Netbooks set for a performance overhaul

Netbooks may still be the runts of the computer world, but they’ll soon become a better breed thanks to a new generation of Intel chips.

Already, evidence shows that computer manufacturers are prepping a new line of products, according to CNet. HP has pulled all pre-configured Mini 5101 netbooks from its Web site. A Dell representative said new products are on the way, and Acer, Asus, Toshiba and MSI are expected to follow suit.

At the core of this development is Intel’s new Atom platform, code named “Pine Trail.” Unlike incremental improvements seen in Intel’s N-series processors, Pine Trail is an overhaul that combines the core processor and the graphics function onto a single chip. The result is better battery life and stronger performance. A 1.66 GHz version is expected to come first, followed by a 1.83 GHz version. An earlier report from Xbit Labs says Intel will reveal a lot more details at the end of December, with the first netbooks launching in early January.

What does that mean for you? It means that if you’re in the market for a new netbook, you’ve got a tough decision to make. Today’s netbooks will soon be outdated, which probably means you’ll be able to get them for cheap, especially in the midst of the holiday season. Consider, for instance, that Acer’s standard 10-inch netbook will sell for $150 at OfficeMax on Black Friday. Dell is also selling its Mini 10v netbook for $250, and a 9-inch Vostro A90 running Ubuntu for $184.

So there are deals to be had now, but waiting could yield more capable machines with longer battery, probably at the same $350 price point for which netbooks typically sell. You’ve been warned.