Acer announces Aspire One D250 netbook with Windows 7
October 13, 2009 at 9:02 am
Acer has announced a new Aspire One netbook that will launch with Windows 7 next week. Acer is launching an updated version of the Aspire One D250 that includes some hardware improvements. The D250 will have a 10.1-inch display with high-resolution (1280 x 720) display.
The Windows 7 Aspire One D250 will be powered by a 1.66GHz N280 Atom processor, 2GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. It will come with the entry level Windows 7 Starter Edition. Battery life will be 3.5 hours on the standard battery but is extended to 7.5 hours on the (optional) higher-capacity battery.
Only details for the Japanese market have been announced right now, where it will launch on October 22nd for ¥46,800 (£330, $520, €352). I would imagine details for European, US markets should be out before the launch of Windows 7.
Via Akihabara News.
Dell Mini 9 mod converts netbook to slate tablet
October 12, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Windows 7 is expected to herald a new dawn for touchscreen PC devices, mainly due to its in-built touch functionality (as long as you’re running Home Premium or higher). MyDellMini member Rob928 wanted to join in on the action and decided to mod his Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook to convert it into a touchscreen slate tablet.
This certainly looks like a complex mod involving removing the lid and trimming the hinges. A solder-less touchscreen kit was used for the finished result. Whilst the modder got the tablet to work with Windows 7, it is subject to heat build-up (40-50 degrees) as much of the heat is normally vented through the keyboard. Some pictures of his work in progress can be found here.
Via GadgetMix.
Asus intros Eee PC 1000HT value netbook in Japan
October 12, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Asus has released a budget netbook in Japan that looks like trimmed down Asus Eee PC 1000HE. The Eee PC 1000HT appears to share similar styling to the 1000HE but isn’t as well specified.
The 1000HT comes with a 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor, 0.3MP webcam, Wi-Fi (b/g) and a lower capacity 6-cell battery. Other features are the same, including a 1024×600 10.1-inch matte display, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD.
I would be surprised if this value netbook appears in Europe, especially as Asus were meant to be cutting down on their product offering. The 1000HT goes on sale on 17th October for 37,800 Yen.
Via Netbooked.
Asus Eee PC 1201N & 1201HA specs revealed?
October 11, 2009 at 9:23 pm
We have already come across the Eee PC 1201HA and 1201N netbooks from Asus. Whilst little was known on these 12.1-inch models at the time, some more information has been revealed by EeePC.it. A tipster has unveiled both a technical spec sheet on each model as well as some (what look like) official photos.
The Eee PC 1201N looks like the higher-end model, powered by a dual-core 1.6GHz Atom 330 processor and Nvidia ION. It is also expected to come with 3GB RAM, a 320GB HDD and HDMI-out. The Eee PC 1201HA will have more modest specs. It is expected to come with a 1.33GHz Z520 Atom CPU, 2GB RAM and a 250GB HDD. Read more
HP Mini 311 to get revised specs for Windows 7 release
October 11, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system will be released in a matter of weeks now. Some manufacturers are planning to re-release existing netbooks with Windows 7 and as the hardware limits are different to that of XP, it looks like most will get revised specs too.
The ION LE-powered HP Mini 311 (or Compaq Mini 311c if you’re in Europe) is also to get a Windows 7 SKU and myHPMini managed to get hold of the revised spec list.
This includes full ION (rather than ION LE), different storage options (including 80GB SSD or 250GB/320GB HDD) and a maximum of 3GB RAM. It will also run on either Windows 7 Starter, Home Premium or Professional (32-bit) operating systems. It will be interesting to see how these options push up the price on release though.
Via Netbooked.
Lenovo’s 11.6-inch Ideapad U150 manual unveiled
October 10, 2009 at 4:30 pm
The CULV-based Lenovo Ideapad U150 made a quiet appearance at CEATEC 2009 earlier in the week. Despite the low-key unveiling, the 11.6-inch U150’s manual has already made an appearance online.
Strangely, the manual references two display sizes (11.6” or 11.1”) for the Ideapad U150. I’ve not heard of this before, maybe Lenovo are planning different displays for different regions? The U150 will also have 3/6-cell battery options and options for 3G, WiMAX and SSDs.
Apart from that, the specifications have also been fleshed out. The touchpad will support multi-touch gestures and interestingly there’ll also be an eSATA/USB combi port. Check out the specs and a hands-on video from Engadget after the jump. Read more
Samsung N130 now on sale in United States
October 9, 2009 at 9:20 pm
The Samsung N130 10-inch netbook has already been on sale for a while in the UK. However, it is only just appearing in the US. Amazon.com
The N130 is a pretty normal netbook and has a 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) display, 1.6GHz N270 Atom and GMA 950 graphics. It also comes with 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. Other features include a 0.3MP webcam, Wi-Fi (Draft-N) and 6-cell (4000mAh) battery. There’s no sign of the Samsung N140 right now, but it is expected to appear later this month. The N140 is similar to the N130, but has a higher capacity battery and stereo speakers.
Via Netbooked.
Kinpo’s 11.6-inch N03V netbook gets video unboxing
October 9, 2009 at 8:14 pm
The 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
Q209 netbook revenue growth up 264% year-on-year
October 9, 2009 at 8:38 am
Netbook growth is continuing unabated according to a new report from research specialists DisplaySearch. During the second quarter of 2009, netbook revenue grew by 264 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) and an impressive 37 percent quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q).
The netbook segment is becoming a ever-growing segment of portable PC shipments and revenues. During Q209, netbooks accounted for 22.2 percent of shipments and 11.7 percent of revenues. DisplaySearch is expecting these trends to continue into 2010 albeit at slightly lower market shares. It expects netbooks to account for 21.5 percent of portable PC shipment volume and 10.9% of total revenue. Read more
Nokia Booklet 3G gets hands-on impressions [Video]
October 8, 2009 at 7:56 pm
We 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
The 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
The 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
Some 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.
HP Mini 311 reviewed – close to 6 hrs battery life
October 7, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Following on from the HP Mini 311 benchmarks that appeared yesterday, Laptop Mag has released its review of the ION-powered netbook. Overall, it scored highly, earning a coveted ‘Editors Choice’ award. Whilst we’d already seen that performance was way ahead than your traditional netbook, we didn’t know how much of a hit this took on battery life.
Luckily, battery life wasn’t compromised. In their tests, they managed to get a very respectable 5 hours and 46 minutes out of the 6-cell battery. Combine this with a reasonable $399 price point, and sleek chassis, it seems that HP are onto a winner with the Mini 311. Check out the key review points after the break. Read more
Acer Aspire Timeline 1820P: 11.6” multi-touch display
October 7, 2009 at 10:20 am
Following on from yesterday’s news regarding the Gateway EC18T, an 11.6-inch convertible netbook, I was waiting to see how long it would be before an Acer equivalent crops up. After all, Gateway is owned by Acer. Lo and behold, macles has revealed the Acer Aspire Timeline 1820P convertible tablet.
Given the similarities in model number to the 11.6-inch Aspire 1810T (or 1410 as it’s known in some regions), don’t expect the technical hardware to differ. Apparently the port layout, components and technical specifications are all the same. The main difference is that the 1820P will be multi-touch enabled (I’m guessing therefore a capacitive screen?)
The tablet mechanism does mean that the 1820P is around 300g heavier than the 1810T. It will ship with Windows 7, so hopefully we should see a release by the end of the year. Check out some larger pictures after the break. Read more
Recent Comments