Amazon vs. the Big Four: Bold Visions vs. Ambitious Lawyers

I’m amazed (or should I say, Amazoned!) in the IP debate, we’ve slowly seen the music industry erect IP firewalls around all the music content that they can possibly control: EMusic, Pandora, Last.FM to name but three of the recent victims of overly assertive lawyers and seriously compromised CEOs. It’s been too often that I have written about such hopelessly backward looking companies. It’s rare that a US company literally takes your breath away for the audacity of its vision: and Amazon did that today. How?

Amazon recently announced: the International Kindle with integrated Wireless! I can’t do it any better than Jeff Bezos… so, here goes. Click to check out the device itself, if you’re an international reader, then you need to read this page, otherwise US readers can go here.

amazon kindle international So, if you have been waiting or wanting a Kindle reader but couldn’t because it didn’t serve the non-US market, now you’re in luck. Good luck on getting one before Christmas though! I wonder what demand will be like! I’m so glad that Amazon recognizes the importance of its non-US readers by agreeing to serve them in this fashion. Up until now, I had been largely dismayed by the increasing IP restrictions on internet music listeners by the big four music companies. I’m so glad that there are business people who understand that there lots of non-cash strapped customers in the rest of the world (yes, 6 Billion of us!) who would love to purchase music and books from the US. I wonder if the Big 4 music companies will take note. Jeff Bezos, I applaud you and your company. Well done.

How Do You Buy an Asus Eee PC Netbook? #1 Battery Life Considerations

So you want to buy an Asus Eee PC. There are more than 30 different models that have now been released, but you have had a look at all the great models available and you’ve struggled to make a choice. Battery life: you don’t know if the one you want is appropriate, or if a more expensive model is really worth it. This article aims to help you think a little more constructively about the battery life issue, and while you still will have to make your own decision, I hope that the criteria I outline will help you find the best model.

1. Your situation: where and when?

Where exactly will you be using your Asus Eee PC after you buy it? Will it be within easy reach of a power outlet? Or will you be unpacking it in a variety of different locations, and power sockets may be unavailable? What kind of time period will you be using it for? A couple of hours a day or in excess of five hours? If you suspect that you will be using it a lot more for a lot a lot longer, you can choose to either buy an additional battery if you are buying an older model Asus Eee PC, you’ll be getting a more traditional Li-ion battery which gives out power for approx. 2.5 to 5 hours, or choose a newer model with a 6-Cell 48Wh Li-ion Battery or Li-polymer battery which should help you get more time.

2. Your price: how much and why?

If you’re on a limited budget (say: you’re a student, buying a 2nd/3rd PC, a present for a kid,…) then you may want to steer away from the latest models and choose an earlier model. But the oldest models really do have the shortest life span. Buying an extra battery may add an unexpected expense and cut the difference between the model you bought and a more expensive model with longer battery life. In other words, do your homework carefully, and treat any manufacturer battery life times as generally approximate. You may do better (but not likely!)… most likely you will get about 60-75% of the amount because you will not always run your machine on the most optimal settings. So figure carefully.

3. Its size and weight: how much do you want to carry?

This sounds like an odd point, but if you look carefully, you will notice that the Asus Eee PCs with the longer battery life do really weigh more. That’s partly because the machines themselves are getting bigger – 10.1" vs 7.0". But the difference may be important to you if you are buying this to put in your kid’s backpack or planning to slip it into a small briefcase or valise. The Eee PC 1000HA sports 7 hours but weights 1.45Kg and that is approximately 50% heavier than the Eee PC 701SD which weighed only 0.92Kg. This also goes for the physical dimension: the newest bigger machines are quite a lot bigger than the original ones.

Weighing up these factors will help you decide whether you value battery life over price or weight or portability. One aspect that seems to matter less though is the preference of OS. Most people these days do prefer XP over Linux for simple choice of applications. So which Asus Eee PC will you be buying? If you’re not sure… you can visit Buy Asus Eee PC to help you figure and select the right models, find the latest models, and get good deals on whatever model you want to buy.

James Dickson has been following the Eee PC since it first came out, and is an eager enthusiast. Do drop buy and let us know what you think of your purchase or whatever is on your mind at http://eeeblogger.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Dickson

(James Dickson is my nom de plume! Fancy, eh?)

Short Review: Eee PC 1000HE – Connected, efficient and practical

ASUS Eee PC 1000HE in Blue

If you’re a road warrior, you need a bigger keyboard and screen, excellent connectivity, and a large hard disk in a small space. The Asus Eee PC 1000HE has got it all, in buckets; and attractively so.

The 1000HE sports Intel’s new and faster Atom N280 chip. The 10? display shows 1,024×600 pixels, but doesn’t have that annoying ‘glossy’ effect, making working outdoors comfortable. And the 160GB hard disk means plenty of space for your presentations, photos, music, and work documents, while the 1000HE’s keyboard makes touch-typing pleasant.

But most importantly, the bigger battery and efficiency software provides an amazing battery life that will get you through the day. Connectivity includes Bluetooth, 802.11n wireless, and all the standard options. So you’ll can enjoy all those great features and put in a productive day’s work without needing to recharge.

The is the first choice netbook for people who travel often. Its excellent battery life outshines the competition, you can touch type on its keyboard, and it is visually attractive, too.

Available now. With fast shipping and 1-year manufacturer warranty. Current price range: $380-395.00.

Top selling ASUS Eee PCs 5 Star Rating for Asus Eee PC 1000HE
Click here to find out more about the Asus Eee PC 1000HE, pricing and ordering.