New "Freedom" from Zoostorm

With most of the major companies already into the almost exploding netbook market, it is up to the smaller companies also to join the party.

The Freedom

 UK computer manufacturer Zoostorm brings out their netbook called “Freedom” which should be at par with the other popular brands with affordability and connectivity being the USPs. The ultra-portable Freedom has an 8.9-inch TFT display panel with WSVGA 1024x600 resolution and it is LED backlit. The company positions it as”the perfect surfing companion”. Although they call it one of the fastest netbooks in the market, but with an Intel Atom Processor N270, 1.60 GHz, 533 MHz FSB and only 512K L2 Cache – it looks like a tall claim. It has its own flavors though – with PCI Express Mini Card slots and wireless N capability which means you can surf the web up to 300 mbps or up to three times the wireless range of 'g' solutions when used in conjunction with a Wireless N router – as claimed by Zoostorm. Especially the PCI Express slots – you don’t see it often in the netbook category.

Other specifications are decent, although not exceptional. A decent 512MB DDR2 667MHz serves as the brain which can be extended to 1GB. Even hard disk space is also only 8GB. Wireless connectivity is taken care of by the Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/n and 10/100 Ethernet. It has an Integrated Intel Gen 3.5 Integrated 133 MHz GFX core with 64MB shared video memory – not for your heavy-duty graphics assignments. Keyboard is obviously of UK edition with 77Key, 9 Function Keys + Windows Function keys. A 4-cell 4400mAh battery means you better be careful about those long onsite field assignments, as it should give only an average battery life, maybe even less than the 4.5 hrs promised by the company. One of the advantages is its weight, which is less than a kilogram – 0.9kg to be precise.

Other specifications include –

·         Chipset - Intel® 945 GSE Chipset + ICH-7M

·         FSB - 533 MHz

·         BIOS - EFI based BIOS, 1 MB

·         Operating System - Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

·         Security - System Boot/HDD Password, BIOS Password, Kensington Lock

·         Expansion Slots - 2-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC), 2 x PCI Express Mini Card

·         Audio - Intel® High Definition Audio, Stereo output, 2 x 1W speakers

·         Internal Mic - On board Analogue Microphone

·         I/O Ports - 1 x Mic in, 1 x Headphone out, 1 x RJ-45 (Ethernet), 3 x USB 2.0 port, 1 x VGA DB 15-pin (External Monitor), 1 x DC-in (AC/DC adapter)

·         Built-in Web Camera - 0.3m megapixel

·         AC/DC Adapter - DC 36W 12V / AC 110V~240V 50/60 Hz

·         Dimensions (W x D x H) - 22.5cm(W) x 17.0cm(D) x 2cm~3.38cm(H)

·         Warranty - 12 months return to base and technical helpline support

It retails at £239.99 (including VAT) or US $340, but there are better options in Acer and Asus and a few more dependable brands in the same price range. You can order the piece from PC Nextday.