MSI to launch Pineview-powered touchscreen netbooks in December

MSI will launch netbooks using Intel’s next-generation Atom Pineview processors in December 2009 according to Digitimes. The Intel Pine Trail platform launch has been pushed back from October 2009 to Q1 2010, but the report says that MSI is planning to launch their netbooks ahead of schedule to avoid competition. This means the company would not need to compete on price.

The new netbooks will use the Windows 7 operating system and also come with touchscreen displays. MSI’s peers, such as Asus and Asustek, will be sticking with Intel’s schedule according to the report.

iiView A2 netbook put through its paces [Video]

Following on from an unboxing last week, the 12.1-inch iiView A2 netbook has now been reviewed by BabyPC. Impressions were favourable with the iiView A2 being solidly built and good performance from the machine, which comes preinstalled with Windows 7 RC. It also has a matte display and glossy finish on the exterior.

The keyboard was comfortable to use, although given the size of the chassis, it would have been better if it extended closer to the edges. It also comes with a number of useful applications including RocketDock, avast!, Win RAR and Skype. You can check out their video impressions after the break. Read more

Red Fox WizBook N1020i netbook tested

Philippine company, Red Fox, recently launched the Wizbook N1020i netbook. Whilst most of the specs are your standard fare, the Wizbook is the first netbook to feature the Bluetooth 3.0 standard. It also as an Expresscard slot and optional 6-cell 4600mAh battery.

Electronic Pulp has reviewed the N1020i and found that it didn’t really offer good value for money. It only ships with a standard 3-cell battery, has a poorly placed touchpad and small keyboard. Yes, it does offer a great design in five different colours but you can get the Asus Eee PC 1000HE for less money that has better specs. You can read the full review here.

Via Netbooked.

Asus Eee PC S101H appears in Europe

The Asus Eee PC S101H netbook has now made an appearance across European retailers. The S101H is similar to the S101 but uses a marginally faster 1.66GHz N280 Atom CPU compared to the 1.6GHz N270 in the original. It also has a 160GB HDD compared to the 16GB SSD over the original.

Retailers are charging €399 for the Eee PC S101H, which is around €50 more than the original. However, sas the device has just been released, prices are bound to settle after a little while.

Via Fudzilla.

Always Innovating Touch Book OS pictures appear

The first screenshots of Always Innovating’s Touch Book operating system have been unveiled on the official website. The Touch Book uses a custom Linux distro, although you are able to install your own if you want to. To be honest, the efforts do not seem that inspiring but the custom work has been optimised for the touchscreen display.

The founder has previously claimed that this OS instantly boots up. It also uses the Fennec browser from Mozilla to take advantage of touch. The company is currently shipping out units to a large backlog of pre-orders. Check out some more screenshots after the break. Read more

Suzuki Neutron 701 MNI: 7-inch touchscreen netbook

Singaporean-based, Suzuki Technology Private Limited has announced quite an interesting little device in the form of the Neutron 701 MNI. The netbook has a 7.1-inch (1024 x 600) touchscreen display with swivel so that it can be used as a tablet. However, it also has a very full feature-set, including Expresscard slot, S/PDIF, 5-in-1 card reader, internal Mini PCI-E slot and support for up to 4GB RAM.

Under the hood, you’ll find a 1.33GHz Z520 Atom CPU, an unspecified 2.5-inch HDD, Bluetooth 2.1, three USB ports, 1.3MP webcam, 56k modem (why?) and a 4-cell 2400mAh battery that is expected to last for a measly 140 minutes. The whole device weighs 0.92kg and is around 30mm thick. There is no word on pricing or availability right now.

Via Liliputing.

Gigabyte S1024 Myou now shipping in Hong Kong

The Gigabyte S1024 Myou netbook (or recently known as the ThinNote) has now started to ship in Hong Kong. The Myou is the ‘thin and light’ part of the recent trio of netbooks released by Gigabyte, which includes the T1028 TouchNote and M1022 Booktop.

The Myou has a 10.2-inch (1024 x 576) LED backlit display and is powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU and 945 GSE chipset. Other features include 1GB RAM, 60GB/80GB PATA HDD (4200RPM), Wi-Fi (b/g), Bluetooth 2.1 and optional 3G. It also comes with a 6-cell Li-Ion battery rated at 3600mAh. It is currently selling for HK$3,580 (£280, €323, $462). We’ll bring you news of a wider release as soon as it comes.

Via Engadget China [Via Netbooked].

Acer Aspire 1810T (1410) video unboxing & first impressions

The first impressions of the Acer Aspire 1810T (or 1410 as it’ll be known in the US) have started to filter through. Phil at Acer1810TReview has posted, largely, positive initial thoughts on the device, with one of the main setbacks being the inability to playback H264 video without a 100-percent CPU load.

Despite this, the 1810T feels very well built and more powerful than your usual netbook. His version comes with a single-core 1.4GHz SU3500 processor and we already know that another SKU, the 1810TZ, will come with a dual-core 1.3GHz SU4100 processor. It’s also good to know that the 6-cell 5600mAh battery sits flush with the bottom of the device. He also posted his unboxing videos, which we’ve attached after the break. Also, ITC.ua has posted their second part of their 1810T review, which you may want to check out. Read more

Dell Mini 10 netbook gets 2GB RAM & Vista options

One of the most sought after upgrade options for the Dell Mini 10 is now live in the US. The netbook’s RAM now can be upgraded to 2GB as part of a promotional offer that includes Vista Home Basic SP1. This particular package doesn’t allow you to use it in conjunction with the GPS and TV tuner.

The reason why this uses Vista, rather than XP, is down to the restrictions that Microsoft places on cheap XP licences i.e. no more than 1GB RAM. As this RAM is soldered on, if you do want 2GB this will be the only method, unless you fancy the challenge with the soldering iron! Dell is so far not offering the 2GB option with Linux. The 2GB RAM option is likely to turn up in other regions soon and we’ll let you know when it comes through.

Via Direct2Dell.

ZaReason announces Terra A20 Linux netbook

Linux retailer, ZaReason has launched a new 10-inch netbook called the Terra A20. It is a 10.1-inch device that comes with a 1024 x 600 matte display. This is one of the few netbooks to ship exclusively with Linux, in this case, Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop. However, you can even opt to install your own Linux distro if you don’t fancy Ubuntu.

The hardware is pretty average. The Terra A20 is powered by a 1.6Ghz N270 Atom processor, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. It also comes with Wi-Fi (Draft-N), a 0.3MP webcam, card reader, three USB ports and a 3.5 hour battery. It also comes with an optional 3G modem.

The netbook comes in a wide range of configuration options including up to 2GB RM and several HDD/SDD storage options. The Terra A20 is available in black or mocha (brown) with pricing starting from $349.

Via Works With U [via Netbooked].

Samsung & LG to see strong netbook growth in 2010

Both Samsung & LG will see strong netbook volume growth during 2010 according to industry sources. Shipments are forecast to reach around seven million units, this compares to the 12 – 15 million units that is projected for Acer, one of the leading netbook manufacturers.

Part of this growth is expected to come from the companies close ties with telecom operators. Both companies already manufacture their own handsets as well as netbooks. Bundling subsidised netbooks with data contracts is already big business, but the choice of devices offered is expected to grow.

Via Digitimes.

Olevia X11A HD netbook gets video hands-on

Olevia has released an 11.1-inch netbook called the X11A. It comes with a high-resolution (1366 x 768) display, powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom and 945GSE chipset. This is an unusual display size, with most netbooks coming in 11.6-inch or 12.1-inches at the higher end.

NetbookNews managed to shoot a video hands-on of the Olevia X11A netbook. It has some interesting design features, it comes with a full chiclet keyboard that has a full-sized right shift key and good button placement. There is also a dedicated wireless on/off button.

The mouse pad, whilst not integrated, has only a slight bezel to denote its boundaries. It also has two large mouse buttons underneath. The whole thing weighs a very reasonable 1.2kg, especially for an 11-inch device. There’s no word on a western release so far. You can check out the video after the break. Read more

Acer’s 11.6-inch Aspire 1810TZ to feature dual-core CULV processor

We already know about the Acer Aspire Timeline 1810 11.6-inch ultra-thin, however it appears that a more powerful version may be on the horizon. The Aspire 1810TZ has appeared on the official Acer China site and the extra Z denotes the inclusion of a 1.3GHz dual-core SU4100 chip. This compares to the 1.4Ghz single-core SU3500 processor found in the 1810T.

Both chips come with the same 800MHz FSB and are based on the 45nm Penryn core. The SU4100 has a 2MB cache compared to 3MB for the SU3500. As you would expect the TDP of the SU4100 is nearly double (10W) than that of the SU3500 (5.5W).

There’s no word on which regions the 1801TZ is expected to appear in, however it is also listed on the US-based Energy Star site that could mean a US release. The other specifications remain the same. We’ll bring you more information as we have it.

Starline NB1000 10-inch netbook video hands-on

Hong-Kong based Starline has a new netbook out called the Starline NB1000. It’s most defining feature is an integrated touchpad, similar to Asus’ Eee PC netbooks, although without the dimpled surface. It is a 10-inch netbook powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU.

The keyboard has nice big keys but unusually includes two Windows Start keys and separate Home & End keys. Annoyingly, it has the right shift stuck at the edge of the chassis. It has the usual ports you would find apart from a card reader, which is a strange omission. It also sports a funky Starline logo on the lid. It’s unlikely we’ll see a Western release, but it sells for $320/€225 if you happen to be in Hong Kong. Check out the hands-on video from NetbookNews after the break. Read more

Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T rebranded ‘Aspire 1410’ in US/Canadian markets

It appears that Acer’s 11.6-inch CULV-powered ultra-thin, the Aspire Timeline 1810T will be rebranded in the US/Canada. The model will be known as the Aspire 1410 in certain markets and is listed as such on the Acer US site. It is also available to pre-order at both OfficeNation and CDW for between $465 – $475.

The model was first brought to our attention by reader Koolshen, who spotted it listed on the Acer Germany site. Confusingly, the Aspire 1410 is still listed on the German site, despite the fact that the support pages list the Timeline 1810T. It is unknown whether Acer will adopt the new name at this late stage, however most European pre-order pages we’ve come across still list it as the 1810T.

The Aspire 1410 (Timeline 1810T) has an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) LED backlit display. It comes with a 1.4GHz Intel ULV SU3500 processor, GMA 4500MHD graphics and supports up to 4GB RAM. The base model will come with a 250GB HDD.

Thanks Denny!

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