Does the MBA have an Atom processor ? No, then it's not a netbook.
What a hard concept to grasp for some.
What a hard concept to grasp for some.
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MBA - Best Netbook Money Can Buy?...apparently not...
- Thread starter Beanoir
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Ultraportables as a category pre-date netbooks. The MacBook Air is not the first ultraportable, and is not the first that lacked ports or optical drives. Toshiba's Portege and Libretto lines, and Sony's Vaio line have long included models that lacked optical drives, were 3lbs or so, and had fewer ports than their larger brethren. However, they had laptop-class processors, and are intended to run mainstream programs, rather than be used primarily for web access.
The line is blurred now because even Atoms are comparable to the laptop and desktop CPUs of the late 1990s/early 2000s. Obviously we were running complex programs back then, so netbooks are theoretically capable of running Office or even basic graphics. But that isn't their intent. Also, with more and more computing occurring on the "cloud" we need optical drives and ports a lot less than we used to. However, there still is a distinction.
Price, if nothing more, is also a big factor. Netbooks run $300-500. The MacBook Air starts at $1000. The Samsung Series 9 starts at the same general price point, as well. Clearly they have superior hardware to the $299 netbook you'll find at Target or Amazon. They are overkill for "netbook" tasks.
Maybe because the term "netbook" does not require the use of an Atom processor? It's always funny when people around here start writing their own standards.
We heard you the first time, unfortunately I can't find any source that says netbooks are defined by them having an Atom processor or not. Cheers for your input though, it all helps.
Oh come on, what a stupid discussion. The name "netbook" was popularized for very cheap, small notebooks whose main area of application was supposed to be surfing the web and taking light notes. Historically, netbooks were made by sacrificing some usability of the "big" notebooks: processing power, build quality, ergonomics. In that regard, Air is not a "netbook", because it is much more expensive and much more technologically advanced. However, nowadays some notebooks being advertised as "netbooks" do step on the area of notebooks known as "ultraportables".
Anyway, you are not arguing about the definition, you are arguing about the psychological reality. For some people, a netbook is simply a light and very portable computer. According to them, Air is obviously a netbook. For other people (who in fact are a majority) "netbook" denotes a cheaply made, underpowered device unsuitable for any real work. According to the last view Air is obviously not a netbook.
Anyway, you are not arguing about the definition, you are arguing about the psychological reality. For some people, a netbook is simply a light and very portable computer. According to them, Air is obviously a netbook. For other people (who in fact are a majority) "netbook" denotes a cheaply made, underpowered device unsuitable for any real work. According to the last view Air is obviously not a netbook.
and the Oxford Dictionary definition of "notebook" is a laptop computer, especially a small, slim one.
Thats a pretty wide definition, one which I think you'll find will cover all "netbooks" too.
That statement is not pretty precise as you can put anything under it based on the first part of the sentence...
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As I wrote before:
Apple does not say MBA is a Netbook.
Alienware clearly states on their webpage that 11.6 is a laptop.
MBA does not have Atom in it.
MBA is made from premium materials/not low-end components which makes notebook price so affordable..
I would like to state that this netbook thing is only Windows/Linux related if I remember correctly how it started. That's where this Oxford sentence comes from I think.
Apple does not say MBA is a Netbook.
Alienware clearly states on their webpage that 11.6 is a laptop.
MBA does not have Atom in it.
MBA is made from premium materials/not low-end components which makes notebook price so affordable..
I would like to state that this netbook thing is only Windows/Linux related if I remember correctly how it started. That's where this Oxford sentence comes from I think.
Still no clear steer, I think i'm going to have to put this topic down to opinion as nobody has convinced me either way yet.
Wait, you're saying because Apple does not say that it is not a netbook, you're not convinced ? By that same token, nothing on Apple.com seems to indicate that the MacBook Air isn't a car. I'm now convinced, using your logic, that it is indeed a matter of opinion if it is a car or not.
Everything has been layed out for you. It's really simple. Atom class processor (including Athlon Neos, Via edens and any kind of ARM) means it's a netbook.
Just take a peek at Samsung's site :
http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/office/mobile-computing/everyday/index.idx?pagetype=subtype_p2
Check Netbook only, don't check Notebook and then go under CPU Type. Notice how you can now only select ATOM.
Clear enough for you ? Frankly, my last post on this topic. At this point, your credibility is the only thing suffering by your continued labeling of the MBA as a netbook.
Wait, you're saying because Apple does not say that it is not a netbook, you're not convinced ? By that same token, nothing on Apple.com seems to indicate that the MacBook Air isn't a car. I'm now convinced, using your logic, that it is indeed a matter of opinion if it is a car or not.
Everything has been layed out for you. It's really simple. Atom class processor (including Athlon Neos, Via edens and any kind of ARM) means it's a netbook.
Just take a peek at Samsung's site :
http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/office/mobile-computing/everyday/index.idx?pagetype=subtype_p2
Check Netbook only, don't check Notebook and then go under CPU Type. Notice how you can now only select ATOM.
Clear enough for you ? Frankly, my last post on this topic. At this point, your credibility is the only thing suffering by your continued labeling of the MBA as a netbook.
Well, you've proved the very point. You've acted in the very same manner as my colleague, and as a lot of others that clearly take deep offence at the prospect of their precious MBA being labelled a netbook. Why, I have no idea, however the only credibility at stake is yours for not being able to discuss in an open manner a topic that shouldn't offend you personally, its a computer for god's sake, get a grip.
As for the original topic, I have my answer thanks to everybody that remained adult and offered up some pretty good debate. I think it's clear that there exists no clear definition and so it comes down to peoples opinion and interpretation, so one should choose to call it what they please.
Either way, I love my ultraportable net-note-lap-book-pad-top, who cares what its called. Interesting topic though, thanks all.
Quote from myself and Beanoir (sentence in bold): "Alienware clearly states on their webpage that 11.6 is a laptop. Not sure the relevance of that, we're discussing the MBA"
Because somebody stated that size is the only factor to determine the category if I remember correctly...
Because somebody stated that size is the only factor to determine the category if I remember correctly...
Great, still no relevance really as that's only their definition of their product. I'm finished here, it's clear that nobody can prove either way and it's all based on lose references (such as the one you make) or opinion.
Price cannot be a discriminator as may laptops fall into the 300 to 500 range.
Also, Apple's are notoriously over priced.
I see a laptop as a combination of versitility and expandability.
Ultraportables - are lighter versions of laptops where weight is generally the only difference.
Netbooks serve a limited to single purpose...surfing
In its basic configuration the 11" MBA is straddling the line between netbook and ultra portable.
Also, Apple's are notoriously over priced.
I see a laptop as a combination of versitility and expandability.
Ultraportables - are lighter versions of laptops where weight is generally the only difference.
Netbooks serve a limited to single purpose...surfing
In its basic configuration the 11" MBA is straddling the line between netbook and ultra portable.
Funniest thread I've read in a while to be honest. Does it really matter what you call it? Notebooks, netbooks, notbooks, ultra-portables... It's all a spectrum, and it really varies by person. Are the current MBA more powerful than most devices marketed as "netbooks"? Yes. Would my mom still call it a netbook, or notebook? Who knows. I buy something because I like the way it works and fits my needs. Would I be offended if someone called my MBA a netbook? No, because it'd the the most expensive (Aside from Sony's defunct X line) and fastest (aside from the Acer TimelineX series). And heck the sony X was marketed as a "notebook" with a crappy ass atom processor. It's all marketing spin basically, for people who are unwilling or unable to judge a product for themselves based on the specifications. How do you want to define categories? Is it CPU type based? Clock speed? Number of Cores? Total capacity of ram? 64 bit instructions? Weight? Price? You're going to find something that doesn't fit regardless.
Does the MBA fall into a category that's above the perceived notion of a "netbook"? Probably
Does the MBA fall into a category that's below the perceived notion of a full size notebook? Probably
Would I be offended if people referred to it either way? Probably not.
Does the MBA fall into a category that's above the perceived notion of a "netbook"? Probably
Does the MBA fall into a category that's below the perceived notion of a full size notebook? Probably
Would I be offended if people referred to it either way? Probably not.
