Nvidia Tegra platform gets video demonstration

Nvidia has really come out in force at the Computex show in Taiwan. It has shown off ION on 21 new devices as well as educating the world about its Tegra platform. Tegra marries an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with Nvidia 9400M graphics).

Nvidia claims Tegra to be one of the most powerful SOCs (system on chips) – able to handle 1080p video, HD Flash, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G and a huge battery life. The video below (courtesy of NetbookNews) shows the trailer for the new Star Trek film running at a bitrate of 12-14Mbits. It also shows that the chip can run older games (like Quake) at 46fps. All of this at a maximum power consumption rate of just 1W. Read more

Video: ECS T20IL, T10IL, V10IL netbooks hands-on

As expected, ECS has announced three new netbooks at Computex this week. This includes an 11.6-inch model (T20IL) and two 10-inch models (T10IL & TV10IL). While I could not find a press release on the ECS website, NetbookNews.de was on hand to give us the lowdown on each of these new netbooks.

The ECS T20IL comes with an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display powered by Intel’s Celeron 723 ULV platform and GS40 Intel chipset. It is very thin at just 25mm and weighs 1.4kg with the 4-cell battery (a 6-cell option will also be available). It will run on Vista Home Premium.

The ECS T10IL is similarly thin and comes with a very good keyboard. It weighs less than 1kg and uses 1.8-inch storage, Bluetooth, Webcam (1.3/2.0MP) and an HSUPA modem. The cheaper ECS V10IL is powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU and 945GSE chipset. It has a 2.5-inch 160GB HDD, a 1.3MP webcam, an HSUPA modem and optional Bluetooth. Check out three videos of these ECS netbooks after the jump. Read more

Microsoft bans hybrid storage netbooks that run XP

As things stand, there aren’t too many netbooks that have hybrid storage systems. The most notable one is MSI’s 10-inch Wind U115 Hybrid that uses both a 8GB SSD and 160GB HDD. One of the benefits of such a system, is that battery life can be prolonged by disabling the HDD when not in use.

However, it appears that we won’t be getting too many more netbooks that employ similar systems if Microsoft gets its way. According to bit-tech, Microsoft is banning netbook manufacturers from producing hybrid storage netbooks, when using Windows XP Home. Read more

Onkyo Sotec C204 netbook video hands-on impressions

Onkyo only very recently announced its super-slim 10.2-inch C204 netbook, weighing just 960g and coming at 23mm thick. The netbook hit Japan retail a few days ago and Portable Monkey has already gone hands-on.

The specifications are pretty normal, although you will find a 32GB SSD under the hood. The Sotec C204 comes with a 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) Led backlit display and is powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU & 945GSE chipset plus 1GB (max) RAM. Other features include wireless draft-N, three USB ports and a 0.3MP webcam. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures and the 1800mAh battery is expected to last 5 hours.

Initial impressions appear to be positive, feeling lighter and slimmer than the luxurious Asus Eee PC S101. However, despite the average specs, the C204 is as loud as the 8.9-inch Acer Aspire One. Unfortunately, there is also no SSD-access panel on the bottom of the netbook and VGA is taken care of by a mini USB adaptor. Check out some video impressions after the break. Read more

Microsoft not happy with ‘netbook’ term, wants it renamed

Microsoft is looking to redefine the ‘netbook’ term, currently associated with mini-notebooks that typically have screen sizes of less than 10-inches. Microsoft’s choice of name is ‘low cost small notebook PC’ according to Steven Guggenheimer, Vice President of Microsoft’s OEM division.

The name is not exactly catchy, but MS isn’t looking to change it for the sake of it. According to analysts, it wants to split the current netbook category between those devices that are only good enough for the web and those that have more notebook-like characteristics i.e. more powerful.

The idea behind such a move would be to reduce the number of discounted Windows licences it would offer and, essentially means more money in the back pocket for MS. This would mean that higher-end ‘netbooks’ would have to adopt more premium SKUs of Windows 7 says Digitimes. More details on the strategy are expected this week at Computex, but we’ve not heard anything concrete so far.

Video: Acer demos Android on Aspire One D250 netbook

Acer has already confirmed that we will be seeing the Android operating system appear on an Aspire One netbook next quarter. To show how serious it is, the company showed off an Aspire One D250 netbook running Google Android at Computex.

The version of Android shown off appears to be the Cupcake version (v1.5), with no modifications for the 10-inch screen. Interestingly, a full version of Firefox running on Android was also shown. It is unlikely that previous versions of the Aspire One netbook will get Android OS options, I imagine that we’ll see a completely new model sporting Android.

The two videos below demonstrate that the start-up and boot down times are very quick. Overall it takes just eighteen seconds to start up and just one second to boot down. Read more

Slick new aluminium CrunchPad prototype revealed

TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington is on a mission to create a thin and light internet tablet computer. Pictures of the ‘CrunchPad’ were revealed to the world a couple of months back, however TechCrunch has now revealed a near-final design that is looking like an incredibly sexy device.

Whilst only conceptual drawings have been revealed, working prototypes using this design are expected in a matter of weeks. This new ‘launch prototype’ differs from the previous version in a number of ways. First off, the 12-inch screen now sits flush with the case and the thickness is visibly reduced to just 18mm. This has been achieved by using aluminium, compared to plastic before, which will likely put the price up a bit. Read more

Asus Eee PC 1101HA Seashell gets official

Asus has officially announced the latest member to its Seashell line of netbooks, the 11.6-inch Eee PC 1101HA. The netbook was spotted in the wild earlier this week at Computex, along with near enough full specifications.

The press release is pretty sparse on detail, only confirming it will have a HD (1366 x 768) resolution LED backlit display and battery life of 11 hours. It also confirms a 160GB HDD, wireless draft-N, Bluetooth, a 1.3MP webcam, digital array microphone and multi-touch touchpad. Hopefully some more detailed specifications, along with pricing and availability, will be announced shortly. Read more

OCZ Neutrino netbook gets ION upgrade

OCZ launched the 10-inch DIY Neutrino netbook to much acclaim. OCZ allows you to source your own RAM, hard-disk drive and operating system from wherever you can find the best deal and ‘build-it-yourself”. It seems that OCZ is now looking to jump on the Nvidia ION bandwagon, as it has decided to upgrade the netbook with the ION platform.

However, the Neutrino ION system won’t be pairing the N270 CPU (as found in the original system) with Nvidia 9400M graphics. Instead, it will be using a 1.6GHz Atom 230 single-core processor. Other specs remain the same and include 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. It also comes with a 4-cell 2200mAh battery, 1.3MP webcam and WiFi (b/g only). You’ll find the usual array of ports that include two USB ports, Ethernet and VGA. No release date or pricing has been confirmed thus far.

Via PC Perspective.

Asus Eee PC T91 gets official launch & live product page

Asus has officially launched the Eee PC T91 convertible netbook at Computex this week. This is the first netbook from the company that comes with a swivelable touchscreen, but with Windows 7 on the horizon you wouldn’t bet it being the last. The Eee PC T91 comes with an 8.9-inch touchscreen that can be folded back to be used as a tablet or in a traditional netbook form factor. The product page is also now live too, giving us confirmation of the T91’s finalised specifications.

The Eee PC T91 has an extremely slim-line design, weighing just 960g and measuring 28.4mm at its thickest point. The 8.9-inch resistive touchscreen is powered by the Z520 Atom CPU and 1GB RAM. The listing for the storage is a tad confusing and reads “16GB Solid State Drive + 16GB SD Card + 30GB Portable Hard Disk Drive + 20GB Eee Storage”. Whilst the first and last points are self-explanatory, I do wonder whether Asus will be including a 16GB SD card and 30GB portable HDD in the package too. Read more

Mio Litepad N890 9-inch netbook equipped with 3.5G & GPS

Mio has announced a new 8.9-inch netbook dubbed the Litepad N890 which will come with built-in 3.5G, GPS, an accelerometer along with a MagSafe-style breakaway power connector. If that wasn’t enough, all of this comes in a package measuring less than one inch thick and weighing 880g (1.9lbs). The Mio N890 netbook has a 1024 x 600 display powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU and 945GSE chipset. It has an 89 percent sized keyboard and uses a SSD for storage.

Given the inclusion of a 3.5G module, this is likely to be marketed by wireless carriers when it hits the market in Q3 in Europe. No price has been mentioned so far but will be priced competitively according to the company. JKK went hands-on with the device and we’ve attached the video after the break. Read more

BenQ announces 11.6-inch Joybook Lite U121 Eco netbook

BenQ has officially launched its latest netbook, the uniquely named, Joybook Lite U121 Eco. This 11.6-inch netbook certainly seems quite intriguing, it has a quick charge facility that allows you to charge 80 percent of the 6-cell battery in just 1 hour. On a fully charged basis, the battery will be good for 8 hours.

The Lite U121 also offers optional hybrid storage (32GB SSD & 500GB HDD). The netbook boasts a high-resolution (1366 x 768) LED backlit display and is powered by a Z520 or Z530 Intel Atom CPU. Other features include Wireless draft-N support, optional Bluetooth 2.1 & 3G, a 1.3MP webcam, TruSurround speaker technology, a full-sized keyboard and a HDMI port. All of this in a package that weighs just 1.3kg and a low operating noise of just 26db.

The BenQ Joybook Lite’ also has an ecological label. Aside from being energy efficient, the BenQ Joybook Lite also features recyclable materials – 75 percent of its mechanical elements, and 70 percent of its packaging. BenQ is emphasising the eco points of the netbook in terms of its colours too. This includes an ocean blue colour option and arctic white option. The Joybook Lite U121 Eco will be available in June, 2009 in China, Malaysia, and Taiwan. No details on an European or US release so far.

Via Engadget.

Samsung demos 3 netbook displays: low-power, colour e-paper & touch

Samsung is unveiling some of its latest developments on the display side at the SID (Society of Information Display) 2009. From the netbook perspective, the most interesting is a new 10.1-inch LCD which is touted to use around 50 percent less power than normal LCDs. This display is manufactured using Samsung’s proprietary Pentile technology.

This display has a HD resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels along with “perfect reading capabilities both indoor and outdoor” according to Akhibara News. I’m not sure what that means, but Samsung is also highlighting some next-gen displays which include a 10.2-inch colour e-paper display (something that is maybe similar to Pixel Qi’s 3Qi display) along with a 10.1-inch diagonal integrated-touch netbook panel (anticipating the launch of Windows 7).

Sandisk launches new pSSDs and SDHC cards for netbooks

Sandisk has revealed some new solid-state drives as well as SDHC cards targeted to netbooks. Sandisk has always been keen to add prefixes to its SSDs, we have previously had the Sandisk uSSD range (quarter the size of a 1.8-inch SSD), and now Sandisk has announced its second-generation pSSD drives.

These pSSDs (parallel ATA solid state drives) feature new technology called nCache, which supports burst performance up to five times the steady to enhance the user experience. This prevents the incidence of “stalling” or “shuddering” often seen in first generation netbook SSDs. As nCache is non-volatile, the user’s data is also protected in the event of a power interruption. Read more

Video: Wistron N900z smartbook hands-on

Computex has been a revelation for the new type of smartbook devices that have emerged. Whilst some may view these devices as underpowered, they will only get stronger as time goes on in our view. Freescale showcased some smartbooks of its own, including the 10-inch Wistron N900z.

The N900z uses an 800MHz Freescale ARM-based CPU, runs Ubuntu and has a 4GB flash drive. Battery life is very good at around 10 hours of life. Laptop Mag went hands-on with the bland-looking device. They liked the rubberised keys on the keyboard but found the touchpad to be unusable. Performance wasn’t that great though, with some hiccups when trying to play a video whilst having two applications open. With the applications closed, the video played fine.

There is no timeline as to when this device might launch, but Freescale expects it to cost around the $200 mark when it does. NetbookNews also went hands-on with the device and we’ve attached a video of it after the break. Read more

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