The Coming Shake-out

[Ric_Knight]

Originally Posted by tyrian

Well this gen HP is toast but I wouldn't count them out entirely just yet. Even though they made the poor choice of going VIA the next gen VIA Nano processors are said to be far better than the Atom and can be manufactured on the same socket that the current VIA C7 boards use. Most people like the design and ergonomics of the HP just not the power so they could still be saved with a refresh and price drop.

I am a huge HP fan, but I am one of those that wishes that they had gone with a more powerful precessor. The Via chips allow for a reduced price, which is a good thing for households with lower incomes, and the chip does seem to be able to handle the basics, but for a power users will want and need, for the most part, a more powerful computer.

One of the reasons I am such a fan of HP products is the way the regularly up date and refresh their product lines. If the sales are any where near profitable with the mini-note I expect to see new models and more choices in chips, OS, HD and other aspects like so many of thier other systems.

If the MSI gets the support in the US that a system like this deserves and keeps it's price point then it will make it too.

Asus needs to be diverse in thier product line. The present line will play for awhile, but if they stake the company with out staying with the times they might be in trouble.

Again, I think that it will be the companies best known to the general public (Not like us tech fans) that will do the best.

[Zealot]

Originally Posted by Ric_Knight

I am a huge HP fan, but I am one of those that wishes that they had gone with a more powerful precessor. The Via chips allow for a reduced price, which is a good thing for households with lower incomes, and the chip does seem to be able to handle the basics, but for a power users will want and need, for the most part, a more powerful computer.

Perhaps for the next model they will switch to VIA's new OpenBook platform? I like the fact that there are chips and platforms in the space other then the Atom. Competition is a good thing, just look at Nvidia and ATI or Intel and AMD.

Speaking of which, I heard that AMD is preparing a chip for UMPCs as well.

Z

[Raggamofyn]

Or NVidia vs. everyone else, apparently, if you've been reading the news.

[staker]

That nvidea thing looks quite expensive thought, and many may not adopt it.

[Raggamofyn]

Ahhhh, but NVidia's got the name in it for them. They are a trusted source for video card technologies and they want to branch out. I'm sure somebody will stick with them, to say nothing of the investors.

[MathProfJohnson]

Originally Posted by tyrian

I don't see any of the Eee's making it this round, they will still be around after but hardly anyone is going to buy them at their current prices, same goes for HP and their underpowered processor.

I'd say the Wind, Dell E, and Aspire One will be thriving and the Gigabyte will survive by grabbing the budget Tablet market.

I see the Kohjinsha and Fujitsu as a different, higher end market and things will stay the same for them.

I agree with the above except I think EEE might make it one more round. I have never seen the Fujitsu or Kohjinsha in the "wild", but I have seen enough EEE to think bargain hunters will still get it.

[Composer]

I had a bunch of those PDA/Pocket PC's and they served me well but these are much more intriguing. I think these new sub-notebooks will appeal to more people since they resemble a traditional laptop instead of a little handheld device.... more people will say "hey that's a cool small laptop". I mentioned this before but performance-wise most of these netbooks are comparable to each other. It'll come down to who has the best design/brand.

[Zealot]

Originally Posted by Composer

It'll come down to who has the best design/brand.

And who gets the buzz going. Whichever ones are lucky enough to become the "hot" new gadget win.

So much boils down to being in the right place, at the right time, with the right commercial.

Z

[Janine]

Originally Posted by ron.bannon

Although I am seriously considering buying a MSI Wind (Linux), I would much prefer to wait for an Apple branded UMPC. Or, if Apple fails to show-up with an UMPC, I may wait for HP to improve the 2133.

I'd like to see an Apple UMPC, too. Have you heard anything about such a product?

[Raggamofyn]

Yeah, it's called the Newton Messagepad.

[tyrian]

Originally Posted by Zealot

And who gets the buzz going. Whichever ones are lucky enough to become the "hot" new gadget win.

So much boils down to being in the right place, at the right time, with the right commercial.

Z

Speaking of commercials the Msi would stand out a little more than the other obscure brands since they at least have some marketing done. Not like they need it much though when everyone here can't stop talking about it.

[Ric_Knight]

Originally Posted by Zealot

Perhaps for the next model they will switch to VIA's new OpenBook platform? I like the fact that there are chips and platforms in the space other then the Atom. Competition is a good thing, just look at Nvidia and ATI or Intel and AMD.

Speaking of which, I heard that AMD is preparing a chip for UMPCs as well.

Z

The OpenBook platform is a work of genius! Put the plans out there, free for anyone to change and build and then start a buzz about it. The next step sould be for them to put out thier upcoming chips at a price rate that dips below the other choices. This would be a winning combo for Via.

The OpenBook platform will also be great for third world nations where bargin basement computers can bring about major changes for the people who live there. With Windows Starter available to the builders in these area for as little as $4us they should be able to turn a lot of people into computer users.

[Composer]

Apple went with the Macbook Air instead of a small UMPC device. Even if they DO end up making one it'll be far more expensive than what these current netbooks are going for.

[jhoff80]

No matter who wins, as a consumer we can only benefit from the multitude of different competitors.