NOTEBOOK AND LAPTOP REVIEWS: 12/1/10

ASUS EEE NOTE EA800 PREVIEW

The Asus Eee Note EA800 is one of the most interesting devices to hit the market in 2010. the tablet / note-taking device is not yet available for purchase in the US, but it has started shipping in Taiwan.

The Eee Note EA800 has an 8-inch 64-shade grayscale display. It is designed for note-taking. While popular tablets like iPad and Galaxy Tab have colorful multi-touch displays, the Eee Note uses a stylus and a custom OS to provide a better writing and drawing experience.

The folks at Laptop Magazine have published their first impressions of the tablet. The Eee Note looks more like an eBook reader with a grayscale display than a tablet. But the device also has a high-resolution display and a stylus for pressure sensitive input. You can also surf the web, take photographs or record audio notes with the tablet.

According the Laptop Magazine, the best feature of the tablet is its battery life. It also stores your notes well. On the flip side, the notes are stored as GIF images. Unfortunately the tablet can't convert your hand-written notes to text. And that might put off some buyers.

ASUS TO LAUNCH G73SW AND G53SW GAMING LAPTOPS WITH SANDY BRIDGE PROCESSORS

Asus will soon launch two new gaming laptops with Intel's upcoming 2nd generation Core series processors, codenamed Sandy Bridge. Intel is expected to officially launch the Sandy Bridge platform at CES in January.

The Asus G73SW and the G53SW have 17.3 inch and 15.6 inch displays respectively. They will both have Intel Core i7-2630QM quad-core processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M discrete graphics with 1.5GB of dedicated video memory, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, full HD displays and hard drives combined with solid state storage.

Other specifications include WiFi 802.11b/g/n, USB 3.0 ports, Bluetooth, webcam with microphone and Blu-ray drive. Windows 7 Home Premium is the operating system onboard.

The Asus G73SW with Blu-ray will be priced at around 2,000 Euros ($2,650).

DELL TO LAUNCH LATITUDE 2120 WITH DUAL CORE ATOM PROCESSOR

The Dell Latitude netbooks are aimed at the education market. What makes them suitable for use in the classroom are their rubberized case and anti-microbial treatment.

Dell has been giving minor updates to these netbooks for a while, and now sources report that the company will launch a new model called the Latitude 2120 at CES next week.

The Dell Latitude 2120 will be available with an Intel Atom N550 dual core Atom processor and an optional Broadcom Crystal HD video accelerator. It has a 10.1 inch display. A touchscreen display is available as an optional feature. Other specifications include 3 or 6-cell battery, 1 to 2GB of RAM, USB, Ethernet and VGA ports. No word on pricing or availability at the moment.

ASUS TO LAUNCH EP121, EP101, EP102 AND EP71 TABLETS AT CES

Like every other PC maker on the planet, Asus is also set to unveil a new line of tablet computers at CES next week. Asus released a teaser video of its 12.1 inch EP121 last week. A couple of days ago, the company also released some close-up shots of its tablets.

We already knew that the EP121 will have a large display and a keyboard docking station although it is not clear whether that keyboard part is optional. There will also be a few smaller models. One of the machines- the Eee Pad EP102 - seems to have a slide-out keyboard. Another model, the EP101, appears to have a detachable keyboard much like the larger EP121. Both models are expected to have 10 inch displays.

The EP71 doesn't seem to have any sort of keyboard. It has a stylus which probably means that it has a resistive touchscreen display or an active digitizer. This model will probably have a 7 inch screen.

MSI TO LAUNCH WINDPAD 100A AND 100W ANDROID AND WINDOWS TABLETS AT CES

MSI has announced that it will launch two new tablets at CES next week. Both machines will have 10.1 inch displays. While one of the tablets has an ARM-based processor and runs Google Android, the other tablet runs Windows 7 on an x86 based processor.

The Android tablet will be called MSI WindPad 100A. It will have a 10.1 inch multitouch display, GPS, G-Sensor, a digital compass and ALS light sensor. The supported connectivity options include WiFi (standard) and 3G (optional). MSI says that the WindPad 100A will get around 10 hours of battery life. It will measure 0.55 inches at its thinnest part and weigh under 1.8 pounds.

The MSI WindPad 100W runs Windows 7 Home Premium. It has an Intel Atom Z530 processor, a 32GB SSD, a G sensor, light sensor and WiFi. It will run MSI's Wind Touch software on top of Windows 7. Other specifications include a SIM card slot, an HDMI output, 2 USB ports and a 4-in-1 card reader. The tablets are due out in the first quarter of 2011.

TOSHIBA ANNOUNCES NB550D WITH AMD ONTARIO PROCESSOR

AMD is all set to launch its Fusion line of processors which include the low power Ontario and Zacate chips. The Fusion processors are AMD's answer to Intel's Atom. They are quite power efficient and deliver significantly better performance than the Atom processors. Needless to say we will see lots of laptops sporting the brand new AMD chips at CES.

But Toshiba it looks like is in no mood to wait. Toshiba's German division has published a product page for a new laptop called the Toshiba NB550D. It has a 1GHz dual core AMD C50 (Ontario) processor. The Toshiba NB550D has a 10.1 inch display. Other specifications include AMD Radeon HD 6250M graphics, HDMI output, a 6-cell battery, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive.

Toshiba claims that the battery will get around 9.5 hours of battery life. The laptop runs Windows 7 Home Premium. It will be available in green, orange or brown.

GIGABYTE UNVEILS Q2005 NETBOOK WITH DUAL CORE ATOM PROCESSOR

Gigabyte has launched a new netbook called the Gigabyte Q2005. The device has a dual core Atom N550 processor. Unlike the Gigabyte T1005 convertible, the Q2005 doesn't have a touchscreen or swiveling display.

The Gigabyte Q2005 also lacks the high resolution display found in the T1005. This model has a regular 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. Other specifications include 1GB of DDR3 memory (up to 2GB is supported), a 250GB hard drive (up to 500GB), WiFi 802.11b/g/n, optional Bluetooth 3.0, Ethernet, VGA and a 0.3 megapixel camera. Both 3-cell and 6-cell battery options are available.

The most interesting thing about the laptop, besides its dual core processor, is perhaps the 8-in-1 flash card reader. Most netbooks have SD card readers while a few have SD/MMC/ MS readers, but almost none has an 8-in-1 card reader.

No word on pricing but the Q2005 should be cheaper than the T1005 which starts at $579.

SAMSUNG COULD LAUNCH GALAXY TAB2 NEXT WEEK

The Samsung Galaxy Tab is one of the best-selling tablets on the market. Samsung has already sold 1.2 million Galaxy Tabs and is keen on expanding its share in the worldwide tablet market. Word is that Samsung is already working on the next version of the Galaxy Tab. What's more, the Galaxy Tab2 could be introduced as early as next week.

It is not clear whether the new Galaxy Tab will have a larger display, a faster processor or other features that would differentiate it from the 7 inch tablet currently available.

Previous rumors had suggested that Galaxy Tab2 would have a Super AMOLED display and a dual core Samsung Hummingbird processor. But because Google prefers NVIDIA Tegra 2 processors for tablets running Android 3.0 or Honeycomb Samsung may drop that plan and use a Tegra 2 processor instead.

MSI TO LAUNCH U270 LAPTOP WITH AMD ZACATE PROCESSOR

MSI hasn't had any major product release in 2010. The company did launch a few minor revisions of its existing netbook and laptop lineup, but that's all we heard from them in the last 12 months or so. But things are going to get exciting again. MSI is preparing to launch an 11.6 inch laptop called U270 with AMD's new Zacate processor in 2011.

The AMD Zacate processor has a low power processor core and high performance graphics. It is capable of handling HD video, 3D gaming and other tasks that only a discrete GPU can handle.

The MSI U270 has an 11.6 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It is powered by a 1.6GHz Zacate processor which consumes 18W or less of power. Other specifications include a 500GB hard drive, up to 4GB of RAM, 1 USB 3.0 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, VGA, HDMI output and an SD card reader. MSI is expected to show off the laptop at CES in January.

ONKYO TO LAUNCH 10 INCH ANDROID TABLET

Onkyo, the Japanese PC Maker,launched a whole line of Windows 7 tablets recently. And now the company has set its sight on the ubiquitous Android tablet space as well. PC Watch reports that Onkyo will soon launch a 10 inch tablet PC with a second generation NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. The device will run Android 2.2 operating system.

The Onkyo tablet will have a 10.1 inch capacitive multitouch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. Other specifications include WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, 512MB of RAM, a 1.3 megapixel webcam and 8GB of storage. There will also be an HDMI output with optional dock accessory.

Onkyo doesn't usually sell its products directly in the US. This machine is unlikely to be different either. But if you have taken a fancy to this one, you should be able to pick it up from importers like Dynamism or China Grabber.

DELL STREAK 7 PASSES THROUGH FCC

The Dell Streak 7 has passed through the FCC. Although Dell has confirmed that it is building 7- and 10 inch tablets, it hasn't yet officially announced the Streak 7. Nevertheless, the little machine has been very much in news recently. Last week we saw it featuring in a leaked commercial treatment, then it earned its WiFi certification and yesterday some more photos of the tablet leaked out. And now it has passed the FCC hurdle too.

According to FCC documents, the Streak 7 (also called Looking Glass) will have a UMTS 3G modem which will work with AT&T and T-Mobile in the US, Bluetooth 2.1 and WiFi 802.11b/g/n. Some leaked photos of the tablet has already shown it with T-Mobile branding.

Detailed specifications of the device are not yet available. Although, previous rumors had suggested that it would have a Tegra 2 processor, it is not clear whether that is true. It is also not clear whether the tablet will be able to make phone calls. But now that leaks are coming one after the other one thing is certain: The Dell Streak 7 is nearing its launch.

HP PAVILION DV6 SPOTED WITH INTEL SANDY BRIDGE PROCESSOR IN SINGAPORE

Intel will officially launch its Sandy Bridge processors at CES in January. And it looks like HP will be the first company to sell a laptop equipped with the new Sandy Bridge Core series processors. An HP Pavilion dv6 sporting the new processor has been spotted in an electronics store in Singapore.

The new Pavilion dv6 has the same case design as the previous line of dv6 laptops. The only major difference is that the new model has a Sandy Bridge processor inside.

Specs-wise, the laptop has a 15.6 inch LED backlit display. It is powered by a 2GHz Intel Core i7-2630QM processor which can reach a Turbo Boost speed of 2.8GHz. The laptop also has an AMD Radeon HD 6570M graphics card.

Pricing and availability
Right now this model seems to be only available in Singapore. It is priced at $1,900 Singapore dollars (about $1,399 USD).

ARCHOS 70 AND ARCHOS 101 TABLETS REVIEWED

Long before Apple and other PC Makers threw their hat into the tablet ring, Archos had been building tablet computers that were primarily designed for surfing the web on an all screen device. Archos still builds internet tablets and they are way cheaper than those tablets built by companies based in the US and Europe. Better still, Archos tablets also possess capacitive touchscreen displays, superb codec support and ultrathin chassis.

Engadget has posted a detailed review of the 7 inch Archos 70 and 10 inch Archos 101 tablets. They seem quite impressed with the performance of each tablet but didn't like the cheap plastic casing and the poor viewing angles of the display. And because tablets are more likely to be held at an angle, those poor viewing angles might put off some buyers. Still these are good tablets for their price.

The Archos 70 and Archos 101 both run Android 2.2. They are both powered by a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processors and have front-facing VGA cameras. Both models start at $299.

REFURBISHED 11.6 INCH MACBOOK AIR NOW SELLING FOR $849

Apple recently released an 11.6 inch version of their iconic MacBook Air. While the machine has a smaller display it isn't quite a netbook because netbooks are cheap computers. while the MacBook Air, at $999, is cheap for an Apple laptop, it isn't cheap by netbook standards. In fact, you can pick up two or three Atom powered Windows netbooks for that price. On the other hand, the MacBook Air has better specs than a typical netbook. And now it has become a little more affordable.

Apple now offers refurbished MacBook Air notebooks for $849. Other models with enhanced configurations are also available. The 11.6 inch MacBook Air has a Core 2 Duo processor, 64GB SSD, 2GB of RAM, NVIDIA Graphics, an HD display and an incredibly thin chassis. It also comes pre-loaded with OS X. No hacking is necessary.

The 13 inch MacBook Air is now available for $1099. That model has a 1.86GHz processor, 128GB SSD and 2GB of RAM.

BENQ TO LAUNCH A 10 INCH ANDROID TABLET

BenQ is the latest PC maker to announce a tablet. The company doesn't usually sell its computers in the US or Europe, but they are available in Taiwan and China and some other parts of Asia. Now PC World reports that BenQ will launch an Android tablet in China and Taiwan in the first quarter of 2011.

The BenQ R100 tablet will have a 10.1 inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. It will run Google's Android operating system. It will be powered by an 833MHz ARM-based processor from Samsung. The tablet will also have 8GB of storage, an SD card slot for storage expansion and mini USB and HDMI ports. The supported connectivity options include WiFi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth.

BenQ is trying to position the tablet as an eBook reader. The company is working out deals with publishers to make books, magazines and newspapers available on the tablet.

DELL STREAK 7 ANDROID TABLET COMING SOON

Dell has already announced that it is building 7- and 10 inch Android tablets. The company already has a 5 inch tablet PC called Dell Streak. While there is still no official launch date, it looks like the 7 inch model is getting close to its launch.

Earlier this week the name Dell Streak 7 showed up on a website that makes cases for tablets. Shortly afterwards, the device earned its WiFi certification. And now it has featured in an upcoming commercial.

While there were earlier reports that the Dell tablet would be called Looking Glass, it now looks like the name Dell Streak 7 has been finalized. The commercial doesn't reveal specs, but it does state that the tablet will have a 7 inch Gorilla Glass screen. It will run the same Stage User Interface found in the Streak 5. The tablet will also come pre-loaded with the Blio eBook app.

Still no word on that rumored 10 inch tablet.

ACER ASPIRE ONE 522 SPOTTED WITH DUAL CORE AMD ONTARIO PROCESSOR

Acer has officially launched its Aspire One 522 netbook. The Aspire One 522 has a 1GHz AMD C-50 Ontario dual core APU which is a member of the AMD Fusion platform. Other specifications include integrated Radeon 6250 graphics with full DirectX 11 support and UVD3 for better hardware accelerated video. Acer claims that the laptop will get around 6 hours of battery life and that may be true because the Ontario processors are highly power efficient. The total power draw is a scant 9W.

The Aspire One 522 has a 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. It also has WiFi 802.11b/g/n, HDMI, VGA out, 3 USB ports, webcam and a multi-format card reader. The rest of the specifications may be identical to those of the Aspire One 255.

A Taiwanese online retailers has listed the netbook with 2GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive for 12,829 baht (about $425). No word on pricing or availability outside of Taiwan.

LENOVO LEPAD TABLET COMING SOON

Lenovo, it looks like, is all set to launch its upcoming LePad tablet in China. According to sources, Lenovo has started an official microblog in China which has a few shots of the tablet PC. At first glance, the LePad doesn't look all that different from a small notebook. But if you look closely, you will find that the machine has a detachable display. The display has its own processor and memory so that it can function as a standalone device.

The LePad looks pretty much like the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid the company showed off at CES 2010. While there were earlier reports that Lenovo has shelved the project, it looks like it is still alive.

While the LePad tablet is an essential part of the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid, Lenovo may also offer it as a standalone tablet PC. The slate has a 10.1 inch capacitive touchscreen display. It runs Android 2.2 at the moment. The LePad also has an HDMI port, a mini USB port and front and rear facing cameras. Lenovo hasn't said anything about the processor yet. The U1 Hybrid dock also has an HDMI port, but again Lenovo hasn't revealed what kind of processor it has.

In China the LePad and U1 Hybrid may start shipping in a month or two. No word on pricing or availability outside of China.

IN MEDIA LAUNCHES 'THE TABLET PC' WINDOWS TABLET

In Media has launched a new tablet PC which is simply called The Tablet PC. It runs the full version of Windows 7 so you can run most of the apps you are used to running on your PC. The In Media Tablet is powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor. It also has a large 160GB hard drive.

The In Media Tablet has a 10 inch display with full touchscreen functionality. It has an HDMI output port for transferring video to an external monitor. Other specifications include a USB port, memory card slots and front-facing camera which can be used for video conferencing. The display also supports gestures for things like resizing.

The In Media tablet supports Adobe Flash because Windows does and has an on-screen keyboard. It is expected to ship in the first half of 2011 for $399.

ASUS PROMISES 'EEE FOR EVERYONE' AT CES

Asus has promised an 'Eee for everyone' at CES 2011. The company will reportedly showcase 7-, 9-, 10- and 12- inch Android and Windows tablets at the trade show. Back in May Asus had announced a 12 inch tablet PC called EP121. It looks like this machine has been renamed Eee Slate. Back then it was called Eee Tablet.

The Asus Eee Slate isn't your typical tablet PC.It runs Windows 7 and has a Core i5 processor. Naturally, Asus claims that it will offer better performance and more flexibility than existing tablets.

Meanwhile Digitimes reports that the Asus Eee Slate EP121 will be aimed at enterprise users when it launches. Asus is also planning to launch two 10-inch Eee Pads (one with Windows 7 on an Atom processor and another with Android on a Tegra 2 processor) before March for prices ranging between $499 to $599. 7-inch Android models with Tegra 2 or Qualcomm chipsets will also launch before March. At least one of these machines will have 3.5G radio for phone functionality.

MICROSOFT TO ANNOUNCE WINDOWS FOR ARM CHIPS AT CES

Microsoft is expected to announce a version of the Windows operating system for ARM processors at CES in January. Of course, Microsoft hasn't commented on this rumor, but both Bloomberg and Wall Street Journal report that Windows for ARM chips is indeed coming. The proposed OS will support both ARM and x86 (Intel and AMD) based chips.

Today's best smartphones and some hugely popular tablets (ipad, Samsung Galaxy Tab) have ARM based processors which are more cost and power efficient than X86 based systems. And because ARM processors are cheaper than Intel or AMD processors, by launching an OS for ARM chips, Microsoft will be able to compete with Apple's iOS and Google's Android. That said, it is still not clear whether Microsoft is planning an actual version of Windows or another variant of their Windows CE operating system which is already compatible with ARM processors.

While Windows CE operating systems such as Windows Mobile and Windows Phone 7 run quite well on ARM-based processors, they can't run most apps designed for the desktop version of Windows. An ARM compatible version of original Windows will solve that issue.

HP / PALM TO LAUNCH THREE WEBOS TABLETS AT CES?

Fox News reports that HP/Palm will be showing off three new tablet computers at CES. The PalmPads, as these machines will be called, will run the webOS 2.5.1 operating system. They will look exactly like the HP Slate the company introduced a few weeks ago and that is quite intriguing.

The tablets will also feature front and rear-facing (at 1.3 and 3 megapixels) cameras, USB 3.0 port, a mini HDMI port and a possible multi-format card reader.They will be thinner than the iPad with rounded edges and pack Sprint 4G connectivity. What's more, at least one of these machines will have a 9.7 inch display.

While this rumor is indeed coming from a respectable source it doesn't look all that plausible at the moment. For one thing, HP is unlikely to launch three new tablets that are mere 'spin-offs' of the HP Slate. What's more, both HP and Palm have stated that they will not have a great presence at CES this year. If they were indeed planning to launch three tablets at the show they wouldn't have said this.

VILIV TO LAUNCH X7,X10 AND X70 TABLETS AT CES

The closer we get to the CES, the more product announcements we hear. The latest company to announce that they will be launching new products at CES is Viliv. Viliv will showcase three new tablets - two Android tablets (X7 and X10) and one Windows tablet (X70) - at CES.

As you can probably imagine from their names the Viliv X7 and X10 will have 7 and 10 inch displays respectively. The X10 will have an HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The X7 will reportedly offer 'anywhere connectivity' which probably means that it will have a 3G adapter. If it does have 3G it may also have official access to the Android Market.

Regarding the X70, Viliv claims that it will the slimmest,lightest Windows 7 tablet in the world. The company already makes the X70EX tablet which weighs less than a pound and a half. There is still no word on the processor type or memory.

NEC TO LAUNCH DUAL SCREEN TABLET AT CES

NEC has announced that it will launch a dual screen Android tablet at CES in January. The device will have two 7 inch touchscreen displays, Bluetooth, WiFi and 3G capabilities and a stylus. It will be part of NEC's Cloud Communicator tablet lineup.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the tablet is its ability to run different apps on each display at the same time. NEC claims that this is an industry first, but the truth is that the upcoming Notion Ink Adam tablet will also let you run up to three apps simultaneously. Adam doesn't have two screens, but it lets you view three different apps in side by side panels on the same screen.

NEC will also show off its single screen Cloud Communicator at CES. This machine launched in Japan last month.

NEC has confirmed that it does plan to bring its tablets to the US shore some day. There is still no release date, though.

MOTOROLA TO SHOW OFF ITS ANDROID TABLET AT CES

Motorola has started building buzz about its upcoming Android tablet. The company released a teaser video yesterday which showcased a bee - maybe a metaphor for the Motorola tablet - and some existing tablets. Still there is little information that we already didn't know.

We have already heard that the Motorola tablet will be one of the first devices to run Google's Android version called Honeycomb. While existing versions of Android are designed for smartphones, Honeycomb is customized to run on tablets. We also know that the Motorola tablet will have a dual core processor, most likely a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor.

In the video Motorola takes a few swipes at its biggest competitors at the moment - the Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. iPad is described as a giant iPhone and nothing else. The problem with Galaxy Tab, according to Motorola, is that it runs a version of Android not optimized for tablets. Samsung may, however, fix this issue via a softwre update after Google releases the Honeycomb.

Motorola will show off the tablet at CES in early January.

ASUS EEE PC 1008P GETS UPGRADED TO DUAL CORE ATOM N550 IN GERMANY

Asus, like most other PC makers, is expected to unveil new lines of netbooks and notebooks at CES. But right now, the company is busy upgrading some of its existing models. One of the machines the Eee PC 1008P has now been updated to a dual core Atom processor. For the time being, this model is only available in Germany.

In the US the Eee PC 1008P Karim Rashid Edition which has a designer lid is still shipping with a single core 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, but Amazon Germany has started selling the netbook with a dual core Atom N550 processor in Germany.

The Eee PC 1008P is available with a pink or brown lid. It runs 399 Euros. It is not clear whether Asus plans to bring the dual core Eee PC 1008P to the US where the company already offers several dual core netbooks including the Eee PC 1015PN and 1015PEM.

EXOPC WINDOWS TABLET UP FOR PRE-ORDER IN THE US

The ExoPC tablet computer is now up for pre-order in the US. Microsoft Store has started taking pre-orders for the tablet for $699.

For that price you will get an 11.6 inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, an Intel Atom N450 processor, 64GB SSD, 2GB of RAM and Windows 7 Home Premium. The biggest USP of the tablet, however, is its custom user interface which is designed to make Windows 7 more touch-friendly. ExoPC has also announced that the company will release a software update soon and another in January.

ExoPC has already gone on sale in Canada. The tablet reportedly has excellent build quality, a responsive screen and intuitive software. But it doesn't seem to get good battery life and that is an issue plaguing most Windows tablets.

The ExoPC will begin shipping in about a week. It will also be available in Microsoft's retail stores.

NOTION INK RELEASES DEMO VIDEO FOR ADAM TABLET

Notion Ink has released a demo video for its upcoming Adam tablet computer. This is the first time the tablet has been captured in action.

The Notion Ink Adam tablet has a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, optional Pixel Qi display, reasonable price tag and a rotating camera. In the video, the Adam is shown running multiple applications simultaneously. The tablet has a custom user interface which allows you to see multiple windows at the same time. This is a feature you wouldn't normally find in most Android devices.

There is also a program launcher bar which zooms out to the middle of the screen while you pull it up. The software seems responsive. Multitouch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom and two finger scrolling also works well. The Adam tablet has USB ports. It also supports peripherals such as a wireless mouse using a wireless dongle.

Notion Ink comes with a set of custom applications, but it does not have access to the Android Market at the moment. However, it is possible that Android Market access might come after the release of Honeycomb, the version of Android designed for tablets.

The Adam tablet is now up for pre-order. The base model with a standard LCD display is priced at $375. The tablet is expected to start shipping in January.

E FUN NEXT3 ANDROID TABLET NOW UP FOR ORDER FOR $200

Yet another Android tablet has been announced in time for CES. The E FUN Next3 runs Android 2.1. Its specs are nothing remarkable to write home about.

The tablet has an 8.4 inch resistive display with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. It is powered by a 600MHz Rockchip processor. Other specifications include WiFi 802.11b/g, 2GB of internal storage and an SD card slot. Of course, it is more of an ebook reader than a tablet and comes pre-loaded with integrated Borders eBooks reader. There is also a web browser so you can surf the web and even watch some videos.

The Next3 doesn’t have access to the Android Market, but of course there will be some pre-loaded apps.
In terms of looks, the Next3 is an awful lot like the Pandigital Novel or Velocity Micro Cruz Reader.

The E FUN Next3 is now available for purchase from HSN for only $200.

ELOCITY A7 ANDROID TABLET DOESN'T HAVE TRUE MULTITOUCH

The eLocity A7 is an Android tablet PC with impressive hardware and an irresistible price tag. It is actually one of the first Android tablets available in the US to sport a NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor and Android 2.2 operating system. What's more it is priced at $299.

So far so good. Unfortunately there are a few downsides too. eLocity claims that the tablet has a capacitive display that supports multitouch. But it looks like that multitouch feature is pretty limited. While the tablet can handle two-touch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom it looks like it can't register more than two inputs at the same time. Worse still, at times it struggles to recognize even two inputs.

If pinch-to-zoom is the only multitouch activity you want to perform with your tablet, this should be good enough for you. But if you want to play games or run other apps that rely on multitouch, you will have to buy a tablet that supports true multitouch. Virtual keyboards also work well on multitouch displays because you don't have to completely lift one finger before placing another finger on a different key.

GAMMATECH LAUNCHES D12C RUGGED CONVERTIBLE LAPTOP

The GammaTech D12C is a rugged convertible tablet style notebook. It doesn't look all that pretty, but is quite capable of getting the job done in unfavourable conditions.

The D12C has a 12.1 inch LED backlit WXGA touchscreen display. It is powered by a Core i5-540UM processor. Other specifications include up to 8GB of memory, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, optional Bluetooth, optional smart card reader, WiFi and an integrated carry handle.

The laptop meets the stringent MIL-STD-810G requirements for drop and shock resistance. The ports are fully dust resistant. The overall design of the laptop is also spill resistant. You can opt for either SSD or HDD for storage. And unless you specify otherwise you will get a copy of Windows 7 with the laptop.

No word on pricing or availability at the moment, but as you can probably imagine it will command a hefty premium for its rigidity.

CTL 2GO CLASSMATE PC E11 UP FOR ORDER

The CTL 2Go Classmate PC E11 is now up for order. Like other netbooks from CTL, the Classmate PC E11 is also based on Intel's Classmate PC reference design. It is aimed at the education market.

The Classmate E11 isn't all that cheap. The base model is priced at $445. For that price you will get an Intel Atom N455 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and Windows 7 Starter Edition. Other features include a water resistant display and keyboard. The hard drive is shock-mounted so that it wouldn't suffer damage in the event of a fall. Another student-friendly feature is the retractable handle that will let you carry the laptop like a brief case.

The laptop also has a 1.3 megapixel webcam, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and a 6-cell battery that will reportedly get over 4.5 hours of battery life. Higher end configurations with solid state drives, 2GB of RAM and Windows 7 Home Premium / Professional are also available.

HANNSPREE ANDROID TABLET HITS THE FCC

A 10 inch Android tablet PC from Hannspree has hit the FCC which means that it is closer to its launch in the US. Hannspree has been talking about the device for a while. The machine has impressive specs including a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, 16GB of storage, HDMI output port and a 3500mAh battery. It runs Android 2.2.

The FCC has published documents related to the Hannspree HDG1164 tablet, as well as the user manual and a few images.

According to FCC documents, the tablet has 512MB of RAM, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 pixels capacitive multitouch display, a microSD card slot, mini HDMI port and a mini USB port. The tablet weighs about 1.7 pounds. No word on pricing or a launch date yet.

VELOCITY MICRO CRUZ T301 AND T103 TABLETS OVERVIEW

Velocity Micro has added another tablet to its lineup. The new Cruz T301 has a 7 inch display with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels which makes it ideal for reading webpages and ebooks. Incidentally the company also has another 7 inch tablet called Cruz T103. This model has an 800 x 480 pixels display which makes it good for watching widescreen movies.

Both T103 and T301 run about $250. The Crux Tablet T301 also has 256MB of RAM, 4GB of storage and a 4GB SD card. Other specifications include WiFi 802.11n and a battery that will reportedly get around ten hours of run time. The tablet runs Android 2.0.

Interestingly the T103 has 512MB of RAM and supports more audio and video codecs. It looks like Velocity Micro is positioning the T103 as a media tablet and the T301 as an ebook reader or web tablet. Neither tablets have access to the Android Market. Instead they ship with the Cruz Market.

The Velocity Micro T301 is now available from Amazon for $249.99

OLIVETTI OLIPAD TABLET TO HAVE 10-INCH DISPLAY, ANDROID OS

Olivetti, the Italian company known for making typewriters and programmable calculators, has announced its plans to lauch a tablet. The machine will be called OliPad. Although, not a well known PC maker, Olivetti has also released some computers.

The Olivetti Olipad is aimed at the enterprise market. It also has features that would attract the general public. The biggest USP of the tablet will be the in-house applications that are designed to help those in businesses. The OliPad will come pre-loaded with several applications that are specifically designed for small and medium businesses.

As for the specifications, the OliPad will have a 10 inch touchscreen display. It has built-in WiFi. It will also work with cellular connections. Olivetti has also confirmed that the tablet will run Google Android, although it is not clear which version of the OS will be on board. There is no word on availability, but pricing is expected to be somewhere around $400.

CREATIVE ZIIO 10 ANDROID TABLET HITS FCC

The Creative ZiiO 10 Android tablet has hit the FCC. As the name itself suggests the ZiiO 10 has a 10 inch touchscreen display. The company's 7 inch tablet called Creative ZiiO 7 had hit the FCC a few weeks ago.

Both tablets have more or less the same specifications. They are both powered by a ZMS-08 HD application processor. Other specifications include Creative X-Fi sound, WiFi 802.11b/g and support for a range of media formats like H.264, MPEG4, WMV9, MKV, MOV, MP3, WMA, OGG, AAC, FLAC etc. Both models runs Android 2.1 operating system.

The only major difference perhaps is in the size and resolution of the display. While the ZiiO 7 has a 7 inch display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, the ZiiO 10 has a 10 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. Both models have resistive touchscreen displays.

Along with a few photos, the FCC listing has test results and a user manual that you can take a look at.

VIEWSONIC G-TABLET NOW UP FOR PURCHASE

The ViewSonic G-Tablet is a 10.1 inch tablet PC running Android 2.2 operating system.
It is powered by the NVIDIA Tegra 2 platform with a dual core ARM Cortex A9 1GHz processor and GeForce graphics. There is also a dedicated 1080p HD video playback processor. Other specifications include 512MB DDR2 RAM, 16GB of internal Flash-based storage, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11n, and a front facing 1.3 mega pixel webcam. The 10.1 inch LED backlit capacitive multitouch display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels.

The G-Tablet comes standard with a 3650mAh battery which will reportedly get up to 8-10 hours of battery life. The tablet runs a custom user interface on top of Android. It doesn't have access to the Android Market. Instead it ships with a third party Apps Store.

The ViewSonic G-Tablet also has a built-in accelerometer, a microSD card slot, USB slave, USB host port, a 3.5mm audio jack and stereo speakers.

Pricing and availability

The G-Tablet is now up for order at Amazon ($399.99), Sears ($379.99), and some other retailers.

ACER ASPIRE ONE 721 UPGRADED WITH AMD K145 NILE PROCESSOR

AMD unveiled its Nile line of processors this summer. The AMD Nile processors are power efficient; they will not consume too much more power than the Intel Atom processor. What's more they deliver significantly better performance than Intel's Atom processors. And because these processors come bundled with the ATI Radeon 4225 graphics, they are also capable of handling HD video playback.

The Nile processors currently available include the AMD K125, K325, and K625 and AMD is expected to launch a new line of low power chips early next year. The company, it seems, has also upgraded one of the existing Nile processors. A product listing for the Acer Aspire One 721 laptop now shows the AMD Neo K145 processor which seems to be an upgrade to the K125. This model is currently only available in Czech Republic.

Like the AMD K125, the K145 also has a total power draw of 12W and 1MB of L2 cache. But while the K125 has a clock speed of 1.7GHz, the K145 is faster at 1.8GHz. The rest of the specifications of the Aspire One 721 remains unchanged. The laptop still has an 11.6 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, 2GB of DDR3 memory, ATI Radeon HD 4225 graphics, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and a 1.3MP camera.

MSI TO UNVEIL ITS WINDPAD TABLETS AT CES IN JANUARY

MSI will reportedly show off a 'new generation' of MSI WindPad tablets at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. MSI has been working on Android and Windows tablets for a while.The company did show off a few tablets at CES in 2010, but they didn't make it to the market.

MSI hasn't revealed a lot of details about the new models, but sources claim that there will be at least two tablets - one running Android and another running Windows. Both models will have gravity sensors, ambient light sensors, and WiFi.

The Windows model is expected to have a 10.1 inch display and an Intel Atom Oak Trail processor. It will run Windows 7 Home Premium. The display will have a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. There will also be an HDMI output port. The Android model will reportedly have a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, a 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. This tablet will run the latest version of Android available at the time of its launch in February or March.

BEST BUY NOW OFFERS THE DELL STREAK FOR $99.99; SAMSUNG LAUNCHES LUXURY EDITION OF GALAXY TAB

Best Buy is now offering the Dell Streak 5 inch Android tablet for $99.99 provided that you sign up for a 2 year service contract with AT&T. Interestingly, Best Buy had been charging $299.99 for the same tablet until now. So are Android tablets getting cheaper? Not really.

While most Android tablets on the market are cheap, there are also a few that command premium price tags and these include the Samsung Galaxy Tab. A typical version of the 7 inch Galaxy Tab tablet sells for around $650. And now Samsung has launched a Luxury Edition of the Galaxy Tab.

As the name itself suggests the Luxury Edition carries a hefty price tag. It will be available at the Millionaire Fair in Amsterdam from December 15th through January 31st for €749, or nearly $1000 US. This model has the exact same specs as the standard version including a 7 inch 1024 x 600 pixels capacitive touchscreen display, a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor, WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G. So what do you get for the extra bucks? Well, a leather case and a Bluetooth headset. Hardly worth the money, right?

DELL PRECISION M4600 AND M6600 LEAK

Dell is reportedly working on two mobile workstations - the Precision M4600 and the Precision M6600.

The Dell Precision M4600 has a 15.6 inch LED backlit display with optional touch screen functionality. It is expected to replace the M4500. The graphics options available with this laptop include the AMD FirePro M5950 (1GB GDDR5), NVIDIA Quadro 1000M (2GB GDDR5) and Quadro 2000M (2GB GDDR5).

The Precision M6600 will have a 17.3 inch LED backlit display. The touchscreen display option will also be available. This model will have higher end graphics options including the AMD FirePro M8900 2GB GDDR5, Nvidia Quadro 3000M 2GB GDDR5, and Quadro 4000M 2GB GDDR5.

Word is that the M4600 and M6600 will have new processors. We assume those will be the second generation Intel Core series processors code named Sandy Bridge.

MOTOROLA ANDROID 3.0 TABLET SPECS LEAK

Last week, Google's Android boss Andy Rubin demoed the Motorola tablet running Android 3.0. He didn't reveal a lot of details regarding the tablet's hardware. Motorola hasn't revealed anything either, but a certain member of the Mobile01 forum has posted detailed specs and some pictures of the tablet.

Of course, we need to take these details with a grain of salt. According to him, the Motorola tablet has a NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor, 32GB of storage, a 5MP rear camera, a 2MP front camera, a microSD card slot, an HDMI output and a gyroscope. The tablet will support UMTS, CDMA and LTE connectivity options. It will be available in two versions - 7 inch and 12 inch.

Although these details come from an unofficial source they do look plausible. While you could make a case that the pictures are doctored, they do show a new version of Android which looks a lot like the Android 3.0 HoneyComb Andy Rubin recently demonstrated.

The Android 3.0 won't be due out until January or February. While the current versions of Android are optimized for smartphones Android 3.0 is specifically optimized for touchscreen tablets.

SHARP GALAPAGOS TABLETS NOW AVAILABLE IN JAPAN

Sharp has started shipping its Galapagos tablets in Japan. The tablets are now available for purchase at computer and electronics stores. There are two models - one sporting a 5.5 inch touchscreen display and the other sporting a 10.8 inch touchscreen display.

Although both models run Android operating system, Sharp is positioning the devices as ebook readers. The company also offers ebooks, magazines, videos and other material through a content store.

The 5.5 inch model runs 39,000 yen (about $475 US) while the 10.8 inch is selling for 54,800 yen ($650 US). No word on pricing or availability outside of Japan, but it is unlikely that these devices will have the same price tags when they become available in other countries.

LENOVO IDEAPAD Y560P AND Y460P LAPTOPS COMING NEXT MONTH

Lenovo has announced two new entertainment laptops - the IdeaPad Y560p and Y460p. Both models have Intel's next generation Sandy Bridge Core series processors and new storage features.

The Press release states that the 15.6 inch IdeaPad Y560p and the 14 inch Y460p will be available with up to second generation Core i7 processors, up to 8GB of RAM and up to 750GB hard drive space. Other specifications include 8GB of RAM, JBL speakers and Dolby Home Theatre audio.

The IdeaPad Y560p and Y460p feature a 'metal hairline etching exterior' and a metallic gray or white interior.

Pricing and availability

The Lenovo IdeaPad Y460p and Y560p laptops will start shipping on January 11, 2011. Prices start at $849.

COMPAQ PRESARIO CQ62-209WM LAPTOP OVERVIEW

The HP Compaq Presario CQ62-209wm is one of the cheapest dual core 15.6-inch notebooks available in the U.S at the moment.

It has a 2.1GHz AMD Athlon II dual core P320 processor and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 integrated graphics. Other specifications include 3GB of DDR3 RAM, a 250GB hard drive, DVD burner and a 6-cell battery.

The Compaq Presario CQ62-209wm runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. It weighs 5.5 pounds and has stereo speakers, built-in microphone, Wi-Fi and Ethernet LAN, three USB ports, and VGA output. The notebook doesn't have a webcam, memory card reader or HDMI output. If these features are important to you, you should consider the Compaq Presario G62-339WM, which has the same core components and a very similar case design.

Pricing and availability
The Compaq Presario CQ62-209wm is Walmart’s exclusive laptop. It’s priced at $398,00 (Walmart).

GOOGLE'S CR-48 NOTEBOOK NOW SHIPPING TO BETA TESTERS

Google has started sending out demo units of its Cr-48 Chrome OS notebook to a select group of beta testers. The company unveiled the laptop a couple of days ago. Some of the beta testers who have received their units have already posted their first impressions and unboxing videos.

Apparently the notebook has good build quality, but its battery doesn't sit flush with the bottom of the laptop.

Although, Google is positioning the Cr-48 as a netbook, it has a large 12.1 inch display. It is powered by an Intel Atom processor. Other specifications include WiFi 802.11b, a Gobi 3G wireless module and a battery that will reportedly get around 8 hours of battery life.

The keyboard is optimized for Google Chrome and looks somewhat different from a typical netbook keyboard. There are no function keys. The Caps Lock key has been replaced with a search key - but if you really need that function, you can adjust the settings and enable the Caps Lock.

The Cr-48 is not available for purchase. Google is sending out units of free of charge to testers. Only about 60,000 units are available. Commercial versions of the netbook are expected to be available in mid-2011.

NOTION INK ADAM UP FOR PRE-ORDER; STARTS AT $375

If you have been waiting to pre-order Notion Ink Adam tablet we have some good news for you. The Indian startup has started taking pre-orders for its highly anticipated tablet. What's more, the tablet starts at just $375.33.

Here is a quick run-down of the prices:

* WiFi-only Adam tablet with standard LCD for $375.33
* 3G Adam tablet with standard LCD for $425.33
* WiFi-only Adam tablet with Pixel Qi screen for $499.45
* 3G Adam tablet with Pixel Qi screen for $549.99

Notion Ink says that the tablet will have the same price tag in all countries where it will be available. Although the company is based in India, it will be available internationally.

Although, people who had commented on the company's blog were the first to get a chance to pre-order the tablet, pre-orders are now available to general public.

The Notion Ink is powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. It runs Android 2.2 at the moment. An update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread is reportedly in the works. And according to today's blogpost, Adam does have a special feature we hadn't heard about before: You can use the tablet as a wireless touchpad for a computer. You can, for example, draw, paint or just control your PC from your tablet. More details are available at the Notion Ink website.

SAMSUNG GLORIA 10 INCH WINDOWS TABLET WITH SLIDE-OUT KEYBOARD COMING?

Word is that Samsung is planning to launch a 10 inch tablet PC in March or April. Samsung has already sold over a million units of its 7 inch Android tablet called Galaxy Tab. Now that they have proved that they can indeed build and sell a tablet, they are keen on expanding their tablet lineup. The new model will reportedly run Windows 7. But that is not the most interesting thing about it.

Plenty of touchscreen tablets are available in the market and at least a few of them run Windows 7. So how is Samsung going to make its offering stand out from the rest? Well, here is how. The rumored Samsung Gloria (the tablet in question) will have a sliding QWERTY keyboard, perhaps similar to the ones found in slider phones. But of course, this one is going to be bigger, way bigger.

There is no word on pricing, specs or anything else. By the way, the image you see above is not the original one - it is an artist's rendering.

TOSHIBA TO LAUNCH TABLETS RUNNING WINDOWS 7, ANDROID AND GOOGLE CHROME

Toshiba isn't a new entrant to the tablet space. The company already sells an Android running 10 inch tablet called Toshiba Folio 100 in many countries. The Folio 100 may not have been just as successful as the Samsung Galaxy Tab or the legendary Apple iPad, but Toshiba is undeterred. Word is that the company is planning to expand its tablet line up.

There will be three new models in all. Two of them will feature 10.1 inch displays whereas the other model will have an 11.6 inch display. One of the tablets will run Windows 7, another Google Android and the third one Google Chrome OS. More details are not available at the moment.

Meanwhile word is that Toshiba is also planning to build 7 inch tablets. These devices may have phone capabilities and are likely to be built by Toshiba's phone division rather than the PC division.

MEET CR-48: THE FIRST CHROME OS NETBOOK

Google has officially introduced the first netbook designed to run the upcoming Google Chrome operating system. The new Cr-48 is a 12 inch laptop with an Intel Atom processor. It isn't quite meant for the masses at the moment. Actually Google is planning to distribute a limited number of units to interested customers and businesses that will give feedback. To get a unit you need to apply to join the pilot program.

The Cr-48 (Cr-48 is an isotope of element chromium) has a full sized keyboard and an oversized clickpad. It will come pre-loaded with Qualcomm's Gobi 3G wireless chip. In the US, the netbook will work with Verizon's 3G wireless netbook. Other features include dual-band WiFi 802.11n and a webcam.

Google claims that the Cr-48 will get 8+ hours of battery life and 8+ days of standby time. By the way consumer-oriented Chrome OS netbooks are expected to start shipping in mid-2011. Acer and Samsung are among those companies that are expected to launch netbooks running Chrome OS. While the Cr-48 has a 12 inch display, the model that will be launched by Acer will reportedly have a 10 inch display and Intel Atom processor.

TAIJI SHOWS OFF DUAL SCREEN WINDOWS TABLET WITH VIA PROCESSOR

Chinese computer maker Taiji Electronics has unveiled two new tablet-style computers. One of these machines called the Taiji T10A has a 10 inch touchscreen display, a 32GB SSD and a front-facing camera. It runs Windows 7 and is powered by a 1.2GHz VIA C7-M processor and VX700 graphics processor.

The second computer has a more interesting design. Actually it has dual 8 inch touchscreen displays. It looks a bit like the Toshiba Libretto W100, but while Toshiba model has an Intel CULV processor, the Taiji computer has a VIA chip. The computer can be used like a netbook or a tablet.

VIA processors are known for being power efficient. They will give you excellent battery life, but don't expect these machines to be speed demons. On the bright side, VIA powered computers are cheaper than similar devices with Intel processors.

ANDROID 3.0 DEMOED ON UPCOMING MOTOROLA TABLET

Google won't release Honeycomb aka Android 3.0 until next year, but the company's Android boss Andy Rubin demoed the OS on the upcoming Motorola tablet at an event yesterday.

Although most tablets on the market run Android, Google has always maintained that Android in its present form is not quite suitable for tablets. The Android 3.0, on the other hand, is specially optimized for tablets which have larger displays.

Regarding the Motorola tablet, well, Rubin didn't give a lot details. He, however, said that it will have a dual core NVIDIA processor. It is not clear whether he was referring to the NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor.

While most Android tablets have physical buttons for Home, Back and Search, the Motorola tablet doesn't seem to have any of these. Instead, the buttons have been moved to the software bar running along the bottom of the display. This bar can disappear when you are not using it.

RIM SHOWS OFF BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK UI

RIM's PlayBook tablet is not yet ready to ship, but the company has been showing off early prototypes for a while. Last week, Canadian wireless carrier Rogers announced its plans to offer the tablet and now some videos showing the tablet in action have emerged.

We have already seen that the PlayBook can multitask like a champ. It can, for instance, run HD video in the background while you are surfing the web in the foreground. Of course, there is no point in running video in the background while you are actually doing something else. But if you really want to do things like that, the snappy 1GHz dual core processor and graphics acceleration features of the tablet can handle it. And that is the point.

The videos show the HD video playback and application switching features of the tablet. Overall, it looks like the user interface is a a cross between WebOS and Google Android, but that isn't necessarily bad.

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