Gigabyte Touch Note M1028 passes FCC
March 10, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Gigabyte’s upcoming net tablet, the Touch Note M1028, has passed through the FCC. This highlights a strong possibility of the M1028 being sold in the US as the FCC is normally a pre-cursor before a device goes on sale there. Interestingly all of the FCC documentation refers to the M1028 as the ‘CafeBook’ rather than the ‘TouchNote’ nickname with which it was paraded about last week at CeBIT. Also, it looks like Windows Vista will be offered as an option as well as an optional high resolution 8.9-inch screen at 1280 x 768.
Apart from that there is little new information, although an English manual was found on the FCC listing page. This page also shows a number of photos of the M1028’s internals and where all of the ports are to be located. The TouchNote M1028 has a 10.1-inch swivelling touchscreen display and is powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 CPU. The M1028 will have a 160GB hard-drive, 1GB of DDR2 memory (2GB maximum) and the Intel 945GSE graphics chipset.
Via Netbook3G.
Clevo signs ODM deal with Portuguese wireless carrier
March 10, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Clevo, a Taiwanese notebook/netbook manufacturer, has revealed that it is forecasting to ship 1.7 million notebooks & netbooks in 2009, a rise of 13 percent from last year. Of this number it expects 300,000 global netbook shipments, following a large ODM (original design manufacturer) order from a Portuguese wireless carrier. An ODM is a company which manufactures a product which ultimately will be branded by another firm for sale. This move by the as yet unnamed Portuguese wireless carrier highlights a growing trend by mobile operators to boost subscriber growth by providing self-branded netbooks. This is what Taiwan Mobile is doing and rumours suggest that Vodafone may be doing the same in Europe. Clevo formally introduced its M810L netbook at CeBIT last week and certainly wins points for trying to differentiate itself in terms of design.
More Apple netbook rumours – Dow Jones say 10-inch model planned
March 10, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Dow Jones claims that two close sources have confirmed rumours suggesting Apple’s plans to release a touch-screen netbook in the second-half of this year. The first rumour surfaced yesterday from a Chinese-language Commercial Times report which says that Wintek is to supply touch panels for the netbook, with shipments of the panel expected in Q3 2009.
The main bit of new news from Dow Jones points to a likely touch-screen size of between 9.7 to 10-inches according to its source. However, what hasn’t been discussed is whether the rumoured unit will have one or touch-screens. The source claimed that other specifications are still “under evaluation”. Read more
Asus squeezing out netbook channel partners?
March 9, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Reports are surfacing that Asus’ is trying to avoid competition from its partners in the netbook space by squeezing them out. The manufacturer is being accused of holding onto its netbook printed circuit boards (PCBs) rather than shipping it through to system integrators. “Sorry, these boards will not be available to our customers. You can buy the machines from us already built, but the mainboards will not be for sale“. This was Asus’ reply when a major UK system integrator enquired about buying its next-generation mainboards. A close source to The Inq said that Asus is trying to “choke the life out of the channel in order to survive the economic storm more or less in tact.” MSI and Gigabyte are apparently waiting on the wings to pick up the pieces.
Linpus Lite instant-OS caught on video
March 9, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Linpus Lite, the instant-on OS, was showcased in CeBIT last week. As shown in the video below from NetbookNews, the OS takes a matter of seconds to boot up. This is customised version of Linux on the hard-disk and not part of the bios, like some other instant-on OSes like Splashtop. When booted, the icons house some basic applications including Chat, Skype, Media Player and an internet browser. The instant-on OS hasn’t caught on as much as the preamble initially suggested. However, as well as Linpus, there are a number of instant-on OSes coming to the market shortly including JoliCloud and Moblin. 2009 may possibly be the year that these operating systems really take off. Linpus Lite video after the jump.
Ten ARM-powered netbook models expected in 2009
March 9, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Arm’s Chief Executive, Warren East, expects that at least ten ARM-based netbooks with processors from Qualcomm, Freescale and Texas Instruments will hit retail shelves this year. We already know that Asus is considering Qualcomm chips (based on ARM designs) for upcoming Eee PCs.
East is frustrated on the lack of Microsoft support for upcoming ARM-powered netbooks. It is widely understood that Windows XP, Vista and the upcoming Windows 7 cannot run on ARM CPUs given their need for x86 processors. Linux or Google’s Android are the most likely operating systems for ARM-based netbooks. However, Windows Mobile and Windows CE are used in close to 150 different mobile phones powered by ARM chips. Presumably little adaptation would be needed for netbook usage.
LG X120 ripped apart
March 9, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Whilst we wait for the first LG X120 reviews to appear, it seems that some people just can’t be pleased. Linus was one of the few lucky people to have received a LG X120 but promptly took a screwdriver to the netbook as well as posting his initial impressions. Taking it apart was quite simple and thankfully both the hard drive and RAM can be easily changed. He liked the keyboard/touch pad and found the glossy screen to be very bright & vibrant. Click through for more pictures of the X120’s internals exposed. The unit is expected to start shipping in Europe this month and we look forward to hearing more soon.
Clevo M810L offers a different netbook style
March 9, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Whilst Clevo’s M810L netbook first came to light at the end of last year, it was formally showcased at CeBIT last week. Thankfully, it does not look like almost every netbook model out there and has some design cues of its own. Gone are the curves found on most netbooks today, with the M810L sporting a more ‘cubic’ look. It is this design that The Inq referred to it as a book-end (in the best way possible mind). It’s reasonably light at 1.2kg and only 1.1 inches thick. Specs-wise, however, the M810L doesn’t really stand out. It sports a 10.1-inch (1024 x 576) screen, is powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU/945GSE chipset and supports up to 2GB RAM. Other features include WiFi, Bluetooth, 1.3MP webcam and optional 3G support. The M810L is set to launch at the end of this month although no price point has been released thus far. More pics after the jump.
Vodafone UK drops price of Dell Mini 9 contracts
March 9, 2009 at 3:14 pm
From today, Vodafone is taking £5 off the monthly contract price for a Dell Inspiron Mini 9. Both 24-month contracts will see the Dell Mini 9 for free, but now the lower priced contract will cost £20 per month with 1GB data allowance. The more expensive contract comes in at £25 per month for 3GB data allowance. Currently the Dell Mini 9 is the only netbook being offered by Vodafone UK, however that may soon change if Vodafone starts to release it’s own branded units.
Strong netbook PCB demand leads to increased sales in February
March 9, 2009 at 2:49 pm
The demand from manufacturers to produce netbooks is showing little signs of waning. Taiwan’s leading PCB (printed circuit board) makers, Gold Circuit Electronics and Hannstar Board, reported February month-on-month sales increases of 47% and 25% respectively. Indeed demand is so strong that it has already received PCB orders for April. GCE expects total notebook PCB shipments of 30 million units, of which netbook PCBs is expected to account for between 10-15%. Given the strong PCB demand, it is not surprising to hear that Acer reported February revenues of NT$30.8 billion, a month-on-month rise of 41%, according to company sources.
Via Digitimes.
Quanta to manufacture Vodafone-branded netbooks
March 9, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Vodafone may be about to launch its own branded netbooks in Europe manufactured by Quanta according to NetbookNews.de. Taiwan Mobile is set to do something similar with RoyalTek (a joint venture between Quanta Computer and Acer’s mobile phone manufacturing subsidiary E-Ten). Taiwan Mobile, the nation’s second-biggest telecom operator, is looking to boost data subscription in the face of falling voice usage. “We have been looking into the netbook market for a while. We decided to make our own line in light of satisfactory sales of Acer and Asustek’s models,” Taiwan Mobile’s COO Cliff Lai said recently. It would be no surprise to see European mobile operators doing something similar to gain market share.
Rumour: Apple touchscreen netbook on the way
March 9, 2009 at 10:47 am
The Chinese-language Commercial Times has confirmed what many have suspected, Apple IS planning to enter the netbook market. The report says that Wintek is to supply touch panels for the netbook, with shipments of the panel expected in Q3 2009. Wintek has been working closely with Apple for the development of new products. However, it looks like an upcoming Apple netbook will not likely see release until early next year. The report says that Quanta is due to manufacture the device. Quanta is making netbooks for Taiwan Mobile and are rumoured to be making a Vodafone-branded netbook in Europe. More news as we have it.
Electronista takes the Dell Mini 10 through its paces
March 9, 2009 at 10:08 am
Electronista has released a thorough review of the Dell Mini 10. Overall they found the netbook very enjoyable to use on a day-to-day basis, but as with Laptop Mag’s thoughts, they found that other netbooks offer more for the money, namely Asus’ Eee PC 1000HE. The Asus provides better battery life and more power under the hood for the same price. However, an upcoming six-cell battery, sharper display (1366 x 768 resolution as opposed to 1024×576) due in April and 2GB RAM could change the overall proposition depending on pricing.
Key points from the review:
All Sony Vaio P configurations benchmarked
March 8, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Sony’s (don’t call it a netbook) Vaio P comes in a number of different CPU and HDD configurations. CPU options for the ‘P’ series range from the 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 to the 1.86GHz Z540, whilst storage options include a 60GB hard-drive or 64GB/128GB SSD (solid-state drive). Pocketables has arduously collected all of the CrystalMark benchmark data across all of the possible permutations and presented a full table of the results. Interestingly, the biggest difference in the results does not come from CPU speed but from the type of storage option chosen (HDD v SDD). Faster CPUs give higher ALU/FLU numbers but judging from the results this is not as significant as the difference between HDD vs SDD.
Acer Aspire One refresh spotted
March 8, 2009 at 11:46 am
A refresh of the Acer Aspire One has been spotted, with most of the changes being under the hood. On the surface the model looks very similar to the 10.1-inch D150, albeit slimmer with a height of 26mm. A different motherboard layout means the ports on sides of the netbook have been rearranged. Despite the technical specifications remaining unchanged, Macles suggest that this model will be the D250 and sport a bigger hard-disk. Some users are already reporting to have seen this configuration hit retail channels. More information as we have it.
Via Portable Monkey.
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