Boost your Asus Eee PC 1000HE Wi-Fi performance

One of the (small) criticisms we had of the Asus Eee PC 1000HE, when we reviewed it, was that the Wi-Fi performance felt a bit patchy. Apart from having a nightmare trying to set it up in the first place, we noticed it didn’t latch onto a signal as quickly as other netbooks/laptops did.

Well it looks like these problems may be a thing of the past, courtesy of a wireless driver from the yet to be released Eee PC 1005HA. According to the Eee User Forum, people are reporting that this driver (7.7.0.259, 13 March 2009) improves performance and stability.

To get this to work, you need to make sure you have a 1000HE with the Atheros AR928x (AW-NE771) card installed. We don’t have the 1000HE to hand any more, but we’d be interested to see if this tip works.

Via GadgetMix.

Dragonfly concept gets hands-on impressions

We reported on the DragonFly cross-folding concept design just yesterday and it looks like Engadget has already gone hands-on with a mock-up device in the flesh. If you remember, this concept is based on a double-folding design that supposedly transforms a fully-functioning netbook into a device small enough to fit in your pocket.

Their impressions weren’t convincing, feeling that it will need the backing of a bigger organisation to pull the concept off. Developer, Edward Bullister, plans to stick a Moorestown chip inside the device and has the idea that it will dual-boot Windows XP and Moblin. He has some very ambitious plans (and timelines) for the device, hoping that it will be ready to ship by the end of this year!

As with some of the smartbooks we saw at Computex, he says that the device will have an “all day” battery life. There is no working prototype of the model so far and no manufacturer lined up as things stand. My guess is that we’ll be waiting until the second half of next year at the earliest to see this particular concept in action.

Update: Liliputing has a video of the concept in action. Check it out after the break. Read more

Ubuntu 10.04 targets 10-second boot time

The developers behind the Ubuntu Linux distribution have some ambitious targets for its 10.04 release penned in for 2010. It aims to drastically reduce the boot times from 25 seconds, as observed in the current 9.04 version, to just 10 seconds for 10.04.

Ubuntu 9.04 and in particular Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.04, already saw a considerable improvement in boot times. Boot time decreased from 65 seconds in version 8.10 to only 25 seconds in 9.04. This is expected to be improved further for the next release, Ubuntu 9.10 which is codenamed Karmic Koala. Ubuntu 10.04 will follow the release of version Karmic. Read more

Acer’s 11.6” Aspire One A0751h hitting US by end of June

Despite reports to the contrary, Acer has confirmed that its 11.6-inch Aspire One AO751h netbook will be hitting US shores. We reported yesterday that Acer may be phasing out this model following poor sales and the introduction of a new 11.6-inch CULV-based Timeline model next month.

However, according to Laptop Mag, the A0751h will be hitting US retail by the end of this month. The model is available now at WalMart (though it is not listed on Walmart.com). It will also be sold at Amazon, Target.com, Shopko and Office Max starting on June 14, RadioShack on June 15, J&R and PC Richard on June 21 and Staples on June 28. Read more

Video: Jolicloud demoed on touchscreen netbook

Jolicloud is already looking like an accomplished netbook OS, even in this early Alpha stage. The OS has been built with the netbook in mind from the ground up, taking note of the smaller screen sizes and also utilising cloud computing. Netbook Italia has also shown how well the OS works via a touchscreen, just in time for a wave of touchscreen netbooks expected to arrive in the second half of the year.

They do this on an 8.9-inch Acer Aspire One A150 netbook that has been modded with a touchscreen display. The video below shows this in action on the alpha ‘Robby’ release and you can see them using both finger and pen stylus input. TechCrunch also has a hands-on review of Jolicloud that is worth checking out. Read more

Lenovo Ideapad S12 ION to appear in Europe after all?

We had previously reported that Lenovo’s Ideapad S12 will not see the ION version coming to Europe. However, it looks like Lenovo may have reversed that decision. Notebook Italia has had confirmation from Lenovo Italy that both the Atom and ION versions will be available at launch next month. The Atom version will start at €379, as we previously reported, but there is no price for the ION version for now. Let’s hope this arrives in the UK too, as it’s one of the models I’m most excited about.

In related news, for those wondering how ION performs on a Linux system, click over to phoronix who have a detailed performance test on an ION-powered ZaReason nettop.

In our last bit of ION news, JKKMobile got a chance to get hands-on with some ION-powered netbooks at Computex last week. He attempted to put Call of Duty IV through its paces, although he is not really a gamer so couldn’t give us an idea of resolution, settings, frame rate etc. However, from looking at the video you can tell it plays quite smoothly at what look like quite low settings. Check out the video below. Read more

Nvidia expands ION brand to non-Atom CPUs

Nvidia realises that is onto a good thing with ION. Not only is it a cool name, it has also created some good brand awareness out of what is effectively a 9400M GPU tagged onto an Atom processor. As a result, it is allowing companies to use the ION brand, even if it is not paired with an Intel Atom CPU.

Nvidia confirmed that “MCP79, ION and Geforce 9400M are the same thing” to Fudzilla. It is therefore up to its customers whether it wants to mention the 9400M CPU or just the ION name. It is hoping that this may help to sell more products on platforms based on Intel Core 2 and CULV processors.

Novell considers Moblin open-source app store

Application stores for mobile operating systems are all the rage these days, with Apple’s app store one of the most successful. Whilst app stores exist for most mobile platforms including Android, Palm and Nokia’s Ovi store, not much exists for the desktop market.

Novell is looking to change that by introducing an “open-source apps store” which would bring a wealth of free software to Linux users. This is set to appear in an openSUSE edition of the Moblin OS. This app store will differ in that Novell won’t be asking for a single penny in exchange for a download. Read more

HP Mini 110 now available to order

The HP Mini 110 XP and 110 Mi (Mobile Internet) 10-inch netbooks are now available directly from HP in the US. The 110 XP will set you back $329.99 for the base configuration, whilst the Linux-based 110Mi will cost you $279.99. The older Mini 1000 netbooks appear to have been phased out in preparation for the new 110 series. However, the funky Vivienne Tam HP Mini 1000 is still being sold for a while anyway.

The Mini 110 series comes with a 10.1-inch (1024 x 576) matte display. It is powered either by a 1.6GHz N270 or 1.66GHz N280 Atom (+$25) CPU. Other features include a 92 percent keyboard, webcam, microphone, VGA port and 5-in-1 card reader. The series will weigh around 1.1kg (2.33lbs) and measure just over 1-inch in thickness.

You will also be able to buy an optional 6-cell battery that will set you back $40. An optional 1366 x 768 HD display will be available in July for around $30. The Mini 110 XP will have an optional Broadcom Crystal HD Enhanced Video Accelerator to allow for 1080p high-definition content. This option is also expected to cost $30 when it is released next month. According to HP’s site, the Mini 110 will begin arriving at customers on or around June 24th.

Via Portable Monkey.

Video: J&W Minix 811 super-slim 3G netbook

J&W, one of China’s biggest players in the motherboard and GPU market, showed off what it believes is one of the thinnest netbooks at Computex last week. The 10-inch Minix 811 is just 22.5mm thick and weighs 1.2kg. This is partly attributed to an aluminium alloy chassis.

The Minix 811 has a 10.2-inch (1024 x 600) display powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU and supports a 2.5-inch HDD and up to 2GB RAM. It comes with three USB ports, a card reader, Ethernet, VGA and also has a built-in 3G modem.

Despite the super-slim form factor, the Minix 811 provided a comfortably typing experience and had a nice feel to it. However, on the negative side, it only has room for a 3-cell battery rated at 2200mAh, although a 6-cell battery is also planned. The 3-cell battery should last around 2.5 hours. There will be a choice of operating systems including XP and Windows 7. No word on pricing or specific availability right now. Check out a hands-on video from NetbookNews after the cut. Read more

First details on Intel ‘Pineview’ Atom N400, D400 & D500 processors

The first details have emerged regarding Intel’s next-generation of Atom processors codenamed ‘Pineview’. According to industry sources in Taiwan, Intel is planning to launch the single-core Atom N400 series targeted for netbooks. The single-core Atom D400 and dual-core Atom D500 series will be targeted to the nettop market. This will be paired with the Intel NM10 Express chipset (codenamed ‘Tiger point’).

The first next-gen netbook Atom processor will be the N450, which will replace the 1.6GHz N270 Atom. The Pine Trail platform will see the current three-chip system move to two-chips, leading to lower costs, greater power efficiency and performance. For example, the new two-chip design (Intel N450 Atom + NM10 chipset) compared to the old three-chip platform (Intel Atom N270 + 945GSE + ICH7M) will result in a 64 percent space reduction from 2174mm² to 773mm². Read more

Samsung N120’s Hong Kong SKU gets upgraded specs

We quite liked the Samsung N120 when had a chance to review it recently. However, it still fell short against the Asus Eee PC 1000HE in a few areas, including a lower-specced CPU and no wireless draft-N. Good news for those living in Hong Kong though, it looks like Samsung has made some significant changes to the SKU sold (N120-KA06) which makes it a more compelling proposition.

First of all, the processor has been bumped from a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU to a 1.66GHz N280 Atom. The model now has support for Wi-Fi draft-N along with Bluetooth 2.1 (instead of v2.0 found on our review model). The 6-cell battery is the same as our review model, rated at 5900mAh.

It appears that there is no plan to bring this model to other regions. Although, if these specs existed from the start, the N120 premium over the 1000HE would have been even higher. The Samsung N120-KA06 sells for HK$3,990 (£316, €367, $515).

Via Liliputing.

Video: Gecko EduBook AA battery powered netbook

Norhtec’s Gecko Edubook 8.9-inch netbook is the first one we’ve come across that actually runs on AA batteries. It has been designed to be a low-priced netbook at $200 that is targeted to schools. It runs on the 1GHz Xcore86 CPU with that uses only 1.2W of power.

The Edubook is powered by 8 x AA NiMH rechargeable batteries. There’s no need to take the batteries out of the netbook though as you can charge them whilst inside the unit. Once fully charged, the Edubook is expected to last for around four hours. Read more

Dell Inspiron Mini 12 netbook exits stage left

Following on from Dell axing its Inspiron Mini 9 range netbooks, it appears to have done the same for its Mini 12 line-up. As things stand, the 12.1-inch Mini 12 has been removed from Dell’s UK, Australian, Hong Kong and Singaporean pages, although it still remains on the US site for now.

This seems broadly in line with the leaked Dell roadmap that appeared a while back. However, whilst the Mini 9 netbook was cancelled with no obvious replacement, the Mini 12 may get replaced with an 11.6-inch ultra-thin CULV-based model according to the internal roadmap.

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. It will come with a 1366 x 768 resolution display and will be priced from $499 according to the leak.

Via APC.

Asus Eee PC 1101HA Seashell video hands-on

Whilst Asus formally announced its 11.6-inch Eee PC 1101HA Seashell at last week’s Computex show, we didn’t come across many hands-on impressions of this unit. However, it looks like Sascha from NetbookNews has just got round to uploading his thoughts on YouTube.

We don’t learn too much that we didn’t already know. The 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) Seashell comes with a styling that looks similar to the 1008HA. This includes a glossy lid and flush display and the unique pimpled touchpad. What we don’t get are the flaps that cover the ports although I’m not sure that’s too much of a big deal.

An interesting comparison is made with the Samsung NC10 and whilst the 1101HA is obviously wider and taller, it appears to be marginally thinner. There are two different 6-cell batteries for this model which should give between 9.5-11 hours of battery life. It will be powered by a 1.33GHZ Z520 or 1.6GHz Z530 Atom CPU. I imagine that the latter will become the sensible choice for most, given the problems seen in the underpowered 11.6″ Acer Aspire One 751 which runs a Z520 Atom CPU. Check out the video after the jump. Read more

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