A netbook by any other name: the VIA NetNote

How do you punch a hole into the already over-populated netbook market and get your product seen by the buying public? You could just offer something that competitors don't have. But maybe that isn't enough. Perhaps you need to create a brand new device category for your new product to help it stand out from the crowd. Enter the NetNote from Taiwan's VIA Technologies which offers all the affordability and portability of a netbook and the high definition video capabilities and functionality of a notebook.

The term netbook was originally coined by Psion to describe its PDA way back in the mists of time. More recently, it's been used to describe an Atom-powered small notebook (less than 10.2 in screen), the prime function of which is to access the internet - this helpful Intel page shows the main differences between a netbook and a notebook or laptop.

With the partnering of ION and Atom, this has changed of late - making the watching of high definition movies now possible on the newer offerings from HP, Samsung and of course Asus. But you won't find an Atom processor running a VIA Technologies mobile clamshell solution: the company naturally uses its own C7-M processor.

Media processing on board the new tech is VIA's own too, the VX855 media system processor, which offers support for H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VC-1 and WMV9. As well as full 1080p high definition viewing, NetNote users will benefit from larger screen sizes (up to 12.1 in) and larger keyboards, externally controlled audio player, an extendable aerial for the reception of digital broadcasts, the facility to act as a short-range audio broadcaster using the built-in FM transmitter, integrated 3G connectivity as well as 802.11b/g (no 802.11n though), built-in 0.3 megapixel webcam and claimed long battery life from either 24.4Wh (3S1P) / 10.8V three cell or 48.8Wh (3S2P) / 10.8V six cell batteries.

It might be justifiable to create a whole new category for a netbook that falls outside the now familiar Atom-based definition, but do we really need more buzz-words flying around that essentially describe the same (or very similar) technology? VIA Technologies claims that it has industry support for the new category from within its Global Mobility Bazaar program, members of which will be introducing the first of the new NetNote products later this month.

See for yourself what's on offer at VIA Technologies website.