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Toshiba NB200 netbook gets Windows 7 refresh

October 15, 2009 at 9:21 am

Toshiba NB200 netbook gets Windows 7 refreshThe Toshiba NB200 will be getting a Windows 7 update on October 22nd. It will arrive with Windows 7 Starter Edition and either 160GB or 250GB storage. Other specifications remain the same.

It will be available in five colours including Sable Brown, Frost White, Indigo Blue, Posh Pink and Onyx Black. Prices start from $399.99. We’re still waiting to see UK launch details for the refresh, although there’s not too long to wait now.

Haleron announces dual-core Swordfish Net 20 netbook

October 15, 2009 at 9:11 am

Swordfish Net 20If the name Haleron Technologies sounds familiar, then that’s because you’ve probably heard of their dual CPU socket netbook, the Net 102 that was announced a while back. The company has followed this up with a 10.2-inch netbook running the dual-core Atom 330 processor, normally found in nettops.

The company claims that the Net 20 comes with a 6-cell battery that should be good for 6.5 hours of battery use. Other features include 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD (250GB optional), 5-in-1 card reader, 1.3MP webcam and three USB ports.

The company will be shipping the netbook from 1st December. The company encourages you to order directly from their site for $499, but we’d exhibit caution and wait for it to hit your favourite retailer (if it ever does!) Check out a spec list after the break. Read more

Mobinnova Beam: Tegra-powered smartbook to launch in January

October 14, 2009 at 8:16 pm

Mobinnova BeamThe Mobinnova élan smartbook, which debuted at Computex in June this year, has undergone a name change. The 8.9-inch Nvidia Tegra-based smartbook will now be known as the Mobinnova Beam according to Laptop Mag.

From what we can tell there are no new hardware revisions. The Mobinnova Beam is still expected to play 720p HD video content and have a long battery life (5-10 hours depending on activity). This is all wrapped up in a chassis weighing just 836g and measuring 20.5mm in thickness.

The device is expected to run the Windows CE operating system and be sold similarly to current subsidized netbooks on the market. The device was expected to ship by the end of this year, but that date has slipped. Launch pricing as well as the carrier is expected to be revealed in January 2010 at the CES trade show. One of the pricing plans is expected to be $60/month although there are no details on length of contract or any upfront fees. We’ll bring you more news as we have it.

Nokia Booklet 3G netbook gets US launch details

October 13, 2009 at 8:15 pm

Nokia Booklet 3GNokia has teamed up with AT&T to sell the Booklet 3G netbook for an upfront cost of $299 as long as you sign up for a two-year data contract costing $60 per month (5GB data). As with most other carriers offering netbooks on contracts, the lifetime cost is not cheap. The contract itself will cost $1,440 over those two years and that’s before adding the upfront cost of $299. However, AT&T has promised that other pricing options will also be available soon.

If you want to go it alone, then the Nokia Booklet 3G can be bought for the unsubsidised price of $599, exclusively (in retail) through Best Buy stores. Nokia once again emphasized a “true 12 hour” battery, but this is based on Mobile Mark ‘07, which doesn’t use wireless activity in its tests. Therefore, I’d take that number with a pinch of salt. It will launch in the US with Windows 7 on October 22nd.

The Nokia Booklet 3G has a 10.1-inch (1280 x 720) display, measures just 20mm thick and is powered by a 1.6GHz Z530 Atom CPU. Other features include Bluetooth, HDMI-out and a 1.3MP webcam.

Fujitsu announces FMV LOOX C 11.6-inch ultra-thin

October 13, 2009 at 8:06 pm

Fujitsu FMV LOOX CAnother manufacturer has jumped onto the CULV-powered ultra-thin segment. Fujitsu has announced the 11.6-inch FMV LOOX C that is powered by either a dual-core 1.2GHz Intel SU2300 or 1.4GHz Intel SU9400 processor. This comes with the Intel GS45 chipset and GMA 4500MHD graphics.

As with all other netbooks/ultra-thins with 11.6-inch displays, the LOOX C will have a 1366 x 768 resolution screen. In terms of battery, the entry level FMV LOOX C/E50 battery should last 6.2 hours, whilst the FMV LOOX C/E70 is quoted at 9.2 hours.

Other features include 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi (Draft-N), card reader and three USB ports. No HDMI out I’m afraid. The C/E50 will launch in Japan on October 27th for 80,000 Yen (£561, $892, €601), with the C/E70 hitting retail two days later for 100,000 Yen (£702, $1115, €751). Certainly not cheap then, there’s no word on whether these models will be launching outside Japan for now.

Via Akihabara News.

Kinpo’s 11.6-inch N03V netbook gets video unboxing

October 9, 2009 at 8:14 pm

Kinpo N03VThe Kinpo N03V netbook is currently on sale in Taiwan, bundled with a two-year 3G contract. The netbook has an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display and is powered by a 1.3GHz VIA Nano (U2250) processor and VIA VX800 chipset. It comes with a 160GB HDD and supports up to 2GB RAM.

Other features include a 1.3MP webcam, three USB ports, audio jacks and a card reader. NetbookNews managed to go hands-on with the device and found that the keyboard was comfortable and a good-sized touchpad. Components (HDD, RAM) are easy to upgrade, however, the 2-cell (4000mAh) battery only lasts for two and a half hours when using 3G. Check out their unboxing video after the break. Read more

Nokia Booklet 3G gets hands-on impressions [Video]

October 8, 2009 at 7:56 pm

ia Booklet 3GWe expect the Nokia Booklet 3G netbook to be available in a matter of weeks, if yesterday’s news (that it will hit O2 Germany on October 22nd) is anything to go by. There has not been too many previews of the device, but Laptop Mag managed to spend some quality time with the Booklet and have given their initial impressions.

The design wins points for a number of reasons. Firstly, the aluminum construction, all from one piece of metal, adds to the premium feel of the netbook. However, despite its slim profile (19.9mm thin) it felt heavier than it looks. The glossy lid is also a fingerprint magnet. Secondly, the flush glass display is very attractive. The 10-inch screen has a 720p resolution.

Less love was given to the chiclet keyboard, which felt a bit cramped despite a sturdy feel. The touchpad has low friction but has no gesture support. The mouse buttons are also easy to press. Another welcome addition is the hot-swappable sim-card slot. Check out a hands-on video after the break. Read more

Sony UK announces 2.0GHz Vaio P with Windows 7

October 8, 2009 at 7:50 pm

Sony Vaio PThe Sony Vaio P continues to be a mainstay in Sony’s product catalogue, sitting somewhere between the Vaio W netbook and premium 11.1” Vaio X ultraportable that was officially announced this morning.

Three new Sony Vaio P configurations have popped up onto the Sony UK site, with the top-end model (VGN-P39VL/Q) sporting a 2.0GHz Z550 Atom processor, 128GB SSD and Windows 7 Professional.

The other two (VGN-P31ZK/R & VGN-P31ZK/Q) models come with a 1.86Ghz Z540 Atom CPU, 80GB SSD and Windows 7 Home Premium. Pricing hasn’t been revealed, but hopefully we’ll find out close to the launch of Windows 7.

Via Engadget.

Sony Vaio X gets official: Atom internals & $1,299 price

October 8, 2009 at 8:53 am

Sony Vaio XThe truly desirable 11.1-inch Vaio X has now been officially announced by Sony. The waters are increasingly being muddied as to what defines a netbook or notebook, but Sony refers to it as the “world’s lightest notebook”. Not a surprise since they don’t even refer to the Sony Vaio W as a netbook.

The Vaio X is due to come in a number of hardware options. The most powerful option includes a 2.0GHz Z550 Intel Atom processor, although 1.6GHz Z530 & 1.86GHz Z540 options are also expected. Storage will be catered for by 64GB/128GB SSDs. Windows 7 options include Home Premium & Professional. Read more

Nokia Booklet 3G hits O2 Germany on October 22nd

October 7, 2009 at 8:20 pm

Nokia Booklet 3GSome of the first official details regarding pricing for the Nokia Booklet 3G has been released. The Booklet 3G netbook will be available on contract for O2 customers in Germany from October 22nd.

The netbook will be available for €249 on a €20 per month tariff over 24 months. Apparently there will also be a flat rate tariff of €25 per month, but it’s not made clear whether you need to pay an upfront payment for this contract. Details on pricing in other markets are expected shortly.

The Nokia Booklet 3G will come with Windows 7, has a 10.1-inch (1280 x 720) display, measures just 20mm thick and is powered by a 1.6GHz Z530 Atom CPU. It will also come with a 16-cell battery that should last for 12 hours. Other features include Bluetooth, HDMI-out and a 1.3MP webcam.

Via Engadget.

Kohjinsha intros dual-screen netbook concept [Video]

October 6, 2009 at 8:05 pm

Kohjinsha dual-screen netbook conceptKohjinsha has shown off a very unique netbook at CEATEC 09. The prototype device includes two 10.1-inch LCD displays, one behind the other that slides out to sit side-by-side with each other. The displays can output at either 1024 x 600 or 1366 x 768 resolution.

The hardware is driven by a 1.6GHz AMD Athlon NeoMv-40 processor, a maximum of 4GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. Other features include Bluetooth 2.1, fingerprint scanner, TV Tuner and it will run on Windows 7 Home Premium. I wouldn’t like to think what the battery life on such a device would be, especially considering the juice required to power two 10-inch displays.

At its thickest point, the device measures 1.7-inches and just 0.75-inches at its thinnest. Not bad considering the dual displays. So far, there are no firm details on whether this concept will become a reality. Engadget has a video hands-on of the netbook, which we’ve attached after the break. Read more

Gateway EC18T: 11.6-inch convertible tablet leaked

October 6, 2009 at 7:58 pm

Gateway EC18TIt looks like that Gateway may be prepping its own answer to some of the convertible netbooks we’ve seen recently including the Gigabyte T1028 and Asus Eee PC T91. The Gateway EC18T is an 11.6-inch convertible tablet that will run Windows 7 Basic or Home Premium.

A tipster has leaked quite a few official-looking photos of this new device to Engadget. Other specifications that the EC18T is rumoured to have includes an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM and the Intel GS45 Express graphics chipset.

Other things revealed by the pictures include what looks like a HDMI port and a stylus holder built into the screen bevel rather than the chassis. There are no details on availability or pricing right now, but hopefully more news is around the corner. Check out some more pictures after the break. Read more

Yones X11A 11.1-inch netbook gets video hands-on

October 2, 2009 at 11:59 pm

Yones X11AIf the X11A from Yones Technology sounds familiar, than that’s because it is basically the same 11.1-inch netbook as the Olevia X11A that we’ve reported on previously. Sascha from NetbookNews went hands-on with Yones’ take on the X11A.

As before it comes with a high-resolution (1366 x 768) display, powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom and 945GSE chipset. Where it differs is a unique imprint on the lid and palm rests. Other features include chiclet keyboard, three USB ports card reader and a couple of audio jacks. Check out the video after the break. Read more

Nokia Booklet 3G hitting Best Buy stores for $600?

October 2, 2009 at 9:26 pm

Nokia Booklet 3GYesterday we brought you the news that the Nokia Booklet 3G netbook is set to launch exclusively through Best Buy stores when it lands in the United States. What wasn’t known, however, was the price. The guys over at PhoneArena managed to get hold of a screen-grab that shows a possible $599.99 price point from the Best Buy inventory system.

Whilst, some may argue that this price is too high for a netbook, I can’t understand how it could be priced so cheap, when considering the European pricing. Recently, the Booklet 3G hit the Italian Nokia Store for pre-order at €699. If that price is indeed correct, then how can Nokia be selling it for such a discount in the US? Hopefully, some official information should come out shortly that clarifies pricing for all. Read more

Best Buy gets Nokia Booklet 3G US exclusive

October 1, 2009 at 10:54 am

Nokia Booklet 3G Best Buy will be the exclusive retailer for the Nokia’s first netbook, the Booklet 3G when it launches in the US later this year. The news was confirmed at a Best Buy holiday gift guide event yesterday. The netbook will also be available directly from Nokia themselves. No pricing or availability has been announced thus far.

The Nokia Booklet 3G will come with Windows 7, has a 10.1-inch (1280 x 720) display, measures just 20mm thick and is powered by a 1.6GHz Z530 Atom CPU. It will also come with a 16-cell battery that should last for 12 hours. Other features include HDMI-out and a 1.3MP webcam.

Via Crunchgear.

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