Netbook Scoop

Over the weekend, we implemented a completely new design for the Netbook Scoop web site.  The new design has offers a number of new features.  The common link between all of these features is to provide you easier access to information about netbooks, nettops and all-in-one desktop computers.

Responses to Our Improvement Poll

Back at the beginning of June, we asked you what improvements you wanted us to incorporate into the Netbook Scoop web site.  Much of our work was in direct response to your answers.

So here is a rundown of the new features.

New Look and Feel

You told us that the old design’s white text on a blue background was hard to read.  So the new site design offers better color choices designed to ease readability.

We also modified our overall layout with the intent of maximizing the amount of content displayed.  While our new design features a fluid layout (meaning the main section expands and contracts based on window size), we specifically worked to optimize the layout for visitors with 1024×576 displays.

You also told to “crank up the speed” – and so we have done that.  Even though you can’t see the under-the-hood enhancements we’ve made, you will appreciate the “snappiness” of the new site.

New Search Bar

Netbook Scoop Search Bar

The new search bar offers the ability to search our site in three different ways.

The default search, using the Articles tab, will locate articles and permanent pages from our blog that match the search terms.

Via the Products tab, you can search our product database.  The search engine will return products with matching names or descriptions.  For example, searching for ‘N270 +blue’ will return a list of products that are powered by Intel Atom N270 processors which are available with a blue exterior.

The Price Range tab provides a way to obtain a list of all products available within a price range.  When you click on the Price Range tab, the phrase “between 300 and 400″ is autofilled.  This phrase can be modified to the price range desired.  In addition, other expression are also supported like: ” < 300″, “>= 450″, etc.  Just be sure not to include dollar signs.

Sample Product Family Page

Browse Products

Clicking on “Browse Products” link on the Main Menu provides access to our product database using a drill down process.

The initial page shows all of the manufacturers who currently offer netbooks in the USA.  From this page, you can see the product familiies that each offers.  For example, choosing the Acer logo will display the A110, A150, D150, D250 and 751h families of the Aspire One netbook.

Clicking on the “More Information” button on a product family will list all of the models in that product family.

Choosing a specific model from the list will take you to our next new feature.

Sample Product Page

Product Pages

In our poll, you asked us to “provide more information to help visitors choose best netbook for them” and “add links to reviews, videos and articles to the product pages.”  The product pages were designed to meet both of these requests.

Our new product pages provide a wealth of information.  From the tabs below the product you can access:

• Features
  This is where we tell you about the product’s most important features and we explain what makes this particular model unique.
• Specs
  The complete list of specifications for the product can be found here.
• Reviews
  Here we provide a quick summary of written reviews for the product and links to take you to the complete reviews if you want to read more.
• Videos
  Inside this tab we have selected the best videos that show the product.
• Prices
  Our price comparison charts are organized by color, making it easy to see who has your model in stock at the best price.

This area is still under construction.  While the programming is complete (for now), we are still actively writing the content.  So, temporarily, you may find products where the tabs are empty.

If you are in a hurry to obtain the information for a specific model for which we have not completed adding content, please tell us and we will give it our top priority.

Price Comparison Sidebar Widget with Samsung Brand Expanded

Price Comparison Chart Sidebar Widget

In the Compare Prices section of our site, we used to list all of the products in the sidebar.  When we started, there were only a few models.  Over time, the list became unwieldy.

In the new site, we have solved this problem by collapsing the list of models in the sidebar.  The list can be expanded by clicking on a brand.  Clicking on the brand a second time collapses the brand once again.

The image on the right shows the widget with the Samsung section expanded.

What’s Missing?

The number one response to our poll was “make it easy to compare specs on different models.”

We have not implemented that feature yet.  But, in the new site we are building a complete list of specifications for every product.

Once we finish compiling the specs, we will introduce a feature answers your request.

Summary

We hope you like all of the new features.  We want to thank all of you who responded to our poll and provided such good ideas.

We are not anywhere near complete.  We have lots of new ideas for future improvements.

But we would like to hear about what you like, what you would like us to improve and your ideas for the future.  So, please comment below.