Philippines Netbook Buyers Guide

Abe of Yugatech.com created a simple netbook guide which helps buyer decide which one to buy. Yugatech. gathered several netbooks to compare and rate. Rating is based on features, design, battery life, price and value for money. Each netbook will be rated 0 – 10, 10 being the highest score.

Based on his results, allabouteeepc generated a chart that would hopefully illustrate the ratings/value better for each netbooks compared to each other. Overall rating favors the Asus Eee PC 1000HE which got the highest rating of 8.2.  Read his complete blog here http://allabouteeepc.com/netbook-philippines-buyers-guide/

What do you most consider in buying a netbook?

A few bit more special Notebooks of CES

 Laptops of all shapes and sizes launched at CES this year, but a few were a bit more special than most. Here are eight machines that shift forms, implement the newest technology, and redefine their categories altogether.  

Mobinnova Beam 1 of 8
Fujitsu Lifebook MH380
Lenovo Skylight
Lenovo Idea Pad U1
MSI CX420
Asus NX90Jq
litl webbook
Shuttle SPA Ecosystem

 

Continue reading here with photos
http://lm.pcworld.com/t/833451/5419529/44348/0/

What's Cheaper: Replacement Ink, or a New Printer?

From PCWorld:  It may sound crazy, but buying the replacement ink you need can cost you almost as much -- if not more -- than a whole new printer. 

The Digg user's conclusion: It is cheaper to buy a new inexpensive printer for the free ink cartridges included in box instead of buying brand name replacement cartridges that can be very expensive.  Continue reading here
http://www.pcworld.com/article/184974/whats_cheaper_replacement_ink_or_a_new_printer.html?tk=nl_dnx_h_crawl

The World's First $99 Laptop Debuts Cherrypal Africa

We've been hearing about the "$100 laptop"--a no-frills, low-power portable that meets the educational needs of children in developing nations--for a few years now. But no product has materialized--at least not at the $100 price point--until now. Cherrypal has launched a $99 portable, the Cherrypal Africa, a "mini-netbook" built to bring Internet access to the world's poor.

At just $99, the new 7” Cherrypal Africa is one of the best buys in the world of electronics. Created with developing countries in mind, the Africa is our latest step toward closing the “digital divide”, and we’re extremely proud of this achievement. Whether you live in Ghana or Texas, the Cherrypal Africa is right for you!

Based on an 400 MHz processor, the “big enough” Africa is powerful enough to do what you need it to. From browsing the Internet to word processing, the Africa runs Windows CE and is the perfect size to take anywhere. Where do you want to go?  

Continue reading here http://www.cherrypal.com/products.php
Endgadget review http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/cherrypal-debuts-99-netbook-names-it-africa/

 

Tags:  Cherrypal Africa  $99 Laptop

Most popular laptops

from CNET:  Just in time to round out your holiday shopping season, we've consulted the Web traffic oracles and compiled a list of the most popular laptops of 2009. Based on which system reviews CNET readers clicked on most often, this list shows what's on the minds of laptop shoppers--and the emphasis is clearly on value over all else. Read more  http://ct.cnet-ssa.cnet.com/clicks?t=514273111-3830dcdfc84ebca9bafee7ef31abe27f-bf&brand=CNET-SSA&s=5

Time to buy a computer? Tips for making the right choice

From USA Today:  Here are other mainstream factors every PC buyer should consider:

•Windows or Macintosh.
•Chips off the old block. The brain of your computer is the processor.
•Storage. Think big
•Memory. You can never have enough memory,
•Netbook vs. laptop.There are many trade-offs: cramped keyboards, modest screen sizes, limited storage and wimpy processors.
•More to think about. Make sure your PC has ample USB ports for connecting peripherals. Some machines no longer include FireWire, a port for hooking up older camcorders. If that's important to you, make sure it's there. HDMI is a viable option for folks who want to hook their computers to an HDTV. An eSATA connection is an alternative way to hook up some external drives. 

 

Continue reading here the full details http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2009-12-17-Baig17_ST_N.htm

Create an Ad-Hoc Network Sharing Point from a Windows 7 Netbook

via PC World  Windows 7 Starter Edition, the version loaded onto netbooks, isn't supposed to offer "advanced" features like ad-hoc network sharing. In this one case, however, finding this feature is as simple as typing the right phrase into the Start Menu search.

Rafael Rivera's Within Windows blog points out that while the dialog that normally starts the ad-hoc networking process in Windows 7 is disabled in Starter Edition, simply searching for adhoc allows you to start it up. That means being able to connect other computers, smartphones, and Wi-Fi-enabled devices to your netbook when it's got a net connection. It's not quite as convenient as Virtual Wireless Networking, which you can enable with Connectify, but it does get the job done.

Windows 7 Starter hides but allows ad-hoc networking Continue reading here http://lifehacker.com/5420583/create-an-ad+hoc-network-sharing-point-from-a-windows-7-netbook

How to choose a computer

Read more about what you need to know buying a new computer here How to choose a computer

Buying a laptop? Read this first & Windows, Netbook. Android, smartbook? Hmm

Click the links below to read

Windows, Netbook. Android, smartbook? Hmm

Buying a laptop? Read this first

Buying a laptop? Read this first

To make your holiday shopping a little less tense, we've put together a list of handy laptop resources, including buying guides, shopping tips, and roundups.  Read more

Great Laptops in the PC World Top 100 & 10 Free Downloads for Your Laptop

READ INTERESTING HEADLINES BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW

 

Great Laptops in the PC World Top 100

10 Free Downloads for Your Laptop

White is the new green for HP

Tuesday, 24 November 2009 From Business Mirror
It seems that the green bandwagon is stopping by HP’s doorstep, as well.

Proving that environmental awareness and technology can coexist in a notebook, Hewlett-Packard (HP) unveiled on Thursday the limited-edition HP Mini by Studio Tord Boontje.

“In the past, we have had products that met fashion and technology,” said Bernadette Nacario, HP country manager. “Today we want to prove that technology can also merge with the environment.”

Following a collaboration with fashion designer Vivienne Tam, HP tapped the talents of award-winning Dutch industrial designer Tord Boontje to underscore HP’s message of environmental awareness. Continue reading here http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/life/18895-white-is-the-new-green-for-hp.html


Read more on Green Technology Philippines in my blog http://innovativephilippines.blogspot.com/

Philippine desktop computer for P10,800 including LCD Monitor Wow!

A PC for as low as P10,800? Would you get one?  I posted this blog about 5 months ago and I saw recently one of the shops continued to advertise this deal but a little higher now about P11,000 and I am not sure if it has the same exact specs but its worth checking out against other deals.  Also check out the computer locations in my blogs noted at end as well as a cheap shop to assemble your own computer with a processor higher than a Atom processor.  Read the full details of this deal of the day at http://daybargain.blogspot.com/2009/11/deal-of-day-philippine-desktop-computer.html

Netbooks That Are Easier on the Eye HP Mini 311 vs. Nokia Booklet 3G

Higher-Resolution Screens on Nokia’s and H-P’s Inexpensive Laptops Show More of What’s Online,

Like clockwork, retailers were ready for Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 7 release last week with new desktops, laptops and netbooks, those inexpensive, smaller laptops that have become popular in the past year. Included in this selection of netbooks are some that improved the poor screen resolutions that have plagued these tiny PCs.Review: HP Mini 311 vs. Nokia Booklet 3G

HP Mini 311 now on sale for Php28,990


Now that didn’t took so long — the HP Mini 311 is now available and selling for Php28,990 in Complink and eHub stores. This according to a couple people who bought it this week-end.

Check out my computer stores in Manila and Cebu to find the locations
http://laptopsphilippines.blogspot.com/

WSJ’s Katherine Boehret tests Nokia’s first netbook, the Booklet 3G, and the HP Mini 311. She finds the high-resolution netbooks each have their benefits.

Screen resolution isn’t the same as the size of the screen itself. Rather, it is related to the number of pixels—or distinct dots—on a display, and an indication of how much material can be seen on the screen without scrolling. A higher-resolution screen allows you to see more of a Web page, spreadsheet or list of emails than a lower-resolution screen, even if both are the same physical size.

Because higher-resolution screens cost more, most netbooks come with low-resolution screens to keep prices down. But poor resolution combined with a small netbook screen results in frustrating visuals, like Web pages that display just a small portion of their contents, forcing you to scroll down or horizontally to see the rest of the page.
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-This week, I tested two Windows 7 netbooks with unusually high-res screens: Hewlett-Packard Co.’s HP Mini 311 with an 11.6-inch screen and a resolution of 1,366-by-768 pixels, and Nokia Corp.’s Booklet 3G with a 10.1-inch screen and a resolution of 1,280-by-720-pixels. Both these small computers display the bulk of most Web pages without any scrolling necessary—a big relief on a netbook.

-Though high-resolution screens make these netbooks easier on the eyes than others, I still had trouble adjusting to their shrunken features. I liked typing on the HP Mini’s generous keyboard, which H-P says is 92% of full size. But its touchpad buttons felt stiff and uncomfortably located at the edge of the computer. The Nokia Booklet had the opposite problem: Its touchpad and buttons worked fine, but its tiny keys made me feel like I was typing on a kiddie computer. To read more click herehttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703574604574499482752219744.html
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Comment: The small keyboard and the small screen on these netbooks makes me still prefer the 15.4 inch best buy ASUS F52Q I found http://laptopsphilippines.blogspot.com/

New Models From Motorola, HTC and BlackBerry Read the NY Times review herehttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/technology/personaltech/29pogue.html?hpw

Tags: HP Mini 311, Nokia Booklet 3G, Asus F52Q, Motorola, HTC and BlackBerry

How to Carry Your Office on a Stick (USB Flash Drive) for internet cafe use and office/home use

As USB flash drives continue to get faster and provide increasing amounts of storage capacity, you can use them for more than just backing up files and documents. You can actually run a ton of applications right from your flash drive, which can come in handy when you’re on the road outside your office or home. There are some popular suites of flash drive apps, such as PortableApps, which we’ve covered before. There recently announced freeware portable apps for popular packages such as Google Chrome, Skype and even uTorrent. However, PortableApps is not the only game in town these days. http://portableapps.com/
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NirLauncher
NirLauncher is another impressive suite of portable apps that are easy to launch from your USB flash drive. It includes the entire collection of useful Systernals troubleshooting tools. The author makes the process of setting up all of these apps easy, with a file named systernals.nlp that you simply copy to the Systernals folder.

LiberKey
LiberKey offers a super-slick interface with three different packages of portable apps, including audio, file management, graphics, Internet, office, security and networking tools. Here’s a list of all the applications available.

Lupo PenSuite
Lupo PenSuite also provides a graphical interface that’s been translated into 28 languages for managing a plethora of portable apps (over 200, including popular apps such as 7-Zip, Audacity, CCleaner, eMule, FileZilla, Firefox, Foxit Reader, GIMP, IrfanView, Notepad++, Opera and Pidgin).
Individual Portable Applications

Of course, you don’t need to have an app suite launcher to install portable apps on your USB flash drive. You can simply copy them to your flash drive manually. For example, i.Scribe is a fully functional email client that you can run from you flash drive. Just drag it to your stick and you’ll be able to read and compose email messages. It also includes a calendar, address book and supports many plugins.

It’s a good idea to add anti-virus protection to your USB flash drive. Avira AntiVir Personal is a free anti-virus program that you can install on your flash drive.

There are numerous portable versions of browsers that you can use on your flash drive. The most popular are Portable Firefox, Portable Google Chrome, Portable Opera and Avant Portable Browser.

Portable OS in Your Pocket
You can actually install a stripped-down version of Windows XP on your USB flash drive thanks to software like BartPE (Bart’s Preinstalled Environment) which makes the process extremely less painful and more efficient.

If you prefer to roll with a Linux-flavored operating system, instead of a mini-Windows, then you can do so with the help of PendriveLinux.com. You can select just about any type of Linux, such as Debian, Ubuntu, and many more. You can find ready-to-burn Live CD images here on The LiveCD list and UNetbootin.

How about Mac OS? Yes, that’s possible too, although you’ll need a USB drive that is 8 GB or larger.
Virtual OS on a Stick

VMware is the leading innovator of virtual operating systems. It started by developing a way to install multiple operating systems on a single desktop but eventually found its niche by offering a platform to host multiple virtual servers instead of just desktops operating systems. It now provides a way to install a complete virtual operating system on a USB flash drive with a product called VMWare ACE. Not only can you run everything you run on a normal full-blown desktop or laptop, but it also provides connectivity back to your company’s network via a secure VPN. Thus, you can pop your flash drive in any computer with Internet access and work on your own customized desktop and even access your files and documents on your corporate LAN. Read the complete article here http://www.nytimes.com/external/gigaom/2009/10/27/27gigaom-how-to-carry-your-office-on-a-stick-usb-flash-dri-62969.html

Also check out this blog for a similiar article and it has lots of photos
http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/10/27/how-to-carry-your-office-on-a-stick-usb-flash-drive/

CDRKing Philippines carries cheap USB Flash Drives check them out here http://cdrkingph.blogspot.com/ blog article or go directly to CDRKing website herehttp://www.cdrking.com/

Tags: memory stick, philippine cdr king, usb flash drive.

Worldwide PC Sales Return to Growth, Christmas is just around the corner, what is available here in Philippines?

Gartner reports PC shipments are beginning to bounce back in the third
quarter of the year.

The PC industry performed better than expected as worldwide PC shipments
totaled 80.9 million units in the third quarter of 2009, a 0.5 percent
increase from the third quarter of 2008, according to preliminary results by
Gartner. Gartner had expected PC shipments.
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For Christmas you may want to consider a computer or laptop for a present. SM Cyber Zone is a good place to start and the many Cyber shops at the GILMORE LRT station in Manila all in one location. Also check out the current issue of Buy and Sell as they often have lots of cheap computer deals. And there is lots of computer stores listed in the directory for Manila and Cebu below. Online you can check out ebay philippines, Sulit classifieds as noted in the following posts in this blog

How to Buy a Computer Printer

What you print, and how much of it you print, should guide your buying decision. We explain how to choose a printer that’s appropriate for your needs.
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No matter how digital our lives become, printers remain essential in any office and convenient at home for schoolwork, maps, fliers, and photos. PC World tests and reviews three types of printers–inkjets, color lasers, and snapshot models–on an ongoing basis. We also regularly test multifunction printers, both inkjet and laser. No matter which kind of printer you’re looking for, here’s the information you need to make a well-informed purchase.
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The Big Picture From inexpensive snapshot units and inkjets to high-end color lasers, printers are designed to do different jobs. Here’s how they stack up, feature by feature.
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Key Specs Explained We unravel the mysteries of print speed, print quality, cost of ownership, and maximum resolution–and tell you which specs are really important.
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Printer Shopping Tips Whether you want an inkjet to print documents and newsletters at home, a snapshot printer to output photos and postcards, or a laser printer to take care of the needs of your whole office, we have recommendations to make your purchase easier. Read the full original article here http://www.pcworld.com/article/132936/how_to_buy_a_printer.html

For a list of computer shops to buy read another posting in this blog on Manila and Cebu computer stores

Tags: Philippines how to buy computer printer, where to buy computer printer in philippines, manila, cebu
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Philippine Laptop battery repair or replacement

In one of the blogs yesterday I saw a statement from a foreigner that he could not locate any laptop batteries here in the Philippines and I am posting this ad for one that repairs the batteries. Also you can often find batteries listed in ebay.ph or sulit classified ads or offshore at ebay for a shipping charge. Links are below

Ebay philippines check for laptop battaries http://www.ebay.ph/

Sulit classified http://www.sulit.com.ph/
ebay usa http://www.ebay.com/
http://www.pinoylaptops.com/

Also Try SST Laptop & PC Shop
Tel: (02)842-6729

There is a store that does reputable laptop battery repacking but they take a week or so to do a job.
The shop is located at the ground floor (straight to the back then the store on your right which sells some surplus stuff) of Gilmore Comm. Plaza located near the corner of Gilmore and Aurora Ave, New Manila, QC. Sorry I didn’t remember the store’s name nor phone number.

Another store is the battery shop (you’ll know it when you see it) at the 4th floor of V-Mall, Greenhills. Also in V-Mall is the gadget “booth” selling MP3 players, cameras, etc near the elevator. They charge P450/cell. No idea on the quality of work though.

Tags: philippine laptop battaries replacements repair

What’s The Best Wireless Router For Philippine Home Networking Solution?

I have a SmartBro internet connection (not very happy though). I plan to buy a wireless router so I can go to my bedroom and do my internet stuff from there. I troubleshoot first before I’m able to connect to my internet.

Go to http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-3319_7-0.ht%E2%80%A6 and click Editors’ Rating in the sort sequence.

My personal choice is a Netgear WGT624 v3. It’s fairly inexpensive and has been very reliable. Used it with both DSL and cable modems. Read his complete article herehttp://getadult.us/?p=5865

But don’t forget to check out the routers and access points at CDRKing here in the Philippines. You will find that they now have new products wireless N routers which is much faster than the old standard of G at 56kbps and with N you can get 300 kbps if you have a laptop that has N and most newer laptops do have it. But in case your laptop is older, CDRKing also has N USB plugins for older laptops to get the faster speed. So make sure the router or access point (no LAN plug in extra ports) make sure it is N capable.

CDRKING website is here and they are in all the major cities here in Philippines
Their website is here http://www.cdrking.com.ph/
my review here http://cdrkingph.wordpress.com/

but other computer shops can also be found with your favorite brand check out these links
for Manila Computer stores and Cebu Computer stores in this blog just search through the articles.

Or if in Manila ride the MRT to the Gilmore station where about 30 computer stores are on one corner

Manila Here is one at Gilmore station PC Gilmore but after you get there you will find so many more computer stores in the same block and across the street so convenient, remember some are on 2nd and 3rd floors too.

Tags: Best router Philippines home networking

Best Laptop Buy Philippines ASUS F52Q

I found a nice laptop and thought I would share my find with my readers. What I like about this model is it has a larger LCD screen 15.6 inch and it has Intel with core 2 and wireless N (faster at over 300 kbps than old G wireless 54 kbps) and a HDMI connection to your LCD tv to allow you to watch video or programs or youtube on your home LCD from your laptop internet connection. I bought a laptop last year Asus EEE 1000H and it was only 12 inch screen and was a good buy but I found the screen too small for my old eyes and the keyboard a little smaller than normal keyboard but did have wireless N and very light and portable.

ASUS F52Q

Here are the specs of this
Intel® Core 2 Duo T5850:2.16 GHz, 2MBL2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB Mobile Intel® GL40 Express Chipset 2GB DDR2 667MHz SDRAM, 2GB on Board 15.6″ DISPLAY FREE DOS SATA 250GB, 5400RPM Embedded Intel GMA X4500 GFX 1.3M Pixel 12.7″ mm, 8X Super Multi w/ DL WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n Azureware NE-785 802.11 b/g/n 1 x Express card 1 x Microphone-in jack 1 x Headphone-out jack(S/PDIF) 1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor 3 x USB 2.0 ports 1 x RJ45 Modem jack for phone line(optional), 1 x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert, 1 x HDMI 1 x WLAN On/Off Switch, 1 x E-SATA DVD drive, 2.50kg 6-cell Battery 8 in 1 card reader,SD,MMC,MS,MS-Pro, mini SD w/ Adapter, MS-Duo,MS Pro Duo via Adapter * DISCLAIMER : Prices and Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
P30,900.00

find it at http://www.pcgilmore.com.ph/controller.do?action=laptops

but sulit has it 1,000 cheaper at http://www.sulit.com.ph/ JUST DO A SEARCH FOR THE ASUS F52Q

TAGS: Best Laptop Buy Philippines ASUS F52Q bargain