Right now the hottest term in computers is Netbook, it’s a combination of Internet and Notebook, and generally refers to laptop computers that have smaller than a 10” screen. For the most part, Netbooks are primarily used for browsing the Internet, email and intended to be small enough to take anywhere.

There is a sacrifice to be made with them, and that is generally in terms of a much slower processor compared to a full sized laptop, smaller hard drives, less RAM and usually a condensed keyboard. Most Netbooks come in well under $500 though, so they are attractive to someone who needs to accomplish a little more than their Blackberry or iPhone can do, but doesn’t’ want to haul their full sized laptop around.

Some interesting features on Netbooks coming out also include facial recognition software for security, built in card readers and built in 3G Internet connections though various mobile cellular phone services.

Following is a roundup of some of the most popular Netbooks on the market today.

MSI Wind

Among the leaders of the pack is the MSI Wind U123H. With a 10” screen, it boasts one of the largest native resolutions of 1024×600. Compared with a 13.3” MacBook that runs at 1280×800, you realize you’re getting a lot of screen real estate for 10”. Other key features are an Intel Atom 1.66GHz processor, 1GB of onboard DDR2 RAM, a built in web cam for video chat, 4 in 1 card reader, 3G communication and Bluetooth. One of the most appealing aspects of the Wind is that it utilizes a standard sized 2.5” SATA internal hard drive, available in 80, 120 or 160GB configurations. This dwarfs some of the other Netbooks. All of this does come at a slight tradeoff though, weighing 2.2 pounds fully loaded, it’s slightly heavier than the competition.

Dell Inspiron Mini 9

The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is one of the better known Netbooks with prices ranging from $249 for the entry level unit running Ubuntu Linux to well over $500 for a fully loaded unit with Windows XP. You’ll find a smaller screen than the MSI at only 8.9”, but the same 1024×600 screen resolution. Additionally, you will find the same DDR2 memory in the Mini 9, but only 512mb, no card reader, no 3G mobile broadband and a meek 8GB hard drive. In fairness, it is a solid-state hard drive, so battery life should be long (over 6 hours), but 8GB is barely enough to do, well anything with. Dell’s buying power and selling volume helps keep their prices lower than most others, but the lack of extra features is enough to make the lesser-known competition look really interesting.

Acer Aspire One

One of the most customizable and feature rich laptops is the Acer Aspire One, available in 8.9” or 10.1” configurations with enough options to make your head spin. Acer offers dozens of pre-configured models so it should be possible to fill your needs with just about anything they offer. The 8.9” version sports the same 1024×600 screen resolution as the Mini 9, comes pre-loaded with XP Home or the lesser known Linux distro Linpus, options for 120GB / 160GB SATA hard drive or 8GB / 16GB solid state drive, a slightly slower 1.60GHz Intel processor, 512MB of RAM, built in webcam, 3G connectivity and multi card reader. Depending on the configuration you get, battery charge times should last between 2.5 and 4 hours, and prices can range from $299 – $600+.

HP Mini 1000

The heaviest Netbooks of the bunch are the HP Mini 1000 collection, available in several different configurations, they start tipping the scales at 2.3lbs and go up from there. HP has done something unique in that they’ve rolled out their own operating system of sorts, called Mi, short for Mobile Internet, built on top of Linux. The goal is obviously to reduce the overall cost of the Netbook, but the buyer might not be ready to try a whole new interface, and just spend the extra money to get it loaded with Windows XP. Powered by Intel Atom processors, only having 60GB SATA hard drives as an option and lack of some of the other featured packed Netbooks out there, Mini 1000’s are the most lackluster of the bunch. It has a reader for SD cards, no 3g, no webcam and a weight that is 20% greater than most other Netbooks.

Asus Eee PC

If there was a grandfather to the Netbook revolution it would be the Asus Eee PC, offering cheap, small, feature rich Netbooks to the masses. Since their initial launch they’ve continued to lead the way in Netbooks, offering them in countless variations from 7, 9 and 10” versions, SATA and solid state hard drives, card readers, mobile broadband and battery life in some models that will exceed 8 hours. The Eee PC comes with Linux or XP operating systems and most feature the standard 1024×600 screen resolution. Prices also vary from sub $300 to well over $600 depending on configuration.

Accessories

The one thing that all of these Netbooks have in common is that they were not designed to be a primary computer. For the most part, they are intended to be a secondary, on-the-go computer to help you be more productive than a smart phone without the bulk of a full sized laptop. Since most Netbook users will have a need to offload data onto their primary computers on a regular basis, IOGEAR makes a USB Laptop KVM Switch with File Transfer. It allows the user to seamlessly control a secondary computer with a laptop as the console. An onscreen menu system allows you to easily transfer and backup data from one computer to the other and an extra USB port allows for another peripheral to be connected, such as an external hard drive.

Add an IOGEAR Wireless USB Hub and Adapter and you can put up to 30 feet between your Netbook and other devices, such as printers, scanners or external hard drives, to help eliminate cables and clutter. The Wireless USB Hub and Adapter will give you the freedom to move around your home office with your Netbook and still use all the devices you normally would.

Going wireless used to be the luxury of those who were ahead of the technology curve and had access to a healthy budget. Fortunately, wireless technology has matured to a point where pricing is comparable to wired alternatives. Here we examine the evolution of two technologies that highlight some of the many advantages of going wireless.

Presentation Solutions

Traveling professionals often need to give presentations on the road, often dealing with the inconvenience of carrying bulky equipment and all the associated cables. In many cases a projector is provided, and with any luck, you may be able to actually get it to work with your computer (sigh…). Then there is the issue with the cabling. It seems far too often that the cable is just one inch shy of successfully plugging in.

To be even safer, it can be convenient to carry along your own projector. In the days of old, you were stuck with carrying something bulky like this, but fortunately, new technology advances allow for much smaller form factors. Combine a small form factor projector with a Wireless USB to VGA kit , which won the International CES 2009 Honoree Award, and you have one slick presentation. Now if only the devices could actually create the presentation for you…

Here is an example of the gear in action:

Looking towards the future, IOGEAR just won PC World’s Gear of the Year award for a version that also includes audio, the Wireless USB Audio/Video kit. Look for it April 2009.

Connectivity Solutions

As USB devices proliferate, there are more and more gadgets and devices to plug into your computer. It is not always convenient to have all of these devices located in a cluster together, because often times you end up with a scenario like this when you use wired USB hubs. With IOGEAR’s Wireless USB hub and adapter, you can finally achieve that Zen-like workspace you’ve been dreaming about during your yoga lessons.

Take a look for yourself:

How are you going wireless? How would you like to go wireless?

As 2008 winds down and the world prepares for 2009, consumers are on the lookout for the hottest new technologies. With consumer’s needs and wants changing after a historically tumultuous year economically, the demands for the latest gadgets technology have shifted as well.

Consumers are no longer searching for the biggest, boldest technologies but are interested in electronics that help streamline and organize their lives, saving time and money. People are investing in gadgets that help them share and maximize existing resources.

Convenience is key for 2009. With the need to always be connected, society has and continues to move wireless. The greatest and most popular technologies in 2009 will implement wireless capabilities saving cable clutter and eliminating material waste. Wireless gadgets give customers environmentally-friendly options to streamline home and work spaces.

Additionally, green isn’t just about money. Consumers have taken a wider interest in items that not only maximize their bottom line, but save power and energy as well. Many companies, including IOGEAR, are taking steps in the right direction to conserve resources. Next year, energy-conserving gadgets such as solar-powered batteries, refurbished computers and KVM switches will be hot, hot, hot!

Respectfully,

The IOGEAR Staff

After providing a solution for your wire clutter problems on a previous post, we found great interest on the topic; judging from the amount of web traffic sent to that blog post. Here, we expand on the idea of de-cluttering with 4 ways to help move towards a de-cluttered digital life.

1. Wireless VGA – Connecting to your display wirelessly

Whether you are giving a presentation or watching a movie on your computer through a projector at home, you can finally put away that extra long VGA cord. This handy device not only reduces clutter, but adds at least ten points to your coolness factor . Learn more from the video.

2. Use Existing Wires

Using the existing electrical power lines in your home or business you can do some amazing things:

-       Stream music to any room, a great way to create a holiday atmosphere

-       Network your computers without a degree in Computer science

-       Extend a Wi-Fi network to the furthest part of your home or business

3. KVM – Easy Switching and File Sharing Between Two Computers

If you have a PC and a laptop on your desk, a KVM switch will reduce the clutter on your desk while allowing you to control both computers with the same keyboard, video display and mouse.

4. Portable Media Server – Free Your Photos, Songs and Movies

Getting photos, songs and movies to play from your PC onto a TV, HDTV or display usually means hauling a computer around and dealing with a mess of cables. With the Portable Media Server, not only do you eliminate the need to lug a PC around to enjoy your content, you can take your entertainment on the road!

What are your favorite tips for de-cluttering your digital life?