Chromebook, Netbook, iPad: Which would you rather spend $500 on?
What would you rather spend $500 on?What would you rather spend $500 on?Yesterday's formal introduction of Chromebooks marked yet another category of portable computing gadget in a landscape that's starting to feel overrun.For $499, the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook has its work cut out for it--namely, because tablets and "high-end" 11- and 12-inch laptops and Netbooks (some with faster processors) have already occupied the same landscape.It's a question we've been pondering for a while now, writ again: what truly constitutes the perfect small-screen portable? Suddenly, instead of one or two OSes to consider, there are four: Windows 7, Apple's iOS, and Google's Android and Chrome.While the high end of the computer spectrum remains relatively stable (desktops, laptops), the increasingly fertile (or, perhaps, unstable) ground between laptops and smartphones has bred a variety of tech forms that all, in some way, are portable. Options have never been more diverse, or confusing.Which one would you rather spend about $500 on? Well, let's see what you get.SamsungChromebook: Samsung Series 5 (3G)Price: $499Screen: 12.1 inchesProcessor: Dual-core Intel Atom N570 (1.66GHz)Storage: 16GB SSD OS: ChromeWeight: 3.3 poundsUpside: Thin (0.79 inch); quick bootup (8 seconds); built-in 3G with an included 100MB per month of free data for two years; SD card slot; solid-state storage.Downside: Browser-based OS reliant on Google's to-be-determined app strategy and offerings; extremely low amount of onboard storage compared with laptops; slower Intel Atom processor; not really a bargain next to comparable Windows laptops; requires near-ubiquitous broadband access.Outlook: Slim size and quick boot time could make it a MacBook Air alternative, but a cheaper price tag and more versatile feature set would help it stand out from excellently valued Windows Atom-powered Netbooks.Read CNET's first take on the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook.HPLaptop: HP Pavilion dm1zPrice: $449Screen: 11.6 inchesProcessor: AMD E-350 dual-core (1.6GHz)Storage: 320GB hard driveOS: Windows 7 Home PremiumWeight: 3.4 poundsUpside: Faster-than-an-Atom AMD E-350 processor; runs Windows 7 Home Premium; large, fast 7,200rpm hard drive; all the benefits of a laptop at a smaller size; SD card slot; HDMI port.Downside: Slower bootup; no 3G; Windows 7 is full-featured, but comparatively clunky; the heaviest of the four devices.Outlook: Getting what amounts to a complete laptop for less than $500 makes the Pavilion dm1z the most efficient use of your money, but it offers no quick-start apps or benefits that tablets and other devices offer, and it's bulkier than any of the other options.Read the CNET review of the HP Pavilion dm1z.CNETiPad: Apple iPad 2 (16GB, Wi-Fi)Price: $499Screen: 9.7 inchesProcessor: 1GHz dual-core A5Storage: 16GB flashOS: iOS 4.3Weight: 1.32 poundsUpside: Incredibly thin (0.34 inch); long battery life; huge library of apps, plus Apple iTunes media store; solid-state storage; crisp IPS display; multitouch screen; front- and rear-facing cameras.Downside: Doesn't run Flash; iOS limited to apps in the App Store; expensive peripherals are required for SD, USB, and HDMI compatibility; 3G and larger flash storage bump up the price; no hard keyboard; extremely limited peripheral connectivity.Outlook: Nothing can beat the iPad 2 on its ultraportable form and impressive app library, but you have to work within the limitations of the iPad's hardware and iOS.Read the CNET review of the Apple iPad 2.CNETAndroid Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1Price: tbdScreen: 10.1 inchesProcessor:Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-coreStorage: 16GB flashOS: Android HoneycombWeight: 1.24 poundsUpside: About as thin as the iPad 2, and even lighter; bright IPS display; customizable Google Honeycomb OS; runs Flash; access to Android's extensive apps; multitouch screen; better camera than the iPad 2.Downside: Android's Tablet Market offers fewer apps than Android Phone Market and iOS App Store; same lack of ports as the iPad 2; the tablet experience, by nature, has its limits.Outlook: Android offers a more complete app experience right now than Chrome, but any 3G Galaxy Tab offering will likely be considerably more expensive than the equivalent Chromebook.Read the CNET first take of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.Final verdict: Right now, I'd go with either the iPad 2 or the HP dm1z, simply because they're both excellent pieces of hardware and they use operating systems that feel fleshed out. Without a doubt, Android smartphones are a force to be reckoned with; when it comes to Android tablets, however, products feel a little less well-defined. And Chromebooks...well, until we see one in person, it's pretty hard to judge.Another consideration: would it be worth your while to spend even less? Chromebooks actually start as low as $349 (the Acer Chromebook), as do Windows laptops (your average $299 Atom Netbook) and Android tablets (such as the Archos 101). The iPad 2 starts at $499, but you can always get a refurbished first-generation iPad for about $349, too.What about you--what would you spend your $500 on? Or, would you rather get a smartphone or a cheap, larger laptop? Respond to our poll above, and share your comments below.
Report- Apple tablet is a shared media device
Report: Apple tablet is a shared media device
On Wednesday night, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple's newest gadget could be a hub for all kinds of media: magazines, newspapers, books, text books, music, games, and video. All of that has been speculated about before, but the target demographic and the primary use for the device--which falls somewhere between a smartphone and a laptop--has been more of a mystery. Now it seems we're starting to have a clearer picture: the device has been purposely designed to be shared between members of a household as easily as possible, according to one of the Journal's unnamed sources.Apple has "put significant resources into designing and programming the device so that it is intuitive to share," including the idea of "virtual sticky notes" that can be left for others, and a built-in camera that can tell who is using it, says the Journal's source.The content, however, seems like it will be the key to the tablet. It was reported earlier that Apple has been talking with book and magazine publishers about porting their content to the device, but it wasn't clear who exactly was involved. Apple has been in discussion with The New York Times Co., Conde Nast Publications, and HarperCollins Publishers over content deals, and is apparently also negotiating with TV networks such as CBS and Walt Disney for monthly subscription deals, according to the report. (CBS is the parent company of CNET.)The Journal's report also mentions the idea of an iTunes.com streaming music service that would allow purchase of iTunes content from places other than directly through iTunes, launching sometime in June. CNET's Greg Sandoval reported earlier Wednesday that Apple is talking to all four major music labels about a free streaming service that would be designed to boost download sales.If this is the strategy Apple is pursuing, it's setting itself up to be the gatekeeper of all kinds of "old" media through its iTunes Store and connected devices by finding ways to continue to grow its share of music and video sales in addition to worming its way into electronic books, textbooks, and video games. It will be interesting to see who gets on board since both the music industry and film and TV studios have chafed at Apple's gatekeeping practices in the past. One of the Journal's sources--someone who worked with him previously--does say that Steve Jobs is "supportive of the old guard and (he) looks to help them by giving them new forms of distribution."The Journal's report also included other details, some of which have already been reported elsewhere:• It will have a virtual keyboard.• Apple is talking to Microsoft not only about using Bing as the default search engine in the iPhone, but also as the default mapping service.• Electronic Arts is in discussions with Apple about showing off the gaming abilities of the tablet--which explains why the gaming press was invited to the event next week.• Apple is toying with changing "conventional payment structures," for content on the device.
On Wednesday night, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple's newest gadget could be a hub for all kinds of media: magazines, newspapers, books, text books, music, games, and video. All of that has been speculated about before, but the target demographic and the primary use for the device--which falls somewhere between a smartphone and a laptop--has been more of a mystery. Now it seems we're starting to have a clearer picture: the device has been purposely designed to be shared between members of a household as easily as possible, according to one of the Journal's unnamed sources.Apple has "put significant resources into designing and programming the device so that it is intuitive to share," including the idea of "virtual sticky notes" that can be left for others, and a built-in camera that can tell who is using it, says the Journal's source.The content, however, seems like it will be the key to the tablet. It was reported earlier that Apple has been talking with book and magazine publishers about porting their content to the device, but it wasn't clear who exactly was involved. Apple has been in discussion with The New York Times Co., Conde Nast Publications, and HarperCollins Publishers over content deals, and is apparently also negotiating with TV networks such as CBS and Walt Disney for monthly subscription deals, according to the report. (CBS is the parent company of CNET.)The Journal's report also mentions the idea of an iTunes.com streaming music service that would allow purchase of iTunes content from places other than directly through iTunes, launching sometime in June. CNET's Greg Sandoval reported earlier Wednesday that Apple is talking to all four major music labels about a free streaming service that would be designed to boost download sales.If this is the strategy Apple is pursuing, it's setting itself up to be the gatekeeper of all kinds of "old" media through its iTunes Store and connected devices by finding ways to continue to grow its share of music and video sales in addition to worming its way into electronic books, textbooks, and video games. It will be interesting to see who gets on board since both the music industry and film and TV studios have chafed at Apple's gatekeeping practices in the past. One of the Journal's sources--someone who worked with him previously--does say that Steve Jobs is "supportive of the old guard and (he) looks to help them by giving them new forms of distribution."The Journal's report also included other details, some of which have already been reported elsewhere:• It will have a virtual keyboard.• Apple is talking to Microsoft not only about using Bing as the default search engine in the iPhone, but also as the default mapping service.• Electronic Arts is in discussions with Apple about showing off the gaming abilities of the tablet--which explains why the gaming press was invited to the event next week.• Apple is toying with changing "conventional payment structures," for content on the device.
Facebook's payment platform changes its currency
Facebook's payment platform changes its currency
Facebook made a simple announcement today -- its virtual currency, "credits," is to become real currency, such as dollars, pounds, or rupees. Despite this being a seemingly straightforward notice, a lot can be read into this plan.It points to the social network looking for additional ways to make money besides advertising and it shows the company's goal to grow as a payment platform embarking on a similar path to Apple with its iTunes store. The idea of Facebook credits were first debuted in 2008 when the social network changed the monetary units for its "gifts" into "credits," rather than U.S. dollars. Then, throughout 2009 and 2010, the company rolled out a way for developers to work credits into their apps on Facebook's platform. These credits can be used on hundreds of games and apps available on Facebook, such as Farmville, and be spent at select retailers, like Target. According to The New York Times, Facebook takes 30 percent of sales, which brought it 15 percent of its revenue last year.Here's an explanation of the currency change that Facebook announced on its developer blog today:By supporting pricing in local currency, we hope to simplify the purchase experience, give you more flexibility, and make it easier to reach a global audience of Facebook users who want a way to pay for your apps and games in their local currency. With local pricing, you will be able to set more granular and consistent prices for non-US users and price the same item differently on a market-by-market basis.In addition to changing the currency, which may help entice developers to sell their apps via Facebook, the social network also announced today that developers can initiate monthly payment plans, rather than just a one-time payment. Here's what Facebook wrote on the blog:Many developers successfully monetize their apps with one-time purchases of virtual items. Beginning in July, we are launching subscriptions as another way for you to build your businesses on Facebook. With subscriptions, you can establish a recurring revenue stream and offer updated content or premium experiences for a monthly fee.Related storiesFugitive who teased police on Facebook caughtCNET News Daily Podcast: What Google wins, loses by leaving ChinaSmartphones to dominate PCs in Gartner forecast Ever since Facebook went public last month, investors have been concerned about plummeting share prices and ways for the social network to monetize its growth. In response to these worries, the company has been openly exploring mobile advertising. It seems Facebook is also looking to show initiative for money-making by changing its currency from credits and offering the app subscription model. According to the Facebook blog, the currency changes are slated to happen in July and will be available on mobile as well as the Web.
Facebook made a simple announcement today -- its virtual currency, "credits," is to become real currency, such as dollars, pounds, or rupees. Despite this being a seemingly straightforward notice, a lot can be read into this plan.It points to the social network looking for additional ways to make money besides advertising and it shows the company's goal to grow as a payment platform embarking on a similar path to Apple with its iTunes store. The idea of Facebook credits were first debuted in 2008 when the social network changed the monetary units for its "gifts" into "credits," rather than U.S. dollars. Then, throughout 2009 and 2010, the company rolled out a way for developers to work credits into their apps on Facebook's platform. These credits can be used on hundreds of games and apps available on Facebook, such as Farmville, and be spent at select retailers, like Target. According to The New York Times, Facebook takes 30 percent of sales, which brought it 15 percent of its revenue last year.Here's an explanation of the currency change that Facebook announced on its developer blog today:By supporting pricing in local currency, we hope to simplify the purchase experience, give you more flexibility, and make it easier to reach a global audience of Facebook users who want a way to pay for your apps and games in their local currency. With local pricing, you will be able to set more granular and consistent prices for non-US users and price the same item differently on a market-by-market basis.In addition to changing the currency, which may help entice developers to sell their apps via Facebook, the social network also announced today that developers can initiate monthly payment plans, rather than just a one-time payment. Here's what Facebook wrote on the blog:Many developers successfully monetize their apps with one-time purchases of virtual items. Beginning in July, we are launching subscriptions as another way for you to build your businesses on Facebook. With subscriptions, you can establish a recurring revenue stream and offer updated content or premium experiences for a monthly fee.Related storiesFugitive who teased police on Facebook caughtCNET News Daily Podcast: What Google wins, loses by leaving ChinaSmartphones to dominate PCs in Gartner forecast Ever since Facebook went public last month, investors have been concerned about plummeting share prices and ways for the social network to monetize its growth. In response to these worries, the company has been openly exploring mobile advertising. It seems Facebook is also looking to show initiative for money-making by changing its currency from credits and offering the app subscription model. According to the Facebook blog, the currency changes are slated to happen in July and will be available on mobile as well as the Web.
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