Toshiba NB205 reviewed – one of the best netbooks yet?

Toshiba’s Mini NB205 netbook for the US market is essentially the same model as the Japanese SKU (Dynabook UX) and the European SKU (NB200). The 10-inch netbook is Toshiba’s follow-on from its first entry in the netbook space, its 8.9-inch NB100. Laptop Mag has published a full review of the NB205 and was full of praise of Toshiba’s 10-inch effort.

According to reviewer Joanna Stern, the netbook “soars past the competition” and she admired the “stunning design, stellar keyboard, and the longest battery life of any netbook to date”. Pretty convincing stuff, although with the last point, we already know that the MSI Wind U115 has the longest netbook battery life from other benchmarks we’ve seen. The NB205 managed to last for a respectable 8.5 hours on its 6-cell battery. Read more

Netto offering Hercules eCafe netbook for £200

UK supermarket chain, Netto, launched the Hercules eCafe netbook a couple of months back at £239.99, but it looks like the price has now dropped to £200. Whilst some of you may discount it straight away as a ‘supermarket special’, it appears to be a reasonable specced machine for the price.

The eCafe comes with an 8.9-inch display with screen resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. It is powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU and comes with 1GB RAM and a 60GB HDD. Other features include a 1.3MP webcam, card reader, three USB ports, Wi-Fi (including draft-N) and a 6-cell battery that should be good for 7 hours.

The eCafe also offers 30GB of online storage. The Hercules weighs 1.2kg including the battery. The design looks very uninspiring, but for that price you can’t expect it all. In our eyes, this appears to be a very good deal, especially as it comes with a two-year manufacturers warranty too. The Hercules eCafe is available across all Netto stores now.

Google Android to support multi-touch gestures? [Video]

Whilst everyone is gearing up for multi-touch support on the upcoming Windows 7, a group of French developers didn’t want us to forget about Linux. They have shown off a proof of concept multi-touch demonstration which is running on the 2.6.30 Kernel.

The demo shows them using a number of multi-touch gestures, including desktop switching, water ripple effects and rotating and resizing windows. They claim that this is native Linux multi-touch support. It was developed by Mohamed-Ikbel Boulabiar, Stephane Chatty, and Sebastien Hamdani, from the Interactive Computing Lab at the ENAC (Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile) aeronautics academy in Toulouse, France. Read more

Dell teases with new ultrathin Mini 11 mini-notebook?

There have been some strong rumours for a while now that Dell is planning to launch its own range of ultrathin notebooks based on the Intel CULV platform. Both Acer and Asus have already announced the Timeline and U series models respectively that come with the new Intel chips.

Now Engadget is reporting that Phil Bryant and Michael Tatelman of Dell displayed an “entirely new model line” of thin and lightweight notebooks at an event in Paris. Judging by the size of the mini-notebook in question, it very much looks like it will be the rumoured Inspiron Mini 11, which will replace the Mini 12 with its 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display.

This rumoured 11.6-inch model, codenamed ‘Argos’, will use Intel’s Celeron ULV platform, have 2GB RAM and hard drive storage between 160GB and 250GB. The CULV-based ultraportable line-up is rumoured to be released in August and there’s no information on pricing right now. We’ll keep you posted with further developments.

Disney launches Netpal netbook for kids with Asus’ help

Disney is launching its own branded netbook called the Netpal, which is effectively a re-skinned Asus Eee PC. The 8.9-inch Netpal will be targeted for kids between the ages of 6 to 12. The design appears to be reasonably subtle for what is a children’s netbook, you get a reasonably discreet Disney logo on the lid of the case.

However, you’ll find the kiddie-theme in a special user interface which fits over Windows XP. This will come with several themes that kids can change including Toy Story and Cars. As you can imagine with a kid-targeted product, security is of the utmost importance. You’ll find the usual parental and email controls and sites can only be surfed that have been approved by parents.

A number of widgets are also available including a radio, digital memo pad, calculator and stopwatch. The Netpal is powered by an unspecified Atom processor and will come either with a 160GB HDD or 16GB SSD. The Netpal weighs between 1.0-1.2kg (2.2-2.6lbs). The netbooks will come in “Princess Pink” (with florals) or “Magic Blue” (miniature Mickey Mouse icons) colours. The Netpal is set to launch in late July and will retail for $350 from Amazon.com and Toys R Us.

Update: Laptop Mag has gone hands-on with the Netpal and they found it to be very durable and the keyboard is spill-proof. They have a video on the site that’s worth checking out too.

Via USA Today [via GadgetMix].

Acer Aspire One 531 with 3G-module hits US

The Acer Aspire One 531 was recently released in the UK and now it looks like Acer’s 10-inch slimline netbook has launched in the US. This follows the recent launch of the 11.6-inch Aspire One 751 netbook that is now available online as well as the Aspire One D250.

The Aspire One 531 (AO531h-1766) is in fact a carbon copy of the D250 albeit with a slimmer chassis. The Aspire One 531 Pro (AOP531h-1791) is the business version that comes with a range of operating systems and storage options (including SSD). A 3G enabled SKU (AO531h-1440) is also being sold at Costco stores in the US. If buying it on a subsidised contract, it will set you back $60 a month on a two-year AT&T contract.

Via Portable Monkey.

Opera Unite turns your browser into a server

Opera launched a new application today called Opera Unite that it hopes will ‘reinvent the web’, their words not ours. This web-based application is an interesting take on cloud computing and comes built into the Opera browser. What Unite does is to turn your computer into a web server and client, which you can use to access files from any other browser (say on a netbook whilst away from home).

Some of the services that are currently offered through Unite includes file sharing, hosting web sites, sharing music or photos, posting sticky notes and chat. Opera realise that many people like to use different browsers, so they have made sure that Unite has cross-platform support. As long as Unite is running on one machine with Opera, then you can access your content on any operating system or browser (or even your phone). Read more

ASRock Multibook G22 – another ION netbook with dual-core CPU

This morning we reported on a 12.1-inch netbook from Japanese manufacturer Dospara, who had launched an ION-powered netbook powered by a dual-core 1.6GHz Atom 330 CPU. Well it now looks as if we have a similar specced model from ASRock, dubbed the Multibook G22.

In fact, so similar is this model that I believe they are the same device underneath but marketed under different brands. Apart from the CPU and GPU, you’ll find the same 12.1-inch (1366 x 768) display, optical drive, 320GB HDD, Wi-Fi (draft-N support), Bluetooth 2.1, HDMI out, a 1.3MP webcam and three USB ports. It also comes with a 4400mAh lithium ion battery that should be good for just over three hours.

If you had any doubts that they were the same model then the fact that they both have exactly the same dimensions (305×225×37.5mm (WxDxH)) and weight (1.92kg including battery) should put those doubts to rest. Right now, we have no idea where this ASRock will be marketed or any prices. Hopefully some more information should be forthcoming.

Update: It appears that this model will have an Intel CULV processor and chipset rather than ION, according to Liliputing.

Via Blogeee.

Acer Aspire One 751 pre-orders open at Amazon.com

Acer’s 11.6-inch netbook, the Aspire One 751 has now seen pre-orders open at Amazon and other online retailers in the US. The model was already on sale at Walmart stores, but up until now was not available online.

The Aspire One 751 has an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display powered by a 1.33GHz Z520 Atom CPU and GMA500 graphics. You’ll also find 2GB RAM, a 250GB HDD, Wi-Fi (b/g/) and Bluetooth 2.0.

Amazon seems to only have the Windows Vista Home Basic available, but has a wide number of colours including Blue, Black, White and Red. The 3-cell model will set you back $399.99, whilst the 6-cell model costs an extra $50 at $449.99.

Via Portable Monkey.

Archos 10s slim netbook gets video demo

The Archos 10s netbook was officially launched last week. The 10.2-inch (1024 x 600) netbook is exactly the same as the Archos 10 but is much slimmer and lighter. It measures just 22.5m in thickness and weighs 1.06kg with the 3-cell battery. TechVideoBlog managed to get a video demonstration of the 10s in action, which certainly looks like a nice netbook.

When we originally reported on the Archos 10s, we said it may not have a Kensington lock or VGA. However, judging by the video, it does include a Kensington lock and VGA is provided for by a small adaptor. The unit shown was a near final version even though the keyboard is finished. The full-sized keyboard looks very good and reminds me of the Samsung N120. It spreads right to the edge of the chassis. The bottom didn’t have any access panels for RAM or HDD, but the rep said that this is subject to change with the final version. It was also good to see the 10s using a matte display. Read more

Asus Eee PC T91 starts shipping in US this week?

Whilst Asus’ 8.9-inch convertible tablet, the Eee PC T91, won’t be released in the UK until early July, it may end up seeing a US release this week according to what one dealer has been told. AllAsus was told that the T91 will start shipping from 15th June in small quantities.

I’m a bit dubious about the news, as from what I can tell it has still yet to appear in any of the major US retailers. However, the T91 netbook did recently appear on the official US Asus site and it is already appearing on the Asus Event comparison chart. Hopefully, this means its release can’t be too far away.

Whilst an official US press price has yet to be revealed, AllAsus has it listed for $529. The UK SKU will launch for £450 and should be here within a month’s time at the latest.

Update: Thought this was too good to be true, Liliputing has had confirmation from Asus that the Eee PC T91 will not hit US shores until the end of July.

Via Netbook Market [via Engadget].

Asus Eee PC 1101HA hitting Europe at end June for €399

Since Asus announced the 11.6-inch Eee PC 1101HA Seashell at Computex Taipei we’ve not been privy to too many details, including price or availability. However, Netbook Italia has found out that the 1101HA should start to hit retail in Europe by the end of this month with a starting price of €399.

We know that two versions of the 1101HA are planned, one with the 1.33GHz Z520 Atom CPU and one with the 1.6GHz Z530 Atom. For now, there only seems to be confirmation that the Z520 model is planned, but I’m hoping that the Z530 SKU will also be making its way shortly thereafter.

The 11.6” (1366 x 768) Eee PC 1101HA comes with 1GB RAM, a 160GB HDD and Intel GMA 500 graphics. Other features include Wi-Fi (including draft-N, Bluetooth 2.1, a 6-cell battery and a 1.3 MP webcam. A black and white model is planned and we look forward to the first impressions in a matter of weeks. Click through for a list of specs. Read more

Android on smartbooks is snappier than Windows 7 says Gartner

Smartbook devices are set to become much more commonplace as we reach the end of the year. They run on ARM-based processors and as such feature integrated 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the chip itself. They differ from netbooks in that they are ‘always connected’ to the Internet and are meant to have battery lives lasting between 8 to 10 hours.

As they these chips are not x86, it means running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 is not an option. What manufacturers will be able to choose from is a growing stable of netbook-centric Linux distributions (including Android) or Windows CE. Some Gartner analysts have given their own thoughts after checking out a number of smartbook devices running Google’s Android operating system at Computex. Read more

Dospara launches ION netbook with dual-core Atom CPU

Japanese manufacturer Dospara has launched its first netbook/mini-notebook in the form of the 12.1-inch Prime Note Cresion NA. It’s quite a first entry for Dospara, this being the first ION-based netbook that is on sale right now in Japan. Despite, it’s non-descript appearance, what has me even more excited is that Nvidia’s 9400M GPU has been paired with a dual-core 1.6GHz Atom 330 CPU, normally found in nettops.

This is the first time this processor has been found in a netbook and combined with the 9400M should mean some great performance figures. Apart from that, the 12.1-inch model has a screen resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels and comes with 2GB RAM and a 320GB HDD. You’ll also find a DVD drive, Wi-Fi (draft-N support), Bluetooth 2.1, HDMI out, a 1.3MP webcam and three USB ports. It measures 305×225×37.5mm (WxDxH) and weighs 1.92kg. The lithium-ion battery should last 3.2 hours.

When you consider all this costs 59,980 Yen (£373, $611, €441) it certainly seems very attractively priced. I can’t see this brand being sold in Western markets, but what I do hope is that we may start to see some dual-core processors finding its way in more netbooks soon.

Via Akhibara News.

NEC’s impossibly thin VersaPro UltraLite VS netbook gets video demo

NEC recently announced what is probably the thinnest and lightest 10-inch netbook that I’ve come across. The VersaPro UltraLite VS has a 10.6-inch (1280 x 768) screen and comes with a 64GB SSD. It measures just 19.4mm at its thickest point and weighs only 725g. The guys over at IT Media managed to get hands-on and watching the videos demonstrates just how light this netbook is. The guy is lifting this up with just two fingers at its outer edge!

There’s no room for a touchpad on this device, so you’ll find a trackpoint instead, which I prefer anyway. It does only come with 1GB of soldered RAM though which is an annoyance, especially considering its 98,000 Yen (£606, $995, €712) cost. However, what you do get for that price is an 8-hour battery life, strong build quality and a quiet and cool machine. Check out the video after the break. Read more

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