The complete Christmas shopper’s guide to Linux-based netbooks

The complete Christmas shopper’s guide to Linux-based netbooks

By David M. Williams
Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Give a gift of a netbook this year; I will be. These ultra-light computing devices are versatile, affordable and appealing. But which one to buy? Should you pay more for a laptop? What are the pros and cons between different models? Never fear, here’s how to work your way through the morass and buy with confidence!

Just twelve months ago the diminutive 7” Asus Eee kicked off an unexpected new market – more portable than a sub-notebook, more affordable than many PDAs and existing in the realm between those two.

A new term was coined for just this type of device and the legion of alternative models spawned in the wake of the Eee’s sales success. They have been dubbed “netbooks” and as we approach the festive season in many parts of the world it’s worth considering a netbook as an appropriate Christmas gift for the student, the new computer users, the traveller, the gadget freak or the hard-to-buy-for in your life.

Here’s my roundup of what’s out there! This is the ultimate netbook list to help you focus in on what matters most to you or your recipient.

On page three I’ll give the specs for a whopping 39 models. But first, why would you choose a netbook? And why Linux?

Sales data shows netbooks have been highly compelling and desirable purchases. Within a month of its release the ASUS Eee was hard to obtain; it exceeded ASUS’ expectations and rapidly became their best-selling product line ever. Amazon.Com rated it as their bestselling notebook. Retail outlets ran out of stock.

The simplest and most logical explanation is price – it was on sale for less than any other notebook could possibly aspire to. Here was a super light and tiny computing device which would get you online, let you check e-mail, browse web sites, write documents and spreadsheets, play some games, listen to music and do other things with a big reduction in the usual cost.

Once purchased, smart people around the world figured out many other reasons why the unit was a must-have. People hacked their Eee’s to include touch screens and 3G modems; children found them durable and easy to operate, enhancing their educational experience; techies could use them for network diagnostics by plugging in at a site and gathering data which could be later analysed.

The ASUS Eee shipped with a modified form of Xandros Linux. Later netbooks by other vendors similarly used Linux variations to drive their devices. Models eventually shipped with Windows XP but this was not the case originally. There are good reasons for this.

Firstly, Linux has no licensing fee whatsoever. By bundling Linux these hardware vendors were able to keep the cost of the device to a minimum.

Secondly, Linux performs well on reduced hardware. You can have the latest Linux software on your netbook but there’s no chance Windows Vista will work. If you feel XP is a little dated you don’t have to abandon hope of having the latest and greatest.

Thirdly, a rich collection software for Linux is freely available and easily downloaded via the package management tools that come with the operating system. By contrast, software for Windows mostly requires a CD/DVD drive – which necessitates an additional purchase, because netbooks typically don’t have optical drives built-in.

This year, even more than last, a netbook is a terrific Christmas gift. With a Linux-based netbook you won’t go wrong, and you’ll have no shortage of applications.

Here’s our agenda:

Some terms need to be explained which will assist you in understanding how these netbooks vary and why you might prefer one to another. Ultimately, they all share similar advantages – lightweight, low power usage and heat generation, low price – but some have just that bit more than others. Of course, you have to trade off these benefits against price.

The three main considerations, to my mind, are the processor, the display and the type of storage system employed.

Netbooks with an Intel Atom processor are quality, modern processors that have been designed specifically to give solid performance in tiny low-powered units. Alternatively, netbooks use processors which were originally designed for desktop or laptop usage. The Intel Celeron is probably the oldest of these – and was used in the original ASUS Eee – and correspondingly is less capable than the VIA C7 used in some models which is itself less featured than the Atom.

Displays are much easier to comprehend; the size of the screen ranges from 7” to 10.2” with resolutions from 800×480 to 1280×1024. The higher the resolution the more individual dots fit on screen to make up your picture; the bigger the screen size the larger these dots will be. While the 7” ASUS Eee was usable at 800×480 it really could have benefited from just a bit more height. Conversely, the latest ASUS Eee 1000 has a crisp 1024×600 display on a 10.2” screen making it eminently usable.

The screen size effectively determines the size of the unit, meaning that the keyboard will typically be proportional. None of the models listed have a full-size keyboard, and the smaller your screen the smaller the keys. If you have long nails or fat fingers don’t be surprised if your typing speed takes a dive on the 7” models.

The storage used by netbooks varies from solid state drives (SSDs) to more conventional hard disk drives (HDDs.) The advantages of solid state are that they give you a device that has absolutely no moving parts within it. It has less possibility of breaking, it starts up faster, and it produces less heat and consumes less battery power. However, it is also more expensive and thus don’t be surprised to see netbooks with a paltry 4GB SSD, going up to the still miniscule size of 16GB models. Regular hard drive models are available in capacities that begin at 80GB going up to 160GB or, in one case, 250GB.

And here’s what’s out there … For each entry the unit’s manufacturer and model are listed followed by the weight in kilograms and pounds, the screen size in inches, the display resolution, the processor type, processor speed, storage capacity (or capacities, where options are available) and built-in RAM capacity (or capacities, where options are available.)

Disappointingly, you may notice that the range of models stick to a fairly predictable formula giving repeatable patterns of display, processor, and storage combinations.

Then again, for shoppers that’s not such a bad thing because you can have reasonable confidence most all brands are comparable and you can thus haggle on price with the full knowledge that your options aren’t limited to one specific netbook.

What might settle the matter for you are personal aesthetics: some netbooks look more business-like and professional than others. Some come in pink. These aspects can’t be captured in a table but merit looking around in-store and getting a feel for which ones appeal more than others.

So without further ado, let me present the big list to you!

The big list! This is it – the ultimate Christmas shopper’s guide to what’s available in the world of netbooks. Get one for yourself, get one for your children, get one for your parents.

For each entry the unit’s manufacturer and model are listed followed by the weight in kilograms and pounds, the screen size in inches, the display resolution, the processor type, processor speed, storage capacity (or capacities, where options are available) and built-in RAM capacity (or capacities, where options are available.)

Acer Aspire One – 0.99kg, 2.18lbs, 8.9”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 8GB/16GB SSD / 120GB/160GB HDD, 512MB / 1GB RAM

ASUS Eee PC 701 – 0.92kg, 2.02lbs, 7.0”, 800×480, Celeron-M, 0.9GHz, 2GB/4GB/8GB SSD, 512MB/1GB RAM

ASUS Eee PC 900 – 0.99kg, 2.18lbs, 8.9”, 1024×600, Celeron-M, 0.9GHZ, 12GB/16GB/20GB SSD, 1GB RAM

ASUS Eee PC 901 – 1.14kg, 2.51lbs, 8.9”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 12GB/20GB SSD, 1GB/2GB RAM

ASUS Eee PC 1000 – 1.45kg, 3.19lbs, 10.2”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 80GB HDD, 1GB/2GB RAM

Axioo Pico – 1.2kg, 2.6lbs, 10”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 120GB HDD, 1GB RAM

Datacask Jupiter 1014a – 1.25kg, 2.71lbs, 10.2”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 80GB/160GB HDD, 1GB RAM

Dell Mini 9 – 1.04kg, 2.27lbs, 8.9”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 4GB/8GB/16GB SSD, 512MB/1GB RAM

E-Lead Noahpad – 0.78kg, 1.71lbs, 7”, 800×480, VIA C7-M, 1GHz, 30GB HDD, 512MB RAM

Elonex ONE – 1kg, 2.2lbs, 7”, 800×480, LNX Code 8, 300MHz, 1GB SSD, 128MB RAM

EMTEC Gdium – 1.2kg, 2.6lbs, 10”, 1024×600, Loongson, 0.9GHz, 8GB/16GB SSD, 512MB RAM

Everex Cloudbook – 0.91kg, 2lbs, 7”, 800×480, Via C7-M, 1.2GHz, 30GB HDD, 512MB RAM

Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Mini UI 3520 – 1kg, 2.2lbs, 8.9”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 60GB/80GB HDD, 1GB RAM

Gigabyte M912 – 1.3kg, 2.86lbs, 8.9”, 1280×768, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 120GB/160GB/250GB HDD, 1GB/2GB RAM

Gigabyte M912X – 1.35kg, 2.97lbs, 8.9”, 1280×768, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 80GB HDD, 1GB RAM

HP Mini note 2133 – 1.27kg, 2.79lbs, 8.9”, 1280×800, VIA C7-M, 1GH/1.6GHz, 4GB SSD / 120GB HDD, 512MB/2GB RAM

Intel, ECS Classmate PC – 1.45kg, 3.19lbs, 7”, 800×480, Celeron-M, 0.9GHz, 2GB NAND disk, 256MB RAM

Inventec Kohjinsha SC3 – 0.8kg, 1.75lbs, 7”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.33GHz, 60GB HDD, 1GB/2GB RAM

Inventec Kohjinsha SX3 – 1.2kg, 2.64lbs, 8.9”, 1280×786, Intel Atom, 1.33GHz, 60GB HDD, 1GB/2GB RAM

Lenovo IdeaPad S10 – 1.2kg, 2.64lbs, 10.2”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 80GB HDD, 512MB RAM

LG XL110 – 1.19kg, 2.6lbs, 10”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 80GB/120GB/160GB HDD, 512MB/1GB RAM

LG Xnote B8310 – 0.59kg, 1.3lbs, 4.8”, 800×480, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 40GB HDD, 1GB RAM

Maxdata Belinea S-Book – 1kg, 2.2lbs, 840×480, VIA C7-M, 1.2GHz, 80GB HDD, 1GB RAM

Medion Akoya E1210 Mini – 1.2kg, 2.64lbs, 10”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 80GB/160GB HDD, 1GB RAM

MSI Wind – 1.04kg, 2.29lbs, 10”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 80GB/120GB HDD, 512MB/1GB RAM

MSI Wind U120 – 1.1kg, 2.42lbs, 10.2”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 80GB HDD, 2GB RAM

NTT System Corrino 100A – 1.2kg, 2.65lbs, 10.2”, 1024×600, Geode LX800, 500MHz, 60GB HDD, 1GB RAM

One A110 – 0.95kg, 2.1lbs, 7”, 800×480, VIA C7, 1GHz, 2GB/4GB SSD / 60GB HDD, 512MB RAM

One A440 – 1.2kg, 2.6lbs, 10.2”, 1024×600, VIA C7, 1.6GHz, 80GB HDD, 1GB RAM

Quanta Computer OLPC XO-1 – 1.45kg, 3.19lbs, 7.5”, 1200×900, Geode LX700, 433MHz, 1GB SSD, 256MB RAM (Note, this is only available for retail purchase at present through Amazon.Com if you also buy one for a developing nation.)

Raon Digital Everun Note – 0.8kg, 1.76lbs, 7”, 1024×600, Turion 64 X2, 1.2GHz, 16GB/24GB SSD / 30GB/60GB/80GB HDD, 1GB RAM

Samsung NC10 – 1.3kg, 2.9lbs, 10.2”, 1024×600, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 80GB/120GB/160GB HDD, 1GB RAM

Skytone Alpha-400 – 0.72kg, 1.58lbs, 7”, 800×480, XBurst MIPS, 400MHz, 1GB NAND, 128MB RAM

Skytone Razorbook – 0.72kg, 1.58lbs, 7”, 800×480, XBurst MIPS, 400MHz, 4GB NAND, 512MB RAM

Sylvania G Netbook – 0.85kg, 1.87lbs, 7”, 800×480, VIA C7-M, 1.2GHz, 30GB HDD, 1GB RAM

Toshiba NB100 – 1kg, 2.2lbs, 8.9”, 1024×640, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 80GB/120GB HDD, 512MB/1GB RAM

Toshiba NB105 – 1.1kg, 2.42lbs, 8.9”, 1024×640, Intel Atom, 1.6GHz, 120GB HDD, 1GB RAM

VIA Nanobook – 0.85kg, 1.87lbs, 7”, 800×480, VIA C7-M, 1.2GHz, 30GB HDD, 1GB RAM

VIA Openbook – 1kg, 2.2lbs, 8.9”, 1024×600, VIA C7-M, 1.6GHz, 80GB HDD, 2GB RAM

That’s the big list! The manufacturers have certainly been busy since last year.

Print out our list and take it with you; bookmark this page and use CTRL+F to search for models you see. As you look at prices let the list guide you to whether the units you see are higher- or lower- spec’d than others.

Good luck, have fun, and give the gift of a Linux netbook this Christmas.