eReaders -- Have you considered a "Netbook?"

 

Last week Stacey Higginbotham wrote an interesting blog piece on notebook computing and what that might mean for the electronics industry.

She notes that notebook PC sales have overtaken the sales of desktop type machines.  This is the direct result of WiFi and the almost ubiquitous access to the Internet.

This is of interest to me, because Henri needs a new eBook reader.  It's time. . .

I figured that it would be a great Christmas present, so I started looking very closely at all the eReaders -- Kindle (never), Sony, Cybooks, Irex, BeBook and a few others. 

From my perspective the best available option is the Irex.  It has a touch screen, is able to connect by WiFi to the Internet and allows you to make notes and annotations.  It reads protected Mobipocket files and unprotected PDF.  All in all, contrary to my first opinion, it has turned out to be a great machine.  Or at least it is until you check out the price -- $700!!!

Well, let me think!  Here is a pretty much single use device that costs more than a fully powered, big screen laptop.  Too rich for my blood!

But the laptop thought triggered an idea.

I have been hearing about netbooks so decided to check them out.  Acer makes one called the Aspire One.  It sells at Costco for $349.00.  This is a fully functional Windows XP notebook with 1 GB of RAM, a160GB hard drive that is net ready and weighs about 2 pounds.  And it has a great screen with brilliant colors.

Heck, with that capacity, it is a lot more robust than a couple of the laptops we have laying around. 

Because it has the XP operating system it can read protected Mobipocket, PDF and Microsoft reader eBooks.  Because it is net ready you really don't need to buy an software.  All you need to do is access email and Google Docs are you are ready to go.

Of course, if you want to work offline, you can always load Star Office (for free) and have a fully functioning road machine. 

Sony and Cybook readers are in the same price range and do a whole let less. 

Rumor has it that Dell and a couple of other companies are getting ready to introduce lighter, faster, cheaper models next year.

I would love to finish this piece by telling you that I bought Henri a net book and we are both very happy. But that is not what really happened.  What really happened is that I put off the decision and the purchase for a couple of months.

And Henri, lucky man, got a new shirt. . . .

 

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G1G1 - The Enlightened Gift

It started simply as a good idea and a catchy phrase.

Nicholas Negroponte had the good idea: a cheap laptop for the poor children of the world that was loaded with software and connected to the Internet.

His catchy phrase: "the $100 laptop."

In 2005 Negorponte with a little help from his friends created the The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) organization. The goal: to give every primary school aged child in the world a rugged, Internet connected, low-power consuming laptop.

It took three years and some pretty complicated twists to achieve the goal. But it is a reality and called the XO laptop.

Admittedly, it isn't exactly a hundred dollar laptop (it's closer to $200) but it is rugged, Internet connected and doesn't require electricity.

If you are me, you probably think that the $100 laptop is a great idea but why stop there? Why confine the idea to children? Why not include teens and adults?

What about a OLFE (One Laptop For Everyone) organization?

This is perhaps and example of a good idea that lacks a catchy phrase because to date no such organization has developed.

Fortunately, good ideas tend to be contagious. Earlier this year Intel and ASUS (a computer manufacturer) announced a commercial version of the $100 laptop, the ASUS Eee PC. Four versions are currently being sold at prices ranging from $191.52 to $639.36.

Both of these machines use some interesting technology; if you are interested visit the OLPC or ASUS sites.

As much as I love technology, I am much more intrigued by good ideas. And the OLPC organization has a terrific one for the holiday: G1G1.

Get 1, Give 1 is a gift idea with real punch: get a computer for your kid(s) and give one to a child in a developing nation (Rwanda, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti and Mongolia). This is not your classic "two-fer" deal since both machines cost you $399, but it is still a great deal -- a charitable contribution and a Christmas present you won't have to wrap.

To participate click on this link: One learning child. One connected child. One laptop at a time.

Since November 12th, OLPC has been offering a limited-time Give One Get One program in the United States and Canada. During Give One Get One, you can donate the revolutionary XO laptop to a child in a developing nation, and also receive one for the child in your life in recognition of your contribution.

Of the $399, you get credit for a $200 charitable contribution. Next April you can deduct that from your taxable income. If your tax rate is, say, 20%, that's a savings of $40, which brings the actual price of the XO laptop you receive down to $183.95. You even get a nice email from Nicholas Negroponte, founder of OLPC, thanking you for your contribution.

This is the one gift guaranteed to enrich at least two kids -- how cool is that!

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