Netbooks News, Hacks and HowTo's

EPSON Endeavor Na01, newest netbook as of date

Aldrin Cantos — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:10:06 +0000

The newest company to jump into the netbook bandwagon is EPSON, with their first ever netbook, Endeavor Na01.

The netbook packs a 10.2 inch screen, 1.6Ghz Intel Atom CPU, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, together with all other specs you see with other netbooks.

Endeavor Na01 sells at 46,800 JPY, or $485 in US dollars. They also offer upgrade options in different packages. They have 3-year warranty upgrade, Mobile Pack option with extra battery and bluetooth mouse, and the expansion package if you want an extra monitor.

See Sony? Everyone is in except you, and we are all excited to your netbook. Is there ever gonna be a Sony Netbook?

via liliputing

How To install Ubuntu 8.10 on Eee PC

Aldrin Cantos — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:34:45 +0000

Ubuntu 8.10 has been released recently, and if you feel you want to install it on your netbook already, Tombuntu has got you a very detailed instructions of how to install Ubuntu 8.10. In his case, an Eee PC 901, But it should basically work on other model as well.

The instruction includes:

Creating a Live USB to SD/Flash Drive
Installing Ubuntu
Upgrading Linux Kernel customized for the Eee PC
Get the bluetooth and webcam working

This is not a strange scenario for netbooks to have non-working devices after installing Ubuntu, but there are always workarounds available if you just try to search for it.

via liliputing

Lenovo IdeaPad S10 Design Contest

Aldrin Cantos — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:11:08 +0000

Lenovo is running a contest for their IdeaPad S10 netbook, and it was pretty easy to join. You just simply have to create your own skin design of Lenovo IdeaPad S10. To create your design is even simplier. Just logon to http://designs10.com/, choose the country you’re joining in, and start creating your design.

There are 2 categories for the contest, one for Professionals where you have to create your design locally and submit it in JPEG format. And the other one is for Amateurs where you can design the skin online. Templates are available, you just have to be creative.

Top 10 designs with the highest number of votes will be chosen, and from there, the winner will be judged. I just joined and if you want to check my design out, just head on to the site, click on “Vote Now”, and search for serial no. 1226968595. View my design and if you like it, please vote.

Speaking of Lenovo IdeaPad S10, the contest I was talking about on my recent post has just ended, and guess what, it was won easily by beat-boxing to Rihanna’s Disturbia. Easy, isn’t it?

Free Lenovo IdeaPad S9, S10 coming its way to Philippines

Aldrin Cantos — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:43:21 +0000

If you dream of owning a Lenovo IdeaPad S10 netbook for FREE, then you might probably be lucky one of these days if you tune in to Magic 89.9 every morning at 6:00 AM HKT. The crew of Good Times with Mo is announcing that they are giving away Lenovo IdeaPad S9 and S10 in the coming weeks, though no exact date has been mentioned yet.

Good Times with Mo is a famous morning radio show in the Philippines hosted by DJ Mo Twister, Mojo Jojo, and Grace Lee. The said show is very credible, as it’s not the first time they give away huge prices like this. Some of the prizes callers have won already is a Canon DSLR, couple of laptops, thousands of concert tickets, including certain amount in cash up to a Php 100,000. The largest prize given away so far is a brand new Chery QQ car courtesy of Chery. Another car is possibly be on their queue coming up.

If you’re good at guessing games or category games, then you might get the prizes. Beware though that getting though the line during the show is the most challengin part.

Asus to stop Shipping Linux version Eee PC in the Philippines

Aldrin Cantos — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:09:10 +0000

It looks like Asus do not sell well in the Philippines so AsusTek decided to stop shipping Linux Version of Eee PC in the Philippines. The company will still continue to provide Windows XP version for at least one more year.

Most of the Filipinos I guess are not interested in learning new OS. Maybe because most Filipinos are just starting to learn Windows XP as well, and they are not ready to get overflowing technical knowledge yet. Most Filipinos grew up with Windows XP and that’s also probably one reason why they love XP over Linux. I still hope that the next generation starts to love Linux too.

Are we really not into Linux??? Not me at least.

via liliputing

7 and 8.9 inchers EEE PC will still exist

Aldrin Cantos — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:48:32 +0000

It turned out that the news we have posted previously are just ~~rumor~~ misquoted words, and Asus was a little shocked by it, got up and confirmed it’s not true. ZDnet interviewed an Asus spokesperson and according to the interview, there will still be 7 and 8.9 incher Eee PC’s. And the refresh on specifications for the sub-10 inches netbooks are also being considered.

Now that we know the truth, we can’t have a 10in netbook at $200 anymore. Not unless there’s a 50% cut-off.

via liliputing

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HowTo Fix Fn-F5 toggle on Eee PC running Windows XP

A. Cantos — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:04:56 +0000

Since I now have a Live Ubuntu Eee on my 8GB SDHC, I headed and installed Windows XP on Eee 701 that I own. I was able to grab a USB to IDE cable from Brando and installing the XP with an external DVD drive was a breeze. After installing all required drivers and the ACPI, everything works except the FN+F5 key which is used to toggle/extend the display to another monitor or a projector. I had no internet connection while I troubleshoot but I was still lucky to figure out how to fix it. Trials and Errors was effective that time.

I initially installed the Intel Graphics Driver that comes along with the Asus Eee PC restore CD, but it only supports up to 800×600 resolution with no scaling. So the whole Desktop doesn’t fit very well on the small monitor, thus, scrolling is required to go end-to-end on the screen. FN+F5 works prefectly during with this driver. Then I updated the driver with Intel Embedded Graphics Driver that supports scaling and the problem occurred.

Problem:

igfxext.exe not running. FN+F5 will be disabled.

It took me a while before I finally figured out a technique and I hope this might help you too in case you run the same problem.

Install the original driver back. The FN+F5 will work again, but the resolution is quite big for the screen (not scaled).
Run the “Setup.exe” of the IEGD driver but select Uninstall Driver instead of directly overwriting the existing one.
Restart Windows XP
When XP boots up again, it will prompt you for Graphics Driver. This time, follow the installation wizard but point the driver to use the IEGD.
Graphics driver will be successfully installed with scaled resolution, and the FN+F5 still works.

Another problem that might happen to you but so unlikely is that the Eee PC Tray Utility won’t allow you to select a different resolution. Just make sure that your monitor uses the Plug n Play driver and not the ones with specific resolution. e.g Dafault(800×480).

Sub-10in Eee PC no more

Aldrin Cantos — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:08:22 +0000

Yes dear readers, Asus will eventually let go all 7 incher and 8.9 incher netbooks. They will focus more on their 10 incher ones, but this is not happening just so sudden. It will happen little by little in 2009, according to Digitimes. Asus did not mention about when the support for sub-10inchers will end, but I am guessing they will continue it for at least 2 years after the phase out.

Comes with this might be worried customers that the Eee PC will be even more expensive. Worry not because Asus also announced that they target to launch $200 netbooks in 2009. As they have told about the phase out, shall we hope that these $200 netbooks are 10 incher? This might be good news if only this is true.

7 and 8.9 inchers EEE PC will still exist

Redfox Wizbook joins the Atom Family

Aldrin Cantos — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:42:11 +0000

Redfox has built another 10 incher netbook but this time, it’s not with AMD processor but with Intel Atom. The first wizbook came with AMD Geode 400Mhz processor, which I would think, is one of the reasons why Redfox Wizbook is not loved by users very much.

The new Redfox Wizbook 1020i will sport a 10.2″ screen at 1024×600 resolution, 80GB HDD, 1GB memory, wi-fi ready. Upgrade to 2GB RAM is also available at extra cost. Flavors are available in White, Black and Red/Black colors.

Prices at PC Corner are Php17,500 and php18,500 for 2GB of RAM. All comes in Linpus Linux OS.

via Yugatech

HowTo Add HSDPA to Acer Aspire One

A. Cantos — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:15:45 +0000

As long as the soldering iron is hot, tnkgrl won’t stop modding netbooks, laptops or anything that has screws, just to complete what the original manufacturers have started.

The new victim is an Acer Aspire One, which despite having all the features you expect on an ordinary netbook, lacks 3G capability therefore modding came its way.

The mod is not advisable for beginners according to tnkgrl as she (i just assume tnkgrl is a girl) herself messed up at the first time and went through a lot of trials and errors.

But if you still insist, here are the steps.

via liliputing

Samsung NC10 gets some Love from LaptopMag

Aldrin Cantos — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:46:09 +0000

Joanna Stern of LaptopMag reviewed a Korean version Samsung NC10 yesterday, and she favored it over other netbooks she have put her hands on thus far. The Samsung NC10 might share same under the hood specs like 1.6-GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and Windows XP plus the 10″ screen size, but the keyboard and battery life are a big factor.

According to Joanna, the battery lasts more than 7 hours, and the keyboard is spacious which is more perfect than any other netbooks around. The shift key is also evenly placed below the enter key, where everybody loves it to be.

Laptop will also be reviewing the US version, definitely, but not yet.

Dell announced a laptop-netbook Hybrid :)

Aldrin Cantos — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:15:04 +0000

I think the weirdest thing that happened thus far on the netbook category is what Dell has done. A 12″ screen for a ~~netbook~~ a ~~laptop~~ a lapnetbooktop?

Dell announced yesterday their new Dell Inspiron ~~not-~~Mini 12″. Under the hood are same specs like regular netbooks have. A 1.6Ghz Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM, 60G or 80G HDD. So what separates it from other netbooks is it’s 12″ screen. It also weighs heavier than ordinary netbooks at 2.72 lbs.

I don’t write well-written comments and reviews and I don’t really get what Dell is trying to imply here. Maybe they’re not really lining it up with netbooks but with the MacBook Air? Maybe?

HowTo achieve One Day Computing

Aldrin Cantos — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:39:50 +0000

Like what we’ve discussed before, battery capacity plays the most important part on One Day Computing principle. And while netbook manufacturers claim their design can last a whole day (8hrs), it still seem untrue. However, most netbooks nowadays can last up to 5 or 6 hous in average, and that’s a very huge improvement for the ODC part.

But let’s forget about everything for a while for the sake of this post. We’d just like to talk about this new monster battery pack from DealExtreme, same who provides the monster battery pack for eee pc 701/900 before. This new battery pack has 12000 mAh of power, twice as the current most powerful battery pack that comes bundled with netbooks. But be warned, extra power comes with extra weight factor as well.

HowTo install Expressgate on USB

Aldrin Cantos — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:08:43 +0000

I have personally witnessed a live presentation of ExpressGate on the EeeBox before and it was impressive. It has number of limitations compared to a full booted-up netbook, but it can just offer you anything you need as far as mobility is concerned. You can do Internet surfing, chatting, check emails. Before, it comes along with the motherboard. Now you can have it on your USB flash drive, perfect as an alternative OS for quick internet access.

Here are the requirements before you can install ExpressGate on a USB.

A bit of knowledge about Linux.
At least 512 MB USB Flash drive.
A copy of ExpressGate which can be downloaded here

Steps about the installation process is detailed very well on Kinox’s site.

via liliputing

Touchscreen Eee PC coming with Windows 7

Aldrin Cantos — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:11:35 +0000

This image is not official

LAPTOP Magazine interviewed Asus CEO Jerry Shen, and reveals some info about their upcoming Touchscreen Eee PC. Shen said that the touch-enabled Eee PC will launch by mid of 2009 and will come with Windows 7. This might be probably true, though there’s no release date for Windows 7 yet. Not that I know of. He also added that they are looking in to a convertible form factor or regular laptop form (clamshell).

IMO, the convertible form factor might sell better since it’s most applicable form for touchscreen devices. Besides, a clamshell form is now old-fashioned, kind of.