Alienware M11x getting Core i3 / i5 / i7 refresh in June
May 24, 2010 at 8:04 am
The 11.6-inch Alienware M11x gaming ultraportable behemoth will be getting an update next month that will include the latest Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors. Pearce Clune, Head of Dell’s Consumer Operations for Middle East, Africa and Turkey, revealed so in a video interview with Shuffle Magazine.
This will be welcome by many, however personally I hope the M11x also gets Nvidia Optimus technology at the same time. The inclusion of the intelligent GPU switching tech should mean a longer run time. We’ll keep you posted on developments, but in the mean time check out the video interview after the jump (the reveal is at 2:20). Read more
ExoPC Slate gets hands-on video
May 22, 2010 at 5:23 pm
The ExoPC Slate should be making an appearance at Computex Taipei in the next couple of weeks, however Blogue de Geek managed to get some hands-on time with a prototype. Overall impressions were positive with a quick boot-up and smooth video playback thanks to the Broadcom chip.
The 8.9-inch (1024 x 600) tablet features a 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor, 2GB RAM and Windows 7. It is expected to launch in early September with four configuration options (32GB WiFi, 32GB WiFi + 3G / GPS, 64GB WiFi and 64GB WiFi + 3G / GPS). Check out the video after the break. Read more
Acer Aspire One 360: 10-inch Atom netbook unveiled
May 22, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Acer has revealed a new 10.1-inch netbook called the Aspire One 360. It appears to be the Intel variant of the Aspire One 521. The name purposely hints at a 360 degree design, although I haven’t noticed any changes to the typical netbook design.
Specifications for the AAO 360 haven’t been revealed although we know it will come in four colours (Onyx Black, Think Pink, Moon Shadow and Cool Purple). There doesn’t appear to be any access panels and the battery panel is flush. Check out a promo video of the Aspire One 360 after the jump. Read more
Asus Eee PC 1005PR reviewed – Broadcom chip worth it?
May 22, 2010 at 3:56 pm
The Asus Eee PC 1005PR is like the 1005PE in most respects, however it differs by offering a high-resolution (1366 x 768) display and Broadcom Crystal HD media accelerator card. It is powered by a 1.66GHz N450 Atom processor and comes with 1GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Windows 7 Starter, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi (b/g/n), 0.3MP webcam and three USB ports.
LaptopMag has been putting 1005PR through its paces and found that the Broadcom chip wasn’t as convincing with HD video content as Nvidia ION is. With no real benefit from HD web video, it falls short of Nvidia’s dedicated graphics. Given some of the issues that many users are facing with the Broadcom chip (see Amazon comments here
HP Compaq Airlife 100 smartbook reviewed – work in progress
May 21, 2010 at 2:20 pm
The 10.1-inch Snapdragon-powered Compaq Airlife 100 smartbook is one of the first on the market. It comes with a resistive touchscreen display, the Android operating system, 512MB RAM and a 16GB flash drive.
Carrypad has just published the first review I’ve seen of this device. They loved some of the headline features of smartbooks generally including the always on 3G experience and long battery life (18 hours from mixed use). However, internet connectivity was patchy and there is no included Android Market that mars the experience. Software is one of the main negatives with the feeling that Android is too “immature in large-screen” scenarios. Click here for the full review.
HP says webOS netbooks not on horizon
May 21, 2010 at 10:04 am
When HP recently acquired Palm, there was talk that Palm’s webOS would be ported to a number of different devices including tablets and netbooks. However, it appears that at least the latter is not on the agenda for now.
Monty Wong, vice president of HP’s personal computing systems group has said that netbooks are too similar to desktop computers for it to provide a good fit with webOS. Wong also confirmed that the HP Slate will land before October, although it’s unclear if this is the original tablet featuring Windows 7 or a new version with webOS.
MSI demos ‘SketchBook’ netbook prototype
May 21, 2010 at 8:24 am
MSI has been showing off a new ‘SketchBook’ concept ahead of Computex Taipei at an event in Amsterdam. It can be thought of as a convertible netbook but instead of the screen swivelling it is the base that rotates. One side holds the keyboard, whilst the other has a full-sized tablet.
It is unknown whether MSI has plans to put this into production, but it certainly seems intriguing. Personally I’d be worried about damaging the tablet side when using it as a keyboard. We’ll hopefully hear more at Computex.
Via Engadget.
MSI prepping DDR3-enabled Wind U160DX netbook
May 20, 2010 at 8:44 pm
MSI is planning on launching an updated version of the stylish Wind U160 that will be armed with the DDR3 N455 Atom processor. The Wind U160DX will be the same in all other respects, coming with a 10-inch display and the same chic looks.
Intel has not formally announced its DDR3 1.6GHz N455 and 1.83GHz N475 Atom processors, however we may expect further details at Computex in a couple of weeks time. One of the benefits of the new chip was increased power efficiency. MSI claims that the Wind U160DX should be good for 15 hours of runtime. No word on availability or pricing for now.
Via NewGadgets.de.
Acer Aspire Timeline 1825PT, 1825PTZ launched in UK
May 20, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Acer has announced that the 11.6-inch Aspire Timeline 1825PT and 1825PTZ convertible netbooks should now be available in the UK. We’ve heard plenty about these models already, but we now know that the 1825PTZ will hit UK retail at a £599.99 price point and the 1825PT will cost £699.99.
The AS1825PT offers the SU7300 Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB RAM and 320GB HDD for the £100 extra. This compares to the SU4100 processor, 3GB RAM and 250GB HDD on the AS1825PTZ. Both models come with an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) capacitive display, Windows 7 Home Premium, HDMI, Wi-Fi (b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1 and a 5-in-1-card reader.
HP Compaq Airlife 100 smartbook unboxed [Video]
May 18, 2010 at 6:57 pm
The Compaq Airlife 100 smartbook is only available in Spain right now, but that hasn’t stopped Carrypad getting hold of one device to unbox and test. The 1GHz Snapdragon powered Airlife sports a lighter chassis compared to first-gen touchscreen netbooks as well as benefiting from a longer battery life.
The 10.1-inch Airlife 100 comes with the Android operating system, 512MB RAM and a 16GB flash drive. The touchscreen display is resistive rather than capacitive but comes with a matte finish. The OS has been tweaked to easily work with the touchpad as well as touchscreen. You can check out the unboxing video after the jump. Read more
Packard Bell EasyNote Butterfly Touch reviewed
May 18, 2010 at 6:57 pm
The last we heard of the 11.6-inch Packard Bell EasyNote Butterfly Touch convertible netbook was back in December when we reported of a planned UK launch in Feb 2010. Well that date has come and passed and I’ve still not seen it hit UK retail. Despite this, TrustedReviews has come up with a review of the device that may signal it’s about to hit the streets.
The Butterfly Touch is similar to Acer’s 1420P / 1820PT / 1820PTZ models and has an 11.6” multi-touch (1366 x 768) display, powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor and Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics. TrustedReviews found it to be a very capable convertible netbook offering excellent battery life (452 minutes in MobileMark 2007), good build quality, a well packaged software bundle and a reasonable price point (£499). Seems like it’s worth checking out, although you may want to hit TrustedReviews for the full lowdown before you purchase.
Asus’ dual-core ION 2 Eee PC 1215N netbook benched & snapped
May 18, 2010 at 10:12 am
Asus’ upcoming 12-inch flagship netbook, the Eee PC 1215N, is set to include a dual-core Pine Trail processor, next-generation ION as well as Nvidia Optimus technology. We knew that much already, but now NetbookNews has managed to get hold of a pre-production sample and spilled the beans on additional specs, benchmarks as well as a good look at the unit itself.
The Eee PC 1215N tested came with the 1.66GHz dual-core D510 Pine Trail processor that is normally found in nettops. It was initially thought that the netbook would come with the upcoming 1.5GHz N550 dual-core processor that would have had greater power efficiency, but maybe Asus have decided against waiting for the new chip. Read more
Acer confirms “no short-term plans” for Chrome OS netbook
May 18, 2010 at 8:17 am
In a somewhat unusual move, Acer released a statement refuting recent rumours that it plans to showcase a Chrome OS netbook at the upcoming Computex show in Taipei. Whilst the company believes that Google’s new operating system is an “exciting product announcement”, it says it has “no short-term plans for such a product.”
There have been a number of rumours that Acer will be launching a Chrome OS netbook, along with suggestions that it wanted to be the first company out of the block with a Chrome OS device. The timing of the statement perhaps suggests it has been released to keep those rumours in check and maybe has something to do with Chrome OS not being in a ready state to showcase right now. Click through for the full press release. Read more
Intel recommends dual-core Atom netbooks to cost $349-$399
May 17, 2010 at 1:52 pm
When Intel launches Atom processors it gives a suggested system price to OEMs that plan to use that processor. Fudzilla is reporting that the guided price range for netbooks using the upcoming 1.5GHz dual-core N550 Atom processor will be between $349 and $399.
Furthermore, Intel will be restricting dual-core netbooks with display sizes between 7-inches and 10.2-inches. The recommended configuration spec includes 1GB DDR3 memory and a 250GB HDD or 20-30GB SSD. We are expected to see the first dual-core netbooks at the upcoming Computex show, with a retail launch during the third quarter.
Update: It looks like Intel is lifting panel restrictions for the N550. Therefore, 11.6-inch and 12.1-inch netbooks will be able to run the N550 Atom.
Via Fudzilla.
Lenovo Ideapad U165: AMD ultra-thin planned for Q3
May 17, 2010 at 9:48 am
As well as the Intel CULV-powered Ideapad U160 that was recently announced, Lenovo is prepping the Ideapad U165 ultra-thin that will be powered by AMD’s new low-power processors and is set to launch during the third quarter.
Hard specs and pricing remains a mystery for now, but you can check out a number of photos of the Ideapad U165 after the break. Read more
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