That Velocity Micro netbook we first heard about in January is set to begin shipping by the end of the month. The Velocity Micro NoteMagix M10 is a strikingly average looking mini-laptop with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, and Windows XP.
The company does offer a few configuration options, but most of them are for external add-ons like a USB DVD burner and a USB Bluetooth adapter. The netbook comes in black, red, or blue and includes a 6 cell battery and a 1 year warranty, although you can also get a 2 or 3 year warranty if you’re willing to pay an extra $99 or $199 respectively. The basic netbook will set you back just $379.
via Engadget
You say “strikingly average looking,” meaning, I assume, its technology and not its physical appearance. I have no reason to disagree, but (as somebody who will be in the market in five weeks or so) I have a question: which mini-laptops are ABOVE average? Should I look beyond what have been the big four: Asus, Acer, HP, MSI? My needs aren’t such that I want to pay top dollar for cutting edge technology, but I also don’t want to waste my money on mediocrity when for the same or slightly more money I could get a superior computer. For me, the display and the keyboard are the top priorities. Good battery life and in-machine storage are desirable, not crucial. By the way, I get the impression that a number of new netbooks are coming to the American market including ones from companies new to the mini-laptop form. Maybe in a month my options will change.
There are always new machines coming that have newer features. Right now there are a couple of netbooks at the top of the heap in the 10″ screen size (Samsung NC10 and the Asus Eee 1000HE). Others may have a different opinion.