The search for the ultimate game-changer in technology is still on, many have tried, but where we use our apps has changed more than the apps themselves lately. Six months ago we did a roundup covering several popular models of what we consider the game-changer of 2009, Netbooks. Here we update what we found in our previous roundup and then look at the hardware you need to get the most out of your Netbook experience.

Bridging the gap between smart phone and laptop computer, these lightweight, ultra-portable, power-house Netbooks are finding a way into more homes, offices, briefcases and purses this year. One of the front-runners from the Netbook roundup was the Dell Mini 9. Partly due to a large advertising budget combined with funky colors and the ability to run OS X software, sales of them quickly took off.

Dell had so much success with the Mini 9 they launched the Mini 10 and Mini 12 (though the Mini 12 was discontinued), with more colors and configurable options. Solid state hard drives continue to grow in size but drop in price, increasing value, along with other features found in these Netbooks. The Mini 9 starts at about $230 for a feature-rich computer and has stayed aggressively priced, compared to the market, while the Mini 10 weighs in near $300.

Asus, a pioneer in the Netbook space, continues to dominate the market with the Eee PC. With more than twenty models currently available in sizes ranging from 7” to 10” and now a new touch-screen tablet, Asus continues to move forward with innovative design and development.

While new technology is implemented into Asus Netbooks to make them thinner, lighter, faster, have more storage and better graphics, the price has stabilized at around the $200-250 level. Considering an unlocked smart phone often runs twice this price and full sized laptops can be double or triple the price, the value in these Netbooks really starts to shine through.

The aggressive pricing of the major Netbook manufactures continues to push smaller companies to offer unique features, special promotions or try to carve a niche out for themselves. BenQ released a selection of Netbook / laptop hybrids in the 12” range, bridging the gap between the 10” Netbooks and 14” laptops. Better known for memory, OCZ Technology released a 10” DIY Netbook called the Neutrino, aimed at being more customizable. Some assembly is required, but this was done on purpose to keep the price down.

Netbooks can be so much more than a bridge between smart phone and desktop computer. The Asus touch-screen tablet is evidence of that, with the ability to easily show clients work, share the screen and let the ideas flow through.

Keeping your Netbook in sync with your home and office computer is often required, and the USB Laptop KVM is the perfect accessory to help facilitate this. An on-screen manager lets you access either computer to share files when connected via the USB adapters and you can utilize the full sized desktop monitor from your Netbook too. Small, sleek and unobtrusive, this KVM is an essential additional to both home and office settings.

Maximize your Netbook’s screen with a Wireless Audio / Video Kit, making a 9 or 10” screen 54” within minutes. This breakthrough product uses ultra wide-band (UWB) technology to transmit 720p HD video from your Netbook to your HD television or monitor, wirelessly! Streaming your favorite movies, TV shows and music from your Netbook now makes it a home media center that you can control right from your couch, up to 30’ away.


Keep a clean and clutter free workspace, living room and office by eliminating Netbook cable clutter. Adding a Wireless USB Hub & Adapter can transform your Netbook into a serious wireless workhorse, without tripping over cables. Installation is simple and straightforward and will allow the connectivity of USB powered devices from up to 30’ feet away. Attach a printer, scanner, hard drive and just about anything else that’s USB powered and never worry about a tangled cord mess on or under your desk again. Because all that gets plugged into the Netbook is a USB transmitter, picking up the Netbook and taking it with you is easy, and syncing to the USB devices when you come back is a snap.

Like most new products to the marketplace, Netbooks are still finding their way into our lives and will endure more changes, features, size and configurations to meet our needs. Less and less 7” models are available because users deemed them too small to use, while the eight and nine-inch models become top sellers. Users are also realizing that having a 500 GB hard drive in a super-portable isn’t always needed, especially when utilizing products like the USB Laptop KVM to off-load and transfer files, or attaching an external hard drive to a Wireless USB Hub. Integrating, utilizing and maximizing your Netbook with IOGEAR products allows you to be more productive at home and in the office with less wasted time, which is always the goal and now it is easier than ever.

Wireless technology is becoming more practical for everyday use, and we have some great products that can help you get MORE out of your technology, with LESS wires!

Many people have laptops or netbooks to use wirelessly around the home or on-the-go, but still have to walk back to the printer and connect with a USB cable to print. We think that’s crazy! The 4-Port USB Net ShareStation can make any USB peripheral into a networked device. Hook it up to your wireless router to share a printer or external hard drive and access documents and files. It’s a simple way to turn wired into wireless and save yourself the headache of being tangled in cables.

The Wireless USB Hub and Adapter Kit is another way to go wireless. It works just like your regular USB hub only without the cables since it comes with a Wireless USB adapter for your PC.

Not everyone has the newest wireless technology built in to their computers. If you’ve been waiting to get on the Bluetooth bandwagon, the Bluetooth 2.0 USB Micro Adapter makes it as simple as plugging a finger-nail size device into your USB port. The product allows you to connect to Bluetooth devices like cell phones, PDAs, mice and keyboards, and its small size prevents blockage to any surrounding USB ports. To get on the Internet wirelessly with faster speeds, you can upgrade your computer with our Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter.

If you’re not sure what kind of adapter you need, check out this article from our friends at Wisegeek for a good overview.

What kind of technology do you use to go from mo’ wires to no wires? Leave us a comment and let us know!

If you are currently suffering from an “over-wired” experience, check out our contest where we are helping three lucky winners to de-clutter with free IOGEAR products.

Cheers,
The IOGEAR Team

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?

Living in an increasingly digital age, it is difficult to decipher how to maximize resources for a fully-integrated digital home. Consumers are looking for the best products to wisely equip their households, simply and cost-effectively. With today’s digital world and ambiguous economy, it is important for individuals to utilize the resources at their fingertips, and one of the best ways to do so is through integration.

Connect to Your PC to a TV or Project Wirelessly

An example of this technology merge occurs when people connect their PCs to their televisions, such as users of our Wireless USB to VGA Kit, who can wirelessly display PC content on their television screen or projector within the same room.

Install Multi-Room Audio Systems with No Wires

We also see a growing number of customers using our Powerline Stereo Audio System, which makes use of a home’s existing power lines and enables individuals to easily install a multi-room audio distribution system.

Looking Towards to the Future

At IOGEAR we are always thinking of ways to make your digital life simpler. Next time you feel confused about different technologies and their price tags, consider how our products can save you the time and money.

What products can we create to make your life even easier?

Green is the new black, well at least in this eco-conscious day and age it is. Everyone and everything is going green, and individuals and companies are implementing personal and professional actions in order to help sustain our environment.

Customers can go beyond recycling and make intelligent purchases to help save money, energy and space. In our advanced tech-savvy world, there are several products available that help today’s consumers.  With more and more advances in technology, customers can avoid adding to their electronic waste by using the resources they already own for multiple purposes.

Following are three ways you can go green with IOGEAR.

1. Manage Multiple Computers with One Keyboard and Mouse

Do you have multiple computers? Wouldn’t it be nice to control them all with one keyboard and mouse? IOGEAR’s KVM switches do just that, and they work with up to eight computers. We have everything from an 8-Port KVM with Wireless Mouse / Keyboard Combo to our recent USB Laptop KVM Switch that utilizes a laptop as your console.

2. Reduce the need for Cables with Wireless Hubs

Consumers can eliminate the amount of excessive wires and cabling needed by replacing wired USB hubs with wireless hubs. For example, IOGEAR offers a Wireless USB Hub and Adapter Kit to wirelessly connect your printers, scanners, hard drives and digital cameras to a PC.

3. Buy Something from IOGEAR and Get a Tree Planted

IOGEAR is also committed to a cleaner, better world, which is why we have implemented the ‘Road to a Million Trees’ campaign. IOGEAR partnered with Trees for the Future to plant a tree for every product sold on IOGEAR.com or through an IOGEAR Green initiative partner.

Find out more about IOGEAR’s GREEN initiative.

What are you doing to make the world a greener place?

Wireless is in.  The problem for business (and personal) applications is that there are often multiple users wanting to use the same devices.  With wireless USB printers, camcorders, and scanners popping up, the need to be able to “flip a switch” and connect from another computer is increasingly important.  To solve this problem, we took a long look at the IOGEAR Wireless USB Hub and Adapter Kit.

It allows your desktop or laptop to connect with game controllers, flash drives, external hard drives, and other USB devices without the need for wires. With transmission speeds of up to 480Mbps, it is the perfect combination of convenient USB connectivity, blazing fast data transfers and the benefits of going wireless.

Flip of a Switch

The ability to have high-bandwidth video, audio and data transfers from up to 30 feet away is a tremendous asset, but multiple users sharing a device can have difficulty connecting if they don’t use the IOGEAR Wireless USB Hub.  It is important to have the flexibility of changing users quickly and easily, especially in active environments.  In the 21st century, an “active environment” can be the office, home, dormitory.
A home or office setup can easily utilize the feature as most households and businesses have multiple computers working with the same peripherals.  For school, the application is obvious: most student living quarters are shared, so allowing roommates and study groups to share hardware from different computers can save space.  In college, space is a hot commodity.

Works with Peripherals like…

• Printers
• Scanners
• External Hard Drives and Flash Memory sticks
• Digital Cameras
• Camcorders
• Personal Media Players
• USB Enabled LCD Monitors and Projectors
• PDA’s, Smartphones and Cell Phones

The possibilities are many when you can flip a switch to change computers.

When the USB 1.0 specification model was introduced in November 1995, its creators new they were on to something.  Today, there are about 2 billion USB devices in the world.  That’s 5 times higher than the number of televisions!

With all of these gadgets, most people have a favorite.  Is it a particular kind of printer?  Perhaps a wireless game controller?  Whatever your favorite USB device is, IOGEAR wants to know.

With the launch of their Wireless USB Hub, the staff at IOGEAR was posed the question, “What are your ‘Must Have’ USB devices?”  Their responses will be placed below, but we don’t want it to end there.  Please let us know what YOUR must have USB devices are.  We look forward to your responses!

Respectfully,

The IOGEAR Staff

If it’s a confusing, cluttered eyesore that can be tripped over or yanked on, then computers wired to their peripherals are for you.  Here are some images that visually depict the “old style” of connecting:

The Video Desk: Luckily, nobody can see what happens in front of the desk (except the people coming into the room)

The Danger Corner: Where clutter starts and safety ends.

The Wired Jungle: “I know there’s a computer behind the wires somewhere.  Maybe even three!”

Now, for those who have experienced this kind of “disaster waiting to happen”, IOGEAR has created the first USB-IF Certified Wireless USB solution, the IOGEAR Wireless USB Hub & Adapter kit.  Its design and applications are apparent as it offers “cable freedom” to its users.  With a super-fast transfer rate, range of up to 30 feet, and the ability to service up to three separate users at the flip of the switch, it’s easy to understand how the Wireless USB Hub is perfect for keeping what’s going on behind your computer as organized and safe as possible.  Here is a view:

These images may be humorous (and possibly look familiar) but they really are a serious concern.  It goes beyond the clutter and beyond the eyesore.  Having too many wires can not only increase the chance that a peripheral or computer can be pulled off a desk, it can also be a true fire-hazard.  In the 21st century, your best bet is to “go wireless” with the Wireless USB Hub by IOGEAR.