racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

It’s the post-PC era, as the late Steve Jobs has called it. tablets and smartphones have far overtaken desktops and notebooks in terms of growth. And given the varied price points at which consumers can acquire mobile phones and tablet PCs (what with the cheap China-made Android tablets), computers are becoming cheaper and cheaper. But Microsoft is focusing on a post-post-PC era. Microsoft has already hinted that its upcoming Windows 8 operating system will run on both mobile and desktop platforms.

Will Microsoft merge its mobile and desktop operating systems with Windows 8? Microsoft has reassigned its chief of the Windows Mobile 7 division to a secret project under CEO Steve Ballmer. But whether this means they’re surrendering in the smartphone market, or they’re planning a resurgence through a unified OS, we will know by 2012, when Windows 8 launches.

12.5-inch screens seem to be popular in the business-oriented notebook market. Lenovo and LG first came out with their 12.5-inch noteboks. Now, Samsung joins the fray with the Series 2, 4 and 6.

I’m almost sold on the HP 2133, and I’ve actually been scouring stores for stocks these past few days. Never mind that I’ve been offered a hefty discount by a distributor contact–I have to wait for stocks to come. But now with other worthy alternatives, I don’t think I should rush into going for the Mini Note yet.

Enter the Acer Aspire One and the Asus Eee PC 901. Both don’t look as sexy as the HP Mini Note, but both run on Intel’s new Atom platform. That means better ultraportable mobility, in terms of low power consumption (and hence heat), and longer battery life.

That’s one gripe I usually hear about the HP Mini Note–that it runs on a VIA platform, rather than Intel. And it’s not even VIA Isaiah yet, which is supposedly at par with Intel Atom when it comes to ultraportable computing.

The Acer Aspire One looks attractive and is supposedly priced more reasonably than other ultraportables.

- Intel Atom @ 1.6Ghz
- 8.9″ LED-backlit 1024×600 screen,
- 512MB of RAM
- Linupus Lite OS
- 8GB of SSD.
- SD card reader (5-types)
- Four colours: sapphire blue, seashell white, golden brown and coral pink
- 248mmx170mmx29mm
- 3hrs (3-cell) and 6hrs (6-cell) battery options.
- Options: 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD. Windows XP

The Asus Eee PC 901, meanwhile, will be much like the 900, but with an Intel Atom processor, which should boost the battery life upwards of 7 hours.

Screen size: 8.9”
OS: Genuine Windows XP® Home / GNU Linux
Storage: SSD 12GB (Genuine Windows XP® Home) / SSD 20GB (Linux)
Processor: Intel Atom
Networking/connectivity: 802.11 n / Bluetooth
RAM: 1GB (DDR2)
WebCam: 1.3M Pixel
Audio: Dolby Sound Room Certified / Stereo speaker / Digital Array Mic
Battery: 6 Cells, 4.2 ~ 7.8 hrs*
Weight: 1.1 kg

Both are tempting options.

If you have a taste for the finer things in life, then you should get yourself a Moleskine notebook. It’s the Macintosh of notebooks. It’s the Rolls Royce of notebooks. It’s not only about the price or the visual appeal. It’s all about the sensual experience that you get from using these beautiful pieces of work. Hey, that’s why I use a Mac for my writing work. And when I’m off the grid, ordinary pen-and-paper just won’t do. My Moleskine notebooks helps me get the most out of my disconnected moment, whenever needed.

Creative types work best with good tools and a conducive environment. So if you’re serious about your art or craft–be it writing, drawing, or maybe even taking notes–do something about it. Make sure you come up with the best output by using the right tools and being at the right state of mind.

Moleskine notebooks were previously unavailable in the Philippines, but now moleskineph.com is distributing locally. They don’t have a brick-and-mortar store, though, so you have to check out their online catalog and order by email. Prices range from PhP 750 to PhP 900 for the small notebooks (sets of three or so) and PhP 1,250 for the big ones. Not bad, since these usually retail in the US for about US$ 15 to US$ 20.

With Christmas nearing, I think a Moleskine would make for an excellent gift for your loved ones–a good alternative if you can’t just afford a MacBook Pro for each of them just yet.

Got my Moleskine notebook in the mail last Friday. It was sent in by a generous US-based Pinoy reader who read about my interest in the notebooks. I was actually putting off going to the post office as I thought the notice was for my latest batch of Ubuntu CDs (Dapper Drake), which I already have a copy of (care of Jason), and thus could afford to wait. But I was also expecting the notebook. Good thing it had already arrived.

I can say it’s teh cool and it’s teh sexy.

Actually, what makes the notebook cool isn’t the material or construction itself, but the way people are so passionate about their using their Moleskines, whether for writing, drawing or getting-things-done. Well, the paper and the binding are teh sexy, too. It’s in the way you can lay the notebook flat on a table (perhaps while drawing or sketching) and the way that the paper absorbs ink or pencil graphite.

At any rate, I think pictures speak louder than words. So I’ll just post a few photos here.

The package itself. Okay, nothing interesting.

Still in plastic wrap. Can’t wait to open it.

Out of the plastic cover. Feel the texture of the cover and the paper. Mmm … sexy paper.

The notebook comes with a set of stickers (or a postcard). Great for sticking on your laptop lid or wrist-rest, to remind you to write, write, write. Wait, what are we going to use the notebook for, then?

Laid flat on its back, the pages stay still. Told you so.

The back cover has an expanding pouch, for keeping those tickets, stamps, cards, or perhaps some currency or even a pencil.

If you’d like to learn more about the Moleskine, I found a blog that regularly features stories, artwork and testimonials from artists and writers who use (or used) the notebook and Moleskine enthusiasts alike. Do mosy over to Moleskinerie.

As for my notebook, I’ve yet to decide what to use it for. Am mostly online/electronic these days, but having something on paper would be cool for a change.