10 years ago, I'm surprised it's still being offered today.jbwhite99 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
for the record, 1080p is only 2MP (1920*1080). Still cameras are 5 or even up to 18MP, but that is for still shots. My current (ca 2006) Canon A630 is 8MP, but will only shoot 640*480 video. Remember that video is very expensive to store - that's why a 2hr DVD holds 4.7GB - at DVD resolution, you are at about 2-3GB per hour minimum.In terms of processor - consider my Dad. He has a pretty powerful 2yr old notebook. But it is a 15" beast. When he travels, he wants something much lighter that will have great battery life - that's what people are getting netbooks for. If you want a gaming machine, get your 15" i7, and watch the battery last 45 minutes, and your lap burst into flames if you have it in your lap.
strikeback03 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I highly doubt any videoconference software is even transmitting the full 1.3MP (around 1280x960) video stream. Lots of bandwidth and lots of processing power to encode and decode.DanNeely - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I'm really hoping this is a Matte screen; I want something a bit better than 1024x600 in a 10" package; but the only panel currently in use (1366x768 on some Dell, HP, and ASUS netbooks) is glossy and I detest glare on my screens.JarredWalton - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I'm pretty sure all of the IdeaPad line uses glossy LCDs. Sorry--I'm with you on the glossy hatewagon. :-)echtogammut - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I will let you know, I have one of these (tablet version w/ all options) on the way. It was only $470 shipped, so I figured it would make a good system for hauling around to clients for demonstrations. I am hoping that it isn't too glossy either.DanNeely - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - link
Thanks. Do you have an ETA for it's arrival so I know when to check back here?garfinryan - Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - link
is it normal there is a line in upper part of the screen when starting the netbook,?, or it is just the graphics is to low that why it shows? or there is a problem with screen monitorkhandees - Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - link
i have my ideapad for about 4 months. i wanted to set pictures as wallpaper to the desktop but the problem is, when i right clicked the picture, it doesn't have "set as wallpaper" on it. how will i set my pictures as my wallpaper? do i need to update or upgrade my netbook? help please?