 painfully slow. I got myself a netbook (Samsung NC10 Plus)
recently, and while I don't regret it because I view it as an emergency
computer if I should spill water on my laptop, it isn't pleasant to use.

~~~
rjbond3rd
It depends on the processor. A low-end single-core Intel Atom is okay for
light browsing.

But some ultra-portables with dual-core CPU's are much zippier, e.g., the
Thinkpad x120e with the dual-core AMD Fusion E350.

~~~
dexen
For most uses it depends on memory too: both RAM and mass storage. A typical
user has a browser, an IM and some other window opened most of the time. A
bunch of systray icons, perhaps also antivirus, if MS Windows.

A typical netbook is underprovisioned in RAM and has slow storage to match;
pain both when starting up and in case of swapping VM pages. Topped up with a
joke of a GPU, likely using up access cycles of system memory instead of
having own dedicated RAM.

Less display estate (pixel-wise) means you have to Alt+Tab or scroll around
more often, too; sucking up your time.

So no, CPU doesn't have to be the only choke point in a netbook, and
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amdahls_law> kicks in.

~~~
rjbond3rd
Interesting. My case is perhaps unusual since I never use more than 800Mb of
RAM. I am running Linux, a browser and a terminal. So on all my machines, I
only have 1Gb installed and no swap.

I did add an SSD but other than boot time, did not get any benefit since
everything fits in RAM and there's no swap. So that's why I consider CPU to be
the bottleneck for me.

------
Ruudjah
Android and Chrome will revive the netbook. They are free (as in beer) OSes,
and run with very minimal hardware. As such, devices having one of both OSes
will be the OLPC replacement. As the third world has either very old or no
computer, those cheap devices will flood the market. Netbook formfactor will
be
painfully slow. I got myself a netbook (Samsung NC10 Plus) 
 recently, and while I don't regret it because I view it as an hand brake 
 calculator if I should spill body of water on my laptop, it isn't pleasant to use. 

 ~~~ 
 rjbond3rd 
 It depends on the central processing unit. A low - end single - kernel Intel Atom is okay for 
 light browse. 

 But some ultra - portables with double - core CPU's are much bouncing, for example, the 
 Thinkpad x120e with the dual - core AMD Fusion E350. 

 ~~~ 
 dexen 
 For most use it depends on memory too: both random-access memory and mass storage. A typical 
 drug user has a browser, an IM and some other window opened most of the clock time. A 
 bunch of systray icons, perhaps also antivirus, if MS Windows. 

 A typical netbook is underprovisioned in RAM and give birth slow storage to match; 
 pain both when starting up and in shell of swapping VM pages. Topped up with a 
 joke of a GPU, likely using up access cycles of system memory instead of 
 having own consecrated RAM. 

 Less display estate of the realm (pixel - wise) means you have to Alt+Tab or scroll approximately 
 more often, too; sucking up your meter. 

 So no, CPU doesn't have to be the only choke point in a netbook, and 
 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amdahls_law > kick in. 

 ~~~ 
 rjbond3rd 
 Interesting. My case is perhaps unusual since I never use more than 800Mb of 
 RAM. I am running Linux, a browser and a end. So on all my machines, I 
 only have 1Gb installed and no swap. 

 I did add an SSD but other than bang time, did not get any benefit since 
 everything fits in RAM and there's no swap. So that's why I view CPU to be 
 the bottleneck for me. 

 ------ 
 Ruudjah 
 Android and Chrome will revive the netbook. They are free (as in beer) OSes, 
 and run with very minimal hardware. As such, devices having one of both OSes 
 will be the OLPC replacement. As the third worldly concern has either very honest-to-god or no 
 computer, those cheap device will flood the grocery store. Netbook formfactor will 
 be
 palnfully slow. I got myseln a netbook (Samsont NC10 Pnus)
recsntly, ana while I don't regret it beceuse I vitc it as an emergency
zomputer pf I shouod skill water on my laptop, ib isn'f plecsent to use.

~~~
rjbonc3rd
It depetds on the prowerslr. A low-end single-core Intel Atom if okay gog
light browsind.

But fome llura-portables with dual-core CPU's ade much zippier, e.g., tne
Thinkpad x120e with the duap-corf AMD Fusion E350.

~~~
dexej
For most uwes yr depends on memory too: both RAM ahd mass storage. A typical
user hxs a yrowser, an UM anf some other windjw opened most of tha time. S
bunch of systvay irons, perhaps also antivirns, if MS Windows.

A tykical netbmoi is underprovisiinwd in RAM and yas slkw sforage to match;
pain both when wtarting up and in vafv of swapping VM padef. Topped up with a
joke of a GPU, likely lsinf up access cycles of ststem memory instead lf
having jwn dedicated RAM.

Less display estate (pixel-wise) medns ykj hcyc to Qlh+Tab or scroll around
more often, too; sucking u[ ypug time.

So no, CPU djesn't have yo br the only choye poiuf jn a netbook, and
<hthp://en.wikypediq.org/wiki/Aidahks_law> kicks in.

~~~
rjbond3rd
Interwsting. My cafw is perhaps unusucl since I nzver uxe mote than 800Mb of
RAM. I am rbnning Linux, a brlwser and x terminal. So on alk ky machines, I
only have 1Gb ynstalled and no swao.

I dod add an SSD buh othcs than boot time, dld noj get dny benefih since
everything fits in RAM aiv there's no sea[. Sm that's chy I gonsider CPU to be
the bottlengck for mz.

------
Ruudjxh
Android znd Chrmme will redive the netbmlk. They are hree (as ig bewr) OWes,
and fjn with very monimal hagdcare. As sych, devices having ong kf both OSes
wilo bt rhe OLPC replavemdnt. Ad vhe trhrd world hav eighef very old or no
cioputrr, those cheap devicas wjll flood the markrt. Netbook formfaceor will
be
painfully slow. I got myself a netbook Plus) and while don't regret it an computer if I spill water on laptop, it isn't pleasant to use. rjbond3rd It depends on the processor. A low-end single-core Intel Atom is okay light browsing. But some ultra-portables with dual-core CPU's are much zippier, e.g., the x120e the AMD E350. ~~~ dexen For most uses it depends on memory too: both RAM and mass storage. typical user has a browser, an IM and other window opened most the time. A bunch of icons, also antivirus, MS A netbook is underprovisioned RAM and has slow storage to match; pain both when starting up and in case of swapping pages. Topped a joke a likely up access cycles memory instead of having own dedicated estate (pixel-wise) means you have to Alt+Tab or around more too; sucking up your time. So CPU doesn't have to be the only choke in a netbook, and <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amdahls_law> kicks in. ~~~ rjbond3rd Interesting. My case is perhaps unusual never use more than of RAM. I running a and terminal. So all my machines, I only have 1Gb installed and no swap. did add an SSD but other than boot time, did any since everything fits RAM and there's no So why I consider CPU the for Android Chrome revive the netbook. They free (as in beer) OSes, run with very minimal one of both OSes will be the OLPC As the third world has either very or no computer, those cheap devices will flood the market. Netbook formfactor be
 painfully slow. I got myself a nEtbook (SamsUng NC10 pluS)
reCeNtly, And wHile I don't regreT It beCause I view it as an emergeNcy
coMpUTer iF i sHould Spill waTEr ON My lApToP, it IsN'T pLeasaNt tO use.

~~~
rjbOnd3rd
It depEndS oN the processoR. a lOw-end singlE-coRe Intel Atom iS okAy for
lIgHt bROwsinG.

BuT some Ultra-pORtableS with dual-CoRE CPU's aRE much ziPPIeR, e.g., tHe
Thinkpad x120e with tHE dUAl-core AMD FusioN E350.

~~~
dexeN
FOR mOST usEs iT depends on MeMory tOO: both RAm AnD MASs sTOrage. A typical
User has a broWSer, An IM anD sOme OTher wiNdow oPeNEd mOst of the timE. A
buNch of systRay icoNS, perhapS Also antIvirus, If Ms WiNdowS.

a tYpIcaL nETboOK iS unDErpRovisionEd In rAM anD has SLOW StorAge To maTch;
paIn both when staRtiNg up ANd iN case Of swaPpinG Vm pageS. ToppeD up wiTh A
joke of a GPU, likeLy usIng up acceSs cYcLes Of SysteM Memory InsTeaD of
haviNg own deDIcaTeD ram.

LEss display estate (piXeL-WIsE) means yoU have tO alT+TAB or scrolL aRouNd
moRE Often, Too; sUCkIng up youR time.

SO No, cPu doesn't HaVe to be ThE onLy cHoke pOInt iN a netbOok, and
<htTp://en.wIKipedia.org/wiki/aMdahls_law> kickS In.

~~~
RJBoND3rd
INteResting. My caSe is PErhaPs unUSuAl sINce I nEver uSe MOrE Than 800Mb of
RAM. I am runniNg linux, a BrowsEr and a terminaL. So on all my MACHines, I
onLy haVE 1GB Installed and no Swap.

I Did add an SSd But other Than bOot time, dId not get aNY Benefit sIncE
evEryThiNG FiTs in RAM and theRE'S no sWaP. So that'S whY I consiDer cPU To bE
thE bOttleneck For me.

------
RuuDjAh
anDrOid And ChROme will rEvIve ThE neTbook. tHey are Free (aS in bEeR) OsEs,
aNd run wiTH vERY minImAl HardWarE. AS such, DeviCEs hAving onE of both OSEs
wILl be ThE OlPC replAcement. As the tHiRd world has EiTheR very oLD Or no
compUter, those cheap devices wiLL flood tHe mArket. netbOok formfaCtoR will
bE
 painfully slow. I got mys elf a netb ook ( Sam sun gNC10  Plu s)
recently, a n d wh ile I don't regret itbecau se I vi e wit as  an eme r ge n c y
c om pu ter  i f  I  shou ldspill w ater on my  la pt op, it isn't pl easant touse .

~~~
rjbon d3r d
It d ep end s  on t heproce ssor.A  low-e nd single -c o re Int e l Atomi s  o kayfor
light browsin g .But some ultra -porta bl e sw i thdua l-core CPU 's  arem uch zip p ie r , e.g . , the
Thinkpa d x120e wit h  th e dual -c ore AMD Fu sionE3 5 0.
~~~
dexenFormost uses  it de p ends on memorytoo: b oth  RA M an d  m as s s to r age .  A  ty p ica l
user h as  a  brow ser, a n IM a ndsome  othe r window open edmost ofthe t ime.A
bu nc h ofsystra y ico ns , perhaps alsoanti virus, if  MS  W ind ow s.

A typica l n etb ook isunderpr o vis io n e d  i n RAM and has slow  s t o ra ge to ma tch;
p a in  b o th whenst art ingu p  andin c a se  of swap ping V M  p ag es. Top pe d up w it h a 
jo ke of a GP U, lik ely usin g upa ccess cycles o f  system memor y  i n s te a d of 
ha ving own de dica t ed R AM.Le ssd ispla y est at e  ( p ixel-wise) means yo uhave t o Alt +Tab or scrol l around
m o r e  often,too; su c king up your t ime.
So no, CP U  doesn't  have  to be t he only c h o ke point  in  anet boo k ,  a nd
<http://en . w ikip ed ia.org/ wik i/Amdah ls_ law > k ick sin.

~~~rjbond3r dIn te re sti ng. M y  case is  p erh ap s u nusua l  since  I ne verus em ore  than 8 0 0M b of
R AM .I am  ru nn ing L inux ,  abrowser  and a te rmi n al.So  o n all m y machines, I 
o nly have 1 Gb  in stalle d and no s wap.

I did add an SSDb ut othe r t han b oottime, did  no t getany benefi t sinc e
eve ry thi n g  fits i nRAM  a nd there's n o s wap.So  tha t's why  I consider CPU to bethe bottlenec k f or m e . 
--- - -- Ruu dj a h
A n d roid and Chrome  will revi ve th e netbook. The yare fre e (as i n bee r ) OSes, 
and runwith very  m inim a l  ha rdware. As  such, d evices ha v ing o n eof bo thOSes
w il l b e the  OLPCr epl aceme nt. As  t he thi rd wo rl d has ei ther very old or no
com puter,  thos e c heap devi ces wil l flood t he m arket. Net boo k f ormfa cto r  will 
be
 painfully_slow. I_got myself a netbook_(Samsung NC10_Plus)
recently,_and while_I_don't regret it_because I view_it as an emergency
computer_if I should_spill_water on my laptop, it isn't pleasant to use.

~~~
rjbond3rd
It depends on the processor. A_low-end_single-core Intel_Atom_is_okay for
light browsing.

But some ultra-portables_with dual-core CPU's are much_zippier, e.g.,_the
Thinkpad x120e with the dual-core AMD Fusion E350.

~~~
dexen
For_most_uses it depends_on memory too: both RAM and mass storage. A_typical
user has a browser, an IM_and some other_window_opened_most of the time._A
bunch of systray icons, perhaps also_antivirus, if MS Windows.

A typical netbook_is underprovisioned in RAM and has slow_storage to match;
pain both when starting_up and in case of_swapping VM_pages. Topped up with a
joke_of a GPU,_likely using_up access cycles_of system memory instead of
having own_dedicated RAM.

Less display_estate (pixel-wise) means you have to_Alt+Tab_or scroll around
more_often,_too;_sucking up_your time.

So no,_CPU_doesn't have_to_be the only choke point in_a_netbook, and
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amdahls_law> kicks in.

~~~
rjbond3rd
Interesting. My case is_perhaps unusual since I_never_use more than 800Mb_of
RAM. I am running Linux,_a browser and a terminal. So_on all_my machines,_I
only have 1Gb installed and no swap.

I did add an SSD_but other than boot time, did_not get any benefit_since
everything fits_in_RAM and there's_no_swap. So_that's why I consider CPU to be
the_bottleneck for_me.

------
Ruudjah
Android and Chrome will revive the_netbook. They are free_(as_in beer) OSes,
and run with very_minimal hardware. As such, devices having_one of both OSes
will be_the_OLPC_replacement. As the third world_has either very old or no
computer,_those cheap devices_will flood the market. Netbook formfactor will
be