Packard Bell Dot S4 netbook revealed [Video]

Packard Bell has announced another netbook in its ‘dot’ series called the dot S4. The 10.1-inch netbook has a 1024 x 600 resolution display and is powered by a 1.66GHz N450 Atom, 160GB/250GB HDD and up to 2GB RAM. It will also have a chiclet keyboard and a touchpad that supports gestures.

The model will come in three different bi-colour options. The Packard Bell dot S4 will have 3-cell and 6-cell (4900mAh) battery options. Other features include Wi-Fi (b/g/n), three USB ports and Windows 7 Starter. Check out a hands-on video after the jump. Read more

Packard Bell EasyNote Butterfly Touch reviewed

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.

Acer reveals Aspire 521, 721 1551 AMD-powered netbooks [Video]

Acer has revealed a new line-up of AMD-powered netbooks at an event in Cannes. This includes a 10-inch model (AAO 521) and two 11.6-inch models (Acer Aspire 721 and 1551). Subsidiary Packard Bell also announced the dot.a, a rebranded version of the 11.6-inch models above.

The Acer Aspire One 521 has a single-core 1.2GHz AMD V105 processor, DDR3 support, ATI Radeon HD 4225 graphics and a HDMI output. You’ll still only get a 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) display though. It comes with 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD and a 7-hour battery life. Read more

Packard Bell dot S2 reviewed – budget netbook with innovative features

Packard Bell’s dot S2 is their budget 10.1-inch Pine Trail netbook powered by a 1.66GHz N450 Atom, 1GB RAM, 250GB HDD and Windows 7 Starter. It also features a multi-gesture touchpad, Wi-Fi, webcam and Dolby Sound.

TrustedReviews took one for a spin and came away with some positive impressions, calling it “one of the better Pine Trail models so far.” They really liked the chiclet keyboard and textured touchpad, whilst the glossy (1024 x 600) display and speakers were also of decent quality. Read more

Packard Bell’s Valentino Rossi dot VR46 netbook specced and priced

Packard Bell is set to launch the 11.6-inch dot VR46 netbook in homage to motorcycling living legend Valentino Rossi. The ‘VR46’ model number stands for Valentino Rossi’s initials plus his racing number and is visible on the lid as well as inside on top of the display. We touched on the unique design back in mid-December, but now we have details on specifications as well as UK pricing.

The VR46 netbook will come with an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display and will be powered by either an Intel ULV Core 2 Duo or Celeron processor as well as Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics. Up to 4GB of DDR RAM will be supported and maximum storage of 640GB. All models will come with Windows 7 Home Premium. Read more

Packard Bell EasyNote Butterfly Touch Edition gets UK launch details

Packard Bell’s 11.6-inch convertible tablet, the EasyNote Butterfly Touch Edition, has been formally announced for the UK market. This model appears to the same as Acer’s 1420P / 1820PT / 1820PTZ models offering an 11.6” multi-touch (1366 x 768) display in a convertible tablet form factor.

The Butterfly Touch will be powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor and Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics. It will support up to 4GB RAM, 640GB HDD and will be running Windows 7 Home Premium. Other features include a HDMI port, Wi-Fi, 5-in-1 card reader, webcam and optional 3G & Bluetooth. The 6-cell battery should last for around eight hours. All of this is wrapped up in a package weighing around 1.6kg.

The Packard Bell EasyNote Butterfly Touch Edition will launch in February 2010 in the UK with prices starting at £499. It will be available in two colours, Cherry Red and Nightsky Black.

Packard Bell dot VR46 netbook gets Valentino Rossi theme

Packard Bell is set to launch a new netbook that will celebrate the living legend that is Valentino Rossi, one of the most decorated motorcycle racers in history. There aren’t too many details on the Packard Bell dot VR46, but we do have some pictures to share.

The dot VR46 was created by Aldo Druidi to capture the spirit of nine-time World Champion Rossi. The design showcases his number 46 and the Sun and Moon graphic that adorns Rossi’s helmet. We still await the hardware spec, price and availability but we’ll keep you posted. Until then, feast your eyes on some more pictures of this beautiful device after the break. Read more

Packard Bell unveils dot S2 & XS Butterfly netbooks

Packard Bell is set to release a new 10.1-inch netbook called the dot S2. This model will be powered by Intel’s upcoming N450 Pineview Atom processor, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD and Windows 7. Given the Windows 7 support it’s strange why Packard Bell hasn’t opted for a higher capacity 250GB HDD.

Other features include a multi-touch touchpad, Wi-Fi, webcam and Dolby Sound. The Packard Bell dot S2 will be available in two colours, Night-sky Black and Cherry Red when it launches early next year. It’s price is expected to fall between €250 to €300. Read more

Packard Bell unveils 11.6-inch Butterfly Touch convertible netbook

Packard Bell has been showing off its new 11.6-inch touchscreen convertible netbook, dubbed the Butterfly Touch in Amsterdam. The guys over at PortableGear.nl were at the event and didn’t hesitate in taking lots of pictures of the new device.

The move is perhaps unsurprising given that Packard Bell, along with Gateway, are subsidiaries of Acer. Gateway recently launched a very similar looking device in the EC18T. Acer itself is meant to be releasing an almost identical device in the form of the Aspire Timeline 1820P.

The Butterfly Touch has a multi-touch display (much like the 1820P is meant to have). The full specifications of Packard Bell’s device hasn’t been released so far, but I’d be surprised if it wasn’t too dissimilar to the 1820P. The battery life is meant to be good for 8 hours. What we do know is that it will come with Windows 7 Home Premium and be released on October 22nd for €599. Check out a couple of hands-on videos after the break. Read more

Packard Bell’s 11.6-inch dot m/a now shipping in UK

The Packard Bell dot m/a is the European version of the Gateway LT3100 (LT3103u) that was released a month back in the US. Both companies are owned by Acer in case you were wondering. It seems that the 11.6-inch AMD-powered netbook is now available to buy from Tesco Direct for £349.00.

Packard Bell products have traditionally sold through the DSGI chains in the UK (Dixons, Currys and PC World), however it seems that under Acer’s guidance they will be increasing their distribution channels. As a result, the dot m/a will shortly be offered by Comet and Amazon as well. Read more

Packard Bell intros dot m/a netbook: rebranded Gateway LT3100

Packard Bell has announced a new netbook for Europe called the dot m/a. This follows their 11.6-inch dot m and 10.1-inch dot s netbooks. I don’t find this model naming particularly intuitive and it’s not particularly grabbing or memorable. Anyway, the dot m/a is essentially the same as the Gateway LT3100 (LT3103u) that was announced for the US this week. Not a surprise since both companies are owned by Acer.

The 11.6-inch netbook has a high-definition resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It comes with 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD, although this can be upgraded to 2GB and 320GB respectively. It is powered by an AMD Athlon 64 L110 processor and comes with the ATI Radeon X1270 graphics chipset. Other specs include Wi-Fi, 5-in-1 card reader, multi-touch touchpad, webcam and optional Bluetooth and 3G.

The dot m/a comes with a 3-cell battery that should last for around 4 hours. The whole thing weighs a reasonable 1.25kg. You won’t find XP on this model, instead there will be options for Vista Basic or Home Premium. The dot m/a will be available in two colours (black and red) from July with pricing starting at £350.

Via Pocket Lint.

Packard Bell dot s & dot m netbooks hands-on & UK pricing

We first heard of the 11.6-inch Packard Bell dot m and 10.1-inch dot s netbooks back in early April. Whilst the European launch details were revealed, we didn’t have any news on the UK side of things. Well the official UK pricing details have now been announced – the smaller dot s will cost £299 whilst the dot m will cost £369 when it launches in July.

Acer-owned Packard Bell, has based the 11.6-inch dot m netbook on the Aspire One 751. If you compare them side by side, the keyboard and hinges look similar. Things are slightly different under the hood, with it powered by a AMD Athlon L1110 CPU and will support memory up to 2GB and a hard-drive up to 320GB. Other options for the dot m include an Intel Atom CPU, Windows Vista and 3G. Read more

New Packard Bell DOT S and DOT M netbooks

Packard Bell, who cancelled the DOT netbook which was due to hit UK retail in January 2009, is now preparing to release the DOT S and DOT M netbooks in Europe. The DOT S will come with a 10.1-inch display and cost €299 when it hits mainland Europe, whilst the DOT M will sport an 11.6-inch display and cost €399.

Given that Packard Bell is owned by Acer it is not surprising to see the DOT S shares similar specifications to the Acer Aspire One 531, whilst the DOT M is similar to the recently announced 11.6” Aspire One. However, there do seem to be a few aesthetic differences including several chrome effects on the palm rest, trackpad, hinges and lid.

The 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) DOT M will be powered by a 1.33GHz Z520 Atom CPU and come with 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard-disk drive. It will also come with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optional 3G modem, webcam, Dolby Sound and a 5-in-1 card reader. The 10.1-inch DOT S is expected to have similar specifications although as far as I can tell the CPU is unconfirmed.

The DOT S is due to arrive in shops over the next week in mainland Europe, whilst the DOT M is expected at the end of the month. There is no word on UK pricing or availability and there is also no evidence of these netbooks on the UK Packard Bell site. We’ll keep you updated on any developments. Click through for photos of the DOT M and DOT S. Read more

Packard Bell ditches DOT netbook

Packard Bell has ditched its DOT netbook just months after it was first announced. The model was announced last September and was due to hit retail in January 2009 at a price-point of £299 although it never arrived. The reasons why the model has been terminated are unknown, however a new model is set to take its place. “The DOT is going end of life and will be replaced by new model,” said a spokesman for Packard Bell.

The DOT netbook was based on the Acer Aspire One, sporting a 1024 x 600 resolution screen and powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU and 1GB RAM. It was due to have a 160GB HDD, three USB ports, webcam and optional 3G modem. At this point it is not clear how the specs of the newer model will differ to the DOT. All the spokesman said was that there will be “some changes made to the brand”.

Via Pocket-Lint.