BenQ Launches 13.3-inch AMD-based Netbook

[JMcEntegart]

BenQ has just launched a 13.3-inch laptop which the company is insisting on calling a netbook.

BenQ Launches 13.3-inch AMD-based Netbook : Read more

 

[squatchman]

Too big to be a netbook, and not enough horsepower to be a notebook.


BenQ should stick to projectors.

 

[scook9]

reasons this is NOT a netbook:
Vista
Not low enough power CPU
Screen resolution I would actually like

Just because they managed to make a cheap notebook that also has too few USB ports and no optical drive does not mean its a netbook. Even if it is small, wait, its not - macbooks are this size too (I only use the M word because they are the most common laptops at this size, other companies prefer 15.4" for the most part)

 

[Luker3]

I don't think it matter what OS it is running. It is more important to judge a netbook by its capabilities/power requirements. While a semperon isn't flexing too much muscle, it isn't quite like was the Atom is, which is what defines netbooks right now.

 

[chuenl]

From what I found, AMD Sempron could run as low power as 8 or 9 watts. So, I don't think they are overpowering.

Take a look at these links:
http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/32262/135/
http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=8409249
http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/DownloadableAssets/Product_Datasheet_Final_Pid_34134A.pdf

 

[mavroxur]

I don't quite understand. Basically, they took a notebook from two years ago (something powered by a Sempron Mobile) re-labeled it, and now call it a netbook? It's 13+ inches, comes with Vista, and sports a regular HDD. It even looks like a 3000-series Acer Aspire in a way.


If it looks, feels, smells, and tastes like a notebook, it's a notebook.

 

[Luker3]

[citation][nom]chuenl[/nom]From what I found, AMD Sempron could run as low power as 8 or 9 watts. So, I don't think they are overpowering.Take a look at these links:http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/32262/135/http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Sh [...] ku=8409249http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/co [...] 34134A.pdf[/citation]

If that is the one they are using then it is a good choice. Now I am going to have to go look at some benchmarks to compare with Atom.

 

[jacobdrj]

I have a LAN Party rig with a built in touch LCD and no optical drive and a UPS. Its a netbook too.

 

[dfusco]

I'd call something trying to run Vista on a Sempron processor a piece of cr@p.

 

[Guest]

Only 3 hrs of battery. Otherwise nice looking device! Probably loads better to play basic games on than my Intel GMA laptop.

 

[xpont8]

too big for a netbook. well, size matters to me. 😀

 

[neiroatopelcc]

Loads of people don't want to call it a netbook because of the display size. Probably right. Let's call it something else then, but the product is attractive to some people. My mom wanted a netbook, but couldn't find herself buying one as they all come with tiny screens. A 13" screen might be the solution to her needs. If the pricing is reasonable, and availability is there, I might give her one of these for her birthsday next month.

 

[nottheking]

Of course, the screen size also begs as to exactly what sort of size of keyboard it comes with. (from the pics, I can't be sure if it's 100% or 95% size) It's true that this is a little on the wide side to be a netbook, but perhaps it's lighter than a notebook; remember the weight is a factor here. However, 1.8 kg is a tad heavy for a netbook, which was originally defined by the 0.9 kg Eee 700. I'm not sure if I'd really call it a notebook, though, as those done seem to come under 2.0-2.5 or so.

As far as power goes, a Sempron 200U most certainly ain't a mainstream chip; it's very clearly in the Atom realm, with an 8w TDP, and a clock rate of 1000 MHz. Probably even weaker than the lower-end Atom N270s you see packed into other netbooks. Similarly, the use of DDR2-400 also is definitely unlike a notebook, where you'd expect more proper DDR2.

All we really need to see now is the price. It's treading on a bit of thin ice by sticking us with what is clearly netbook-level horsepower, but coming bulkier than the market's common netbooks. If we get netbook-level pricing, (no more than $500-600US) I'm sure plenty will eye this as a good tradeoff of bulkiness for a screen big enough to use. But if it costs too much, it's just going to be a small notebook that does nothing terribly well.

 

[zodiacfml]

they wouldn't call it a netbook if priced higher than consumers can accept for a netbook.

 

[fazers_on_stun]

Loads of people don't want to call it a netbook because of the display size. Probably right. Let's call it something else then

OK, let's call it a NUTbook, for the nutjobs who think it's a netbook .

10" has been determined to be the sweet spot for netbooks.

Personally I'm waiting for the dual-core Atoms to become more available. That with 720P output will make for a really portable streaming video machine.

 

[neiroatopelcc]

[citation][nom]fazers_on_stun[/nom]10" has been determined to be the sweet spot for netbooks. [/citation]
That is only the case because elderly and visually impaired people haven't yet realized they need a netbook. When they do, they won't buy one because they can't use the screen.