Scarlet Umbrella|Adventures in Mobile Technology

With Dell’s recent announcement, I hereby declare this the summer of the mininotebook. What is the mininotebook you ask? Well, it seems to be the emerging name for the EEE PC and its various competitors.

Dell’s new entry adds even more confusion to an already confused market. The EEE was so successful because the product was designed and marketed with a clear vision. First, the form factor was familiar and, with the various shades, customizable, and (I cringe to say this) “cute.” Second, and most important, Asus set the right price point. From the outset, the EEE was geared at consumers.

With the addition of the HP Mini-Note, the market became a little more confused. Unlike the EEE, the HP is clearly not a mass-market device. Rather, it is a new attempt to revive the somewhat dead subnotebook market here in the States. Remember, folks, subnotebook are NOT a new idea. Anyone remember the Toshiba Libretto? Historically, subnotebooks have been plagued by their high prices. Although the Mini-Note is not astronomically high in price, a maxed out Mini-Note still costs quite a bit more than your average laptop.

Dell may have the power to make or break this market. Dell has a history of competitive pricing so I am hoping that they set the price for their new mininotebook at the right price point.

Although I am concerned about the lack of a clear direction in the market, I don’t mean to sound completely gloom and doom. I am actually thrilled that we are beginning to see reasonably priced subnotebooks or “mininotebooks” here in the US. It’s no secret that my daily workhorse is a Panasonic R3. Given that a low-end Panasonic R7 retails around $1799, I am very excited to see competitors in this market with lower prices. Keep ‘em coming guys.

Asus, dell, EEE, eee pc, laptop, mininotebook, notebook, subnotebook

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Life changes. Once I had finally gotten the hang of grad school, it was time to leave and join the real world. As with any major change, my tech needs changed as well. I decided to take inventory and research the necessary changes to restore my efficiency.

As a grad student, my Panasonic CF-R3 was my mobile nerve center. I carried it with me every day to and from lab. Like most large universities, free wifi was available everywhere. I flirted with other technologies, but my laptop was really all that I needed.

I am currently an adjunct professor and professional tutor. I use my R3 to prepare lectures, worksheets, and maintain my gradebook. I have a home office but I work in a variety of different places some of which have internet access but most don’t. Since email is my lifeline, I have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of access to my email. I now need a smart phone and a plan that would potentially allow me to connect my laptop to my phone.

As part of the relaunch of Scarlet Umbrella, I am going to begin with a series of posts concentrating on my current mobile lifestyle. Yes, it is somewhat egotistical but since I always like to learn about how the big tech guys use technology and software to improve their lives, I figure I may as well share how one of the little people uses mobile tech. Planned topics include paper technology, my panasonic CF-R3, my Asus EEE, my gear bag, and my current quest for the perfect smart phone and phone plan. Welcome back to Scarlet Umbrella!

Asus, asus eee, computers, franklin covey, mobile, mobile lifestyle, nerve center, panasonic, r3, smart phone, technology

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