Hasta La Gadget!

The whole “man, how time flies” thing feels a little played out, but we definitely just heard the Pavilion dv2 say as much to the Wind U100. Believe it or not, those two machines were just a couple of the legions that ushered us into a netbook-crazed 2009, and now DisplaySearch has the figures that prove what we’ve all been thinking: netbooks are the bees knees. According to their research, shipments of low-cost, miniaturized laptops shot up 103 percent year-over-year; compare that to the 5 percent uptick in the conventional laptop market, and you’ll start to get a feel for the shifting trend. Potentially more amazing is the revenue analysis, which found that netbooks experienced a 72 percent rise in year-over-year revenue growth while all other mobile computers saw a loss. It’s tough to say if the momentum can be stopped, but if folks have continued to buy these things despite the limited CPU options and lackluster multimedia performance, we suspect there isn’t anything those angered CULV alternatives can do to stop the inevitable rise to stardom.

Netbooks party hard in 2009: shipments up 103 percent year-over-year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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“The Atom is dead, long live the Atom.” The long awaited upgrade of Intel’s netbook platform is gathering pace, and latest to join the ranks is Samsung with its 3G and GPS-equipped N150. Powered by Qualcomm’s Gobi 2000 chip, the connectivity on this lite laptop will not go lacking, though Sammy disappoints with the rest of its specs. According to a very early listing on Neobits, the 10.1-inch screen sticks with a now barely acceptable 1,024 x 600 resolution, while RAM and storage are limited to the eons old 1GB and 160GB, respectively. Windows 7 Starter Edition, a 4,400mAh battery, and the typical 3 USB ports, 802.11b/g/n wireless and a 3-in-1 card reader fill out the rest of the unremarkable data sheet. Still, the presently listed price is under $374, which is right on par with the N140, meaning complaints are allowed (but should be kept to a low hush of disgruntlement, ya dig?).

Samsung N150 brings 3G and GPS to Pine Trail party, spotted at FCC and retail sites originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Todd, who’s looking to snap up a solid cheap laptop (for his father-in-law, no less!) before that fateful Friday in December. Have a look below and hand out some Christmas cheer, won’t you?

“My father-in-law is heading back to school in the spring and wants a laptop for Christmas. The only catch is their budget is around $400 and he does not want a netbook. He’s not very “tech savvy” at all and doesn’t need a hoss of a machine (not that $400 could get you one). We would like to get it for him as soon as possible and would love some input. Thanks for any help and Happy Holidays!”

We’ve already penned our laptop gift guide for 2009, but we understand the desire to get more input for this particular scenario. It’s tough to find a sub-$400 machine that’s not a netbook (and not a total heap), but we’re confident that one or two gems are out there. Spill it if you know it, cool?

Ask Engadget: Best non-netbook laptop for around $400? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wow. You know a product’s reached its tipping point when the only way to freshen it up is to go ultra-glossy and get a celebrity to spill some inspired paint upon it. Valentino Rossi, for those of you who don’t know, is a nine-time motorcycle racing champion, which means he’s not suffering from impaired vision and therefore lacks a valid excuse for the abomination above. Internal specs aren’t yet finalized, not that they really matter, though you’d be safe to look at Acer’s current lineup and cherrypick a suitable set of components. If you’ve been a bad boy or girl today and feel the need to be punished, there are two more snappy snaps of the VR46 after the break.

[Thanks, Sal]

Continue reading Packard Bell Dot VR46 gets the endorsement of Valentino Rossi, nobody else

Packard Bell Dot VR46 gets the endorsement of Valentino Rossi, nobody else originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Many of us prop laptops on blankets or pillows to avoid the heat, but these inevitably obstruct air circulation and cause overheating. This DIY stand made from a bistro tray and a bit of wood helps keep your computer—and legs—cool.

This step-by-step guide from DIY web site Instructables is far from difficult—all it requires is a few household tools, along with some thin pieces of wood and, of course, a stylish bistro tray. Plus, not only can you use the extra space to store flash drives, power cords, or other miscellaneous computer items below the laptop, but you can also still use the tray to carry drinks and such when it’s not holding your laptop—and where once the tray was stylish but prone to spillage, it is now a spill-free multitasker.

We had a tough time finding the exact tray used in the post, but it looks to be this one from CB2. IKEA has similar trays that could work, though, if you’re looking for something a bit different. If you find one that you like, feel free to share in the comments.