Freescale unveils $200 7-inch smartbook tablet reference design
January 4, 2010 at 11:36 am
We expect to see a whole raft of smartbook devices at CES this week. Right on cue, Freescale has revealed a 7-inch (1024 x 600) tablet reference design that it is shopping to potential OEMs. The company hopes that its tablet design would be able to hit retail for less than $200 and could appear as soon as Summer 2010.
As with all smartbooks, the tablet is expected to be always-on and have an all-day battery life. In terms of specifics, the smartbook tablet is based on the i.MX515 processor, which incorporates the ARM Cortex A8 chip. It will also come with 512MB RAM and 4-64 GB of flash storage. Read more
Gateway LT2102H / LT2107H: 10.1” Pine Trail netbooks hit Canada
January 3, 2010 at 11:35 am
Gateway has launched a couple of new Intel Pine Trail netbooks in Canada called the LT2102H & LT2107H. The new models look similar to the Acer Aspire One 532h that was officially announced just a few days ago. The LT2100 series comes with 1.66GHz N450 Pineview Atom, 1GB RAM, a 160GB HDD and Windows 7 Starter.
Other features include a 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) display, Wi-Fi (b/g/n), card reader, three USB ports, webcam and a multi-touch touchpad. The Gateway LT2102H has a 3-cell 2200mAh battery. (4 hours of battery life) and is listed in stock for C$299.99 (£176, $285, €198). The Gateway LT2107H has a 6-cell battery 4400mAh battery (8 hours of battery life and is listed for C$349.99.
NbC: Toshiba Mini NB200 Review
December 31, 2009 at 10:49 am
Toshiba hit a home run with the Mini NB200, its first 10-inch netbook, winning rave reviews since launch. The NB200 follows on from its 8.9-inch NB100 and the company certainly upped the game in terms of marrying desirability, portability and endurance.
The Toshiba NB200 exists in various configurations. We tested the NB200-10Z, one of the higher end SKUs that comes with a 1.66GHz N280 Atom processor, chiclet keyboard, Bluetooth, Windows XP and a quoted 9 hours battery life. Read our full review and decide for yourself whether the Toshiba NB200 lives up to the hype. Read more
Toshiba NB300 / NB305 netbook specifications emerge
December 31, 2009 at 10:07 am
Toshiba is looking to release its second 10-inch netbook in the form of the NB300 (or NB305 if you’re in the US), following the well-received NB200. The Toshiba NB300 has already passed through the FCC and now its appearance at a few retailers gives a hint on what specifications to expect.
Two product numbers have cropped up, the NB300-100 and NB300-106. The Toshiba NB300-100 even has a placeholder page on the official European site. As expected, the NB300 will come with Intel’s Pine Trail platform (1.66GHz N450 Atom Pineview processor and GMA 3150 graphics), 1GB RAM, 250GB HDD.
Other features include Wi-Fi (b/g/n), three USB ports and card reader. Bluetooth inclusion is unclear right now but may appear on more premium models. The NB300-106 is expected to have a larger capacity battery, capable of an 11 hour run time.
Via NetbookNews.de.
NorhTec’s AA battery-powered Gecko Edubook hands-on [Video]
December 29, 2009 at 2:55 pm
The NorhTec Gecko Edubook is an 8.9-inch netbook that runs entirely on eight rechargeable AA batteries. Brad from Liliputing has some hands-on impressions of this interesting netbook. It is powered by a 1GHz Xcore86 processor that uses just 1.2W of power, indeed the whole netbook uses just 6.5W of power.
The Edubook has an 8.9-inch (1024 x 600) display and is a fanless device that can be run on either Windows or Linux. It comes with 512MB RAM and a 8GB flash drive. Other features include a card reader, three USB ports, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and a couple of audio jacks. The Gecko Edubook is designed for the educational market (hence the use of AA batteries) and is available for $199.95. You can check out a hands-on and unboxing video after the break. Read more
Twenty companies to release smartbooks from Q1 2010
December 28, 2009 at 9:24 pm
We have been waiting for the smartbook revolution to take hold for some time now. Well it looks like it will kick off in earnest from the first quarter of next year. According to President Kim Yung-sup of ARM Korea, “20 companies in the world are preparing for release of smart book. And we will see them from 1Q.”
He went on to say: “Already one company finished development and is considering time of release. Considering local market which is led by window OS, smart book market will be led by overseas.”
We expect to see the first details of the smartbook rollout at CES 2010, which is kicking off in a few weeks time. We are very much looking forward to seeing exactly what’s on offer.
Via etnews.
Google’s Chrome OS netbook specifications leaked?
December 28, 2009 at 9:06 pm
We’d park this news firmly in rumour territory for now, but IBTimes is reporting that the Google-branded Chrome OS netbook specifications “are out.” It’s unclear whether they have a definitive list of what is under the hood or whether they are speculating, but they point to a high-end device that’s certainly not going to be cheap.
The Google netbook (or perhaps smartbook is more apt here) will be armed with an Nvidia Tegra chipset (ARM processor and Nvidia graphics), 2GB RAM and a 64GB SSD. It will also sport a 10.1-inch multi-touch display, webcam, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and card reader. Let’s see if this comes to pass, but judging by the language of the article, I’d guess it’s pure speculation on their part.
Via NetbookNews.de.
Gateway EC18T (Acer Aspire 1420P) passes through FCC
December 28, 2009 at 7:46 pm
The 11.6-inch Gateway EC18T convertible netbook has passed through the FCC. We’ve already seen a whole gallery of photos of the EC18T but this news is likely to mean a US release is just around the corner. The model just looks like a rebranded Acer Aspire 1420P or Packard Bell Butterfly Touch, not surprising since both Gateway and Packard Bell are subsidiaries of Acer.
The Gateway EC18T convertible tablet will be powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz SU2300 processor, 4GB RAM (8GB supported) and a 250GB/320GB or 500GB hard drive. It will have HDMI, three USB ports and a battery that will last for 8 hours.
Via NewNetbookReviews.
Averatec HS-105 netbook looks the part, lacks Pine Trail
December 23, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Averatec has announced the HS-105 netbook. The model looks well designed with an attractive slender chassis, chiclet keyboard and what looks like a 10.1-inch matte display.
Given all of the newly announced Pine Trail netbooks over the last few days you may expect the Averatec HS-105 to follow suit. Instead the netbook is powered by current Atom power in the form of a 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor and Intel 945GSE chipset.
It will support up to 2GB RAM and come with either a 160GB or 250GB HDD. Other features include Wi-Fi (b/g/n) and a 1.3MP webcam. There’s no word on pricing or availability for now. Check out some larger pictures after the break. Read more
Packard Bell EasyNote Butterfly Touch Edition gets UK launch details
December 22, 2009 at 9:44 am
Packard Bell’s 11.6-inch convertible tablet, the EasyNote Butterfly Touch Edition, has been formally announced for the UK market. This model appears to the same as Acer’s 1420P / 1820PT / 1820PTZ models offering an 11.6” multi-touch (1366 x 768) display in a convertible tablet form factor.
The Butterfly Touch will be powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor and Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics. It will support up to 4GB RAM, 640GB HDD and will be running Windows 7 Home Premium. Other features include a HDMI port, Wi-Fi, 5-in-1 card reader, webcam and optional 3G & Bluetooth. The 6-cell battery should last for around eight hours. All of this is wrapped up in a package weighing around 1.6kg.
The Packard Bell EasyNote Butterfly Touch Edition will launch in February 2010 in the UK with prices starting at £499. It will be available in two colours, Cherry Red and Nightsky Black.
Fujitsu LifeBook MH380: 10″ HD Pine Trail netbook with scroll wheel
December 21, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Fujitsu has announced its first Intel Pine Trail powered netbook in the form of the LifeBook MH380. It is powered by a 1.66GHz N450 Pineview Atom processor and comes with a 10.1-inch HD (1366 x 768) display. The MH380 also supports up to 2GB RAM and comes with a 250GB HDD.
Other features include Wi-Fi (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1, card reader, a 1.3MP webcam and 6-cell battery. The LifeBook MH380 also has USB sharing software that allows the MH380 to act as a large USB storage unit to share files with another PC. Read more
Nokia Booklet 3G netbook gets pricey UK pre-order
December 18, 2009 at 11:28 pm
The Nokia Booklet 3G netbook is finally available to pre-order in the UK although it won’t come cheap. It’s already released in the US and parts of Europe and the high price has carried through to UK shores. It is available for pre-order on the Nokia store for £649.00, which thankfully includes shipping. It is due to ship in January 2010.
Back when the first details of the device came through, we opined that it is more likely to be closer to the £600 mark than the £500 mark quoted at the time. We called the £600 price point ridiculous so hearing that it will actually cost £650 causes disbelief. Read more
Google branded Chrome OS netbook on the horizon?
December 17, 2009 at 10:34 am
Whilst it is looking ever more likely that Google will be releasing its own branded Android smartphone called the Nexus One, it appears that they may be planning something similar for netbooks with Chrome OS.
According to TechCrunch sources, Google has “been talking to at least one hardware manufacturer about building a netbook for Google directly.” The idea is that these Chrome OS netbooks will be Google branded and would release in time for Christmas 2010. The netbooks (or smartbooks) will be mobile enabled and subsidized via wireless carriers. Read more
Entourage Edge dual-screen Android e-reader gets video hands-on
December 16, 2009 at 4:59 pm
The Entourage Edge is an interesting device that sports dual displays, one of them a 9.7-inch e-ink panel and the other a 10-inch TFT LCD. The Marvell-powered device is marketed as an e-reader, however its twin-display setup means its functionality can be much broader and I suspect used for some quasi netbook tasks.
Cnet’s Ina Fried spent some hands-on time with the Entourage Edge that runs on Android. You can move content between displays as well as launch apps from the desktop. However, the Edge is still a bit buggy and feels like a “first-generation product.” It’s expected to launch in February 2010 for $490. Check out the video after the jump. Read more
Packard Bell dot VR46 netbook gets Valentino Rossi theme
December 15, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Packard Bell is set to launch a new netbook that will celebrate the living legend that is Valentino Rossi, one of the most decorated motorcycle racers in history. There aren’t too many details on the Packard Bell dot VR46, but we do have some pictures to share.
The dot VR46 was created by Aldo Druidi to capture the spirit of nine-time World Champion Rossi. The design showcases his number 46 and the Sun and Moon graphic that adorns Rossi’s helmet. We still await the hardware spec, price and availability but we’ll keep you posted. Until then, feast your eyes on some more pictures of this beautiful device after the break. Read more
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