Intro

Disney, of the Disney World and Land fame, and Asus, a top maker of computers and electronic parts, have partnered to create ‘Disney Netpal’, a netbook designed specifically for kids; so they can easily and safely surf the net, be it at home, school or just on the go.  The system was built to keep beginner to tech savvy kids entertained, while at the same time, putting their parents at ease by offering 40 robust parental controls.

Specifications

- Operating System: Windows XP Home
– Wi-Fi internet capabilities
– 8.9 inch LCD display (1024 x 600 pixels)
– Approximately 3 lbs (with battery)
– VGA port, 3 USB ports, a headphone socket, a microphone socket, and an Ethernet connection
– Reinforced mechanical design with spill-proof keyboard

For a full list of the specs, click here.

Parental Control Features

• Parent presets for granting website and program access.  Permissions can be set to full access or no-access, or scheduled on a calendar to run by day and time.  (e.g. your child can be allowed access to games from 6pm to 7pm on Tuesday, and the internet from 6pm to 9pm every day)
• Kid-safe internet browser uses a whitelist technology that requires parents to pre-approve websites as child-appropriate
• Filter restricts email communication to pre-approved contacts
• Program installation requires parent authorization
• Internet activity data allows parents to monitor websites visited and duration of each visit.

The Good

The biggest reason why parents will buy this netbook for their kids will be the content permission controls, in the form of whitelists. Parents create and manage the whitelists to select which websites and personal contacts are made available to their children, as well as website and program access times.  If you’re a very strict parent, this will probably make your heart flutter in glee. If you take the more pro-active approach, you’ll be like me and wonder why there seems to be an endless array of options and check boxes for parental controls (i.e. ways to limit what your child does online).

In terms of child (user) friendliness, the Netpal is very easy to use, functionally and visually. The system is very Disney focused, from the pre-installed games, tools and themes (icons), which means if your child is a fan, they’ll love it. Otherwise, they’ll hate it.

For a kid’s first computer, the Disney Netpal is very viable, especially since there are very few other options on the market so far.  This computer is part of the evolving tech world marketed directly at youths. It’s still very new, and not ready to be fully adopted, but it’s a glimpse into what’s to come.

Are you ready to fork out hundreds of dollars on this soon-to-be trend? I’m not, but I’m getting ready to, considering how cell phones quickly went from trend to staple, with one in nearly every kid’s pocket or backpack.

The Bad

If you’re a busy parent, this system might not be the best idea for you. As soon as your child is happily done unwrapping the computer, you have to do all the work of setting up the whitelist.  It is also heavy on ongoing maintenance, as every time your child wants to add a program, personal contact or even email someone, it goes through you first.  So expect to be bugged about an ‘urgent’ email they want sent or to add or delete friends at random.

Another big factor in your purchase decision should be the computing power.  The Netpal is a netbook, not a laptop. Your mini-me will outgrow it, much like buying new shoes as their feet grow.  This, like other netbooks, is basically a miniature laptop, stunted in size and capability.

A minor qualm I have with this system is its availability in only two colours, which are marketed as gender-specific: the stereotypical girl (pink) and boy (blue).  Haven’t we outgrown this yet? Maybe they should consider netbook black.

Product Shots

Girl Version	Boy Version

Editorial Review

The Disney Netpal does exactly what it is advertised to do; it gives your kid a fun tech toy that’s fully functional yet safe.  This system has the most parental features I’ve ever seen on a child netbook. It can easily compete next to some of the larger parental control software for home PC’s, like NetNanny and K9.

My major bone to pick is that it’s practically wrapped in barbwire when it comes to internet safety parental controls.  This makes you do a lot of extra leg work in regards to setup and ongoing maintenance.  It also raises the child privacy versus security debate.  Is it necessary to read every email your kid sends out? Do you really need to okay every site they can go on first?

In my opinion, the parental controls on this system go way too far.  What’s stopping your child from putting the netbook down and just surfing the net free rein at a friend’s house, or even at school? My point is, it doesn’t erase the need of talking to your kids about the bad things on the web, because at some point they will come across all the things this netbook is blocking.

Bottom Line:  Don’t buy this netbook if you don’t plan on utilizing the mass of parental control features, otherwise your computer’s memory will be spent on security tools you never end up using.  Instead buy a regular netbook and install whatever software you want.

This is a great machine if you’re a parent who wants to keep your kids right under your nose. It could also be effective if you’re willing to put in the time to talk to your child about internet safety and work together on creating a whitelist. Otherwise, it’s going to be too much work and not enough payout (in the sense your child will get bored of being confined to a compromise of materials).

Your purchase decision should come down to whether you answer yes to the following questions:

1) Does your child like Disney?

2) Do you have the cash?

3) Do you have the time for the upkeep?

So if you answered yes to all three, I would buy it. Otherwise, wait patiently on the other netbook options as they pop up in this slow, yet emerging market.

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Other Media / Reference:
– Official Asus press release http://usa.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=16197
– Video http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/disney-netpal-hands-on-with-video/

Similar Products:

Beginner-Novice Netbooks
Toshiba L305-S5955 (2.5 stars)
Compaq Presario CQ60-417DX (2.5 stars)
Dell i1545-012B (3.5 stars)
Toshiba L505D-S5965 (3 stars)
Asus K50IJ-RX05 (4 stars)

Starter Laptops
Barbie B-Smart Learning Laptop -(3 stars)
VTech Learning Laptop (3.5 stars)

Definitions:
Netbook:  A netbook is a laptop computer designed for wireless communications and to access to the internet. The main difference between it and a normal laptop or desktop computer is, it s primarily designed for web browsing and e-mailing; i.e. relying heavily on the Internet for remote access to web-based applications.  A laptop is essentially a mini desktop computer.  Netbooks are typically cheaper, smaller and less powerful than traditional computers.

Sources:
Disney NetPal – http://gizmodo.com/5292959/disney-partners-with-asus-on-netpal-eee-netbook-for-kids
Acert Aspire One Netbook review- http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4575
Dell Lattitude 2100 -  http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/05/dell-introduces-rugged-netbook-for-kids/

Posted in Technology Showcase | Internet, reviews | |