Netbook Review UK

For the past two years, virtually every netbook released has shipped with an Intel Atom processor and integrated graphics. A few mini-laptops with 12 inch displays shook things up a bit with NVIDIA ION graphics or Broadcom HD video accelerators, but the truth is that if you look at the performance section of most of my netbook reviews over the last few years you won’t find a lot of surprises.

We’re starting to see a change this year.  For years, Intel Atom processors, sometimes with Nvidia Ion graphics, ruled the insides of netbooks.  So much so, that it was virtually impossible to find a netbook without an Atom processor.  Now, we’re starting to see 10 and 12 inch mini-notebooks with AMD processors and ATI graphics. Engadget has posted the first detailed reviews I’ve seen of the Acer Aspire One 521 and 721, with 10.1 inch and 11.6 inch displays respectively, and one of the latest AMD chips for low cost, low power ultraportables.

One drawback of the current AMD processors is battery life.  Neither model got spectacular battery life, each laptop was able to run for 3.5 hours or longer on a charge.  But the biggest difference between these notebooks and most Atom-powered netbooks is performance. Engadget’s benchmarks show that the new Acer netbookss outperformed Atom models in every single one. They’re not quite as powerful as the Intel CULV processors, nor do they get the same kind of battery life, but with prices ranging from $350 to $430, the Acer Aspire One 521 and 721 are a lot cheaper than most CULV-powered notebooks as well.