Acer, HP and Lenovo planning 12-inch multi-touch mini-notebooks?
June 19, 2009 at 10:53 am
There is no doubt that a number of manufacturers are planning to release touchscreen netbooks/notebooks in the fourth quarter, coinciding with the Windows 7 launch. From previous reports, we have heard that a number of panel manufacturers will ramp up production in the second-half of the year.
We are now hearing that Cando, which is a subsidiary of AU Optronics, has landed an order to supply 12.1-inch capacitive multi-touch panels to Acer, HP and Lenovo. According to Digitimes, these panels will start to ship in August, which could mean a year-end launch date for some of these models, although a H1 2010 release is more likely. Cando is the first touch panel manufacturer to receive certification or Windows 7 compatibility.
In related news, EETI (Egalax_empia Technology) is pushing for Windows 7 certification for 10.1-inch and 11.6-inch touch-panels. It is currently sampling touch panels based on analogue matrix resistive (AMR) and projective capacitive technology. The focus for Windows 7 netbooks and mini-notebooks will be on display sizes between 10 to 12-inch screens. It sees Windows 7 certification as a big driver to gain orders.
Dell Mini 9 gets fingerprint scanner mod
June 19, 2009 at 10:35 am
For the security conscious Dell Inspiron Mini 9 users out there, this is a mod you may want to pay attention to. MyDellMini user Rich2871 modded his Dell Mini 9 netbook with a fingerprint scanner embedded to the palm rest. Be warned though, Rich2871 is quite experienced when it comes to mods. His Mini 9 already includes a 64GB SSD, an internal 4-port USB hub, and OS X.
He ended up taking an external USB fingerprint scanner, taking out the main components and connecting it with the internal USB headers of the Dell Mini 9. That’s even before you hack a hole in the case! Judging from the procedure it doesn’t like a particularly easy mod, however the finished result certainly looks impressive.
Via Portable Monkey.
Microsoft intros Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 for netbooks
June 18, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Microsoft has introduced a new wireless mouse targeted to the netbook segment. The Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 uses Microsoft’s BlueTrack technology, which allows the mouse to be used on almost any surface. BlueTrack enables you to use the mouse on a number of surfaces such as carpets, marble and unfinished wood, in fact the only surfaces it won’t work on is clear glass or mirrored surfaces.
The mouse connects to a netbook via a small nano transceiver, which sticks out less than 1cm from the USB port. Handily, this transceiver can even be stored in the mouse when on the move. The mouse looks quite smart and comes in a number of bright colours including teal blue, berry pink and lime green as well as graphite and white. The mouse is set to launch in August at a cost of $40.
Via Chip Chick.
Corel and ThinkFree launch netbook Office Suites
June 18, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Two companies have announced Office Suites that have been tailored for netbooks. Corel has launched its Home Office Suite targeted for netbooks, which includes three applications to handle word-processing, spreadsheets and presentations. These apps have full support of Microsoft Office and can also export PDFs. The suite is available for download or on a USB stick from Corel and costs $69.99
In terms of technical requirements, you’ll need to have Windows XP (or Vista) installed and also, bizarrely, a screen resolution of 1024 x 768. This is strange considering most netbooks have a resolution of 1024 x 600. Read more
Lenovo Ideapad S12 ION hands-on impressions
June 18, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Lenovo’s upcoming ION-powered Ideapad S12 netbook is one of our most anticipated netbooks. It’s still unclear whether or not the S12 ION will arrive in Europe, but either way, it is likely to be a landmark launch for Nvidia’s chipset.
PC Pro has managed to get a first look at the S12 ION and they were left were positive impressions. The Ideapad S12 ION partners a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU with the Nvidia 9400M GPU. This boosts its performance over the normal Intel integrated chipset used (945GSE). The results speak for themselves. Encoding a 1080p movie trailer took just four minutes with the S12 compared to an equivalent Atom netbook that took 15 minutes.
Specs-wise, the 12-inch (1280 x 800) S12 includes 2GB RAM, rather than the 1GB normally bundled with netbooks. It also has a 320GB HDD and the version that PC Pro played with also came with HSDPA. The case felt very sturdy with the palm rest showing no flex. The display was also not prone to bending. The keyboard was comfortable to use and the touchpad was responsive. Hopefully, we look forward to more benchmark results on the S12 ION soon.
Huawai 3G netbook looks like Asus Eee PC S101 clone
June 18, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Huawai has released a netbook that appears to be a re-skin of the luxurious Asus Eee PC S101 netbook, albeit with an embedded 3G module. The netbook was spotted at the CMMA2009 show in Singapore.
It includes the same specs as the S101 including either a 1.6GHz N270 or 1.66GHz N280 Atom CPU, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. There are a few differences, including two mouse buttons instead of one on the S101. The LCD status lights are also in a different place. But, in essence, this is probably built by the same ODM that produces the Asus S101.
Via NetbookNews.de.
Point of View’s ION-powered Mobii netbook outed
June 18, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Point of View has traditionally been known for its graphic cards. The Dutch based manufacturer also has a line-up of 10.2-inch Mobii netbooks. Now POV plans to add to that line-up with an ION-powered model according to Fudzilla.
In what may start to become a trend with netbooks, the Mobii ION 230 is powered by the single-core 1.6GHz Atom 230 processor, normally found in nettops. This follows the Japanese brand Dospara, with its 12-inch Prime Note Cresion NA that uses a dual-core 1.6GHz Atom 330 CPU. Read more
Nvidia: Windows CE performs better than Android on smartbooks
June 18, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Google’s Android operating system has been getting all of the column inches and hype relating to an eventual transition to netbooks and smartbooks. However, Nvidia feels that Windows CE is the more mature platform, as things stand, for Tegra-based smartbooks.
The Tegra platform is different to ION in that it pairs an ARM-based processor with an Nvidia GeForce GPU (ION pairs an Intel Atom CPU with the Nvidia 9400M graphics). Nvidia certainly has high hopes for the Tegra platform, with its CEO Jen-Hsun Huang predicting that Tegra will benefit from higher margins than its existing products and could contribute as much as half of Nvidia’s revenues within a few years. Read more
Netbook Choice Forum now live! ‘Founding Member’ status beckons for limited period
June 18, 2009 at 10:31 am
It has been a long time coming, but the Netbook Choice Forum is now live and ready to use. We have tried to keep things simple and not create too many forum headers. There are already some excellent brand-specific forums out there and we’re not looking to emulate those. Hence, you won’t find any forums for the specific netbook manufacturers.
Feel free to use it to discuss the latest news, tips, deals or simply if you’re looking for advice on your impending netbook purchase. You can also use it to suggest improvements to the site, we’re always keen to hear your thoughts. Click the Forum button above to get going!
As an added incentive, for those who sign up on/before 30th June will automatically become a ‘Founding Member’ of the forum. What does that mean exactly? Well not too much, apart from possible bragging rights at some point down the line! 😉
Asus Eee PC 1005HA Seashell gets video unboxing
June 17, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Whilst we await official UK launch details for the Asus Eee PC 1005HA Seashell netbook, Liliputing has just gone hands-on with the device. The 1005HA Seashell differs from the 1008HA model by having a removable battery, a full-sized VGA port and no plastic flaps covering its ports. It also is slightly thicker and heavier than the sexy 1008HA.
Despite this, the styling is distinctly similar, as is the keyboard and touchpad (which also uses a dimpled surface). The latter felt a little less bumpy than the 1008HA, which may make it easier to use. The keyboard is not chiclet but has flat keys and a full-sized shift key. It comes with a glossy lid and, disappointingly, a glossy display – a trend that many netbook manufacturers seem to be following right now. In terms of upgradeability, there is only an access panel for RAM, no HDD access here I’m afraid.
This particular model was powered by a 1.66GHz N280 Atom CPU, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. The battery is rated to last for around 10.5 hours. Check out the video after the break. Read more
MSI Wind U115 Hybrid stripped bare
June 17, 2009 at 8:10 pm
MSI’s Wind U115 Hybrid is the next netbook to be disassembled by teardown experts, Netbook Italia. This is one model I was particularly interested in seeing its guts exposed, mainly to find out how they ended up packing in both a HDD and SDD and also keeping its weight reasonably low at 1.3kg.
Owners of the Wind U115 shouldn’t really try this at home as MSI void your warranty if you attempt to open the case. Despite this risk, Netbook Italia found that it was relatively easy accessing the internal components and upgrades can be completed with reasonable ease. Read more
Video: Pegatron Vivid’s Tegra-powered netbook with dedicated web keys
June 17, 2009 at 6:33 pm
New products from the Computex show continue to roll in, courtesy of NetbookNews. This time round, we are shown the Pegatron Vivid which is an Nvidia Tegra-based device. Where this particular model differs from the rest is in having dedicated buttons on top of the keyboard for Yahoo!, Google, MSN and Skype.
Being a Tegra-powered device you can expect 1080p HD video playback through its HDMI port and strong battery life. The device has a matte display and a sealed battery, although it’s only a pre-production sample so that is likely to change. You’ll also find a fancy speaker integrated into the hinge. No word on pricing or availability right now. Check out the hands-on after the jump. Read more
Intel says netbooks should cost no more than $400
June 17, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Intel continues to try and set clear boundaries as to exactly how one defines a netbook. If they are not trying to tell you that netbooks are not meant for adults and not capable of multitasking, creating videos and encode music, they are trying to define exactly how much one should cost.
Intel is suggesting that a netbook should cost no more than $400 according to Fudzilla. This is $100 more than the price they suggested last year. Anything over $400 they feel belongs to notebooks which, theoretically, are more powerful and sport bigger displays as well as higher prices. Read more
Asus’ Android Eee PC needs more development time
June 17, 2009 at 4:34 pm
At the Computex show in Taiwan a few weeks back, an Asus Eee PC was snapped powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip and running Android. What was interesting is that this Eee PC was demonstrated on the Qualcomm stand and no similar demo was made by Asus. We now have word as to why that was.
Jonney Shih, Asus Chairman, said that Asus had originally planned to showcase an Android-based Eee PC at Computex, but their feeling was that it still needed more work. Asus felt that more development time was needed with Android to make the most out of the netbook experience. Read more
Nvidia: ION outperforms Intel’s Pine Trail platform by 5-10x
June 17, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Whilst we are still yet to see official specifications of Intel’s next-generation Atom ‘Pineview’ processor and it’s platform dubbed ‘Pine Trail’, it has not stopped Nvidia from claiming that its ION platform will outperform Intel’s platform.
Nvidia ION pairs its 9400M GPU with an Intel Atom processor. As Intel’s Pineview processor moves its graphics to the processor, some analysts have commented that this could be bad news for Nvidia. However Dave Ragones, Nvidia product manager, disagrees. Read more
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