Disney Netpal by ASUS 8.9-Inch Netbook for Kids Review

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) and Asustek Computer Inc. have jointly developed a netbook aimed at children. Known as the Disney Netpal by Asus it is designed for kids aged 6-12 years and includes child-friendly software featuring Walt Disney characters and icons to allow them to have a web-safe magical computing experience.

The Disney Netpal comes in two models: Disney Princess Pink for the girls and Disney Magic Blue for the boys. Disney Princess Pink boasts beautiful pink florals and Disney Magic Blue cleverly displays rows of miniature Mickey Mouse icons.

Both versions are durable enough to stand up to rough handling by kids. The Disney Netpal also comes with a spill-proof keyboard and ShockShield data protection guards to protect information if the computer is dropped on a hard surface.

Kids can dress their desktops with themes inspired by popular characters from Disney and Disney-Pixar including Cars, Club Penguin, Disney Classic Characters, Disney Fairies, Disney Princess, Vintage Mickey Mouse, Toy Story and WALL-E. Hannah Montana and JONAS styles, are also available.

Parents wary of letting children browse the Web unsupervised or come into contact with dangerous outside influences or unsuitable content can rest assured that Disney Netpal includes many parental control options. For example, internet browsers and email programs have extra filters allowing parents to control online safety and content for their children, and can easily select with whom their children can correspond via email.

You can accessorize your child’s Netpal with a matching bag or mouse. These accessories are hard to find, however. Only the Disney Store sells both: $20 for the retractable pink mouse, and $24.95 for the pink-and-gray carrying case. Boys (or those who opt for the Magic Blue Netpal) are out of luck.

Disney Netpal by ASUS Key Features

Easy to use and handle with compact hardware design made for kids
Lightweight and compact chassis design engineered for everyday use
Easy to use for kids from 6 to 12 years of age with intuitive Disney Desktop
Jam-packed with Disney themed customization options and applications
Built-in ShockShield Data Protection aims to prevent data loss and allows for some of the inevitable rough handling
More than two dozen robust parental control options such as time managed controls and white list accessibility
Robust safety features including white-list for added protection for your kids to safely browse the Web and email
Disney theme designed desktop and interface with intuitive and fun applications
Windows XP Home Operating System with Magic Desktop Software
Seven color options to choose from
5 hours of battery life with ASUS Super Hybrid Engine, giving kids wire-free and tangle-free practicality
Built-in wireless internet connectivity, webcam, microphone, and stereo speakers for a portable and interactive learning experience

Disney Netpal by ASUS Specifications

Operating System : Windows XP Home Operating System with Magic Desktop Software
Display : 8.9-inch 1024×600 LED-Backlit Widescreen LCD
Processor :Intel Atom N270 Processor 1.6GHz
Graphics : Integrated Intel GMA 945
Memory: 1GB DDR2 RAM , 1 x SODIMM Slot, (easily self upgrade RAM to 2GB Max)
Storage : 160GB hard drive + 10GB online storage
Wireless Data Network: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
Input/Output: Ethernet LAN (RJ-45), VGA, 3 x USB 2.0 Ports
Flash Media Slot : 3-in-1 Card Slot (SD, SDHC, MMC)
Webcam : 0.3 MegaPixels
Optical Drive : No Optical Drive (optional external optical drive can be connected via one of the USB ports)
5 hours Li-Polymer battery
Dimensions: 9.76 (W) x 6.81 (D) x 1.13 (H) inches
Weight: 2.65 lbs (with battery)

Upgrading Disney Netpal by ASUS Memory from 1GB to 2GB

Take note of the following;

The netbook comes with only 1 slot and it is populated by a 1GB memory module
That means you have to remove the 1GB RAM module to insert the new 2GB RAM module
Make sure you purchase the right memory module – a 200 pin DDR2 SODIMM notebook memory module (667MHz or 800MHz)
Follow the steps outlined in easily self upgrade RAM)

Color Options

Available in two colors;

Disney Princess Pink boasts beautiful pink florals
Disney Magic Blue cleverly displays rows of miniature Mickey Mouse icons

Software Included with Disney Netpal by ASUS

Disney Mix Central-makes it easy for kids to create playlists and sync their media devices with their content libraries
Disney Pix-photo editing software lets kids create photo albums, add Disney characters to the photos and features Disney Bobblehead that lets kids put their faces on dancing bodies.
The Radio Disney widget-provides instant, live access to Radio Disney and even allows kids to request songs and send a “shout out” that could end up on air
Disney EasyBits FunCam
Microsoft Works
60-day trial of Microsoft Office 2007

User Reviews

Since it is geared for young children, we expected the Netpal to come preloaded with educational games, but it doesn’t. We found Pinball, Tic-Tac-Toe, some Disney-themed puzzle pictures, a simple arrow-key driving game, and some typical Windows card games. These games might be harmless fun for some kids, and pretty dull for others, but they are definitely not educational. There is a desktop icon that links directly to Disney’s online games, but most of these are mindless entertainment, too.

Families that would like to encourage computer literacy in kids will find the Disney Netpal a helpful tool. Families where parents and kids are competing for time on the family PC may also find this netbook computer for kids a smart buy. With it, kids can spend time visiting safe Web sites, e-mailing approved friends, and chatting online while parents can take care of their own business in peace on the main family computer.

With this unit’s great mix of a charming design and interfaces by Disney coupled with good specs, performance, and price, parents should consider the Disney Netpal by Asus if they’re seeking a netbook for their children. It’s cheaper than buying a regular netbook and shelling out more cash for parental controls. And the Netpal’s design is more kid-friendly than other children’s netbooks.

Where to Buy Disney Netpal by ASUS

We found Amazon.com to have the best prices on all netbook computers including the Disney Netpal by ASUS. Click on the links below to visit the product website for additional information and special offers. You can also compare prices from the numerous retailers by clicking on the More Prices link.

Disney Netpal by ASUS – 8.9-Inch Princess Pink Netbook

Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $349.99
Amazon Price: $499.99 Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

Disney Netpal by ASUS – 8.9-Inch Magic Blue Netbook

Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $349.99
Amazon Price: View Sale Price Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

Disney Netpal by ASUS 8.9 inch LCD Solid State Drive Technology Windows XP Home

Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $399.99
Amazon Price: $489.99 Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

ASUS Disney Netpal MK90 16GB SSD Magic Blue

Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: Varies based on product options
Amazon Price: $399.99 Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

Optional Upgrades

Crucial CT25664AC667 2GB 667MHz 200-pin SODIMM DDR2 Memory Module for Disney Netpal by ASUS Netbook

Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $31.99
Amazon Price: $22.95 Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers