Lenovo and Samsung prepping VIA VX900-powered HD netbooks?

VIA officially announced its VX900 multimedia chipset just a few weeks back and now we are starting to hear the first rumours over who will use it. According to DNAIndia, Lenovo and Samsung are both in a race to launch the first VX900-powered netbook and are targeting a launch for June this year.

“Three manufacturers have so far launched models sporting Congo are Lenovo, MSI and Asus while Lenovo and Samsung are expected to launch the first VX900-based netbooks by June this year,” reports DNAIndia. Read more

Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T hands-on

The Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T is set to be one of the most desirable 11.6-inch ultrathins released in a while. It comes with the Intel Core i5-520UM dual-core processor that has a 1.06GHz clock speed. The processor benefits from Turbo Boost technology, which means the clock speed can increase to 1.86GHz depending on usage.

Blogeee managed to get hands-on with the 1830T and judging by the pictures, it certainly looks the business. Apart from its slender frame, it comes with a textured lid than means fingerprint marks are a thing of the past. It also has a brushed metal palm rest and chiclet keyboard. Read more

JooJoo tablet is not vapourware, receives unboxing [Video]

It looks like the 12.1-inch capacitive JooJoo tablet is a reality after all. The first units are shipping to customers and Engadget managed to get hold of a retail model to unbox.

You can check out some of the unboxing pictures after the break, but they also have a video that walks through the UI. Engadget is promising a review next week, but until then you can check out the video below. Read more

Apple iPad Review Roundup [Video]

The Apple iPad launch is now imminent and right on cue a whole host of reviews have hit the web. Overall, the general consensus appeared to be quite positive, with hardly any all-out negative reviews. The iPad appears to be very well-suited to web browsing and performance was snappy thanks to its A4 chipset.

Interestingly, battery life was better than expected with most reviewers getting at least 9.5 hours (Apple quotes 10 hours) of runtime. The virtual keyboard had a mixed reception with some reviewers loving it and even preferring it to netbook keyboards. Check out a number of reviews after the break. Read more

PeeWee Power Laptop is a netbook for kids

PeeWee has been making software and hardware targeted at kids for a while now. Following on from their Pivot Tablet laptop that came with a touchscreen, the company has announced the Power Laptop that follows the basic netbook form-factor aimed at kids.

It has a 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) display and is powered by a 1.66GHz N450 Atom processor, Intel GMA3150 graphics, Windows XP and a 160GB HDD. Other features include a 1.3MP webcam, 6-cell battery along with PeeWee security software. Read more

Nvidia Tegra 2 suffering “serious issues” prompting Notion Ink delay

The Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset that was heavily shown off at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, mostly in numerous tablet devices, is suffering “some serious issues” relating to stability according to Slashgear. This is causing a delay in the production pipeline for many companies looking to incorporate the chip into their products.

Devices that were expected to hit the market in June 2010 have now been delayed to August at the earliest. This includes projects such as the much anticipated Notion Ink (delayed to Q4 2010) and Compal (delayed to mid-September) tablets. This can only be good news for the Apple iPad that will have the market to itself for even longer.

Fujitsu LifeBook MH330: Value 10-inch Pine Trail netbook

Fujitsu is set to launch a budget 10.1-inch Pine Trail with typical specs but with a lightweight chassis weighing 1.1kg measuring an inch (24.5mm) in thickness. The MH330 has a 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) display powered by a 1.66GHz N450 Atom processor, 250GB HDD and comes with the latest wireless standards including Wi-Fi (b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1.

Other features include a spill resistant keyboard, 5-in-1 card slot and a webcam. Battery life probably won’t be great given the inclusion of a three-cell battery. The netbook will cost S$699 (US$499.68) when it hits Asia in April.

Via Crave Asia.

Dell and HP moving focus away from 10-inch netbooks?

Dell and Hewlett-Packard (HP) are significantly reducing their investment in the production of 10-inch netbooks according to sources at Digitimes. The reason behind is this is supposed lower than expected profits from the current Intel Pine Trail netbooks.

The report goes on to say that HP may quit the 10-inch netbook segment altogether and instead focus on 11.6-inch AMD-powered netbooks. The competitiveness in this segment is one of the reasons why there has been a slow take-up of smartbook devices by vendors. I find it hard to believe that both companies would want to move away from 10” netbooks given their success in this segment, but stranger things have happened.

Update: Electronista is reporting that the Dell Mini 10 is “not going anywhere,” according to a spokesperson.

Acer Aspire One D260: Android Pine Trail netbook in the works

Acer is preparing to launch a Pine Trail update to last years Aspire One D250 dual-booting netbook. The AAO D260 will also dual-boot Android with Windows. Little other details are known right now, although Acer’s mobile product manager, Martino Mombrini, apparently revealed that the chassis will be getting a redesign.

Mombrini also confirmed that Acer will be launching a Google Chrome OS netbook during Q3 and that they are working closely “with the guys at Google”. We’ll keep you posted on any further details.

Via Electric Pig.

Concept netbook design with fold-out keyboard

We’ve covered a number of concept netbook designs in the past and here’s another. This one is designed by Yang Yongchang. The iweb 2.0 is a small device with tiny screen that features a full-width keyboard that folds out either side.

It also borrows the trackpoint normally found on Thinkpad laptops along with a pencil-thin touchpad. The iweb concept features a 6.5-inch capacitive multi-touch display. It could be a while before we see anything like this in production, but in the mean time you can gaze over some concept pictures after the jump. Read more

Asus Eee PC 1008P-KR gets matching designer bag & mouse

The Asus Eee PC 1008P-KR, Karim Rashid-designed netbook, certainly is a looker. The skinny netbook appears to have been designed with women in mine and if there was any doubt of this, then you need to check out some newly released accessories.

The netbook is available in two colours, “Hot Pink” and “Coffee Brown” and a matching case and mouse have been designed in each colour to go with the netbook. Pricing and availability for these accessories are unknown right now, but we’ll come back with any further details.

Via NetbookReviews.net.

Thanks Matt!

Asus prepping Google and Windows tablet devices

The Apple iPad is set to launch officially later this week, perhaps changing the perception of tablet devices forever more. It’s no surprise that a number of manufacturers will jump onto the tablet bandwagon later this year. One of them is Asus that is set to launch “at least two” tablet devices in the coming months, most likely at Computex in Japan.

“Netbooks are the best combination of personal computing and cloud computing,” said Jonney Shih, chairman of Asus. “But between netbooks and smartphones and e-readers, we think there will be a space for something like a tablet or slate PC.” Read more

Asus Eee PC 1001PX netbook product page live

The Asus Eee PC 1001PX netbook is very similar in most respects to the 1001P, however there are a few key differences. It has a 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) matte display as opposed to glossy, has options for Windows 7 Starter along with Bluetooth 2.1 and either a 160GB/250GB HDD (the 1001P comes with 160GB HDD only).

It’s not all positive though as it only has two USB ports, as opposed to three on the 1001P along with 1 audio socket (2 on the 1001P). Battery life is also quoted at 9 hours compared to 11 hours for the 1001P. Pricing and availability are unclear right now.

Via EeePC.it.

Amazon offers exclusive Asus Eee PC 1005PE with matte lid

Amazon.com is currently selling an exclusive version of the Eee PC 1005PE (1005PE-PU27) that comes with a Soft-Touch black matte lid. The new material is soft and smooth to the touch that Asus says is a “pleasant tactile experience”.

We’re not a fan of glossy lids here at NbC, in some ways they are worse than glossy displays in that they can make even a new netbook look very old once covered with fingerprint marks. The new model is now shipping in the US for $354.22.

Via NetbookReviews.net.

Sharp IS01: 5-inch Android clamshell smartbook

Sharp is prepping the IS01 Android smartbook in Japan that will be offered by Japan’s number mobile carrier called KDDI. The 5-inch clamshell device will be powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, Android 1.6 and seems more akin to a smartphone rather than a smartbook in the traditional sense.

The 5-inch capacitive display has a 960 x 480 resolution and comes with a QWERTY keyboard, 5MP camera, Wi-Fi (b/g), Bluetooth 2.1 and 4GB of storage. The Sharp IS01 will ship in Japan at the beginning of June and so far it’s not known if it will appear in other regions. Click through for the specs. Read more

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