Google has taken the first official jab at Microsoft by announcing the Google Chrome Operating System today. It will be customized for netbooks first, hence our interest, then the rest of the computing world.

What’s the future like for this Google Chrome Netbook Operating System? It will be an interesting battle to watch. Google is playing two powerful cards in the software wars: open and simple.

It’s offering the ultimate alternative to Microsoft OS that’s vulnerable to viruses and other security threats, closed and complex and not really optimized for netbooks, the fatest growing computer segment.

Google said that Google Chrome Operating System will be ready in mid-2010. That should get Microsoft enough time to counter this big threat by stealing the show as they announce a simpler, faster and more secure operating system for netbooks and computers at large.

The ultimate winner as usual will be the computer user. When a monopoly is threatened is stops resting on its laurels and actually bends backwards for the consumer. I can’t tell how this battle with turn out. These two giants have enough resources to go at each other (most start-ups who try to compete with Microsoft fail mostly because of lack of resources) and they have to diametrically opposed concepts just as democrats are to republicans and vice versa in the US political arena.

Needless to say that Netbook Era will closely monitor this battle and update you on all the juicy bits and details.

Speaking of Acer, it was announced that they would release a new Gateway LT1001G netbook. Just in case you did not know, Acer bought out Gateway last year and so it’s normal that the Gateway LT1001G netbook has a striking resemblance to the Acer Aspire one netbooks.

A new way to get your hands on the Acer Aspire one mini laptop was unveiled. The deal is that you could get the ultraportable notebook for $99 but there was a catch. The deal, that is a Radio Shack offer, may actually not be that much of a bad idea (See: Why The Radioshack 3G Acer Aspire One Netbook Deal Almost Sucks).

An interesting netbook bag by Voltaic that also recharges your mini notebook was mentioned while we also heard of Jolicloud, a netbook operating system from Netvibes’ founder. The race for netbook operating systems is on and it’s no wonder that it was reported that Google’s Android could be seen in netbooks.

The Android operating system is usually found in smartphones but netbooks sell more than the iPhone according to figures that were released. Maybe that’s why Google is so interested in mini portable PCs. Netbook Era was rather annoyed at those “netbooks vs iPhone” reports because they were comparing two unrelated things.

The New York Times wrote a handy guide to SSD and how they relate to netbooks. One of the things they do is improve battery life. But it seems that an  Asus Eee PC 901 netbook  powered by a 10-cell battery was another way to extend battery life.

Naturally, a few predictions were made notably the fact that netbooks were going corporate in 2009 and that the future of these ultraportable notebooks was in 10″ models as the smaller sizes are just too impractical with their tiny screens and keyboards.

Quite a few netbook reviews were documented: Zepto A12, MSI Wind U100-483JP, Asus N10Jc-A1, Fujitsu Amilo Mini Ui 3520, ASUS N10J, Gigabyte M192 and the  Averatec 1000 netbooks.

Also, quite a few new netbooks or wannabe netbooks were written about: Alpha 400 MIPS, Gateway LT1001G, Axioo PICO DJM 616, Sony VAIO VGN-TT15GNR, Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 and the XDA Flint.

More handy guides were written on how to buy the best DJ netbook and about the best netbook ever. 

As usual, the deals were  in full prominence: HP Mini 1000, Acer Aspire One, LG X110, Lenovo IdeaPad S10, and the Dell Mini 9 netbooks.

And so, those were the highlights of the past week (7th-14th December 2008). Thanks for reading us, your number one netbook blog!

The race for the de facto standard operating system is on and all developers with interesting ideas should get into it. I can say that none of the big boys such as Microsoft, Google even Ubuntu will win it because they will try to customize their already existing offering to netbooks while smaller hence more flexible will totally create something new from scratch that takes into consideration the mini laptops’ features.

Jolicloud (Mr Krim’s latest venture) and Good OS are the two cloud operating systems that are garnering attention but in the next months, we can all expect to see new players and in about two years, one will dominate à la Google becoming king and making most of the money.

You’ve read all about refurbished netbooks (See: Why Refurbished Netbooks Are the Best Cheapest Deals Ever) and why they’re the best cheapest deals ever and now your hunt for your mini-laptop begins. Where to shop? Who is reliable? Am I really getting the best deals on the refurbished netbook?

Netbook Era has all the answers to your refurbished netbook shopping related questions in this simple guide to the Top 10 places to snatch up the best deal possible.

I am first going to assume that you are in the USA. I am then going to assume that you know which netbook model you wish to buy or that you know what specs you wish for or better yet, that you have a budget figured out. You will come across quite a few deals on refurbished netbooks and the last thing you want to happen is be paralyzed by the many options that you miss out on the deal because some faster shopper snapped it away from you!

1) Dell.com

Head over to Dell.com if you’re after refurbished Dell netbooks obviously. Tracking down the refurbs at Dell.com can be tricky because they obviously want you to buy the new, more expensive Inspiron Mini 9 first before selling you the cheaper deal. Just head over to the outlet section and if you don’t find anything, do a search just to make sure that you did not miss any deal.

By the way, you way want to do the same at HP, Lenovo, Acer, Toshiba and so forth if you’re after a certain brand of refurbished mini-laptop.

2) Amazon

Personally, I start all my shopping at Amazon.com. Not only do I trust this retailer with all my credit cards, a safe shipment, good aka cheap prices, fast delivery and a reputable name but I also trust that if there’s a place to spot a refurbished netbook, it will be at Amazon because they really have quite a selection of everything.

On Amazon, I never bother shopping following categories. I just use their fantastic search tool and the site will usually make suggestions and reveal stuff that I would have not even found on my own.

3) eBay 

If you really, really, really are looking for the best steals ever on refurbished netbooks (as if the refurb was not a steal by itself!), don’t just sit there reading this article but click yourself to eBay and start browsing the categories or using the search tool (if you’re lazy like me). You will find all sorts of deals on netbook refurbs. Some will downright look to good to be legit and I recommend that you treat them as such.

There are millions of people selling their wares on eBay. There are thousands of independent retailers who use eBay as store front for their super cheap refurbished netbooks. But again, you have to be very comfortable with eBay shopping as it’s a kind of wild west there! Personally, I never bid. I just find deals that allow me to pay right away and I am good to go. Yes, I do miss out by not participating in auctions but like I said, I am the lazy type

4) Newegg

I remember when Newegg was the online retailer for geeks and anyone who built their own computer and took pleasure in that. No more… Newegg has become a place for everyone including hunters of refurbished netbooks.

Millions of Internet shoppers like the no nonsense approach of Newegg.com. You buy your stuff, pay for it and it’s delivered. No sketchy upsells and if they do not have it, they will tell you right away. No wonder they are becoming the first name in computer retailing.

5) Tiger Direct

Before Newegg went mainstream and hence made more sense to me, Tiger Direct was my number one stop for all my tech needs (desires to be correct). They have good prices and above all, I like their large selection of refurbished electronics.

You owe it to yourself to pay them a visit, see what refurbished netbook they’re offering and I am sure that you will spot something that you will want to have delivered to your house.

6) CDW

I am going to admit never having bought anything from CDW but I know of them and I heard good things that I can safely recommend them as a good source for refurbished netbooks.

CDW is one of the leading computer retailer on the Internet and I am sure that if millions find what they are looking at that site, you will too. Include CDW in your refurb netbook deal hunt.

7) Staples

You know of Staples because you’ve to their stores. But one thing you learn very quickly is that just because they have a certain item in the store does not mean that they have it online or that they sell if for the same price and vice versa.

So, one could say that Staples.com and the Staples retail stores are different entities with the same brand name. You won’t find many refurbished netbook deals at Staples but you have to pay them a visit because it can be your lucky day. My online shopping motto is: “If I do not check on it, I def won’t get a deal on it”.

8 ) Office Depot

Here’s a small confession: I always used to think that Staples and Office Depot were the same retailers but operating under different names. It turns out that many years ago, they almost joined forces so that’s maybe why I got confused in the first place. 

Honestly, Office Depot’s online selection is the same as Staples’. If it’s your lucky day, you will be lucky and score a wonderful deal on netbook refurbs. It does not hurt to see what they have on offer.

9) Overstock

I really like the Overstock concept. They took something that works in the fashion industry and adapted it to everyday items. They explain what they’re all about better: “Overstock.com has established partnerships with many leading brand-name companies. Due to these relationships, we are able to buy products at significant discounts, which then allows us to pass these incredible savings on to you.”

That’s why I recommend that you check out what deals they may have because you can find yourself with a dope refurbished netbook.

10) eCost 

eCost is the self-proclaimed super online discounter. That’s kind amusing because Internet retailing is a price game and no one can really claim to have the lowest prices because in a matter of seconds another retailer will drop his’ or her’s.

But do check out eCost for netbook deals on refurbs. Just make sure that you do not get distracted (like me) and find yourself filling up your shopping car with everything but the refurbished netbook that you intended to purchase when you paid them a visit!

11) Google

My top 10 choices on places to find the best refurbished netbooks is not obviously the best. I just shared my personal opinion and experience with refurb netbook shopping. Never, ever forget to do a Google search on your netbook refurb of choice. There are hundreds of thousands of retailers offering different deals everyday so make sure that you use Google Product Search (called Froogle back in the days) as well as the “normal” Google search. You will find stuff that even I will not come across.

To quote the famous president’s quote: “Now, Go out there and shop!”.

I personally think that Google would have been better off getting into the laptop and netbook markets instead of the smartphone one. But I don’t blame them. Before less than a year ago, no one ever thought that the netbook era would arrive in full force. So everyone is trying to figure out how the netbook will play out and is jumping into the boat because it’s better to do so now even if it’s an unknown territory than to jump in later when everyone has a market strong hold.