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We focus this time mainly on the two newcomers without fail to compare the six machines already evaluated … But before proceeding, some remarks are needed. Since the beginning, the Netbook make one. They are even invited to the news and in the general press. In general, the subject has been treated well and it is important to know that a NETBOOK is a computer with limited capacity.

The main purpose of a NETBOOK is mobility: it must be easy to carry anywhere! It must therefore be compact, lightweight and autonomous rather than large, powerful and heavy roughly … If there is a draw in terms of performance (NDRL: how could it be otherwise with the same components?) L ‘Autonomy varies from just over 2 hours to nearly 6 hours! What to tip the balance in favor of a model or another … We must not forget the weight varying from 900 to 1500 grams and the size (where the differences are, however, “lower”). In short, do not foncez on the first NETBOOK makes you the eye without having defined your needs!

The performance

To use office and even multimedia Internet, there is no need for a huge calculating power. The Intel Celeron 900 MHz EEE PC 900 is thus sufficient for a basic use. As already mentioned, it is mainly the lack of responsiveness “DSS” mini PCI-Express which limits performance in a more intensive use. In this exercise, the latest 1.6 GHz Intel Atom is easily. Even if a processor “simplified”, it has the Hyperthreading which gives it great flexibility and a real pleasure to use … Meanwhile, the VIA C7-M HP Mininote suffering of a heavy legacy of the past, namely a particularly poor FPU. Alongside a good result under test CPU Mark (performance of the ALU), the C7-M is the slowest processor in Fritz Chess Benchmark. He finished behind the Celeron 900 MHz frequency despite a 78% higher! Already penalized by its FPU, the VIA C7-M does not have a technology similar to Hyperthreading. It is therefore totally exceeded in the audio and video applications or multitasking where the good old Celeron 900 MHz is better! The Acer Aspire One version of hard disk re good scores his cousin …

The Netbook are not monsters power 3D and even less Chrome9 HC! Referring to his indice 3D Mark 2003, the PGI seems more powerful than EEE PC 900. In practice, it is not. Indeed, only “Wings of Fury” is fluid on netBook (more than 25 fps) except on the HP Mininote that displays much less than 20 fps! As for other “games” with 3, 4 or 5 channel 6 frames per second, they are unusable. Already penalized by a mediocre processor, the HP Mininote also suffers from a circuit graph exceeded unable to compete with that of Netbook-based Intel Atom (945GSE). Not surprisingly, the Aspire One HDD is still part of Netbook fastest 3D.

The HP Mininote – at least our model – is equipped with a Hitachi HDD 120 GB quite powerful. It does not support the AHCI. Equipped with a hard drive in place of his small and very slow “DSS” Mini PCI-Express, the Acer Aspire One is transfigured.

The overall HP Mininote 2133 is “catastrophic”: the fast hard disk fails to catch the sauce, penalized by a processor and a graphics circuit far too slow. This NETBOOK has the dubious honor of closing the march. The Aspire One HDD ranks about him on the second step of the podium, behind indétrônable Asus 1000 H …

Autonomy and mobility

The autonomy of the Acer Aspire One does not suffer the passage of “SSD” disk drive. We measured only a few minutes apart in the same test conditions. The processor is unchanged from the DSS it is still a big catch with earthing … Note that the Asus 901 ( “DSS”) and 1000 H (HDD) had a very close autonomy. Unfortunately for him, Mininote HP 2133 is already the slowest of the Netbook is also the least autonomous. He reached in extremis two hours on battery … In addition, the adapter is part of the larger (not match that of Akoya) and later taken NETBOOK is not bent, increasing congestion.

HP Mininote 2133

The 2133 Mininote benefit of a metal frame that breathes quality. Even if it is completely smooth, the rigidity of the whole gives a good grip of the device. The hinge mechanism is comparable to that of Acer Aspire One and MSI Wind (and all its clones). While not as strong as the Acer, the hinges are much less cowardly than on the Wind and properly maintain the screen in place.

Due to a low autonomy, all movements should be done with the AC adapter (1690 grams in total). Since it is relatively heavy and bulky, the HP 2133 Mininote is not part of Netbook nomads. Taking NETBOOK side takes a lot of space.

Since its opening, the HP Mininote aside two surprises! The keyboard keys enormous benefits but is candidly screen average. Although brilliant, is by far the least bright of all, and it suffers from a marked yellow. A tare more!

The keyboard keys are very large, smooth and curved. It’s a bit disconcerting at first but usually comes quickly … It should be noted that the lower quality of the keyboard shows a little with the rest of the aircraft. The Synaptics touchpad signed is comparable to that of the Acer Aspire One with the two buttons on either side of the touch. This provision can never caused us any problems but is it generalizable? Buttons are soft with a long race. Once again, a little break at the beginning but not penalized for use.

The speakers are part of scarce strengths of HP Mininote 2133. Quite powerful and especially adapted to the output level of the audio chip, they have little distortion with the volume to maximum. Best located forums HP return to a sound quality superior to H 1000 which set new standards. There is nothing to say about the VGA camera that is his job, neither more nor less.

The components of VIA Mininote HP 2133 is slow and does not gratifient machinery in a good autonomy. But that’s not all! Not content with their misdeeds, they heat and very strong. Once activated, the fan turns at high speed and regular speed very (too) high. Following the tests, the temperature recorded on the unit reached 45 degrees C at the grassroots level, keyboard and wrist rests. The VIA C7-M is equipped with technology that allows it to adjust its frequency (800 MHz to 1600 MHz) depending on the degree and a cooling system with a plaque and a copper heatpipe! Noisy and hot, this summarizes the use of this NETBOOK. However the presence of a button with LED indicator to turn off the touchpad and a witness Caps Lock. Except for an Express Card connector, which “replaces” a USB port, the rest of the equipment is commonplace: 802.11g WiFi, SDHC, VGA output, Ethernet, audio input and output.

HP wrap Mininote 2133

Acer Aspire One with HDD

Apart from the painter in the base of the chassis which is slightly keyboard, there is little to report from what has already been written about the Aspire One. The screen is always excellent and the keyboard as comfortable … It’s an opportunity to discuss the problem of noise of the fan who has done much attention! The first Aspire One that we tested was really quiet, but not this one. Moments after the start, the fan s’emballe and becomes more noisy than has ever been another model to the same end performance measures. Curiously, the software can read the temperature probes have found nothing abnormal. All models Netbook confused, the fan seems to be the weak point with large variations in noise.

Technology & Use

Pleasant to use because of a keyboard very good bill, the Aspire One “DSS” still a pretty slow loading applications even Linpus. With a fast hard disk, this OS is becoming a real rocket and general accreditation progressing frankly. As against in Windows XP version is much more laborious. Acer provides antivirus and a collection a little too much “bloatware” to our taste. This tends to increase Windows XP is also widespread at all Netbook equipped with a hard drive and is regrettable. A believe that because there are GB on a hard disk, you must try to fill them! But no, that devil! A NETBOOK must be responsive and started quickly. Fortunately, with a clean install of the OS, starting no longer than thirty seconds.