Snapdragon & Tegra smartbook push for Q4 2009
August 3, 2009 at 4:36 pm
A number of manufacturers are preparing ARM-based smartbooks based on Snapdragon and Tegra processors to launch during the fourth quarter according to Taiwanese industry sources. Smartbooks are expected from the likes of netbook heavyweights such as Asus and Acer along with Mobinnova, Inventec and ODMs such as Foxconn, Pegatron and Compal.
These units will launch at a similar time to new netbooks using Intel’s next-gen Pineview processors. However, the smartbooks are likely to be cheaper and smaller devices than netbooks. They are also more likely to be sold through contracts from telecom providers rather than on a standalone basis. Read more
Packard Bell’s 11.6-inch dot m/a now shipping in UK
July 30, 2009 at 2:42 pm
The Packard Bell dot m/a is the European version of the Gateway LT3100 (LT3103u) that was released a month back in the US. Both companies are owned by Acer in case you were wondering. It seems that the 11.6-inch AMD-powered netbook is now available to buy from Tesco Direct for £349.00.
Packard Bell products have traditionally sold through the DSGI chains in the UK (Dixons, Currys and PC World), however it seems that under Acer’s guidance they will be increasing their distribution channels. As a result, the dot m/a will shortly be offered by Comet and Amazon as well. Read more
Acer on track to launch Android netbook in Q3 after all?
July 29, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Acer is still on track to launch its dual-booting Android netbook in the third quarter of this year according to a company representative. This follows yesterday’s news that Acer was postponing the Android netbook following expected weak demand for the device.
The Aspire One netbook will come with Google’s Android operating system, but Acer is expected to hedge their bets by dual-booting the netbook with Windows XP. The netbook will be based on an existing model and come with a 10-inch display and Intel Atom processor. Acer is working with a Taiwanese company called Insyde Software, who specialise in Linux, to port the Android OS to the Aspire One netbook with Atom CPU.
Via PC World.
Acer Aspire One D250 netbook to get 720p HD display
July 28, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Acer will launch a revision to its Aspire One D250 netbook that will sport a high-definition (1280 x 720) display as opposed to the 1024 x 600 resolution found on the current model. This will be the last revision of the D250 before it releases new models based on the Pine Trail platform early next year according to Fudzilla.
The rest of the specifications will remain the same and include a 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. The D250 is a reasonably lightweight (1.33kg) and thin model, coming with a 6-cell battery. The new revision is already available on pre-order from a retailer in Norway, it is scheduled to launch on 30 July 2009. There is no word on other regions for now.
No new Asus/Acer netbooks for H209; Acer’s dual-boot Android netbook postponed
July 28, 2009 at 11:12 am
Two of the biggest netbook manufacturers, Asustek and Acer, will not be releasing any new netbook models in the second half of 2009 according to Digitimes. Both companies will instead concentrate on its CULV-based ultra-thin line-up during H209. The move by Intel to delay the launch of its Pine Trail platform (including Pineview processor) to Q1 2010 is one of the reasons both companies new netbook models have been pushed back.
This does not extend to models already announced, therefore Asus will still be launching its Eee PC T91 and T101 touchscreen netbooks. The report also suggests that an Asus Android model will launch in the second half. However, previous reports suggested we would not see an Asus Android netbook until Q1 2010 at the earliest. The Eee PC T101 is expected to launch after the launch of Windows 7 (October 22nd).
Acer will let its 10-inch Aspire One model fly the flag for Acer in H209 and it continues to reduce netbook marketing budgets and R&D spend in this area. Acer did announce an Android netbook that would dual-boot with Windows XP. The report says that the launch of this model has been postponed from its pencilled-in August launch date due to weak demand. There was no mention as to when it would likely launch instead.
Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T pre-orders open in Germany
July 27, 2009 at 7:00 pm
The CULV-based Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T has only just been officially announced and it already appears to up for pre-order from a German retailer called Notebook.de for €499 including tax. Another 3G version is also listed that comes with 3GB RAM for €599. Delivery is next expected for another 2-3 weeks.
The Timeline 1810T is an 11.6-inch model with 1366 x 768 LED backlit display. It comes with a 1.4GHz ULV processor, comes with GMA 4500MHD graphics and supports up to 4GB RAM. We didn’t have an idea on storage options before, but it seems that the base model will come with a 250GB HDD. We’ll come back to you with a UK price as soon as it pops up.
Acer Aspire One gets Broadcom HD Video Accelerator mod
July 27, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Trying to get high-definition video content playback is a no-go for most netbooks out there. Even the latest Intel GMA500 graphics included in the Poulsbo chipset has poor driver support, which means you’ll have to wait for ION-based netbooks to get some real HD goodness. However, Broadcom has an alternative with its Crystal HD Media Accelerator.
This PCI-E card enables “flawless playback of all internet steaming video” according to the company, along with support of 720p and 1080p (H.264) video content. It is currently included as an option with the HP Mini 110, although it hasn’t appeared on other netbooks thus far. Not wanting to wait, Terracode decided to mod their Acer Aspire One with the HD accelerator (BCM70012). Read more
Acer’s 11.6-inch Aspire Timeline 1810T gets official
July 25, 2009 at 9:50 am
Rumours have circled for a few months that Acer was planning to release an 11.6-inch CULV-based ultra-thin to sit alongside or replace the Aspire One 751 netbook. Earlier this month, macles gave us the first details of this device (the Aspire Timeline 1810T) and now we can report that this ultra-thin has its own official Acer product page.
The product page reaffirms the previous report in terms of specifications. The Aspire Timeline 1810T will come with an 11.6-inch LED backlit display with resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It will be powered by an ULV (ultra-low voltage) processor (1.4GHz Intel ULV SU3500), Intel GS45 chipset with GMA 4500MHD graphics. It will support up to 4GB RAM and come with various storage options. Read more
Gateway intros 10-inch LT2000 netbook
July 20, 2009 at 10:59 am
Gateway has officially announced its second netbook, the LT2000. This 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) netbook follows on from its 11.6-inch big brother the Gateway LT3100. You won’t find AMD internals in this netbook though, Gateway has reverted back to Intel, where you’ll find an Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM and a 160GB (5400RPM) hard-disk drive. The model is basically a rebranded Acer Aspire One D250.
Features include Wi-Fi (b/g), three USB ports, a 3-cell battery, card reader and webcam. The netbook weighs 1.2kg (2.62lbs). The model also supports some basic multi-touch gestures on its touchpad. So this appears to be your typical netbook then, nothing to get too excited by. Well apart from the price, which at $299.99 seems quite reasonable. The Gateway LT2000 is available now in NightSky Black (LT2001u) and Cherry Red (LT2021u). Check out some more pics after the break. Read more
Packard Bell dot m/a video overview
July 17, 2009 at 4:33 pm
The Packard Bell dot m/a is basically the European version of the Gateway LT3100 (LT3103u) that was released a few weeks back in the US. NetbookWereld managed to get hold of the dot m/a and shot a 10 minute video that goes through the product being unboxed along with its features too.
The Packard Bell dot m/a is an 11.6-inch netbook that comes with a high-resolution (1366 x 768) display and is powered by an AMD Athlon 64 L110 processor and comes with the ATI Radeon X1270 graphics chipset. It uses Vista Home Basic and also has three USB ports, a multi-touch touchpad and a 3-cell battery that should be good for 4 hours of battery life.
It is due to hit the UK this month in two colours (black and red) from July with pricing starting at £350. Check out the video after the jump. Read more
Acer launching dual-boot Android/XP netbook in August?
July 13, 2009 at 10:58 am
Acer will launch a dual-boot netbook with both Android and Windows XP in August 2009 according to a report from Digitimes. We previously heard that this netbook would be released in the third quarter, so the timing does make sense if true.
Don’t expect the netbook to be cheaper than XP-only models, as licensing fees for XP still need to be paid. Acer has already said that if there is enough demand, it will launch an Android-only model, which would drop the price by around $25.
The move is likely to benefit ODMs Quanta and Compal Electronics, who are both expected to share in the manufacturing of this model. In related news, both Asus and MSI have reaffirmed plans to launch Android netbooks although not until 2010 according to the report.
Netbook demand running out of steam? Vendors cautious over Atom N450 netbook sales
July 7, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Netbooks have seen explosive growth since they first launched onto the market around two years ago. It’s been one of the few technology segments where growth has been sustained during these tough economic times. Due to its success, it seems that everyone wants a slice of the pie. Because of this there has been huge competition in this space, albeit with a lot of ‘me-too’ products with similar specs and uninspiring designs.
Therefore, it is probably no surprise to learn that netbook demand in H1 2009 failed to live up to some manufacturers expectations. The result of this is unsold inventory and margin dilution due to high competition. Some of these vendors have already significantly reduced their netbook Research & Development expenses as well as lowering marketing budgets. Read more
Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T: 11.6-inch CULV-based ultrathin
July 7, 2009 at 1:19 pm
We heard rumours a month back that Acer was planning to launch an 11.6-inch CULV-based ultrathin device to sit alongside the 11.6-inch Aspire One 751 netbook. We now have some firm technical details and photos of this new device. macles has revealed that it will belong to the Timeline series of notebooks under the model name Aspire Timeline 1810T.
Looking at the pictures its exterior looks almost identical to the Aspire One 751. Apparently, it is based on the same chassis and has the same 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) glossy display. However, that’s where the similarities end, as internally this has a 1.4GHz Intel ULV SU3500 processor, GS45 chipset and GMA 4500MHD graphics. The graphic chipset should be capable of HD hardware acceleration. Read more
PC Pitstop’s survey rates MSI Wind U100 as most “loved netbook”
July 4, 2009 at 11:05 pm
PC Pitstop run an online diagnostic and tune-up service, which has been scanned onto millions of PCs. As part of this service, they also ask owners how satisfied they are with their PCs. According to the results, it seems that netbook owners are largely satisfied with their purchases.
They have compiled a top nine list of netbooks for user satisfaction, which is topped by the MSI Wind U100. The overall rating scale is measured out of four stars. The survey also asks whether the PC freezes, reboots and how fast they are. All top 9 machines fare very well in the survey, with even the ninth position scoring 3.03 stars.
Interestingly, the MSI Wind U-100, Asus Eee PC 1000HE, and Samsung NC10 are also among Pitstop’s top 10 for notebooks of all types. This suggest that many people don’t see them as substitutes for laptops and are happy with their performance. Check out the top nine most loved netbooks after the jump. Read more
Gateway’s 11.6-inch LT3103u netbook unboxed
July 1, 2009 at 7:04 pm
We have already seen a quick review of Gateway’s AMD-powered LT3103u netbook. However that was very short on pictures. This is where NetbookTech’s unboxing comes into play, where everything is shown from the packaging to the accessories. The pictures show just how glossy that lid is and also how considerate Gateway has been in providing access panels for the RAM, HDD and Wi-Fi module (much like the Acer Aspire One 751).
The battery does stick quite a way out of the back of the LT3103u, but that’s the price you pay for decent battery life. However, the tilt provided gives a more comfortable typing experience according to the report. I didn’t realise that this netbook comes with a chiclet keyboard, which I only noticed from the pictures. The Gateway LT3103u comes with an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display and also has discrete graphics in the form of an ATI Radeon X1270 GPU. Check out the full gallery of unboxing pictures over at Netbooktech.
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