HP is refreshing its Mini 210 series of netbooks. The new models will be available with your choice of a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 or 1.83GHz Intel Atom N475 or a 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core processor.
The new HP Mini 210 series also sports a new case design so that it will come standard with a high-capacity 6-cell battery. On older 210 models, the 6-cell battery was only an optional feature and it stuck out from the back of the netbook. The new models will have a 6-cell pack that sits flush with the back of the laptop.
HP is also offering the netbook in 5 new colors: charcoal, crimson red, lavender frost, luminose rose, and ocean drive.
The HP Mini 210 is available with several optional features including a Broadcom Crystal HD video accelerator, a higher resolution 1366 x 768 pixel display and integrated GPS with HP Navigator software.
Pricing and availability
The new HP Mini 210 is now available for purchase from hpdirect.com. Prices start at $329.99.
HP LAUNCHES MINI 5103 WITH DUAL CORE ATOM N550 PROCESSOR
HP will start selling the updated Mini 5103 business netbook on September 17th. The HP Mini 5103 is already available with your choice of an Intel Atom N455 or Atom N475 processor, but starting September 17th it will also be available with a dual core Atom N550 processor. The company claims that the new chip will get around 25% improvement in performance while at the same time reducing the battery life by 15 minutes. That isn't bad because the HP Mini class netbooks tend to offer 6+ hours of battery life.
Apart from the new processor option, there aren't a lot of differences between the new HP Mini 5103 and the old Mini 5102. The updated model will continue to have the 7200rpm hard drive or a Solid State Disk. The 10.1 inch display will be available with either 1024 x 600 or 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. A capacitive touchscreen option is also available.
The HP Mini 5103 has a magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis. The netbook will be available with Windows 7 Starter / Pro / Home Premium, SUSE Linux Enterprise 11, or FreeDOS.
HANNSPREE ANDROID TABLET COMING IN NOVEMBER
Hannspree is not a major PC maker. Nevertheless, the company has been launching mini-laptops and other consumer electronics products for a while. And now Hannspree is entering the tablet space as well. The upcoming Hannspree tablet does have some impressive specs. The device will reportedly start shipping in November. It will have a 10 inch display.
The tablet will be powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 1GHz processor. It will run Google Android 2.2 which means that it will support Adobe Flash. The tablet will also have 16GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot for storage expansion, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI output and a USB port. It will sell for about 399 Euros (about $500 US) in Germany. The tablet will be able to handle 1080p HD video, thanks to the Tegra processor. It will ship with a 3500mAh battery. No word on pricing or availability in the US.
CAPACITIVE MULTITOUCH DISPLAYS GOING FOR $100 ON EBAY
If you are a DIY type, you have never really had much trouble purchasing a touchscreen display and then slapping it in your 9 or 10 inch netbook. While these touchpanels were cheap, they were of the resistive variety which required a stylus for input. And most of these displays typically only recognized one input at a time. But the times, they are a-changing.
A seller on eBay has started shipping 8.9 inch and 10.1 inch capacitive multi-touch displays. These displays will reportedly work with most netbooks on the market. The panels recognize up to two fingers at a time. They are definitely not the best, but they are priced right. The 10.1 inch display is going for $99.99. The 8.9 inch variety is cheaper by $10. You will have also have to pay for shipping which is kind of steep at $16.
Installing the screens might require a bit of technical expertise, as they involve some soldering.
A seller on eBay has started shipping 8.9 inch and 10.1 inch capacitive multi-touch displays. These displays will reportedly work with most netbooks on the market. The panels recognize up to two fingers at a time. They are definitely not the best, but they are priced right. The 10.1 inch display is going for $99.99. The 8.9 inch variety is cheaper by $10. You will have also have to pay for shipping which is kind of steep at $16.
Installing the screens might require a bit of technical expertise, as they involve some soldering.
MEET KT IDENTITY TAB THAT LOOKS LIKE THE SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB
Most tablets - those that already ship and the upcoming ones - can be broadly classified into two categories: Those that have a 'Pad' in their name and those that have a 'Tab' in their name. Among the 'Pad' tablets, the iPad is the King. The latter category includes the Neofonie WeTab and Samsung Galaxy Tab. And now the KT Identity Tab has also joined the list.
The Identity Tab has already hit SK Telecom, South Korea's largest wireless carrier. It looks an awful lot like the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab.
The Identity Tab has a 7 inch multitouch display, 8GB of internal memory, 3MP camera, a DMB TV tuner, gyro-sensor and SD card reader. It is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Customers can pick up the tablet for the local equivalent of $252, or for free with a 2 year WiMax (WiBro in Korea) contract.
The Identity Tab has already hit SK Telecom, South Korea's largest wireless carrier. It looks an awful lot like the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab.
The Identity Tab has a 7 inch multitouch display, 8GB of internal memory, 3MP camera, a DMB TV tuner, gyro-sensor and SD card reader. It is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Customers can pick up the tablet for the local equivalent of $252, or for free with a 2 year WiMax (WiBro in Korea) contract.
NVIDIA TEGRA 2 POWERED TOSHIBA AC100 FASTER THAN MOST ANDROID DEVICES
The Toshiba AC100 is unique in more ways than one. It is one of the first Android-powered mini-laptops to actually hit the market. It is also one of the first laptops to ship with a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. The smartbook is not yet available in the US, but it is shipping in Japan.
The folks at CarryPad recently obtained a demo unit and ran some benchmark tests. And the findings? Well, the smartbook feels quite snappy. In fact in some benchmark tests, the AC100 feels 3 times faster than most Android running devices. The smartbook plays 1080p video without breaking a sweat. It can also handle most of the top-of-the-line Android video games. The Toshiba AC100 ships with Android 2.1, but in many benchmark tests it performs faster than devices running Android 2.2.
The NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor that powers the smartbook combines a low power dual core ARM-based processor with NVIDIA graphics. The combination is powerful enough to handle HD video playback. It also provides 3D graphics acceleration, support for Adobe Flash, OpenGL, and other technologies. What's more, it offers the long battery life we are used to getting from ARM-based devices.
The folks at CarryPad recently obtained a demo unit and ran some benchmark tests. And the findings? Well, the smartbook feels quite snappy. In fact in some benchmark tests, the AC100 feels 3 times faster than most Android running devices. The smartbook plays 1080p video without breaking a sweat. It can also handle most of the top-of-the-line Android video games. The Toshiba AC100 ships with Android 2.1, but in many benchmark tests it performs faster than devices running Android 2.2.
The NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor that powers the smartbook combines a low power dual core ARM-based processor with NVIDIA graphics. The combination is powerful enough to handle HD video playback. It also provides 3D graphics acceleration, support for Adobe Flash, OpenGL, and other technologies. What's more, it offers the long battery life we are used to getting from ARM-based devices.
AMD TO KILL OFF THE ATI BRAND NAME
A large number of computers on the market have an AMD processor and ATI graphics. The average Joe who buys these computers isn't necessarily aware of the fact that both processors are built by the same company.
AMD acquired the graphics company ATI a few years ago but continued to release discrete graphics and processors under the ATI brand name. But now the company has decided that it is time to kill off the ATI brand name. Future graphics cards will be released under the AMD brand name and these include the upcoming Fusion chips which will integrate processor and graphics functions into a single chipset. Individual brand names like Radeon and FirePro, however, will be retained.
AMD will not rename existing chips. But in the not so distant future, you won't be able to buy a computer with an AMD processor and ATI graphics.
AMD acquired the graphics company ATI a few years ago but continued to release discrete graphics and processors under the ATI brand name. But now the company has decided that it is time to kill off the ATI brand name. Future graphics cards will be released under the AMD brand name and these include the upcoming Fusion chips which will integrate processor and graphics functions into a single chipset. Individual brand names like Radeon and FirePro, however, will be retained.
AMD will not rename existing chips. But in the not so distant future, you won't be able to buy a computer with an AMD processor and ATI graphics.
ASUS N53JN AND N73JN MULTIMEDIA LAPTOPS NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK
Asus N53JN and N73JN multimedia laptops are now available for purchase in the UK. The N53JN and the N73JN are part of the Asus N series. Both notebooks feature the SonicMaster sound technology jointly developed by Asus and Bang Olufsen ICEpower audio. They also feature the NVIDIA Optimus switchable graphics technology.
The Asus N53JN has a 15.6 inch display. It is available with your choice of an Intel Core i5-520M 2.4GHz or a 2.4GHz Core i3-370M processor. Other specifications include a Nvidia GeForce GT325 or 415M dedicated graphics, 4GB of DDR3 memory, up to 500GB of hard disk space and a Blu-Ray combo drive. The 15.6 inch display has a resolution of 1366×768-pixels. The laptop runs Windows 7 Home Premium OS.
The Asus N73JN has a 17.3 inch display. It features an Intel Core i5-520M processor, GeForce GT325M, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 640GB of storage via two 320GB hard disk drives and a Blu-Ray combo drive. The 17.3 inch display has a resolution of 1600×900-pixels. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium.
Both notebooks have built-in webcams, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth, 1 USB 3.0, 2 USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA/USB combo port, multi-in-one card readers, HDMI and VGA outputs. The keyboards are full-sized with dedicated numeric pads.
The Asus N53JN and N73JN start at £649.99 (about $1,002) and £1,099 (about $1,695), respectively.
ASUS NX90Jq MULTIMEDIA NOTEBOOK NOW AVAILABLE
The 18.4 inch Asus NX90Jq is now available for purchase. The multimedia powerhouse features an innovative design and the SonicMaster audio technology.
Several online retailers in the US have started offering the NX90Jq-A1, which has an Intel Core i7-720QM 1.6GHz quad-core processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT335M discrete graphics with 1GB of dedicated video memory, 8GB of DDR3 memory and up to 1.28TB of hard drive storage via dual 640GB hard disks, and a Blu-ray Combo drive. The 18.4 inch LED backlit display has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
According to Asus, the biggest selling point of the notebook is the SonicMaster audio technology co-developed with Bang & Olufsen. The company claims that the audio technology used in the notebook “delivers wider sonic range, louder volume and deeper bass.” The speakers of the NX90Jq are built into the aluminum lid. The laptop also features dual touchpads on either side of the keyboard.
The NX90Jq also has a 2 megapixel webcam, microphone, WiFi 802.11n, LAN, Bluetooth,2 USB 3.0 ports and 2 USB 2.0 ports (one shared with an eSATA port), an 8-in-1 media card reader, HDMI and VGA outputs and a digital/analog TV tuner. The laptop comes standard with a 6-cell battery and weighs 9.7lbs. It runs Windows 7 Utimate 64-bit OS. Prices start at $2,200
TOSHIBA FOLIO 100 TABLET DETAILS LEAKED
If Notebook Italia has got its sources correct, the upcoming Toshiba tablet will be called Folio 100. Toshiba hasn't revealed a lot of details about its tablet, but some purported images of the machine have also hit the web.
The Toshiba Folio 100 will reportedly have a 10.1 inch multitouch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. It runs Android 2.2 and is powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor which means that the tablet will be able to handle HD video playback.
The Toshiba Folio 100 will reportedly have 16GB of internal storage space. You will also be able to add an extra 32GB via the SDHC card slot. The tablet is expected to get around 7 hours of battery life.
It is not clear whether this tablet will have access to the Android Market, but it seems to have 3G besides WiFi and Bluetooth. If the machine can indeed make calls,it will probably also be able to run Google's app suite including the Android Market.
STREAM TV ELOCITY TABLET COMING NEXT MONTH
The eLocity A7 tablet from Stream TV Networks is a real device. And Amazon will soon start taking orders for the tablet for $399. For that price what you get is a 7 inch tablet PC with an 800 x 480 pixel capacitive multitouch display. The A7 tablet is powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 chipset and is capable of decoding 1080p HD video. You can even hook it up to an HDTV, thanks to the HDMI port. The tablet runs Android 2.2. It also has an accelerometer and USB ports. The price tag also includes a wireless keyboard and HDMI cable.
The folks at Engadget recently reviewed a pre-production unit and they seem mighty impressed with the device. There is a catch though. At launch the tablet will ship with Android 2.1 which doesn't support Flash. An update to Android 2.2 will be available only after October. The tablet also doesn't have access to Android Market.
VELOCITY MICRO ANDROID TABLETS COMING SOON
Velocity Micro has announced that it will ship its Android tablets in the next six months or so. The Velocity Micro Cruz Tablet is a $300 device with a capacitive touchscreen display. It runs Android and has got some impressive specifications.
The Cruz Reader is priced at $200. It is essentially an eBook reader with a resistive touchscreen display. The Cruz Reader runs Google Android which means that you can also use it for running third party applications, playing videos and surfing the web.
The Cruz Tablet has got better specs than the Cruz Reader, but the latter has a budget price tag going for it. An interesting feature of this device is that it uses a user replaceable microSD card for primary storage. There is also an SD card slot on the side of the tablet for expanding the storage space.
INTEL SAYS FUTURE CHIPS WILL CONSUME LESS POWER THAN ARM-BASED PROCESSORS
Intel is the undisputed king of chipmakers. The vast majority of desktops, notebooks and servers have Intel inside. But most of the PDAs and smartphones available today uses processors based on designs from ARM. And now Intel is keen on establishing its presence in that space as well.
Intel already has a line of low power processors for netbooks. The Intel Atom processors provide all-day battery life on netbooks running Windows. And now Intel is planning to launch another line of processors for tablets, smartphones and other low power devices. According to Intel CTO, the company's existing Moorestown processors offer as much standby power as ARM-based processors. He says the next line of processors from Intel will rival ARM processors on active power.
Of course, Intel is a huge company with plenty of resources. If they really want to beat ARM in the low-power space, they might just be able to do it. But since ARM also continues to innovate, Intel definitely has a tough task ahead.
EXOPC WINDOWS 7 TABLET TO START SHIPPING SOON
The ExoPC Windows 7 tablet will finally start shipping in late September. That is if they manage to stick to that date. The ExoPC is a Windows tablet. What is unique about this machine is that it features a nice touch-friendly user interface on top of the Windows 7 so that users can easily use the machine without a keyboard and mouse. Needless to say, ExoPC generated considerable buzz over the past few months. But for some reason, it hasn't started shipping yet. And now it looks like the tablet is finally about to go on sale.
ExoPC has announced plans to take pre-orders on September 3rd. The first batch of 1,200 tablets will be shipped to pre-orderers who are also members of the ExoPC forum on September 30th. The company has no plans to take more than 1,200 pre-orders at the moment.
The tablet is expected to be available in Canada in October, where it will be sold under the name Ciara Vibe
SAMSUNG R590 MULTIMEDIA LAPTOP NOW AVAILABLE IN UK AND AUSTRALIA
The Samsung R590 is a 15.6 inch multimedia laptop. It is now available for purchase in the UK and Australia. The Samsung R590 is more powerful than its predecessor, the R580. It has a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-450M processor, Nvidia GeForce GT330M 1GB dedicated graphics, 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 500GB HDD. The 15.6 inch LED backlit glossy display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
Other specifications include a built-in 1.3MP webcam, DVD burner, stereo speakers, Bluetooth 3.0, Ethernet LAN, WiFi 802.11n, 4 USB ports (one of which is shared with an eSATA port, an ExpressCard slot, a 3-in-1 card reader and HDMI and VGA outputs. The Samsung R590 comes standard with a 6-cell battery. It weighs 4.8 pounds and features a blue gradation finish. The laptop runs Windows 7 Home Premium OS.
Pricing and availability
The Samsung R590 is now available from Amazon UK for £809 (about 1,247 USD) and JB HI-Fi (R590-JS02AU) for 1,298 AUD (about 1,152 USD). No word on pricing or availability in other countries.
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB GT-P1000 OVERVIEW
Samsung is expected to unveil its first tablet PC, the Samsung Galaxy Tab GT-P1000, at the IFA Trade Show in Berlin next month. The company hasn't officially announced the device, but most of the details are already available, thanks to a series of leaks.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab will reportedly have a 7 inch 1024 x 600 capacitive multitouch display with an aspect ratio of 16:10. It will run Android 2.2 or 'Froyo' OS. The Galaxy Tab will be powered by a 1.2GHz ARM Cortex A8-based Samsung S5PC110 processor. It will also have 16GB of Flash memory, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n Wi-Fi, 3G connectivity, a 3.2MP web camera, an SDHC memory card reader, and a built-in accelerometer.
The tablet weighs around 0.8 pounds or 370 grams. The Samsung Galaxy Tab has been previewed in a video by a Korean website. Samsung,on its part, has also released a teaser.
HP TO OFFER MINI 5103 WITH DUAL CORE ATOM N550 PROCESSOR
The HP Mini 5103 is a netbook aimed at businesses. It is the successor to the HP Mini 5101 and 5102 netbooks and looks a lot like its predecessors. The HP Mini 5103 has an aluminum and magnesium alloy chassis. It has some other premium features too. For example, it comes standard with a faster 7200rpm hard drive.
There are plenty of optional features too and they include a solid state disk, a high resolution display, a capacitive touchscreen display, and a Broadcom Crystal HD video decoder.
The netbook is currently available with an Atom N455 or N475 processor. And now that the dual core Atom N550 processor has arrived, HP is planning to offer this netbook with that chip as well. The rest of the specifications will reportedly remain the same. The HP Mini 5103 is already available from HP.com, but the dual core processor option is not available at the moment.
TIMESPAD LAPTOP WITH DUAL CORE ATOM N550 PROCESSOR
A Chinese company has started taking orders for its 11.6 inch ultraportable notebook featuring an Atom N550 dual core processor. The TimesPad laptop is actually available with your choice of a single core Atom N455, an Atom N475 or a dual core Atom N550 processor. It has impressive specs including a NVIDIA ION graphics and an 11.6 inch HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The laptop also has WiFi 802.11b/g/n, VGA, HDMI output and 3 USB 2.0 ports. The battery is being described as a 12000mAh battery, but that may not be true because it sounds like an awfully high capacity battery.
Alibaba has started taking orders for the laptop. Prices range between $325 and $365. But you can't get that price if you order just one unit. The minimum order quantity is 500 units.
Alibaba has started taking orders for the laptop. Prices range between $325 and $365. But you can't get that price if you order just one unit. The minimum order quantity is 500 units.
ACER ASPIRE ONE D255 NOW AVAILABLE FROM HSN
The Acer Aspire One D255 dual core netbook is now available for purchase from HSN. The mini-laptop was announced way back in July. It is actually the first laptop to hit the market with an Atom N550 processor.
The Aspire One D255 is now available for$399.90 from the HSN.com (Home Shopping Network) website. It is available in four colors - red, black, aquamarine or sandsonte. All four models have identical specifications including the following:
Processor: 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core CPU
Memory: 1GB of DDR3 memory
Storage: 250GB, 5400RPM hard drive
Display: 10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display
Graphics: Intel GMA 3150 graphics
The laptop has 3 USB 2.0 ports, Other specifications include WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 10/100 Ethernet, VGA output and a 6-cell battery rated at 4400mAh. More details are available at HSN.com.
HANVON B10 WINDOWS TABLET COMING TO GERMANY
We have been hearing about the Hanvon B10 Windows tablet for a while. And now word is that the machine is about to start shipping. The 10 inch tablet is due out in Germany next week.
The Hanvon B10 tablet has reasonably impressive specs. It is powered by a 1.3GHz Intel Celeron 743 ULV processor. Other specifications include 2GB of memory and a 250GB hard drive. The 10 inch capacitive multitouch display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The tablet comes standard with Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Touch Pack.
The Hanvon B10 also has a 1.3MP webcam, Bluetooth, 2 USB ports, a 4800mAh battery, VGA output, flash card reader, 802.11b/g WiFi, mic and headphone jacks.
The tablet weighs 2.1 pounds and measures 0.7 inches in thickness. But, yes, premium features don't come cheap. The Hanvon B10 has a price tag of 771 Euros, or about $975 US
WHY ISN'T SONY LAUNCHING A TABLET?
The iPad has been a huge success story so much so that virtually every PC maker on the planet is now eager to enter the tablet space. Samsung, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo and other companies have either launched a tablet or plan to do it in the coming months. But Sony has been keeping quiet. The company hasn't disclosed any plans to launch a tablet PC. But that isn't as surprising as it might seem to be.
Sony was also one of the last PC makers to enter the netbook space. The company has always insisted that its products should stand out from the rest. The first Sony netbook was probably the VAIO P. It sported an 8 inch display with a ridiculously high resolution and an equally high price tag. The next offering, the Sony VAIO W, was a typical-looking netbook, but this product too had features that would make it remarkable.
And now Sony Computer chief says that his company won't launch a me-too tablet either. He still hasn't confirmed when his company will launch a tablet or not. But if and when Sony does, it will have something unique to offer.
SHARP EBOOK READER TO 'RIVAL IPAD'
The already thin line between eBook readers and tablets are getting thinner day by day. Most tablets available on the market can already be used as eBook readers, albeit with a color display. A few eBook readers like the one released by Pandigital have color displays. These are essentially Android tablets designed to run eBook applications. What's more, distinguished companies like Amazon and Barnes & Noble keep making their eBook readers more tablet-like by adding features such as web browsers and the ability to run third party apps.
Needless to say Sharp is positioning its upcoming eBook reader as an iPad rival. The Sharp eBook reader will have a full color display. It will reportedly 'rival the iPad'. The device is due out sometime this Fall.
Needless to say Sharp is positioning its upcoming eBook reader as an iPad rival. The Sharp eBook reader will have a full color display. It will reportedly 'rival the iPad'. The device is due out sometime this Fall.
ASUS EEE PC 1015PEM TO SPORT A DUAL CORE ATOM N550 PROCESSOR
Intel announced its Atom N550 dual core processor for netbooks earlier this week. Ever since, we have been flooded with netbooks sporting the brand new processor.As of today, Asus is the latest to announce an Atom N550 netbook.The Intel Atom N550 runs at 1.5GHz and features hyperthreading capabilities.
The 10 inch Asus Eee PC 1015PEM will be powered by an Atom N550 processor. It will reportedly support up to 2GB of DDR3 memory and be able to handle 720p HD video playback. The mini-laptop will be available in four colors - red, black, white and pink. It will sell for about 349 Euros (about 440USD) in Europe. The prices should, however, fall a bit when the netbook makes its debut in the US.
Meanwhile, the US Energy Star web site has listed a new Asus netbook called the 1015PDG. This model also seems to have a dual core Atom processor, but it reportedly runs at 1.66GHz. So that may be an altogether different processor. It is also possible that the specs are wrong.
WIIPAD ANDROID TABLET PREVIEW
The WiiPad Slim Plus is a 7 inch tablet running Android 2.1. It is powered by a 720MHz ARM11-based processor with 256MB of RAM. The 7 inch resiStive touchscreen display has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels.
For a $190 tablet, the WiiPad Slim does have some impressive specs. It may not be as user friendly as the Apple iPad, but it is significantly better than Augen GenTouch78 Android tablet.
The WiiPad has an accelerometer which means that it can be used in the landscape or portrait mode just by tilting the display. The accelerometer can also be used as a controller for playing games. The resistive touchscreen display apparently supports multi-touch gestures.
Another really impressive feature is that the tablet ships with a fully functional version of the Google Android Market. You can easily download and install apps from the Android Market, although a large number of them are not available. The tablet also has a third party app store installed.
TOSHIBA AC100 HEADING TO EUROPE
French retailer Darty has started taking pre-orders for the Toshiba AC100 Android running smartbook. Last week, the tablet went up for pre-order in the UK and now it looks like it is heading to other parts of Europe as well.
The Toshiba AC100 is a 1.9 pound smartbook powered by a NVIDIA Tegra T20 chipset. It has a 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels and runs Google Android operating system. Other specifications include 512MB of memory and a 16GB Solid State Disk for storage. Darty is charging about €299, or about $380 US for the smartbook. In France it is expected to start shipping in 15 days.
Meanwhile, the AC100 is expected to start shipping in Japan this Friday. It will launch with Android 2.1, but an upgrade to Android 2.2 is very much on the cards and that should enable support for Adobe Flash
GIGABYTE ANNOUNCES T1005M WITH ATOM N550 PROCESSOR
Within hours of Intel announcing its dual core Atom N550 processor,PC makers are keeping themselves busy giving their netbooks an Atom N550 makeover. Close on the heels of Lenovo announcing an IdeaPad S10-3 with Atom N550 processor, Gigabyte has announced that its T1005M will also ship with the same processor.The netbook is now available from an Australian computer store.
The Gigabyte T1005M seems to be an update to the T1000 TouchNote series of convertible tablet style netbooks. It does have some impressive specs including a 10.1 inch capacitive touchscreen display with 1366 x 768 pixels, 2GB of DDR3 memory, a 320GB hard drive and Windows 7 Home Premium. The supported connectivity options include 802.11b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1. There is also an HSDPA antenna built in (for an optional HSDPA module). You also get 1 USB 3.0 port and 2 eSAA/USB ports.
The laptop comes standard with a 6-cell battery. But premium features command a premium price. The Gigabyte T1005M is going for $905 Australian, or about $798.
LENOVO IDEAPAD S10-3 WITH DUAL CORE ATOM N550 PROCESSOR UP FOR PRE-ORDER IN AUSTRALIA
Several Australian retailers have started taking pre-orders for the Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3 with an Intel Atom N550 dual-core processor. The mini-laptop is not yet available for purchase in the US. The Atom N550 is a dual-core processor supporting DDR3 memory. Despite having an extra core, it is expected to get more or less the same battery life as the single core Atom N450 processor. What's more, it supports hyperthreading which means that you will get a decent performance boost while performing tasks that require multitasking.
The Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3 06475CM isn't all that different from the regular IdeaPad S10-3. But the new model has a 1.5GHz dual core Intel Atom N550 processor and 1GB of DDR3 memory. The rest of the specifications are the same. Both models have a 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, a 1.3MP webcam,Windows 7 Starter Edition and a flash card reader.
In Australia the base model of the laptop is selling for about $559 Australian (about $499 US). It is expected to start shipping on September 7th.
ACER CHROME OS NETBOOK SPECS LEAK
Acer has been working on a Google Chrome OS netbook for a while. Google Chrome is a web-based operating system developed for netbooks. Google is expected to officially launch it later this year. Acer has so far been pretty quiet about the specs of its upcoming Chrome netbook, but now it looks like a few details have leaked.
The Acer Chrome netbook will reportedly have a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 processor. The Atom N455 processor supports DDR3 memory. It will also have 1GB of RAM, an 8Gb SanDisk SSD and ambient light sensor. The supported connectivity options include WiFi and Bluetooth. That said, these specs aren't official and are likely to change any time. There is still no word on pricing or a launch date.
The Acer Chrome netbook will reportedly have a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 processor. The Atom N455 processor supports DDR3 memory. It will also have 1GB of RAM, an 8Gb SanDisk SSD and ambient light sensor. The supported connectivity options include WiFi and Bluetooth. That said, these specs aren't official and are likely to change any time. There is still no word on pricing or a launch date.
DUAL CORE INTEL ATOM N550 NOW SHIPPING
The new dual core Intel Atom processor for netbooks is now available and Intel claims that a dozen new netbooks sporting the brand new processor are in stores today. But the fact is that a netbook with a dual core Atom N550 processor is not yet available, but you should be able to pick up one in the next few weeks.
According to Intel, PC makers such as Acer, Asus, Fujitsu, Lenovo, LG, MSI, Samsung, Toshiba and several others will launch netbooks with the new processor. The Atom N550 processor supports DDR3 memory. It is expected to get more or less the same battery life as an Atom N450 single core processor.
The official specifications of the Atom N550 chip are not yet available, but it reportedly runs at 1.5GHz and features 512KB of L2 cache. It also sports hyperthreading capabilities which means that you should be able to get better multitasking performance.
SAMSUNG X125 NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK
The Samsung X125 ultraportable notebook is now available for purchase in the UK. The laptop is powered by a 1.7GHz AMD Athlon II Neo K125 single-core processor. Other specifications include ATI Radeon HD 4200 integrated graphics, 320GB of hard disk space, 3GB of DDR3 memory and Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.
The Samsung X125 measures 0.96 inches in thickness and weighs 3.33 pounds. It has an 11.6 inch glossy display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The laptop also has WiFi 802.11n, Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth 3.0, integrated webcam, stereo speakers, a 4-in-1 media card reader, VGA and HDMI outputs.
Pricing and availability
The Samsung X125 is now available via Amazon U.K. and LaptopsDirect.co.uk. It is priced at £435 ($680). No word on pricing or availability in the US.
The Samsung X125 measures 0.96 inches in thickness and weighs 3.33 pounds. It has an 11.6 inch glossy display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The laptop also has WiFi 802.11n, Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth 3.0, integrated webcam, stereo speakers, a 4-in-1 media card reader, VGA and HDMI outputs.
Pricing and availability
The Samsung X125 is now available via Amazon U.K. and LaptopsDirect.co.uk. It is priced at £435 ($680). No word on pricing or availability in the US.
LENOVO IDEAPAD Z565 NOW AVAILABLE IN THE US
The Lenovo IdeaPad Z565 is a 15.6 inch multimedia laptop with an affordable price tag. While the IdeaPad Z560 is Intel-based, the Z565 has AMD processors. The models available in the US have 2.3GHz Turion II P520 or 2.5GHz N530 dual-core processors. The graphics option on both models is the ATI Radeon HD4200 integrated or Radeon HD5470 discrete graphics with 512MB of dedicated video memory. Other specifications include 4GB of DDR3 memory (expandable to 8GB), 320GB hard disk space and a DVD burner.
The 15.6″ LED-backlit display has a resolution of 1366×768 pixels. The IdeaPad Z565 also has a 0.3 mega pixel webcam, WiFi 802.11n, Gigabit Ethernet, 3 USB ports,
an Express Card slot, a 5-in-1 digital media reader, stereo speakers, mic, and HDMI and VGA outputs.
The notebook runs Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. It comes standard with a 6-cell battery and will get around 4.5 hours of battery life. Prices start at $619.99.
ALLGO UNVEILS $50 TABLET PROTOTYPE IN INDIA
The India government may or may not produce that Google Android tablet costing just $35. But an Indian company called Allgo has designed a tablet prototype that could reportedly be built for just $50. Better still, you don't need to order a million units to get that price. Of course, a tablet that costs $50 to build may have a higher retail price. Still, it is quite cheap.
Few details are available at the moment, but aAllgo's new 'Stamp' prototype features a 7 inch resistive touchscreen display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. According to Silicon India, if you produce 10,000 units, the cost per unit will be $50. By producing more units, you should be able to bring the price down further.
Few details are available at the moment, but aAllgo's new 'Stamp' prototype features a 7 inch resistive touchscreen display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. According to Silicon India, if you produce 10,000 units, the cost per unit will be $50. By producing more units, you should be able to bring the price down further.
VELOCITY MICRO CRUZ TABLET AND READER UP FOR ORDER
Velocity Micro has started taking orders for its two new Android tablets. The company is marketing one of the machines as a 7 inch eBook reader with a color display. The other model is being pitched as a multipurpose Android tablet. Both are now available for pre-order but won't ship until September.
Velocity Micro Cruz Tablet
The Velocity Micro Cruz tablet runs Android 2.1. It has 4GB of internal storage, 512MB of RAM, an 8GB SD card and WiFi 802.11n. The company says that the tablet will get around 10 hours of battery life. The Cruz tablet has a 7 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It is priced at $299.99.
Velocity Micro Cruz Reader
The Velocity Micro Cruz Reader is priced at $199.99. It runs Android 2.0. Other specifications include 4GB SD card, 256MB of RAM, 256MB of storage, WiFi 802.11b/g and 10 hour battery life. This device also has a 7 inch display with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels.
Both devices ship with an eBook reader powered by Kobo.
TOSHIBA AC100 ANDROID SMARTBOOK COMING SOON TO UK
The Toshiba AC100 is a mini-laptop running the Google Android operating system. It is one of the so-called smartbooks that you can buy at retail. The machine is already available for purchase in Japan. And now Toshiba UK has also started offering the smartbook.
An official product page of the AC100 has gone live at the Toshiba UK website complete with images and detailed specifications. The Toshiba AC100 is powered by a NVIDIA Tegra chipset. it has a 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The laptop runs Google Android 2.1. It will reportedly get around 8 hours of runtime or 180 hours of standby time.
The UK model of the smartbook will have a 128GB solid state disk for storage and a 512MB of DDR2 memory. There is no word on a launch date or pricing, but the smartbook is expected to be available soon.
POCKETBOOK UNVEILS IQ ANDROID TABLET
PocketBook plans to launch a new series of Android tablets and eBook readers at IFA in Berlin next month. These machines will have screen sizes ranging between 6 to 10 inches.Most of them have an E Ink display and a low power processor,but one of the upcoming models also sport a color display and Android operating system.
Called PocketBook IQ this tablet has a 7 inch TFT color touchscreen display,built-in WiFi and Bluetooth modules. It will run Google Android 2.0. There is still no word on the processor, memory or battery life. PocketBook is marketing the device an an eBook reader and not a tablet. And that kind of makes sense. After all, the cheapest way to get your hands on an Android tablet without 3G is to buy an eBook reader and then make some tweaks so that you can start installing third party applications.
ACER WILL NOT LAUNCH ITS ANDROID TABLET UNTIL 2011
Pretty much every PC maker out there is busy building an Android tablet. The Google OS which was originally designed for smartphones run quite well on tablet. And unlike Windows it isn't very demanding on your resources. Better still, it is open source which means that you don't have to pay any license fee.
Acer, we had heard that would ship an Android tablet by the end of this year, but now DigiTimes report that the Acer Android tablet may not hit the streets until early 2011. By delaying the launch of its tablet Acer will be able to ship it with Android 3.0 which is specifically built for tablets. What this means is that it will have the default suite of Google applications including Gmail, Google Maps and Google calender. It will also have access to Android Market.
Except for a few tablets like the Dell Streak and Huawei S7 none of the tablets that currently ship have been sanctioned by Google. As a result of this downloading and installing third party apps on these machines is a bit of a hassle.
Meanwhile Acer is all set to launch its Windows 7 tablet before the end of this year.
Acer, we had heard that would ship an Android tablet by the end of this year, but now DigiTimes report that the Acer Android tablet may not hit the streets until early 2011. By delaying the launch of its tablet Acer will be able to ship it with Android 3.0 which is specifically built for tablets. What this means is that it will have the default suite of Google applications including Gmail, Google Maps and Google calender. It will also have access to Android Market.
Except for a few tablets like the Dell Streak and Huawei S7 none of the tablets that currently ship have been sanctioned by Google. As a result of this downloading and installing third party apps on these machines is a bit of a hassle.
Meanwhile Acer is all set to launch its Windows 7 tablet before the end of this year.
BLACKBERRY TABLET MAY NOT RUN BLACKBERRY OS
The upcoming BlackPad tablet from BlackBerry may not actually run the BlackBerry OS which runs on the company's ubiquitous BlackBerry smartphones. Bloomberg reports that Research in Motion (RIM) which builds the BlackBerry phones is likely to use an altogether different operating system in its tablet.
Earlier this year RIM acquired a company called QNX Software Systems. They are specialists in building operating systems for in-car systems, as well as medical and other products. These in-house car systems are meant for handling music, media and navigation systems. These are the same things a handheld tablet should be capable of handling.
Siting several sources Bloomberg reports that the BlackPad will run a new OS developed by QNX. The BlackPad will reportedly also have a web browser, WiFi and email integration. It will also be able to share an internet connection with a BlackBerry phone.
$100 NETBOO COMING TO A CVS STORE NEAR YOU
The OLPC foundation may not have been able to produce a $100 laptop. They grabbed a lot of headlines when they announced that they would be building a $100 laptop. But it looks like another company has succeeded where OLPC failed. You may or may not believe it, but you will be able to pick up a $100 mini-laptop soon from your neighbourhood CVS drug store.
At $99.99, you will certainly not get a top-of-the-line netbook. This particular model called Sylvania netbook doesn't have anything impressive about it other than the price tag. It runs Windows CE and probably has a 7 inch display. There is also no point in expecting it to have more than a few gigabytes of storage and 512MB or less RAM. While we have already seen a number of similar machines with ARM-based processors, they usually don't make it to US retail stores. But this one is different.Engadget reports that that Sylvania netbook should hit CVS stores somEtime this fall.
SANDISK LAUNCHES POSTAGE STAMP SIZED INTEGRATED SSD
SanDisk has unveiled a new integrated solid state disk or iSSD. The company claims that the storage disk is smaller than a postage stamp and lighter than a paper clip. The new iSSD is available in capacities ranging between 4GB and 64GB. That said, the new iSSD is still bigger than a standard SDHC card and it is quite larger than a microSD card. On the plus side, it is an integrated SSD which means that it can be used as the primary storage disk for tablets and netbooks. And with read speeds reaching up to 160MB/S and write speeds up to 100MB/S it is a whole lot faster than removable flash drives.
The SanDisk iSSDs are currently being tested by OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers). Actual products sporting these disks should soon start shipping.
GOOGLE AND VERIZON TO LAUNCH A CHROME OS TABLET IN NOVEMBER?
Google will reportedly launch its Chrome Operating System and some mobile devices later this year. The Google Chrome OS is based on the Chrome web browser. It is meant for use in netbooks. Actually this OS was announced last year. Back then netbooks were the hottest property in town. But now tablets are all the rage. Needless to say, Google is now optimizing its OS so that it can run on tablets as well. In fact, word is that Google will kick things off by launching a Google branded tablet on November 26th.
This device will be built by HTC, the same company that built the Google Nexus One Android smartphone. It will reportedly be sold through Verizon and customers will be able to pick it up for a subsidized price if they sign up for a long term service contract. There is still no word on what the tablet will look like or what specifications it will have.
eLOCITY A7 ANDROID TABLETS COMING SOON
Most tablets on the market are good for surfing the web and running apps. The eLocity A7 Android tablets from Stream TV Networks are a little different. The company is marketing these devices as multimedia power houses. The little Android machines will be up for pre-order starting August 24th.
According to the company, the eLocity A7 tablet integrates 'high-end display and graphics technology'. No detailed specifications are available at the moment, but the tablet will apparently have a 7 inch display. It seems to have all the usual features you would find in an Android tablet. The tablet also seems to have a USB port, headphone jack and an SD card slot. Other features include an HDMI port and an optional docking station. Of course, these aren't the official specifications and are subject to change.
HUAWEI S7 TABLET REVIEWED: BELOW PAR PERFORMANCE
The Huawei S7 is a 7-inch Android tablet PC with reasonably impressive specs. Unlike most cheap tablets on the market, the Huawei S7 has a relatively fast processor and a 3G modem. It is also available with some mobile broadband service plans.
The tablet is already available in Austria for the subsidized price of 99 Euros up front and 29 Euros per month for a 5GB data plan. And some folks have posted detailed reviews. Here are the excerpts.
While the tablet does have a relatively fast 768MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, in real world usage, it doesn't seem all that fast. The camera app seems to have a habit of crashing. Picture quality isn't very great either. It also gets much less battery life than the promised 8 hours.
The Huawei S7 runs Android 2.1. It can be used to make phone calls, but the large 7 inch tablet isn't quite a fashionable device to hold up to your ears. The biggest problem, according to the reviewer, is the 'cheap' display. The Huawei S7 has a 7 inch resistive touchscreen display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It doesn't support multi-touch. The touch input isn't quite precise either. This is probably an issue associated with the OS. Android, as an operating system, is designed for your fingers. A resistive touchscreen, on the other hand, needs to be operated with a stylus.
MULTITOUCH SUPPORT COMING TO UBUNTU 10.10
Almost every operating system worth its salt support multitouch gestures these days and now Ubuntu is joining the league. Ubuntu Linux founder Mark Shuttleworth has announced that the upcoming version of Ubuntu will have support for multitouch gestures.
The new touch framework is called UTouch and it should be ready by the time Ubuntu 10.10 is released in October. To use all the features you will need a comouter with support for 4-finger touch. What makes UTouch different from other multitouch frameworks is that it will allow you to string multiple gestures together to initiate more complex actions.
The operating systems that support multitouch at the moment include Apple OS X,iOS, Palm webOS and Google Android. Windows 7 Starter Edition doesn't support multi-touch, but every other version of the OS does.
MSI UNVEILS CORE I5 SPORTING FX400
MSI has announced yet another notebook. Called MSI FX400, this machine is actually the smaller sibling to the multimedia giant called MSI FX600. Both models have plenty of impressive features to attract customers.
The MSI FX400 is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor with NVIDIA GeForce GT 325M discrete graphics. It features MSI's Turbo Drive Engine and GPU Boost technologies. The notebook has a 14 inch LCD display. The hard drive is available in 250GB, 320GB or 500GB capacities. Other specifications include HDMI, eSATA, a 2-in-1 memory card, Bluetooth 2.1 and RJ45.
No word on pricing or availability at the moment, but MSI is known for aggressive pricing so this machine is unlikely to cost a bomb.
TOSHIBA LIBRETTO W100 DUAL SCREEN LAPTOP UP FOR PRE-ORDER IN THE US
The Toshiba Libretto W100 dual screen notebook is now available for pre-order in the US. The device went on sale in Japan recently. It is already available in the US via Conics which will ship you a Japanese model for about $1400. But for those who are willing to wait, Amazon has started taking pre-orders for just $1100. It is not clear when this device will actually ship in the US. Toshiba is positioning the Libretto as a concept device rather than a consumer device which probably means that the company doesn't expect to sell a lot of them.
The Libretto W100 can work as a tablet or a laptop. It has a pair of 7 inch capacitive touchscreen displays with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels each. The bottom display can be used as a virtual keyboard. Actually you can choose from 6 different keyboard styles.
The Libretto W100 is powered by a 1.2GHz Intel Pentium U540 processor. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium. Other specifications include 2GB of DDR3 memory, a 62GB SSD, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, and an 8 cell battery.
QUALCOMM TO LAUNCH 1.5GHZ DUAL CORE ARM-BASED PROCESSORS
The 1GHz ARM-based processors found in smartphones like Motorola Droid X and Samsung Galaxy S are already ridiculously fast. But it looks like these low power processors could get even faster. According to a Computer World report, chipmaker Qualcomm is all set to introduce its new 1.5GHz dual core processors in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The new Qualcomm QSD8672 processor is meant for use in smartphones and tablets. Products using this processor could hit the market in time for this year's holiday shopping season.
The new processors have improved power management systems that include features that would allow one processor core to idle while the other is working. What this means is that you will get the dual core performance only when you need it. Qualcomm is also reportedly building HDMI output and 1080P HD video playback support into the processor.
The new Qualcomm QSD8672 processor is meant for use in smartphones and tablets. Products using this processor could hit the market in time for this year's holiday shopping season.
The new processors have improved power management systems that include features that would allow one processor core to idle while the other is working. What this means is that you will get the dual core performance only when you need it. Qualcomm is also reportedly building HDMI output and 1080P HD video playback support into the processor.
ASUS UL20FT NOW SHIPPING
The Asus UL20FT has started shipping. The 12.1 inch ultraportable laptop is powered by a 1.2GHz Intel Core i3-330UM processor. It has 2GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, integrated graphics, and a 6-cell battery rated at 47Whr. The notebook runs Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit operating system.
The Asus UL20FT is actually an updated version of the UL20A. The only major difference between the two laptops is in the processor. While the UL20A has a 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor, the UL20FT has a Core i3 processor. Pricing is also different. The UL20A is cheaper at $540 whereas the UL20FT is priced at $630.
Notebook Review.com recently published a detailed review of the notebook and seemed quite impressed with its performance. While the UL20FT isn't quite a speed demon, in many tests it performs better than most other thin and light laptops in its category. High-end gaming, however, is still out of question, but you will be able to enjoy HD video playback.
The Asus UL20FT is actually an updated version of the UL20A. The only major difference between the two laptops is in the processor. While the UL20A has a 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor, the UL20FT has a Core i3 processor. Pricing is also different. The UL20A is cheaper at $540 whereas the UL20FT is priced at $630.
Notebook Review.com recently published a detailed review of the notebook and seemed quite impressed with its performance. While the UL20FT isn't quite a speed demon, in many tests it performs better than most other thin and light laptops in its category. High-end gaming, however, is still out of question, but you will be able to enjoy HD video playback.
COLOR AND TOUCH-ENABLED E INK DISPLAYS COMING
Amazon recently unveiled its third generation Kindle. The famed eBook reader now comes with games and a nicer user interface. However, the E Ink display, which is the major attraction of the device, hasn't changed much. It still can't show color. Its page refresh rate hasn't improved much either. But the E Ink display technology is also evolving. Word is that color E Ink displays are getting closer to being reality. And there's more. E Ink displays with capacitive touch panels are also reportedly making the rounds internally. So a fully touch-enabled color-sporting Kindle may actually be in the lab at the moment.
Unlike an LCD display found in tablets and netbooks, the E Ink display has high contrast levels. It is almost black and white and consumes very little power. Needless to say, it doesn't cause eye strain and can run for days on end without recharging. What limits the use of this technology is its inability to display color. So if color E Ink displays do become a reality they will have huge application in the tablet space. After all, a tablet that runs days on end without needing to recharge is a pretty cool thing.
Unlike an LCD display found in tablets and netbooks, the E Ink display has high contrast levels. It is almost black and white and consumes very little power. Needless to say, it doesn't cause eye strain and can run for days on end without recharging. What limits the use of this technology is its inability to display color. So if color E Ink displays do become a reality they will have huge application in the tablet space. After all, a tablet that runs days on end without needing to recharge is a pretty cool thing.
GET PANDIGITAL NOVEL TABLET FOR $100 TODAY
The Pandigital Novel costs just $150. At that price,it is actually the cheapest 7 inch Android tablet available in the US at the moment. The company is marketing the device as an eBook reader, but hackers have already figured out how to install third party apps and make the device more useful. But if you still think that $150 is a bit too much, you can get the tablet today for just $100 plus tax.
You will, of course, need to combine a few coupons, but that isn't all that difficult. Basically here is what you need to do.
Step 1
Print out a Walgreens ad to get $20 off the base price of Bed Bath & Beyond.
Step 2
Use the Bed Bath & Beyond $20 off coupon to knock another $30 off the price and then apply for a $20 rebate on the tablet. If you manage to do all these things you should be able to get the tablet for $100. The only catch is that the rebate is available only today. So hurry up.
GENIUS MOUSEPEN M508 AND M508W UNVEILED
Genius has unveiled two new tablets called the MousePen M508 and the MousePen M508W. Both models are expected to start shipping in September. The Genius MousePen M508 and M508W have many common features.
Both tablets feature a 5x8-inch work area which can be switched between a widescreen view and a 4:3 aspect ratio. There are 13 programmable keys on the tablet's surface. You will be able to program the 4 hardware keys seen above the working area as well.The tablets also feature dedicated controls for attributes like brush, zooming and scrolling.
The MousePen M508 and the M508W both support 4,000 LPI resoution and 1024-level pressure sensitivity with the included Bluetooth connected pen. The only major difference between the two models is that the M508 is wired,whereas the M508W is wireless.
Pricing
Both tablets are expected to start shipping in September. The MousePen M508 will cost $149 whereas the other model will cost you a cool $199.
ASUS EEE PAD EP101TC TO SHIP IN MARCH FOR $399
The 10 inch Asus Eee Pad EP101TC may start shipping in March for $399. Asus is positioning the tablet as a competitor to the iPad and if sources are correct there will be two models - one running Windows Embedded Compact 7 and the other running Google Android. Both models will start at $399 or less.
According to Asus CEO, the Windows Embedded version of the tablet could ship in January. The Android model is unlikely to hit the streets before March.
If Asus does manage to sell the tablet for $399 or less, it could become pretty competitive. The Apple iPad starts at $499. By keeping the price tag low, Asus should be able to offer some stiff competition to Apple's iconic product.
Asus also plans to launch a 12 inch model called Eee Pad EP121. It is expected to start shipping in December or January. This model will run Windows 7. It will cost around $1000. The Eee Pad EP121 will have a docking station with e keyboard. It will be powered by an intel Core 2 Duo CPU.
ASUS EEE TABLET COULD LAUNCH IN OCTOBER FOR $300
If PC World has got its sources correct, the Asus Eee Tablet could ship in October for just $300. A couple of days ago, there were reports that the Eee Tablet could cost as much as $599. At that price it would be ridiculously costly, especially when you consider the fact that it is merely an ebook reader with some note-taking capabilities.
The Asus Eee Tablet is not a tablet PC. The tablet PCs that Asus is building are called Eee Pads. Asus reportedly has plans to change its name to Eee Note before launch. The device has an 8 inch touchscreen LCD display that supports 64 shades of gray. The display has a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels.
The Eee Tablet display is sunlight readable, but it will not offer the same high contrast levels as an E Ink display found on dedicated ebook readers like Amazon's Kindle does. However, because of its being an LCD display it will offer faster refresh rates. On the flip side, it will get only around 10 hours on battery life. The Kindle, on the other hand, will run for days on end without recharging.
The Eee Tablet is also a note-taking device. It will let you jot down notes, highlight passages and perform other actions with its accurate stylus. It also has a web browser and WiFi capabilities.
DRS TECHNOLOGIES UNVEIL ARMOR X10GX RUGGED LAPTOP
DRS Technologies has unveiled a new fully rugged laptop called ARMOR X10gx. The DRS ARMOR X10gx has a 10.4-inch display. It features a magnesium alloy chassis and is compliant with MIL-STD-810G standards for shock, vibration, and temperature extremes. It is also rated IP67 which means that it can withstand moisture, dust, sand, mold, pollen and more.
The ARMOR X10gx is powered by a 1.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 ultra-low voltage processor. Other specifications include up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM, up to 160GB of SSD, hot-swappable twin lithium ion battery pack and Windows 7 Ultimate operating system.
The anti-glare LED backlit display has a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. It accepts both digitizer pen and resistive touch input. A pen only model is also available.
The ARMOR X10gx also has WiFi 802.11n, Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth, three USB ports, Gobi 2000 mobile broadband with GPS, an HDMI output, an SD/SDHC card reader and an optional handle. For enhanced security, there is a fingerprint scanner, a Smart Card reader and support for encrypted drives.
Pricing and availability
The ARMOR X10gx will be available starting September 15th. No word on pricing at the moment.
The ARMOR X10gx is powered by a 1.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 ultra-low voltage processor. Other specifications include up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM, up to 160GB of SSD, hot-swappable twin lithium ion battery pack and Windows 7 Ultimate operating system.
The anti-glare LED backlit display has a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. It accepts both digitizer pen and resistive touch input. A pen only model is also available.
The ARMOR X10gx also has WiFi 802.11n, Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth, three USB ports, Gobi 2000 mobile broadband with GPS, an HDMI output, an SD/SDHC card reader and an optional handle. For enhanced security, there is a fingerprint scanner, a Smart Card reader and support for encrypted drives.
Pricing and availability
The ARMOR X10gx will be available starting September 15th. No word on pricing at the moment.
NOTION INK ADAM TABLET TO START AT $399
Notion Ink has finally revealed the pricing information for its upcoming Adam tablet. A little bit of information about potential launch dates are also available.
The Notion Ink Adam tablet is one of the most anticipated devices of the year. It could be the first tablet to actually ship with a Pixel Qi display which is quite readable both indoors and outdoors. Better still, it consumes 80% less power in the outdoors or high contrast mode. Adam could also be the first tablet to ship with a NVIDIA Tegra 2 chipset. But when will the machine actually start shipping?
According to reports, Notion Ink will start manufacturing the tablet in November. To go sale in the US, it must first receive FCC certification which means that the launch date could be between November 2010 and January 2011. The tablet will reportedly also have a starting price of $399. This particular model will have an LCD display and WiFi capabilities. The tablet will be available in three other models as well. Here's the run-down:
* Adam Tablet with LCD display 3G, and WiFi for $449
* Adam Tablet with Pixel Qi display and WiFi for $449
* Adam Tablet with Pixel Qi display, 3G and WiFi for $498
These prices may change, but Notion Ink says that they are trying to bring the prices down before launch, rather than up.
INDIA GOVERNMENT PROMISES 1 MILLION $35 TABLETS NEXT YEAR
The Indian Human Resources Development Ministry promises to deliver 1 million $35 tablets next year. The India government is building these tablets for students.
During an interview with Gadget Guru, Indian Human Resources Development Minister showed off an Android tablet which works reasonably well. However, the resistive touchscreen wasn't all that responsive, but that is nothing surprising. You can't, after all, expect such a ridiculously cheap machine to work so perfectly.
The tablet has a SIM card slot. It will reportedly also have 3G and WiFi capabilities. Meanwhile, the $35 doesn't seem to be the retail price of the tablet. It is probably the whole sale price at which the government will purchase 1 million units. Right now there are no plans to sell these machines directly to consumers. Still, the $35 price tag doesn't seem all that plausible. After all, this thing needs memory, a processor and some storage space to function as a tablet.
ACER INTRODUCES DYNAVIVID GRAPHICS DOCK FOR FERRARI ONE
The Acer Ferrari One mini-laptop has been around for a while. In fact, it has started looking a bit dated. When Acer introduced the laptop last year,it was one of the first mini-laptops on the market to have an 11.6 inch display and AMD processor with ATI graphics instead of an Intel chipset. But now plenty of AMD-powered ultraportable laptops are available on the market. So the novelty factor no longer makes the Ferrari One special.
When Acer introduced the laptop, the company had promised a certain accessory called the DynaVivid Graphics Dock.It’s still not available in the US, but Blogee reports that you can pick one up in France for €199 (about $259 US).
The dock is an external graphics card (ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670) that can be connected to the ATI XGP port on the Acer Ferrari One. The laptop has an Athlon X2 dual core L310 processor and integrated ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics. This configuration is good enough to handle HD video playback, but just in case you need more graphics power you can plug in the dock. The dock also acts as a 6 port USB hub. It supports DirectX 10.1 and has HDMI and VGA outputs that can handle up to 2048 x 1536.
That said, $260 is still a lot of money to spend on an accessory that just gives some extra graphics capability.
TOSHIBA SATELLITE T215D REVIEWED
AMD unveiled several processors for netbooks and thin and light laptops this summer and the company has already made pretty big inroads. Major PC makers such as Dell, HP, Acer,Toshiba and Samsung have all introduced laptops with AMD's new Nile-based processors. The Toshiba Satellite T215D is one such machine.
The Satellite T215D is a budget laptop with a $469 price tag. It is powered by a single core 1.7GHz AMD Athlon II Neo K125 processor. Laptop Magazine has posted one of the first reviews of the notebook and seem impressed with its performance and attractive design.
The Satellite T215D weighs just 3.3 pounds. It features an attractive chrome-style design. Build quality is also quite satisfactory. On the flip side, the keyboard feels a bit cramped. The touchpad isn't perfect either. Its buttons, for example, could have been positioned better.
In terms of over all performance, the notebook is significantly faster than an Intel Atom powered netbook, but note quite as fast as a laptop powered by a Core 2 Duo SU7300 CULV processor. On the other hand, the ATI Radeon HD 4225 integrated graphics that comes with Nile processors is much better than integrated Intel graphics. It can, for instance, handle HD video without breaking a sweat. You will also be able to play some modern games.
PIONEER DREAMBOOK EPAD L11 TABLET TO GO ON SALE IN AUSTRALIA NEXT MONTH
The Pioneer DreamBook ePad L11 tablet PC has better specs than most tablets on the market. The DreamBook ePad L11 is an 11.6 inch tablet PC. It is powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor and runs Windows 7. What is interesting about this tablet is that it is available with NVIDIA ION graphics, a high resolution multitouch capacitive display with 1366 x 768 pixels and up to 64GB of Solid State Disk for storage. Bluetooth and 3G options are also available.
The Pioneer ePad L11 was introduced last month. The tablet is expected to go on sale in Australia in September for about Australian $699.
The Pioneer ePad L11 also has WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 and a 1.3 megapixel built-in webcam. It ships with a 4800mAh battery and runs Windows 7 Home Premium.
The Pioneer ePad L11 was introduced last month. The tablet is expected to go on sale in Australia in September for about Australian $699.
The Pioneer ePad L11 also has WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 and a 1.3 megapixel built-in webcam. It ships with a 4800mAh battery and runs Windows 7 Home Premium.
GATEWAY LAUNCHES LT32 AND LT22 MINI-LAPTOPS
Gateway has launched two new mini-laptops. The Gateway LT32 has an 11.6 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It is powered by a 1.7GHz AMD Athlon II Neo K125 processor and ATI Radeon HD 4225. This model is essentially a rebranded version of the Acer Aspire One 721 and that makes sense because Acer owns the Gateway brandname.
The Gateway LT22 looks virtually identical to the LT32 except that it has a smaller 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. It also features a smaller keyboard. The LT22 has more or less the same specifications as the Acer Aspire One 521.
While the LT22 ships with Windows 7 Starter Edition, the LT32 has Windows 7 Home Premium. Both laptops are now available in Canada for $350 and $450 respectively. There is still no word on a US launch date.
HP MINI 5103 NOW SHIPPING FOR $399 AND UP
HP has started shipping its Mini 5103 business laptop in the US for $399 and up. The HP Mini 5103 is virtually identical to the Mini 5102 except for the fact that it has new Intel Atom processors that support DDR3 memory.
Her’s a quick rundown of the specs:
* Processor: 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 or 1.83GHz Intel Atom N475
* Graphics: Intel GMA 3150 integrated graphics
* Memory: 1G to 2GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM
* Display: 10.1 inches (optional touch screen available)
* Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Starter, SUSE Linux Enterprise 11, or FreeDOS
* Storage: 160GB or 320GB 7200rpm hard drive or 80GB or 120GB Solid State Disk
* I/O: 3 USB 2.0 ports, VGA, mic, headphone, 2MP webcam
* Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1
* Battery: 4 cell 29Whr or 6 cell 66Whr
The HP Mini 5103 measures 0.9 inches in thickness and weighs around 2.6 pounds. The HP website doesn't seem to offer configuration options at the moment. The base model that costs $399 has a Atom N455 processor, Windows 7 Starter, Office 2010 Starter, 1GB of memory, and a 250GB hard drive. It also features a hard drive sensor that will protect your computer from damage in the event of a fall, and a spill-resistant keyboard
INTEL RUNNING $5000 CONTEST FOR NETBOOK GAME DEVELOPERS
Netbooks are cheap laptops powered by relatively slower processors. They have smaller displays with lower resolution. They also feature small touchpads and keyboards. Most netbooks don't have discrete graphics cards and the integrated graphics cores that these machines ship with are usually incapable of handling most modern games.
But Intel, the company that builds the ubiquitous Atom processors and The Games Creators think that games can be designed specifically for netbooks. Intel is running a contest for game developers. The top prize is a $5000 vacation. First place winners in each contest category will get $1000 each whereas second prize winners will get free netbooks. The prize winning games will also get an opportunity to feature in the Intel Atom Developer Program Community.
The games should be specifically designed for low-resolution displays. They will be judged on the basis of graphics, play and other standout elements. They should also complement the netbook-as-a-travel-companion idea, which means that players should be able to pause the game any time they like and then restart from where they stopped. Game developers need to submit their entries by October 3rd.
But Intel, the company that builds the ubiquitous Atom processors and The Games Creators think that games can be designed specifically for netbooks. Intel is running a contest for game developers. The top prize is a $5000 vacation. First place winners in each contest category will get $1000 each whereas second prize winners will get free netbooks. The prize winning games will also get an opportunity to feature in the Intel Atom Developer Program Community.
The games should be specifically designed for low-resolution displays. They will be judged on the basis of graphics, play and other standout elements. They should also complement the netbook-as-a-travel-companion idea, which means that players should be able to pause the game any time they like and then restart from where they stopped. Game developers need to submit their entries by October 3rd.
VERIZON ROADMAP FEATURES TABLETS FROM SAMSUNG AND MOTOROLA
A leaked Verizon product roadmap for the next two years features Android tablets from companies like Samsung and Motorola. These roadmaps are subject to change so they usually carry more weight than rumors.
We have been hearing about upcoming tablets from Motorola and Samsung for a while. However, still we don't have any hard specifications of the devices. According to the leaked document, the Samsung tablet will feature a 7-inch display and a front-facing camera for video conferencing. It will run Google Android.
The Motorola tablet will have a larger 10 inch display. It will be powered by a 1GHz or a 1.3GHz processor. This tablet will also have a front facing camera. It is expected to run Android 3.0. While the Samsung tablet could launch this year itself, the Motorola tablet may not be available until February next year.
No word on pricing is available at the moment, but since these tablets are likely to be carried by Verizon, you should be able to pick them up at subsidized prices provided that you sign up for long term service contracts.
EUROCOM LAUNCHES FOX LINE OF LAPTOPS WITH NVIDIA OPTIMUS
Eurocom is known for its line of high-end gaming laptops, but the company's latest offerings are a little different. The newly unveiled Fox line of notebooks from Eurocom are affordable; they also get decent battery life.
The Eurocom M5100M Fox is equipped with a 15.6 inch display whereas the B7110 Fox has a larger 17.3 inch display. Both models are available with your choice of a Core i5 or i7 processor, integrated Intel HD graphics and discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT330M graphics with 1GB of dedicated video memory. They also feature the NVIDIA Optimus technology for automatically switching between the integrated and discrete graphics.
Pricing and availability
The 15.6 inch M5100M Fox starts at just $999, whereas the 17.3 inch B7110 has a starting price of $1199. At these prices, these machines are certainly cheaper than most laptops with similar screen sizes.
11.6 INCH MACBOOK AIR COMING THIS SEPTEMBER?
11.6″ MacBook Air refresh tipped for September, plus clickwheel-free iPod nano
Rumors doing the rounds suggest that a A MacBook Air refresh is imminent. The venerable notebook from Apple has long been languishing as the notebook that badly needs an update. Now word is that the refreshed model will hit the streets in September. The new MacBook Air is also expected to cost significantly less than the existing model which starts at $1,499.
No hard specifications of the new model are available yet. But rumors suggest that Apple will reduce the laptop's screen size from 13.3 inches to 11.6 inches. The company doesn't sell mini-laptops with 10 or 11 inch displays at the moment. The new model is also expected to be powered by Intel's latest ultra-low voltage Core i Series processors. Still, it is likely to be positioned as a mainstream notebook, rather than premium ultraportable.
Rumors doing the rounds suggest that a A MacBook Air refresh is imminent. The venerable notebook from Apple has long been languishing as the notebook that badly needs an update. Now word is that the refreshed model will hit the streets in September. The new MacBook Air is also expected to cost significantly less than the existing model which starts at $1,499.
No hard specifications of the new model are available yet. But rumors suggest that Apple will reduce the laptop's screen size from 13.3 inches to 11.6 inches. The company doesn't sell mini-laptops with 10 or 11 inch displays at the moment. The new model is also expected to be powered by Intel's latest ultra-low voltage Core i Series processors. Still, it is likely to be positioned as a mainstream notebook, rather than premium ultraportable.
TOSHIBA LIBRETTO W100 COMING TO JAPAN ON AUGUST 11
Toshiba will start shipping its dual-screen tablet called Libretto W100 on August 11 in Japan. The Toshiba Libretto has two 7-inch multitouch displays with a resolution of 1024 x 688 pixels. When the tablet is opened like a laptop, the screen on the bottom will display a multitouch keyboard while the top half functions like a regular touchscreen display.
The Toshiba Libretto W100 is powered by a 1.2GHz Pentium US400 processor. Other specifications include 2GB of RAM, a 52GB solid state drive and an accelerometer. The tablet also has an 8-cell battery, 1 USB port, Bluetooth, a microSDHC card and a webcam.
Pricing and availability
No word on the Japanese pricing at the moment, but Toshiba says that the tablet will cost around $1,099 when it makes its debut in the US. There is, however, no word on when that will happen.
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