PC World claims to have the first ever 'netbook' equipped with Intel's new Atom processor. The new Intel chip is turning up in all sorts of UMPC and other portable devices, thanks to its low power usage and high efficiency.
In case you're unfamiliar with the word netbook, PC World provide this helpful explanation: "Netbooks prime function is for 'viewing', such as web browsing, whereas laptops are meant for 'doing', such as documentation and storage." Some (myself included) would argue that a device is most useful when it can both be used to view *and* do, but perhaps I'm missing the point.
At £279 its contemporaries include devices like the eeePC and MSI Wind, which up until now have been classified as UMPCs. Since the MSI Wind contains the Atom processor as well, there's some doubt over the validity of PC World's 'first' claim.
The Advent 4211 comes with a 10.2-inch screen, runs Windows XP, 1GB of RAM and an 80GB hard drive. There's also a 1.3 megapixel webcam and Bluetooth. The stats are practically identical to the MSI Wind's, but this model is £40 cheaper. Perhaps PC World might have been better going for a 'cheapest model with the Atom processor' claim...
£279.99 from PC World
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As most people know, PC world are part of the DSG group (Dixons stores group).
DSG are known for pulling flankers on the unsuspecting public (and its own employees). So, it's not surprising to find them claiming another false accolade.
I spent 5 years working in their tech support centre which at the time had about 600 hundred technical call handlers.
The call centre somehow won an award for being one of the best places to work (I can assure you it wasn't). This award was based on the satisfaction of the employees working in the product specialist department of the centre (15 - 20 employees), and not the satisfaction of the other 600 or so employees. Yet, they claimed the accolade as representing the entire call centre which simply wasn't true.
DSG are heavily involved with Capita in outsourcing. Anyone who doesn't agree with this outsourcing should boycott the DSG group.
The stats are the same because it is a rebranded MSI Wind.
This is clearly (a little googling will reveal) an MSI Wind rebadged to Advent. As the Advent is in stores now in the UK and no other Atom based computer has yet to hit the stores i think its fair to say its the first in the uk.
Scarlett's comments, while valid personal reflections, are a little dismissive. I regard PCWorld as a mildly annoying retail chain (yes, DSG don't do much for me!) ... but the rebadging of an MSI Wind did sway me away from an EEE PC 901. I am about to return to working for myself and have ZERO interest in lugging a 3kg laptop about. The 4211 does "view" and "do" pretty well. I run OO 2.4 on mine, along with the GIMP and a few other semi-heavy duty apps. All run amazingly well. And the key pitch (92% of fullsize) is great. Ain't a gaming PC ... ain't a movie pad ... but it certainly is a very usable subnotebook. My 5p worth ...
Curious. Start-to-finish conversion of an AVI clip to DivX about same speed on the Advent 4211 as on an Acer Travelmate 6292 (with Centrino Duo and 2GB ram). Not exactly formal benchmarking ... but seems the performance is not too bad. Anyone else have some "Windy" comments?
I've had the Advent for about 2wks, and it's very good indeed. I've not found anything it can't do - from watching movies, using itunes, editing docs and even photo editing and web development. I'm really impressed with it. It's light and small and much faster than my old 2GB dual core Dell (which to be fair was running Vista - XP on the Advent zips along). I really can't fault it!