Broadcom’s PCI-E Crystal HD Media Accelerator in pictures

Trying to watch HD content on a netbook can be a trying experience. Whilst 1080p is a no-go for most netbooks, some are able to play 720p video through various tweaks and choosing carefully which software to use. Broadcom aims to make that work a thing of the past with its Crystal HE Media Accelerator.

This device enables “flawless playback of all internet steaming video” according to the company, along with support of 720p and 1080p (H.264) video content. It claims that using this accelerator (in PCI-E or Expresscard/34 format) means that HD content will not stutter, even with a 100 percent CPU load.

This accelerator will be used as an option in the newly announced HP Mini 110 XP Edition along with the rumoured Acer Aspire One 571. However, if you have a spare PCI-E or Expresscard slot, there’s no reason you couldn’t use this in your current netbook to give a boost to your video performance. These add-ons are in full production now. Check out some close-up pictures of this card after the jump courtesy of ASCII.jp. Read more

Video: Lengda intros X10K stainless netbook & 11.1” CULV model

Lengda is not a manufacturer I have come across before, however they introduced a couple of interesting netbooks at Computex this week. This includes the 10.2-inch stainless steel Lengda X10K and the 11.1-inch CULV-based M11A netbook.

The X10K is the first ever stainless steel netbook (which weighs 1.37kg), but for those of you worrying about the extra weight this may add, Lengda is also planning an aluminium version soon. Additional options include a pull-out 3G and TV-Tuner.

The Lengda M11A has an 11.1-inch screen, the first netbook that I’ve seen with that sized display. It is powered by a Celeron ULV processor and weighs just 1.3kg with a 4-cell Lithium Polymer battery. There are three USB 2.0 ports, VGA output and memory card reader, but there’s also an integrated TV tuner. There is no detail on technical specs, pricing or availability but we’ll be keeping a close eye for further news. Check out a couple of hands-on videos after the break courtesy of NetbookNews. Read more

Asus Eee PC 1005HGO Seashell with built-in 3G

Asus is planning on releasing a 3G enabled version of the Eee PC 1005HA, under the model name of 1005HGO. This follows the naming convention used with other 3G enabled Eee PC’s including the 1003HGO and recently announced 1101HGO.

The specifications of the 10.1-inch 1005HGO relates to the higher-end SKU (1005HA-H) which comes with a 1.66GHz N280 Atom CPU, Bluetooth and a longer battery life over the 1005HA-M SKU. It will come with the HUAWEI EM770 3G modem. Pricing and availability is unknown right now.

Via Eee-PC.de.

Video: Mtube II reveals XP netbook/Android tablet hybrid

Taiwan’s Institute for Information Industry (III) showed off a very intriguing device at Computex this week. In a form factor that reminded me of Always Innovating’s Touch Book, the Mtube II is a netbook that has a detachable keyboard, which means it can also be used as a tablet device. However, by taking this concept one step-further, the Mtube II runs two different operating systems – Windows XP in netbook mode and switching to Android when in tablet mode.

It seems that the device has two processors, the old 1.6GHz VIA C7-M CPU for netbook mode and a 533MHz Samsung ARM processor when running Android in tablet mode. Thankfully the model has a matte display, which should hopefully mean less fingerprint marks. The tablet connects to the netbook by VNC (remote control) so video performance probably won’t be up to scratch. Battery life in tablet mode is around two hours.

This model is only a prototype and a final retail version is unlikely to be out until next year and as you can imagine there’s no idea on price right now. We’re very much looking forward to seeing more devices sporting this form-factor in the future. Check out three videos of this device in action after the break. Read more

Nvidia ION to get 40nm refresh by year’s end

The Nvidia ION platform is currently based on the 55nm manufacturing process. However, by the end of the year, Nvidia looks to move the GPU part to 40nm according to Fudzilla. This will, of course, put it in the same timeline as Intel’s next-gen Atom CPU, Pineview.

As things stand we don’t know what speeds the new Pineview processor will run at, although several rumours point to a dual-core chip which could make a big difference in netbook performance. The ION 2 is expected to release in the fourth quarter of this year, in –line with the rumoured dual core launch of Pineview and ahead of the single core Pineview launch in Q1 2010.

The benefits of ION 2 should be faster performance and a greater number of shaders with the same (or lower) power efficiency. Whilst Intel is moving from a three-chip to two-chip platform with Pine Trail, it is widely expected to support the ION/ION2 platform for future netbooks.

Video roundup: VIA netbooks and smartbooks at Computex

VIA demonstrated a number of netbook and smartbook devices at the Computex show in Taiwan. It appears that they had quite a big stand, with a wall of netbooks showcasing their processors and chipsets. Unfortunately, most of them are not destined to appear outside of Asia.

NetbookNews.de were on hand to see that VIA were displaying netbooks ranging in size from 8.9 to 11.6-inches. Most were either running VIA Nano or C7-M processors. Some were combined with the VX855 chipset that can handle 1080p video with CPU usage at around 20 percent. JKK Mobile was also at the booth and was shown some ARM-based designs from VIA, including the Firstview PC-706 smartbook. Click through for these VIA netbook and smartbook demonstrations.

Update: Another video below shows the Flybook 11.6-inch mini-notebook. This is powered by VIA’s VX855 chipset, supporting 1080p HD video playback. This unit comes with an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display, VIA U1700 Nano CPU and Chrome9 graphics. Other features include 1GB RAM, a 4-in-1 card reader and three USB ports (no HDMI-out I’m afraid). It should be out in the next few months for around the $400 mark. Read more

Samsung N310 & MSI Wind U115 Hybrid netbooks now available in US

Not too far behind the European launch, both the funky Samsung N310 and long-lasting MSI Wind U115 Hybrid netbooks are now available to order in the US. The Samsung N310, complete with bold embossed logo and an array of snazzy colours, is now on order from Best Buy where it will set you back $479.99.

Whilst the exterior of the 10-inch Samsung N310 is certainly unique, it also comes with a flush glossy display and chiclet keyboard. The innards aren’t anything to get too excited about though, powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. It seems as if our US cousins will get a 6-cell battery with a promised 11 hour battery life, compared to the 4-cell battery seen in the European SKUs. The Samsung N310 is already available in the UK, where it costs £376.17.

There is a rumour that Microsoft is looking to ban hybrid storage netbooks that run XP Home, but that doesn’t look like it’s stopping MSI. It has placed its Wind U115 Hybrid netbook on sale on its official website for $499. The high cost is mainly due to dual internal storage of both a SSD and HDD. This combined with a power efficient Z series Atom CPU means some of the best battery times seen in a netbook. The Wind U115 is now available in the UK for £450.

Via Liliputing and Portable Monkey.

Video: Medion Akoya E131X series of 11.6-inch mini-notebooks

Medion had a few mini-notebooks on display at Computex this past week. It was showing off three 11.6-inch models that were powered by the AMD Sempron CPU. Medion introduced the Medion Akoya E1311, E1312 and 3G-equipped E1315. These mini-notebooks are powered by a 1.5GHz AMD Sempron 210U, M690E chipset and ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 graphics. Other specs include 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Bluetooth, 1.3MP webcam, Wi-Fi (draft-N), HDMI out and a 2200mAh battery.

I’m not too sure what the difference between the low-end E1311 and E1312 models are. My guess would be that the E1312 also comes with an Expresscard slot, which I don’t think exists on the E1311. Both come with a keyboard with flat keys and a glossy display. The models aren’t that light, weighing 1.5kg with the price estimated to be around the €400 mark (for the cheapest model) when it releases in Europe shortly. Check out a couple of videos of the E1312 after the break, courtesy of NetbookNews. Read more

Opera 10 Beta – a worthy browser for your netbook

The Opera 10 Beta is now been released for public consumption. For those of you that have steadfastly been happy with Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari or even Internet Explorer, now is the perfect time to take Opera for a test drive. The reasons to do so become even more important to a netbook user when you consider the improvements that have been made.

One of the biggest is Opera Turbo, which uses special compression technology to boost browsing speeds when using dial-up connections. How this works is that web pages are sent to Opera’s own servers first which compress them by up to 80% before they hit your browser. One obvious area where this will come in very handy is in mobile devices and netbooks. Read more

Video: Pegatron smartbook with Freescale CPU hands-on

Pegatron first showed off this very thin and lightweight smartbook back at CES in January. This particular model reappeared at Computex and NetbookNews.de managed to get hands-on with the unit. The 10-inch netbook was running on a Freescale IMX51 800MHz ARM-based CPU and Xandros Linux. The most notable aspects appear to be a very lightweight, fanless glossy model with 8 hours of battery life.

Storage is catered for by a 4GB SSD meaning that the weight doesn’t creep above 800g. The Pegatron netbook includes a 4-in-1 card reader, USB 2.0 ports and a VGA out. As you would expect with an ARM-based chip, wireless connectivity includes 3G, GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Build quality was found to be good, despite some flex in the palm rest area. The keyboard had good feedback but only had a small right shift key. Interestingly, a second model (with the same hardware) was shown running the Movial OS, which I’ve not heard of before. It was similar to Asus’ Easy Mode OS. There is no idea on cost right now, but hopefully it won’t be too far off the Wistron N900z’s predicted $200 price tag. Check out the video after the jump. Read more

Moblin gets Linux distro backing & Android app support

Moblin, the Intel-backed Linux operating system tailored for netbooks, has been growing in momentum over this past week at Computex Taipei. It has been pushing Moblin V2.0 along with the Linux Foundation, who took control of the project in April.

A number of operating system vendors (OSVs) have already committed to Moblin. This includes Linpus, who will offer its Moblin V2 Linpus Linux Lite in two versions, one with a Linpus UI and one with Intel’s UI. Canonical will release an “Ubuntu Moblin Remix”, whilst Novell demoed its SUSE edition of Moblin Version 2 on Acer and MSI hardware at Computex. Xandros also demonstrated its “Xandros Moblin 2 solution” on an Asus Eee PC in at Computex. Read more

Video: Compal demos Snapdragon smartbook running Android

The smartbook moniker has only been created very recently, but judging by this year’s Computex show, it is set to become a firm part of the portable gadget landscape. This time around it is ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) Compal’s turn. They have demonstrated a smartbook device that is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip and running Google Android.

Asus has also shown an Eee PC running Android and powered by a Snapdragon chip, however it looks like they weren’t ready to showcase this model themselves (the reveal was on the Qualcomm stand at the Computex show).

Compal has optimised the start-up interface and apparently further tweaks are on the way. The video shows just how quickly the internet browser loads pages. This smartbook is expected by the end of the year. Check out videos from TechVideoBlog and JKKMobile after the jump. Read more

BenQ plans Android netbook for 2010

BenQ has confirmed that it will launch a smartphone and netbook running the Google Android operating system in 2010, according to Peter Chen, General Manager of BenQ’s Technology Product Centre.

This move would follow a number of companies pushing Linux-based operating systems, including Acer who plans to launch their own Android netbook in the next quarter (albeit with a dual-boot Windows option). BenQ already sells netbooks under its Joybook Lite brand running Windows XP. It also recently revealed the 11.6-inch Joybook Lite U121 Eco.

There are no details about availability, or pricing right now. This is not surprising given that its overall makeup is still on the drawing board. With a vague ‘2010’ release date, I imagine that by the time it is released, there will already be a number of manufacturers offering netbooks with Android and other OSes like Moblin or Jolicloud. It will be interesting to see what new stuff BenQ can bring to the table.

Via Digitimes.

Acer Android netbook to dual-boot with Windows

Acer is looking to play it safe with its planned Android netbook, due for release in the third quarter this year. The netbook will ship as a dual-boot system with both Android and Windows according to Acer Chairman, JT Wang.

Acer is looking to go down this route given that there are still questions marks about the Android platform on a netbook type device. From our point of view, it’s a bit worrying that we haven’t seen a proper netbook customised version of Android. The only demos shown up until now are ports of the smartphone version (typically v1.5). Read more

Asus Eee PC T91 tablet netbook to support multi-touch?

The 8.9-inch Asus Eee PC T91 is one of our most eagerly anticipated netbooks. However, if there was one feature we wish it had, was a multi-touch screen. With Windows 7 launching in just over four month’s time, a multi-touch screen in any netbook device right now would be a forward-looking inclusion.

It may seem that Asus is thinking along the same lines. Eee-PC.de found an Eee PC T91 display unit running Windows 7 software that had a multi-touch panel (see the video after the break).

I find it hard to believe that the T91 that will start to ship this month will come with a multi-touch panel. The specs listed on the official product page, specifically talks of a resistive rather than capacitive display. Asus may have a premium T91 SKU planned with multi-touch capability to tie in with the launch Windows 7. The only thing I can think of is that Asus has enabled multi-touch on a resistive panel, which is possibility.

Update: JKKMobile also has a video demonstrating the multi-touch features of the Eee PC T91. Apparently, he has confirmation that only the Windows 7 SKU will ship with a multi-touch panel. See this video also after the break. Read more

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