Netbook failure rate 20 percent higher than laptops
November 17, 2009 at 12:24 pm
SquareTrade, a large independent warranty provider, has analysed the failure rates for over 30,000 laptops and netbooks covered by its warranty plans with some revealing insights. It found that just under a third of laptops will fail within three years and that netbooks are 20 percent more likely to fail.
Breaking down the results, SquareTrade found that 20.4 percent of laptop failures were due to hardware malfunctions and 10.4 percent were from accidental damage. Whilst one would expect netbooks to suffer a higher rate of accidental damage to their portability, apparently netbook hardware malfunctions were 20 percent higher than laptops. Read more
Windows 7 netbooks now available to pre-order in UK
October 20, 2009 at 6:06 pm
The advent of Windows 7 is leading to a shift of netbooks running XP to Windows 7 Starter Edition. We’d advise anyone looking to buy a netbook right now to sit tight and see how pricing settles. Whilst Windows 7 netbooks are (initially) likely to be more expensive, prices will come down. Even if you’re not bothered about Win 7, normal XP netbooks will drop in price as XP is perceived to be old-hat.
Yesterday, we brought you a list of netbooks available to pre-order in the US and today we noticed a large number of Windows 7 netbooks available to pre-order from Amazon UK. Most of these netbooks are shipping with Windows 7 Starter Edition and will launch on October 22nd. Check out the list after the jump. Read more
Windows 7 netbooks now available for pre-order
October 19, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Following on from our previous post, where we highlighted the Intel CULV-powered ultra-thins that are now available to pre-order with Windows 7, we bring you a similarly long list of Windows 7 netbooks.
HP now has Windows 7 options on its site. The premium for Windows 7 is $50 for the Mini 311 (Home Premium) and $30 for the Mini 110 (Starter Edition). Dell also has Windows 7 options up on its site, it is charging $30 for the Starter Edition on its Mini 10/10v netbooks.
Amazon.com
Windows 7 CULV-based ultra-thins now up for pre-order
October 19, 2009 at 11:56 am
As we approach the launch of Windows 7 this Thursday (October 22nd) a number of notebook manufacturers are making the switch over to the new OS. We’ve been drip-feeding Windows 7 devices over the past few weeks and a number of these Intel CULV-powered ultra-thins are now appearing for pre-order on Amazon.com.
After the break we have listed all of these, typically 11.6-inch Windows 7 devices, which are now up for pre-order. Most are due to land on October 22nd; Windows 7 launch day. There are a few notable Windows 7 absentees including the Samsung N510, Acer Aspire Timeline 1820P, and Lenovo Ideapad U150. Check out the list after the break. Read more
Toshiba NB200 netbook gets Windows 7 refresh
October 15, 2009 at 9:21 am
The Toshiba NB200 will be getting a Windows 7 update on October 22nd. It will arrive with Windows 7 Starter Edition and either 160GB or 250GB storage. Other specifications remain the same.
It will be available in five colours including Sable Brown, Frost White, Indigo Blue, Posh Pink and Onyx Black. Prices start from $399.99. We’re still waiting to see UK launch details for the refresh, although there’s not too long to wait now.
Toshiba announces 11.6” Satellite T110/T115 CULV ultra-thin
September 29, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Toshiba has announced a new 11.6-inch CULV-based ultra-thin notebook under the T100 model series. The Satellite T110 (or T115 as it will be known in the US) is the company’s first CULV-powered model and the company is boasting a battery life of up to 11 hours. The LED backlit display has a high resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
The Satellite T110 will live up to its ‘ultra-thin’ moniker, measuring just 22.2mm at its thinnest point and weighing 1.58kg. It will be available in either a Pentium or Celeron single core ultra low voltage processor. The T110 will support up to 4GB RAM (DDR3) and up to 500GB of storage space. Read more
Toshiba JournE: 7-inch tablet plays HD video
September 4, 2009 at 10:50 am
Toshiba has announced a new MID at IFA in Germany, called the JournE. This device is a 7-inch touchscreen tablet that has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. As it is powered by an ARM-based processor, it runs the Windows CE 6.0 Pro operating system. However, judging by the pictures it seems that it runs a custom UI.
The JournE can play back sub-1080p video or full HD video via the HDMI output. It also supports a broad range of codecs (H.264, DivX, WMV). Other features include Wi-Fi (b/g), HDMI functionality in the dock, 1GB of storage (although this can be expanded via the SD card slot).
The device measures just 14mm in thickness. The JournE will hit the market for €249 when it is released in the further quarter this year. Check out some hands-on videos from Engadget and NetbookNews after the break. Read more
NbC: Toshiba Mini NB200 netbook unboxed
August 27, 2009 at 4:47 pm
The Toshiba Mini NB200 netbook is widely regarded as one of the better netbooks on the market today. The NB200 is Toshiba’s 10-inch follow up to its 8.9-inch NB100. The same netbook has been released with slightly different names in Japan (Dynabook UX) and the US (Mini NB205).
We managed to get hold of the NB200 to find out whether it really stands up to the hype. The particular model we have is the NB200-10Z, which is the high end SKU. This model comes with a 1.66GHz N280 Atom CPU, chiclet keyboard and a battery that is rated to last for around 9 hours. It also comes with a love-it-or-hate-it satin brown lid that we quite like, the matte finish means little risk of fingerprint marks.
One of the first things you notice when you lay eyes on the NB200 for the first time is that it is one of the more stylish offerings in the netbook space. It has a silver chiclet keyboard and slender chassis, it also feels very solidly built. We’re disappointed that Toshiba didn’t use a matte display, but we’ll see just how much this hinders use under extensive testing. A full review of the NB200 will follow, but in the meantime check out our unboxing video and photo gallery after the break. As always, if you have any questions please let us know in the comments below. Read more
Toshiba Dynabook UX to get WiMAX option
July 24, 2009 at 1:52 pm
The Toshiba Dynabook UX, also known as the NB200 in Europe and NB205 in the US, will be getting a WiMAX option in mid-August. This is in Japan only and follows a number of manufacturers including Samsung and Sony bundling WiMAX into their ultraportable category.
Intel has partnered with UQ Communications to promote the widespread deployment of WiMAX Services in Japan. UQ is committed to cover 90 percent of Japan with its WiMAX service by 2012.
The WiMAX-enabled Dynabook UX will have the model number US/27JBLMAJ. It uses Intel’s WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150 chipset, which uses the same chip to deliver both wireless services. According to Slashgear, it is the first time such a chip has been used on a netbook. The remaining specifications of the Dynabook UX are the same (N280 Atom, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD).
Samsung drops 1.8” HDDs? Shortage may affect Q3 netbook shipments
June 26, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Samsung along with Toshiba were the two main suppliers of 1.8-inch hard-disk drives used in netbooks. However, Samsung has now reportedly discontinued the development of 1.8-inch HDDs to focus on the faster-growing Solid State Drive (SSD) segment instead. Hitachi, Fujitsu, Seagate and Western Digital no longer list 1.8-inch HDDs on their websites.
If true, this is likely to lead to a shortage of 1.8” drives, as only Toshiba is left supplying these drives. The shortage is likely to lead to price increases, which may affect Q3 2009 shipments of netbooks and ultrathin notebooks. The smaller 1.8-inch drives are often used in some netbooks over the 2.5-inch drives commonly found in laptops. The height of a 1.8” drive is just 5mm, compared to 7.0 – 9.5mm in 2.5” drives. Earlier this week, Samsung said that it was looking to develop new SATA Mini PCI-E SSDs for netbooks in capacities of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB of storage.
Via Digitimes.
Toshiba NB205 netbook now shipping in US
June 24, 2009 at 5:15 pm
On the back of receiving a very positive review from Laptop Mag, the 10.1-inch Toshiba NB205 has now started to ship in the United States. It is listed on the Toshiba Direct site with prices starting from $349 and includes free shipping. The basic specs include a 1.66GHz N280 Atom CPU, 1GB RAM (2GB max), 160GB HDD and Wi-Fi (b/g).
The more expensive models ($399) come with a glossy lid, chiclet keyboard and Bluetooth V2.1 + EDR. All models come with a 6-cell battery rated at 5800mAh that Toshiba claim should last for 9 hours. It comes in a number of colours including Brown, Black, Blue and White. It also available to pre-order from Amazon
Via Portable Monkey.
Toshiba NB205 reviewed – one of the best netbooks yet?
June 17, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Toshiba’s Mini NB205 netbook for the US market is essentially the same model as the Japanese SKU (Dynabook UX) and the European SKU (NB200). The 10-inch netbook is Toshiba’s follow-on from its first entry in the netbook space, its 8.9-inch NB100. Laptop Mag has published a full review of the NB205 and was full of praise of Toshiba’s 10-inch effort.
According to reviewer Joanna Stern, the netbook “soars past the competition” and she admired the “stunning design, stellar keyboard, and the longest battery life of any netbook to date”. Pretty convincing stuff, although with the last point, we already know that the MSI Wind U115 has the longest netbook battery life from other benchmarks we’ve seen. The NB205 managed to last for a respectable 8.5 hours on its 6-cell battery. Read more
Toshiba NB205 netbook announced for US market
June 2, 2009 at 10:40 am
Following on from the recent Toshiba ‘Dynabook UX’/NB200 launches in Japan and Europe respectively, Toshiba has confirmed that this 10-inch follow-on from the 8.9-inch NB100, will land in the US in the form of the NB205.
The model looks very similar to the NB200, albeit slightly slimmer, and will even come in 2 SKUs, as seen in Europe. The NB205-N310 netbook will be the more expensive version, featuring a metallic textured finish, a chrome hinge, chiclet keyboard and will be available in four different colours (Sable Brown, Frost White, Indigo Blue and Posh Pink). The mini NB205-N210 netbook has a fusion finish in Black Onyx, comes with a flat keyboard rather than chiclet with black matte finish. Read more
Toshiba Dynabook UX (aka NB200) netbook tested
May 10, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Toshiba Japan’s Dynabook UX, the company’s first 10-inch netbook, is also known as the NB200 in Western markets. The Dynabook follows on from the 8.9-inch NB100 netbook and according to some, could go on to become a best-seller for Toshiba. Portable Monkey has followed its initial impressions of the Dynabook with a full review.
The model they played with corresponds to the Toshiba NB200-11H SKU planned for the UK market costing £366.85, bar the 6-cell battery. This is not the top of the range SKU, that accolade goes to the Toshiba NB200-10Z (Brown) and NB200-110 (White) which both include Bluetooth for a few pounds extra.
As we have seen with recent previews, build quality was above par compared to other netbooks. The chiclet keyboard was found to be very good, although not quite as good as the one seen on the Asus Eee PC 1000HE. The touchpad was nice and large with the mouse buttons having good responsiveness. Battery life on the 3-cell lasted a commendable 3.5 hours. One of the main negative points was a very low sound volume from the speakers. Check out the key points after the break. Read more
Toshiba NB200 hands-on video
April 25, 2009 at 8:43 am
The Toshiba NB200 netbook was showcased at a London launch event this week. The NB200 is the 10.1-inch successor to Toshiba’s NB100 which came with an 8.9-inch display. It looks like the NB200 will create bigger waves than the NB100 due to a promised 9 hour battery life with the 6-cell battery as well as stylish design which includes a chiclet keyboard.
MegaWhat.TV was at the launch event to give their initial impressions and seemed to like the device, especially the textured lid. The 6-cell battery did seem to stick out, rather than being flush with the unit. It will be a trade off worth making as the 3-cell battery will only be good for 4 hours according to the company. Read more
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