Sony Vaio P (P11S1E) dissected and reviewed

The new Sony Vaio P brings some new improvements to the clamshell ultraportable including touchpad, accelerometer, built-in GPS and PS3 remote play. However, the guts powering the Vaio P is essentially no different to the older models (Z series Silverthorne processor).

Engadget has reviewed the new Vaio P but felt some of the sticking points from previous models remain. This includes its high price tag ($800) , low battery life (4 hours) and sluggish performance. The accelerometer was praised and the keyboard was comfortable enough to actually type out the whole review! Read more

MSI Slatebook tablet to be unveiled at Computex

MSI will showcase a tablet PC dubbed Slatebook that will be announced at Computex in early June. The tablet will be powered by Intel’s latest Menlow processor and the company is currently considering Nvidia Tegra 2 options, depending on market demand.

The 10-inch tablet will come with Windows 7 and sport built-in 3G and Wi-Fi. The tablet will also feature e-reader capabilities (could this mean it has a Pixel Qi hybrid display?) MSI is expected to price the Slatebook at below $500.

Lenovo Ideapad U160 announced with new CULV processors

Lenovo has announced the 11.6-inch Ideapad U160 that will sport new Intel CULV processors and is expected to launch in June with prices starting at $699. New features include a chiclet keyboard as well as an active protection system for the hard drive and an ambient light sensor.

The U160 will available in a number of configuration options that includes processors from Core i3 to i7. There will also be options for Pentium and Celeron processors. At its thinnest point the U160 will measure 0.9-inches and weigh 1.3kg (2.9lbs). Read more

Apple iPad International pre-orders go live; UK contract tariffs revealed

Apple iPad pre-orders are now live across a number of countries around the world including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. Prices in the UK have already been revealed but we also now have an idea on pricing for those wishing to purchase the iPad on contract.

Three mobile operators will release the iPad including Orange, O2 and Vodafone. The latter seems quite steep, offering at £10 per month for 250MB of data or £25 per month for 5GB of data. Read more

Sony Vaio P refresh gets touchpad, accelerometer & PS3 Remote Play

Sony has officially announced its new Vaio P (P11S1E) ultraportable. The new model comes with several differentiating features that include a touchpad and mouse buttons (in addition to the central trackpoint). The small touchpad sits to the right of the display, whilst the buttons are on the left side that is said to make it easy to use when holding it with two hands.

In terms of specs, the Vaio P will still be powered by a Silverthorne processor. Specifically the 1.86GHz Intel Z540 Atom is mentioned for Europe along with 2GB RAM, 54GB SSD and Windows 7 Premium. You’ll also get Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi (b/g/n) and two USB ports. Read more

HP Hurricane webOS tablet to launch in Q3?

HP will launch a “a webOS tablet under the code name HP Hurricane” that may launch in the third quarter of this year according to the Examiner. This is in line with recent reports that HP will look to launch webOS tablets and netbooks, following its acquisition of Palm.

It’s all rumour for now, but given reports that HP has canned its Windows 7 tablet, using webOS would be the next natural move. We don’t know anymore details for now, but we’ll keep our eyes peeled for further news.

Via Engadget.

MSI Wind U140 finally set to make an appearance

We first heard of the MSI Wind U140 back in December last year, but it’s not had any formal announcement or release since then. However, it looks like MSI is finally set to announce Wind U140 at Computex following an official press release.

The particular model to be showcased includes WiMAX but I’d expect a non-WiMAX version too. The only official information from the press release is that the U140 will be powered by the 1.66GHz N450 Atom processor and will weigh 1.2kg with the 3-cell battery. Further information is expected at Computex in a few weeks time.

Via Liliputing.

WePad tablet renamed WeTab to differentiate itself

Neofonie’s WePad tablet has been renamed WeTab in order to clearly differentiate itself from the competition. I’m not sure that’s the real reason behind the change, maybe they feared Apple’s ire in the ‘Pad’ part of the name. There are no other changes to the hardware itself.

The WeTab is up for pre-order at Amazon.de for €449. This will get you an 11.6-inch tablet sporting a high-resolution (1366 x 768) display, 1.66GHz N450 Atom processor, 16GB flash drive, the Android operating system and HDMI out. The 32GB model will set you back €569.

Apple iPad hits international markets on May 28

Apple has confirmed that its iPad tablet will launch across Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, UK), Australia, Canada and Japan on 28th May. Pre-orders start on 10th May.

It is expected to hit other countries including Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore in July. Click through for a list of UK pricing. Read more

Declining netbook growth highlights saturated market

There’s talk on the internet that netbooks are dead and that the Apple iPad has landed the killer blow. They cite a chart from Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty that shows netbook growth rate slowing.

Whilst once could point the finger at the Apple iPad, I would say it is simply a function of tough comparatives from the year before and that we are starting to see a saturated market (especially considering the data only relates to the US). Read more

ExoPC tablet launches early Sept with Broadcom media accelerator

Details on a launch date for the ExoPC tablet has finally come through. The 8.9-inch (1024 x 600) slate that features a 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor, 2GB RAM, a 32GB SSD and Windows 7 will launch on September 7th in the US, Canada and France.

We also now know that the ExoPC will include the Broadcom Crystal HD media card (BCM70012), enabling 1080p video playback. There’s no word on pricing for now, but hopefully that’ll come soon enough.

Via Blogue de Geek.

Smartbooks delayed by Flash issues, tablet frenzy says ARM

When the smartbook category was first announced, many didn’t expect that we’d still be waiting for the first device to make an appearance almost a year later. ARM’s marketing VP, Ian Drew, has commented on the delays and says that they have been caused by issues with Flash optimisation as well as cold feet from manufacturers.

“We thought [smartbooks] would be launched by now, but they’re not. We’ve seen things like Adobe slip — we’d originally scheduled for something like 2009,” said Drew. “Our target is mostly internet machines — it becomes sort of a requirement that they run the internet. [The delay in optimising] Flash has stalled it”. Read more

HP Mini 110 gets integrated battery; HP Mini 210 gets 2 new colours

HP has made some changes to its netbook line-up by offering an updated HP Mini 110 that now has an integrated 6-cell battery good for 8 hours of battery life. It will launch on June 15 in the US for $279.99.

The HP Mini 210 also has had a makeover that includes two new designs, preppy pink and white crystal. These new netbooks use 3D imprint technology that uses a mould with multiple layers on the top and bottom covers that make the top layer appear that it is ‘floating’, casting a shadow on the lower layer. The touchpad also features the same preppy pink finish. These new Mini 210’s will also be available on June 15 for $354.99.

Via HP.com.

Intel Moorestown Z6XX Atom announced for smartphones/MIDs/tablets

Intel has formally announced details on its Moorsetown platform in the form of Z6XX Atom mobile processors. The new 45nm chips have clock speeds ranging from 1.5GHz to 1.9GHz and will include Intel GMA600 3D graphics, display controllers and up to 2GB of memory onto a single SoC (system-on-chip).

These new chip use 50x less idle power, 20x less audio power, and 2-3x reductions in browsing and video playback power consumption compared to the older Z5XX Atom (Menlow) processors. In theory, this means smartphones, tablets and smartbooks running the new platform will be capable of 1080p video, desktop-style multi-tasking and long endurance times. Read more

Tablet news roundup – Samsung S-Pad, Aigo and Jumper JK01-TT slates

It’s becoming trickier keeping up to date with all the tablet news given how everyone seems to be launching one these days. Today’s roundup brings news of three new tablets. Samsung is rumoured to be launching the S-Pad tablet that sports a 7-inch Super AMOLED display and the Android OS. It will include access to Samsung’s own app store and come with a USB dock. There are no pricing details although it’s expected to launch on contract from SK Telecom with a subsidised contract.

Aigo is planning a similarly sized 7-inch tablet that will also run Android 2.1, but will be powered by the Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset. It comes with a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, 512MB RAM, and 4-32GB of internal storage. It also features an HDMI port, an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, 3120mAh battery and card reader. Read more

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