Apple iPad hits international markets on May 28

Apple has confirmed that its iPad tablet will launch across Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, UK), Australia, Canada and Japan on 28th May. Pre-orders start on 10th May.

It is expected to hit other countries including Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore in July. Click through for a list of UK pricing. Read more

Declining netbook growth highlights saturated market

There’s talk on the internet that netbooks are dead and that the Apple iPad has landed the killer blow. They cite a chart from Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty that shows netbook growth rate slowing.

Whilst once could point the finger at the Apple iPad, I would say it is simply a function of tough comparatives from the year before and that we are starting to see a saturated market (especially considering the data only relates to the US). Read more

ExoPC tablet launches early Sept with Broadcom media accelerator

Details on a launch date for the ExoPC tablet has finally come through. The 8.9-inch (1024 x 600) slate that features a 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor, 2GB RAM, a 32GB SSD and Windows 7 will launch on September 7th in the US, Canada and France.

We also now know that the ExoPC will include the Broadcom Crystal HD media card (BCM70012), enabling 1080p video playback. There’s no word on pricing for now, but hopefully that’ll come soon enough.

Via Blogue de Geek.

Smartbooks delayed by Flash issues, tablet frenzy says ARM

When the smartbook category was first announced, many didn’t expect that we’d still be waiting for the first device to make an appearance almost a year later. ARM’s marketing VP, Ian Drew, has commented on the delays and says that they have been caused by issues with Flash optimisation as well as cold feet from manufacturers.

“We thought [smartbooks] would be launched by now, but they’re not. We’ve seen things like Adobe slip — we’d originally scheduled for something like 2009,” said Drew. “Our target is mostly internet machines — it becomes sort of a requirement that they run the internet. [The delay in optimising] Flash has stalled it”. Read more

HP Mini 110 gets integrated battery; HP Mini 210 gets 2 new colours

HP has made some changes to its netbook line-up by offering an updated HP Mini 110 that now has an integrated 6-cell battery good for 8 hours of battery life. It will launch on June 15 in the US for $279.99.

The HP Mini 210 also has had a makeover that includes two new designs, preppy pink and white crystal. These new netbooks use 3D imprint technology that uses a mould with multiple layers on the top and bottom covers that make the top layer appear that it is ‘floating’, casting a shadow on the lower layer. The touchpad also features the same preppy pink finish. These new Mini 210’s will also be available on June 15 for $354.99.

Via HP.com.

Tablet news roundup – Samsung S-Pad, Aigo and Jumper JK01-TT slates

It’s becoming trickier keeping up to date with all the tablet news given how everyone seems to be launching one these days. Today’s roundup brings news of three new tablets. Samsung is rumoured to be launching the S-Pad tablet that sports a 7-inch Super AMOLED display and the Android OS. It will include access to Samsung’s own app store and come with a USB dock. There are no pricing details although it’s expected to launch on contract from SK Telecom with a subsidised contract.

Aigo is planning a similarly sized 7-inch tablet that will also run Android 2.1, but will be powered by the Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset. It comes with a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, 512MB RAM, and 4-32GB of internal storage. It also features an HDMI port, an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, 3120mAh battery and card reader. Read more

Dell Latitude 2110 to be announced next week?

Sascha from NetbookNews.de says that the Dell Latitude 2110 netbook, a refresh of the popular Latitude 2100 netbook aimed at the education market, will be formally announced next week. There’s no other details for now unfortunately, so we’ll have to wait until next week to see whether Dell managed to make it a bit slimmer as well eye the full list of specs.

Lenovo Ideapad S10-3s reviewed – inferior to the S10-3

The Lenovo Ideapad S10-3s is similar to the current Ideapad S10-3 netbook. It differs by being slimmer and offers an optional high-resolution (1280 x 720) display. Peter from Netbooked has just finished reviewing the S10-3s and is well placed to pass judgement having already reviewed both the S10-3 and S10-3t convertible netbook.

He found that the netbook had good features including an excellent keyboard, bright display and good quality audio. However, in most other ways it was inferior to the S10-3 netbook. This included a cramped trackpad, no performance benefits from the 1.83GHz N470 Atom processor, the tendency to get hot and noisy and less battery life than the S10-3. The model tested was running at a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, Peter felt the models with the higher resolution display offer the one redeeming feature. Click here for the full review.

Viliv S10 Blade now shipping at Dynamism

The Viliv S10 Blade convertible netbook is now shipping over at Dynamism. Prices start at $699, however if you’re after the 1.6GHz / 64GB SSD version you can get a free spare battery (worth $110) and an instant rebate of $70. Other configurations will be released over the next couple of weeks.

The Viliv S10 Blade is a 10.1-inch convertible netbook that comes with a high resolution 1366 x 768 display, 10-hour battery, 1GB RAM and an Intel Silverthorne processor (either a 1.6GHz Z530 or 2.0GHz Z550). It will be sold in various configurations, including options for XP or Windows 7 as well as HDD/SDD choices.

Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T hits Germany in June

The much-anticipated Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T ultra-thin that sports an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display and Intel Core i5 processor. News on its release has been thin on the ground, but it seems that Acer Germany has officially announced that it will be landing in June at prices starting at €549.

Interestingly, there will not only be options for the Intel Core i5-520UM dual-core processor that has a 1.06GHz clock speed, but also Core i3 options too. Check out the specs after the break. Read more

ASUS Eee PC 900AX: 8.9-inch netbook revived

Netbooks have generally grown in size since they were first launched back in 2007. So it seems somewhat strange that Asus has resurrected the 8.9-inch netbook with the Eee PC 900AX.

However, rather than taking the opportunity to redefine the 9-inch form-factor this appears to be more of the same with specs from yester-year. This 8.9-inch (1024 x 600) netbook sports a 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor, 1GB RAM, a 160GB HDD and Windows XP. Other features include two USB ports, Wi-Fi (b/g) and a 4-cell battery. Availability remain a mystery for now.

Via Notebook Italia.

Asus Eee PC 1005PR with HD display shipping in US

The Asus Eee PC 1005PR with high high-resolution (1366 x 768) display and Broadcom Crystal HD media accelerator is now shipping in the US through Newegg for $399.99 with free shipping.

Apart from that the specs shouldn’t differ from other Eee PC 1005P netbooks including a 1.66GHz N450 Atom processor, 1GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Windows 7 Starter, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi (b/g/n), 0.3MP webcam and three USB ports.

Via Netbooked.

Microsoft’s dual-screen Courier and HP Windows 7 Slate canned

Two of the most talked-about portable gadgets of recent months have been shelved according to sources. Microsoft’s rumoured dual-screen Courier project will not see the light of day according to Frank Shaw, Microsoft’s VP of corporate communications.

“The “Courier” project is an example of this type of effort and its technologies will be evaluated for use in future Microsoft offerings, but we have no plans to build such a device at this time,” said Shaw. Read more

MSI Android, Windows 7 tablets shipping in Q3

MSI is set to announce new Android and Windows 7 tablets at June’s Computex show in Taiwan. These tablets are expected to come in 8.9-inch and 10-inch varieties and will ship during the third quarter. Pricing is expected to be “extremely aggressive” according to Engadget.

The dual-screen tablet, first seen at CES, has been delayed though due to issues with battery life. “The two screens are a major drain on the battery, and even with a higher density battery and the Menlow CPU we are only getting three hours,” said MSI’s Andy Tung. This device is now expected to land in the fourth quarter.

Asus Eee PC 1218P aluminium netbook on the horizon

It looks like Asus weren’t ready to announce news of a new netbook in its 12-inch series called the Eee PC 1218. To my eyes it looks like a 12-inch version of the desirable Eee PC 1018P.

AsusDesign has prematurely revealed that the netbook as a 2010 RedDot Award winner. The Eee PC 1015 and 1215 also won the award. The Eee PC 1218 appears to be clad in aluminium and comes with a chiclet keyboard, retractable webcam and ports located at the back. There’s little other information for now, but let’s hope it comes with next-generation ION graphics and would it be too much to ask for dual-Atom too? Check out a larger screencap after the break.

Update: Digitimes reports that the Eee PC 1218 will sport Nvidia ION graphics. Read more

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