The low power AMD C-50 Fusion APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) is designed for netbooks and ultraportable laptops. It is a dual core processor with a total power draw of 9W. In power efficiency it is comparable to the dual core Atom N550 processor. Better still, this processor comes bundled with the high performance ATI Radeon HD graphics. In other words, the AMD C-50 will get more or less the same battery life as the dual core Atom processor while at the same delivering significantly better graphics performance.
Now AMD has tweaked that processor a bit, making it even more power efficient. The new version of C-50 consumes just 5W of power. It is designed for use in tablets. Because tablets are thinner and lighter than a typical netbook, using components which are extremely power efficient is essential to get a good battery life.
The 5W C-50 is still a 1GHz dual core processor. It just happens to have a simpler memory controller with limited features.
ASUS EEE NOTE EA800 TO SHIP IN EUROPE IN FEBRUARY
The Asus Eee Note EA800 will start shipping in Europe in February for 259 Euros (about $355US). The EA800 is essentially a digital note taking device which can also be used as an eBook reader.
The tablet has a grayscale display which supports 64 shades of gray. It comes with a stylus for pressure-sensitive note-taking. There is also a Wacom active digitizer for handwriting recognition. Other features include a 2 megapixel camera. Although the camera can take color pictures, you can't view them in full color on the tablet's grayscale display.
The EA800 has an 8 inch display with a resolution of 768 x 1024 pixels. It will get around 13 hours of battery life. The device comes standard with 4GB of onboard storage. There is also an SD card slot for expansion. The supported connectivity option is WiFi 802.11b/g.
The tablet has a grayscale display which supports 64 shades of gray. It comes with a stylus for pressure-sensitive note-taking. There is also a Wacom active digitizer for handwriting recognition. Other features include a 2 megapixel camera. Although the camera can take color pictures, you can't view them in full color on the tablet's grayscale display.
The EA800 has an 8 inch display with a resolution of 768 x 1024 pixels. It will get around 13 hours of battery life. The device comes standard with 4GB of onboard storage. There is also an SD card slot for expansion. The supported connectivity option is WiFi 802.11b/g.
DELL STREAK 7 ANDROID TABLET REVIEWED
The Dell Streak 7 Android tablet will be available from T-Mobile for $199.99 after rebate on a 2 year service contract. It will start shipping on February 2nd. The SIM free version will run $450.
The Streak 7 has a 7 inch Gorilla Glass display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It is powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. The tablet is 4G enabled and will connect to T-Mobile's HSPA+4G network. It also has WiFi and Bluetooth.
The Streak 7 will ship with Android 2.2. It is not clear whether an update to Android Honeycomb 3.0 is anywhere on the cards. Although the tablet hasn't hit the market yet, many tech blogs have already published detailed reviews. Here is a quick overview.
Crunchgear thinks that the Streak 7 is a nice tablet. But the funky UI doesn't quite make it stand out from the rest. Gizmodo found the display's lower resolution and the tablet's inability to make phone calls disappointing. Engadget reports that besides being of a lower resolution, the display is less bright and has poor viewing angles. Engadget, however, found the tablet more responsive than the Galaxy Tab, but got only around 6 hours of battery life. In the Laptop Magazine review, the Streak 7 managed to get only 2 stars out of 5. The reviewer got only around 4 hours of battery life and wasn't impressed with a low resolution display.
Overall, it looks like the Streak 7 may have a tough time competing with the dozens of tablets expected to hit the market this year. However, the snappy Tegra 2 processor, 4G mobile broadband connectivity and a relatively cheap price tag may attract some buyers.
The Streak 7 has a 7 inch Gorilla Glass display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It is powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. The tablet is 4G enabled and will connect to T-Mobile's HSPA+4G network. It also has WiFi and Bluetooth.
The Streak 7 will ship with Android 2.2. It is not clear whether an update to Android Honeycomb 3.0 is anywhere on the cards. Although the tablet hasn't hit the market yet, many tech blogs have already published detailed reviews. Here is a quick overview.
Crunchgear thinks that the Streak 7 is a nice tablet. But the funky UI doesn't quite make it stand out from the rest. Gizmodo found the display's lower resolution and the tablet's inability to make phone calls disappointing. Engadget reports that besides being of a lower resolution, the display is less bright and has poor viewing angles. Engadget, however, found the tablet more responsive than the Galaxy Tab, but got only around 6 hours of battery life. In the Laptop Magazine review, the Streak 7 managed to get only 2 stars out of 5. The reviewer got only around 4 hours of battery life and wasn't impressed with a low resolution display.
Overall, it looks like the Streak 7 may have a tough time competing with the dozens of tablets expected to hit the market this year. However, the snappy Tegra 2 processor, 4G mobile broadband connectivity and a relatively cheap price tag may attract some buyers.
CLOSER LOOK AT THE ENSPERT E201 ANDROID TABLET
Dynamism will start taking pre-orders for the Enspert E201 Android tablet on February 1st. Shipping will reportedly start a few weeks later.
The Enspert E301 is an interesting tablet PC. It possesses excellent build quality and has a 7 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. However, the version that Dynamism is going to sell will have a 7 inch, 800 x 480 pixels display instead.
Other features include a capacitive touchscreen display, a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor and two cameras - one on the front side and another on the rear side. The machine runs Google Android 2.2. Interestingly, it has access to the Android Market and official Gmail app. The tablet also has HDMI port for transferring HD video to an external HDTV. The supported connectivity options include WiFi and Bluetooth. There is no 3G.
The tablet will sell for a reasonable $349 in the US.
The Enspert E301 is an interesting tablet PC. It possesses excellent build quality and has a 7 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. However, the version that Dynamism is going to sell will have a 7 inch, 800 x 480 pixels display instead.
Other features include a capacitive touchscreen display, a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor and two cameras - one on the front side and another on the rear side. The machine runs Google Android 2.2. Interestingly, it has access to the Android Market and official Gmail app. The tablet also has HDMI port for transferring HD video to an external HDTV. The supported connectivity options include WiFi and Bluetooth. There is no 3G.
The tablet will sell for a reasonable $349 in the US.
TOSHIBA SATELLITE C650D-BT2N15 WITH AMD FUSION APU GOES ON SALE IN THE US
The Toshiba Satellite C650D with AMD's latest Fusion APU technology has gone on sale in the US. The Satellite C650D-BT2N15 is Toshiba's first laptop based on the Fusion platform.
The configurable C650D-BT2N15 has a 15.6 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It is available with your choice of a single core 1.5GHz AMD E-240 or a 1.6GHz dual core AMD E-350 processor. Both processors come bundled with the Radeon HD 6310 graphics and UVD3 HD video decoder.
Other specifications include up to 4GB of RAM, up to 500GB hard drive, a DVD burner, WiFi 802.11n, 2 USB ports, a VGA output port, a multi-in-one media card reader and an optional webcam and microphone.
The Satellite C650D-BT2N15 weighs 5.5 pounds. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. Prices start at $399.00 at Toshiba Direct.
The configurable C650D-BT2N15 has a 15.6 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It is available with your choice of a single core 1.5GHz AMD E-240 or a 1.6GHz dual core AMD E-350 processor. Both processors come bundled with the Radeon HD 6310 graphics and UVD3 HD video decoder.
Other specifications include up to 4GB of RAM, up to 500GB hard drive, a DVD burner, WiFi 802.11n, 2 USB ports, a VGA output port, a multi-in-one media card reader and an optional webcam and microphone.
The Satellite C650D-BT2N15 weighs 5.5 pounds. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. Prices start at $399.00 at Toshiba Direct.
CLOVER SYSTEM LAUNCHES SUNBOOK NETBOOK WITH PIXEL QI DISPLAY
Clover Systems has launched a new 10 inch netbook. The Clover SunBook, by the way, is the first 10 inch netbook to ship with a Pixel Qi transflective display. The Pixel Qi display can be used in two modes. In the full color mode, it can be used for watching films or pictures. Turn the backlight off and the display will become readable in direct sunlight. In this mode it is more like an E ink display and consumes much less power.
Aside from the Pixel Qi display, the SunBook has regular netbook specs. It has a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. The 10.1 inch display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The SunBook runs Windows 7 Starter Edition. It also offers 3G and 4G options. The battery will reportedly get around 8 to 12 hours of run time.
The SunBook went on sale this weekend. The Pixel Qi model is priced at $795.
Aside from the Pixel Qi display, the SunBook has regular netbook specs. It has a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. The 10.1 inch display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The SunBook runs Windows 7 Starter Edition. It also offers 3G and 4G options. The battery will reportedly get around 8 to 12 hours of run time.
The SunBook went on sale this weekend. The Pixel Qi model is priced at $795.
CLOSER LOOK AT GIGABYTE'S S1080 WINDOWS TABLET
Gigabyte unveiled a new 10 inch Windows tablet at CES 2011. The Gigabyte S1080 has a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N570 dual core processor, 1GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. The 10.1 inch capacitive multitouch display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The tablet runs Windows 7 Home Premium and has a VGA ouput port, an Ethernet jack and a USB 3.0 port.
Unlike Android which is very touch friendly, Windows is designed for mouse input. Keeping this point in mind, Gigabyte has added a few buttons including left and right mouse buttons to the tablet. The tablet also comes pre-loaded with Gigabyte's AppPark software which is a small suite of touch friendly apps.
Gigabyte has been producing convertible tablet-style netbooks for a while, but the S1080 is the company's first Atom-powered computer without a physical display. No word on pricing or availability.
Unlike Android which is very touch friendly, Windows is designed for mouse input. Keeping this point in mind, Gigabyte has added a few buttons including left and right mouse buttons to the tablet. The tablet also comes pre-loaded with Gigabyte's AppPark software which is a small suite of touch friendly apps.
Gigabyte has been producing convertible tablet-style netbooks for a while, but the S1080 is the company's first Atom-powered computer without a physical display. No word on pricing or availability.
UPDATED NETBOOK NAVIGATOR NAV9 TABLET NOW AVAILABLE
Netbook Navigator has launched an updated version of its Nav9 Windows tablet. The new model has the same 8.9 inch, 1024 x 600 pixels display as its predecessor. It also has the same 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor. There are a few additional features too.
The old Nav had a multitouch resistive touchscreen display. The new model also has a resistive panel but it is a low-pressure display designed for better sensitivity. It also has an SD card slot and 3 USB ports. The original Nav9 tablet had 2 USB ports.
The new Nav9 is also available in an all-black case. The previous model was only available with the silver/chromed edges.
The Nav9 starts at $599. For that price you will get 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Bear in mind that this price doesn't include an operating system. The lowest configuration with Windows 7 Home Premium is priced at $699.
The old Nav had a multitouch resistive touchscreen display. The new model also has a resistive panel but it is a low-pressure display designed for better sensitivity. It also has an SD card slot and 3 USB ports. The original Nav9 tablet had 2 USB ports.
The new Nav9 is also available in an all-black case. The previous model was only available with the silver/chromed edges.
The Nav9 starts at $599. For that price you will get 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Bear in mind that this price doesn't include an operating system. The lowest configuration with Windows 7 Home Premium is priced at $699.
MSI ANNOUNCES CR650 LAPTOP WITH AMD FUSION APU
MSI has made another addition to its Classic Series - the MSI CR650. The CR650 is also the company's first notebook with AMD's Fusion processor.
The MSI CR650 has a 15.6 inch display. It is powered by AMD's E-350 Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) which comes bundled with the Radeon HD 6310 graphics and UVD 3 HD video recorder. Other specifications include DDR3 RAM, up to 500GB of storage, a DVD burner and Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. The 15.6 inch LED backlit display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
The CR650 laptop also has a 720p webcam, stereo speakers, Gigabit LAN, HDMI, VGA outputs, 3 USB ports, a 4-in-1 media card reader and WiFi 802.11n. The notebook weighs around 5 pounds and has a new gradient color design.
No word on pricing or availability at the moment, but MSI is known for pricing its laptops aggressively.
The MSI CR650 has a 15.6 inch display. It is powered by AMD's E-350 Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) which comes bundled with the Radeon HD 6310 graphics and UVD 3 HD video recorder. Other specifications include DDR3 RAM, up to 500GB of storage, a DVD burner and Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. The 15.6 inch LED backlit display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
The CR650 laptop also has a 720p webcam, stereo speakers, Gigabit LAN, HDMI, VGA outputs, 3 USB ports, a 4-in-1 media card reader and WiFi 802.11n. The notebook weighs around 5 pounds and has a new gradient color design.
No word on pricing or availability at the moment, but MSI is known for pricing its laptops aggressively.
MSI WINDPAD 100W NOW AVAILABLE IN THE US FOR $710
MSI is yet to officially launch its Windpad 100W tablet in the US. Nevertheless, the machine is now available for purchase from Simply Electronics. The retailer sources its products from different parts of the world and very often offers products which aren't otherwise available in the US. Unfortunately that means you will end up paying a premium. The WindPad 100W, for instance, is selling for $709.95 in the US.
The MSI WindPad 100W has a 10.1 inch capacitive multitouch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. It is powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor. Other specifications include 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 32GB SSD and a Windows 7 Home Premium.
The tablet has two cameras - one on the front and another on the back. It also has a G-sensor, ambient light sensor, an SD card reader, USB 2.0 port and an HDMI output. It measures about 0.7 inches and weighs about 1.8 pounds.
The MSI WindPad 100W has a 10.1 inch capacitive multitouch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. It is powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor. Other specifications include 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 32GB SSD and a Windows 7 Home Premium.
The tablet has two cameras - one on the front and another on the back. It also has a G-sensor, ambient light sensor, an SD card reader, USB 2.0 port and an HDMI output. It measures about 0.7 inches and weighs about 1.8 pounds.
ACER ASPIRE ONE 522 WITH AMD ZACATE PROCESSOR NOW SHIPPING IN THE US
The Acer Aspire One 522 has started shipping in the US. It is now available for purchase from Amazon for $330.
The Aspire One 522 has a dual core AMD C-50 Zacate processor and AMD Radeon HD 6250 graphics. It can handle 1080p HD video and modest gaming. Other specifications include 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and WiFi 802.11b/g/n. The 10.1 inch display has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. It runs Windows 7 Starter Edition.
It looks like the Aspire One 522 is the first netbook to ship in the US with an AMD Zacate processor. The only other 10 inch netbook using the same processor is the Toshiba NB550D which isn't scheduled for launch in the US.
The Aspire One 522 has a dual core AMD C-50 Zacate processor and AMD Radeon HD 6250 graphics. It can handle 1080p HD video and modest gaming. Other specifications include 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and WiFi 802.11b/g/n. The 10.1 inch display has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. It runs Windows 7 Starter Edition.
It looks like the Aspire One 522 is the first netbook to ship in the US with an AMD Zacate processor. The only other 10 inch netbook using the same processor is the Toshiba NB550D which isn't scheduled for launch in the US.
DELL STREAK 7 COULD COST $299.99 WITH 2 YEAR CONTRACT, LG G-SLATE COMING IN MARCH
The rumors that the Dell Streak 7 Android tablet will launch on T-Mobile's network have been doing the rounds for a while. And now sources have unearthed pricing information too. It looks like the tablet will set you back $299.99 after rebate. That is when you sign up for a 2 year service contract.
The Dell Streak 7 is a 7 inch Android tablet. It has many features of the Dell Streak 5 inch tablet. It will be one of the first tablets to connect to T-Mobile's 4G HSPA+ network.
In other news, the LG-Slate will reportedly be available from T-Mobile on March 23rd. It will be T-Mobile's first tablet with Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. It will also support 4G. There is still no knowing how much the G-Slate will cost. Meanwhile sources suggest that the LG G-Slate will be able to shoot 3D video. While there is no official confirmation on that some of the G-Slate documents available with FCC seems to show what appear to be two cameras on the back of the device. And that does lend some credence to those 3D rumors.
The Dell Streak 7 is a 7 inch Android tablet. It has many features of the Dell Streak 5 inch tablet. It will be one of the first tablets to connect to T-Mobile's 4G HSPA+ network.
In other news, the LG-Slate will reportedly be available from T-Mobile on March 23rd. It will be T-Mobile's first tablet with Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. It will also support 4G. There is still no knowing how much the G-Slate will cost. Meanwhile sources suggest that the LG G-Slate will be able to shoot 3D video. While there is no official confirmation on that some of the G-Slate documents available with FCC seems to show what appear to be two cameras on the back of the device. And that does lend some credence to those 3D rumors.
NOTION INK ADAM TABLET FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Notion Ink Adam tablet has finally reached the hands of its owners and user reviews are pouring in.
The Adam has a dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and an optional Pixel Qi transflective display. It runs a custom user interface called Eden on top of Android. The tablet can handle HD video. It also supports 3D graphics acceleration. Over all, it seems to be a great tablet, but some users have reported minor issues. Bear in mind that most of these seem to be software-related and may easily
get fixed by future software updates.
Here are the major issues users are reporting.
The display is glossy, not matte. Notion Ink does offer a matte screen protector, but many users are finding it hard to apply properly.
Some features of the Notion Ink's UI software are unintuitive. The tablet also seems a bit unresponsive at times when using the Notion Ink Eden software. Zooming in the Adam web browser is kind of jerky.
Most users have loved the Pixel Qi display, a few of them have reported issues with that as well.
On the bright side, the battery charges quickly. You can install third party apps on the tablet and choose your own keyboard software if you don't like the keyboard app.
The Adam has a dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and an optional Pixel Qi transflective display. It runs a custom user interface called Eden on top of Android. The tablet can handle HD video. It also supports 3D graphics acceleration. Over all, it seems to be a great tablet, but some users have reported minor issues. Bear in mind that most of these seem to be software-related and may easily
get fixed by future software updates.
Here are the major issues users are reporting.
The display is glossy, not matte. Notion Ink does offer a matte screen protector, but many users are finding it hard to apply properly.
Some features of the Notion Ink's UI software are unintuitive. The tablet also seems a bit unresponsive at times when using the Notion Ink Eden software. Zooming in the Adam web browser is kind of jerky.
Most users have loved the Pixel Qi display, a few of them have reported issues with that as well.
On the bright side, the battery charges quickly. You can install third party apps on the tablet and choose your own keyboard software if you don't like the keyboard app.
MOTOROLA ATRIX 4G NOTEBOOK DOCK COULD RUN $150
This blog isn't about smartphones, still the Motorola Atrix 4G deserves a mention here. The Atrix 4G is a 4G capable smartphone with a dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. But what makes this machine special is the optional laptop accessory which Motorola calls a Webtop.
The Webtop is basically an 11.6 inch laptop. It is powered entirely by the smartphone. When you stick the Atrix 4G in a docking station in the rear of the Webtop it will power up the laptop which runs a custom Linux OS with a full version of the FireFox browser. The Webtop can access apps and data stored on your phone.
Although, Motorola is tight-lipped about the pricing of the Webtop, sources suggest that will cost about $150. The Atrix 4G will hit Best Buy stores first. It is also one of the first 4G phones coming to AT&T network in the US.
The Webtop is basically an 11.6 inch laptop. It is powered entirely by the smartphone. When you stick the Atrix 4G in a docking station in the rear of the Webtop it will power up the laptop which runs a custom Linux OS with a full version of the FireFox browser. The Webtop can access apps and data stored on your phone.
Although, Motorola is tight-lipped about the pricing of the Webtop, sources suggest that will cost about $150. The Atrix 4G will hit Best Buy stores first. It is also one of the first 4G phones coming to AT&T network in the US.
HP WEBOS TABLET SPECS LEAKED
The folks at PreCentral have managed to get their hands on a spec sheet and some photos of a 9.7 inch HP webOS tablet code-named 'Topaz'. HP is expected to officially announce one or two webOS tablets at an event on February 9th. But it looks like we don't have to wait that longer to get details.
The Topaz is rumored to have a 1.2GHz dual core Qualcomm MSM8660 processor, 512MB of RAM and 16GB to 64GB of storage. The 9.7 inch capacitive touchscreen display will have a resolution of 1024 x 768 pxels. Other specifications include Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, optional support for 3G and GPS. The 24Whr battery isn't user replaceable.
The tablet will also have an accelerometer, eCompass, microphone, ambient light sensor, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, 1080p HD video support, a SIM card slot, a microUS connector and support for OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics. The spec sheet says that the tablet will measure 0.5 inches in thickness and weigh about 1.5 pounds. There is still no word on a launch date or pricing.
The Topaz is rumored to have a 1.2GHz dual core Qualcomm MSM8660 processor, 512MB of RAM and 16GB to 64GB of storage. The 9.7 inch capacitive touchscreen display will have a resolution of 1024 x 768 pxels. Other specifications include Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, optional support for 3G and GPS. The 24Whr battery isn't user replaceable.
The tablet will also have an accelerometer, eCompass, microphone, ambient light sensor, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, 1080p HD video support, a SIM card slot, a microUS connector and support for OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics. The spec sheet says that the tablet will measure 0.5 inches in thickness and weigh about 1.5 pounds. There is still no word on a launch date or pricing.
MOTOROLA XOOM TO LAUNCH AT BEST BUY ON FEBRUARY 17
Best Buy will start selling the Motorola Zoom Android tablet on February 17th. Stock will reach the retailer on February 16th and sales will begin the next day. While there is no official word yet, it is rumored that Best Buy will charge $699.99 for the tablet. That is $100 less than Verizon's rumored price.
The Motorola Xoom is a 10.1 inch Android tablet. It runs Android Honeycomb and is equipped with LTE for connecting to Verizon's 4G network.
The tablet has a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. The 10.1 inch display will have a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Other specifications include a 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording and 1080p HD video playback capabilities. The tablet will come standard with 32GB onboard storage. It will also have WiFi 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
The Motorola Xoom is a 10.1 inch Android tablet. It runs Android Honeycomb and is equipped with LTE for connecting to Verizon's 4G network.
The tablet has a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. The 10.1 inch display will have a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Other specifications include a 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording and 1080p HD video playback capabilities. The tablet will come standard with 32GB onboard storage. It will also have WiFi 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
ACER ASPIRE ONE 522 WITH AMD ZACATE PROCESSOR UP FOR PRE-ORDER AT AMAZON
The Acer Aspire One 522 with AMD's new Fusion Ontario processor is now up for pre-order at Amazon.com for $330. For that price you will get a 1GHz C-50 AMD Ontario processor, Radeon HD 6250 graphics, 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive.
The AMD Ontario processors are for use in netbooks. None of the netbooks currently shipping has this APU, but in benchmark tests it has delivered significantly better than Intel's Atom processors. Needless to say almost every major PC maker has announced netbooks and notebooks with the Ontario and Zacate processors.
The Radeon HD 6250 that comes bundled with the Ontario and Zacate processors supports DirectX 11. It is also capable of handling 1080p HD video playback. And to take advantage of this featute the netbook has an HDMI port.
The Aspire One 522 has a 10.1 inch display. It runs Windows 7 Starter edition has comes with a 4400mAh battery which is expected to power the laptop for up to six hours on a charge. Other specifications include 3 USB 2.0 ports, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, built-in webcam and a multi-in-1 digital media card reader. No firm shipping date is available as of now.
The AMD Ontario processors are for use in netbooks. None of the netbooks currently shipping has this APU, but in benchmark tests it has delivered significantly better than Intel's Atom processors. Needless to say almost every major PC maker has announced netbooks and notebooks with the Ontario and Zacate processors.
The Radeon HD 6250 that comes bundled with the Ontario and Zacate processors supports DirectX 11. It is also capable of handling 1080p HD video playback. And to take advantage of this featute the netbook has an HDMI port.
The Aspire One 522 has a 10.1 inch display. It runs Windows 7 Starter edition has comes with a 4400mAh battery which is expected to power the laptop for up to six hours on a charge. Other specifications include 3 USB 2.0 ports, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, built-in webcam and a multi-in-1 digital media card reader. No firm shipping date is available as of now.
TOSHIBA POSTS TEASER VIDEO FOR ITS TABLET
Toshiba showcased a tablet at CES 2011 and said that it would run Android Honeycomb operating system. The company hadn't decided on a name for its tablet and the machine on display was an early prototype.
Toshiba still doesn't have a name for its tablet, but it has posted a teaser video at TheToshibaTablet.com. The video shows the tablet as having a 10.1 inch display with a native resolution of 16:10. It will run Android OS. Other specifications include USB and HDMI ports, stereo speakers and dual cameras - a 5 megapixel camera on the rear side and a 2 megapixel camera on the front side.
The battery is reportedly user replaceable. In fact, this is a feature you usually don't find on Android tablets. Still no word on pricing or availability.
Meanwhile, Samsung is also expected to launch a sequel to its successful Galaxy Tab Android tablet.
Toshiba still doesn't have a name for its tablet, but it has posted a teaser video at TheToshibaTablet.com. The video shows the tablet as having a 10.1 inch display with a native resolution of 16:10. It will run Android OS. Other specifications include USB and HDMI ports, stereo speakers and dual cameras - a 5 megapixel camera on the rear side and a 2 megapixel camera on the front side.
The battery is reportedly user replaceable. In fact, this is a feature you usually don't find on Android tablets. Still no word on pricing or availability.
Meanwhile, Samsung is also expected to launch a sequel to its successful Galaxy Tab Android tablet.
REFURBISHED DELL INSPIRON MINI NOW SELLING FOR $220
New Egg is now selling refurbished Dell Inspiron Mini IM1012 netbooks for as little as $219.99 plus free shipping. The Dell Inspiron Mini has a 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. It is powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor. The netbook also has 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and a 6-cell battery. It runs Windows 7 Starter Edition.
Sure, the Inspiron Mini isn't the latest netbook from Dell. It isn't the best either. However, for $220 it is a steal even if it is a refurbished one.
As for other features, the netbook has resonably good build quality and impressive design. It also gets decent battery life. The only drawback is perhaps the touchpad with integrated buttons which was panned by most reviewers.
Sure, the Inspiron Mini isn't the latest netbook from Dell. It isn't the best either. However, for $220 it is a steal even if it is a refurbished one.
As for other features, the netbook has resonably good build quality and impressive design. It also gets decent battery life. The only drawback is perhaps the touchpad with integrated buttons which was panned by most reviewers.
AMD SAYS MORE THAN 1 MILLION FUSION CHIPS SHIPPED
AMD says the company has shipped over a million of its Fusion APUs (Accelerated Processing Units) to partners such as Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Sony, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung and Toshiba. The AMD Fusion line of processors were introduced late last year. These are low power Brazos chips that have integrated CPU and graphics cores in the same piece of silicon.
A number of PC makers have already announced notebooks and netbooks with the 9W AMD Ontario and 18W AMD Zacate processors. However, none of the computers currently shipping have the Fusion processor. So it is still too early to predict whether the Fusion APUs will create a huge dent in Intel Atom's market share.
Nevertheless, considering the number of new product announcements based around the new platform, it is easy to see that the AMD Fusion processors have managed to get PC makers excited.
A number of PC makers have already announced notebooks and netbooks with the 9W AMD Ontario and 18W AMD Zacate processors. However, none of the computers currently shipping have the Fusion processor. So it is still too early to predict whether the Fusion APUs will create a huge dent in Intel Atom's market share.
Nevertheless, considering the number of new product announcements based around the new platform, it is easy to see that the AMD Fusion processors have managed to get PC makers excited.
BMODO12 WINDOWS TABLET REVIEWED
The bModo12 is a Windows tablet with an 11.6 inch display. It has an Intel Atom N450 processor and a Broadcom Crystal HD video accelerator. Other specifications are pretty standard. The tablet has 32GB SSD, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, GPS and an accelerometer.
In terms of looks the bModo12 isn't all that different from the ExoPC Windows tablet. Both machines are probably based on the same design and were built by the same OEM. The software, on the other hand, is different. ExoPC runs the custom ExoPC user interface on top of Windows 7, while the bModo12 runs a few custom apps.
All Touch Tablet has posted a detailed review of the bModo12. The reviewer is impressed with the tablet's performance and software. On the flip side, the tablet gets only around 3 hours of battery life. It also has a huge price tag. The base model with 1GB of RAM is priced at $799. $849 will get you the 2GB version.
The bModo12 is now available for purchase from Amazon and bModo stores.
In terms of looks the bModo12 isn't all that different from the ExoPC Windows tablet. Both machines are probably based on the same design and were built by the same OEM. The software, on the other hand, is different. ExoPC runs the custom ExoPC user interface on top of Windows 7, while the bModo12 runs a few custom apps.
All Touch Tablet has posted a detailed review of the bModo12. The reviewer is impressed with the tablet's performance and software. On the flip side, the tablet gets only around 3 hours of battery life. It also has a huge price tag. The base model with 1GB of RAM is priced at $799. $849 will get you the 2GB version.
The bModo12 is now available for purchase from Amazon and bModo stores.
TOSHIBA NB550D NOW SHIPPING IN EUROPE AND AUSTRALIA
The Toshiba NB550D with AMD's Ontario processor is not yet available in the US. However, the netbook has started shipping in many parts of Europe and Australia.
The Toshiba NB550D has a 1GHz dual core AMD C-50 Ontario processor. The Ontario processors are highly power efficient. They consume just 9W of power. And because they come bundled with the Radeon HD 6250 graphics they will deliver excellent graphics performance including 1080 HD video playback and support for DirectX 11. In fact, in many benchmark tests, these processors have delivered graphics performance comparable to NVIDIA's ION.
The Toshiba NB550D has a 10.1 inch display with 16:9 aspect ratio. Other specifications include up to 2GB of DDR3 RAM, 250GB storage, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and HDMI output.
The Toshiba NB550D has a 1GHz dual core AMD C-50 Ontario processor. The Ontario processors are highly power efficient. They consume just 9W of power. And because they come bundled with the Radeon HD 6250 graphics they will deliver excellent graphics performance including 1080 HD video playback and support for DirectX 11. In fact, in many benchmark tests, these processors have delivered graphics performance comparable to NVIDIA's ION.
The Toshiba NB550D has a 10.1 inch display with 16:9 aspect ratio. Other specifications include up to 2GB of DDR3 RAM, 250GB storage, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and HDMI output.
HP PALM TOPAZ AND OPAL TABLETS LEAK
If Engadget's sources are correct, HP will soon launch two webOS-based tablets. The HP Palm Topaz and Opal tablets will reportedly support multitasking so that users can run up to 20 apps simultaneously. What's more, the tablets will also have access to 'tens of gigabytes' of cloud storage space.
The Topaz will be nearly identical to the iPad in size. The Opal will have a shorter display, but it will be wider than the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Both tablets are expected to have the same 1024 x 768 pixels display.
Other key features include Tap-to-share with which you can easily transfer a file or a document from the tablet to the phone or vice versa by simply tapping the two devices together. The Topaz and Opal will also have Beats-branded audio and a wireless charging docking station that can transform the devices into an alarm clock, a GPS device, or a digital photo frame.
The Topaz may hit the streets earlier than the Opal. Both tablets are expected to be unveiled at HP's February 9 event.
The Topaz will be nearly identical to the iPad in size. The Opal will have a shorter display, but it will be wider than the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Both tablets are expected to have the same 1024 x 768 pixels display.
Other key features include Tap-to-share with which you can easily transfer a file or a document from the tablet to the phone or vice versa by simply tapping the two devices together. The Topaz and Opal will also have Beats-branded audio and a wireless charging docking station that can transform the devices into an alarm clock, a GPS device, or a digital photo frame.
The Topaz may hit the streets earlier than the Opal. Both tablets are expected to be unveiled at HP's February 9 event.
INTEL TO LAUNCH ATOM N570 PROCESSOR IN FEBRUARY
Intel will reportedly launch its Atom N570 processor at the end of February. According to sources major PC makers like Lenovo, Asus and Samsung will all introduce netbooks with the new processor in March.
The Atom N570 is a dual core Atom processor for netbooks. None of the netbooks currently shipping feature this processor.However, Lenovo has announced that the N570 will be one of the processor options available on its IdeaPad S100. There is still no information about how the N570 is different from other Atom processors and the Intel website still doesn't list the Atom N570. The only chip you will find in the N500 family is the 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core processor.
The N570 may be a similar processor, but it is likely to have faster clock speeds.
Meanwhile Intel is also expected to launch its next generation Cedar Trail and Oak Trail processors later this year. These may offer significant improvement over the Pine Trail processors currently available.
The Atom N570 is a dual core Atom processor for netbooks. None of the netbooks currently shipping feature this processor.However, Lenovo has announced that the N570 will be one of the processor options available on its IdeaPad S100. There is still no information about how the N570 is different from other Atom processors and the Intel website still doesn't list the Atom N570. The only chip you will find in the N500 family is the 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core processor.
The N570 may be a similar processor, but it is likely to have faster clock speeds.
Meanwhile Intel is also expected to launch its next generation Cedar Trail and Oak Trail processors later this year. These may offer significant improvement over the Pine Trail processors currently available.
ASUS UNVEILS EEE PC SIROCCO AKA EEE PC 1015PW
A few days ago Asus launched a teaser campaign for a netbook called the Eee PC Sirocco. The teaser had the tag line 'making waves' which kind of gave the impression that Asus would be launching an innovative product that would make waves in the industry. But now it looks like Asus was just talking about a wavy textured paint job on the lid.
Regarding specs, there is nothing particularly impressive about the Eee PC Sirocco. In fact, it has now turned out that Sirocco is just another name of the Eee PC 1015PW introduced in October.
The Eee PC Sirocco or 1015PW will be available in purple, gold or pink lids. It has a 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core processor, 1GB of DDR3 memory, a 250GB / 320GB hard drive, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0. The 10.1 inch display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. Still no word on pricing or availability.
Regarding specs, there is nothing particularly impressive about the Eee PC Sirocco. In fact, it has now turned out that Sirocco is just another name of the Eee PC 1015PW introduced in October.
The Eee PC Sirocco or 1015PW will be available in purple, gold or pink lids. It has a 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core processor, 1GB of DDR3 memory, a 250GB / 320GB hard drive, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0. The 10.1 inch display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. Still no word on pricing or availability.
MEET NET SURFER PRO: THE 10 INCH ANDROID NETBOOK FOR THE UK
UK retailer Next has introduced a 10 inch laptop running Google Android. The netbook called the Next Surfer Pro has a 1GHz processor, 256MB of RAM and 16GB of storage. It runs Android 2.1 and also has WiFi, a flash card reader and 2 USB ports.
Next hasn't revealed the detailed specs of the device, but a Japanese website says that the netbook has an ARM11-based processor. In terms of looks, the Surfer Pro is an attractive little laptop. It has a nice keyboard. The touchpad isn't very big and seems to have just one button.
On the down side, Android as an operating system isn't quite suitable for a device like this.Although Android runs well on ARM-based processors, it is essentially an operating system designed for small screen devices like smartphones. Sure, Android is the preferred operating system for tablets and it may even make activities like web surfing a pleasant experience. However, users may have difficulty installing third party applications or navigating through some Android menus.
On the other hand, the Next Surfer Pro is quite cheap. It is priced at £155, or about $248 US.
Next hasn't revealed the detailed specs of the device, but a Japanese website says that the netbook has an ARM11-based processor. In terms of looks, the Surfer Pro is an attractive little laptop. It has a nice keyboard. The touchpad isn't very big and seems to have just one button.
On the down side, Android as an operating system isn't quite suitable for a device like this.Although Android runs well on ARM-based processors, it is essentially an operating system designed for small screen devices like smartphones. Sure, Android is the preferred operating system for tablets and it may even make activities like web surfing a pleasant experience. However, users may have difficulty installing third party applications or navigating through some Android menus.
On the other hand, the Next Surfer Pro is quite cheap. It is priced at £155, or about $248 US.
LENOVO THINKPAD T420 AND T520 LAPTOPS COMING IN FEBRUARY
According to leaked info, the Lenovo ThinkPad T420 and T520 business laptops with Intel's 2nd generation Core i series 'Sandy Bridge' processors will start shipping in February.
The ThinkPad T420 has a 14 inch display. It will be available with screen resolution options of up to 1600 x 900 pixels. The T520 has a 15.6 inch display that goes up to full HD 1920 x 1080 pixels. Both laptops have 16:9 display ratio. They also feature the NVIDIA Optimus switchable graphics technology for automatically switching between the integrated and discrete graphics options. Other specifications have not been revealed but the T520 will reportedly be available with up to Intel Core i7-2820QM quad-core processor clocking at 2.3GHz.
The ThinkPad T420 and T520 weigh 4.9 and 5.7 pounds respectively. No word on pricing at the moment.
The ThinkPad T420 has a 14 inch display. It will be available with screen resolution options of up to 1600 x 900 pixels. The T520 has a 15.6 inch display that goes up to full HD 1920 x 1080 pixels. Both laptops have 16:9 display ratio. They also feature the NVIDIA Optimus switchable graphics technology for automatically switching between the integrated and discrete graphics options. Other specifications have not been revealed but the T520 will reportedly be available with up to Intel Core i7-2820QM quad-core processor clocking at 2.3GHz.
The ThinkPad T420 and T520 weigh 4.9 and 5.7 pounds respectively. No word on pricing at the moment.
ASUS EEE SLATE EP121 FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Asus Eee Slate EP121 is a Windows tablet with a 12 inch capacitive touchscreen display. It was introduced at CES and now the folks at Blogeee have posted a short review of the tablet.
The Eee Slate EP121 is different from most other tablets that are going to flood the market in the coming months. For one thing, it has a larger 12 inch display. Most tablets have 7 to 10 inch displays. It also comes with a Wacom active digitizeer which will help with handwriting recognition, drawing and some other tasks. What's more, EP121 has an Intel Core i5 processor which makes it way more powerful than other ARM-based tablets on the market.
Other specifications too are pretty impressive. The tablet has 2GB of DDR3 memory, up to 64GB SSD, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and HDMI output. But premium features command a premium price tag. The base model of EP121 is priced at $999.
At 2.6 pounds, the EP121 is a bit heavy to hold in one hand. Real world reviews are not yet available, but the machine is expected to get only around 3 hours of battery life.
The Eee Slate EP121 is different from most other tablets that are going to flood the market in the coming months. For one thing, it has a larger 12 inch display. Most tablets have 7 to 10 inch displays. It also comes with a Wacom active digitizeer which will help with handwriting recognition, drawing and some other tasks. What's more, EP121 has an Intel Core i5 processor which makes it way more powerful than other ARM-based tablets on the market.
Other specifications too are pretty impressive. The tablet has 2GB of DDR3 memory, up to 64GB SSD, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and HDMI output. But premium features command a premium price tag. The base model of EP121 is priced at $999.
At 2.6 pounds, the EP121 is a bit heavy to hold in one hand. Real world reviews are not yet available, but the machine is expected to get only around 3 hours of battery life.
APPLE SELLS NEARLY 15 MILLION IPADS IN 2010
In the quarter ending December 25th Apple sold 7.33 million iPads. But that is not the number of iPads sold during the whole number... that's just the numbers for the fiscal quarter. During the previous quarter the company sold 4.19 million iPads. The quarter before that saw 3.27 million iPads reaching the hands of its owners. That means Apple sold nearly 15 million iPads since launching the tablet in April 2010.
Part of this success can be attributed to the fact that Apple faced little competition in the tablet space during the year. Sure, a number of Chinese companies launched cheap Android tablets in 2010 and Samsung introduced its Galaxy Tab. Although, the Samsung Galaxy Tab was indeed a success, it couldn't diminish the popularity of iPad.
Apple will, however, face real competition in 2011 now that companies like Asus, HP, Motorola and RIM have also announced their tablets. It will be interesting to see if Apple manages to sell equally impressive numbers of iPads during this year.
Part of this success can be attributed to the fact that Apple faced little competition in the tablet space during the year. Sure, a number of Chinese companies launched cheap Android tablets in 2010 and Samsung introduced its Galaxy Tab. Although, the Samsung Galaxy Tab was indeed a success, it couldn't diminish the popularity of iPad.
Apple will, however, face real competition in 2011 now that companies like Asus, HP, Motorola and RIM have also announced their tablets. It will be interesting to see if Apple manages to sell equally impressive numbers of iPads during this year.
T-MOBILE TO LAUNCH THE DELL STREAK 7 ON FEBRUARY 2ND?
T-Mobile will launch the 4G capable LG G-Slate later this year, but that is unlikely to be the first 4G tablet from the carrier. According to some leaked documents T-Mobile will launch the Dell Streak 7 on February 2nd.
The Dell Streak 7 is a larger version of the Dell Streak 5 inch tablet already available on the market. It runs the Dell Stage software on top of Android 2.2. The Dell Streak 7 also has a faster dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. It is 4G-enabled and will connect to T-Mobile's HSPA+ network that offers top speeds of 21Mbps.
The Streak 7 has a 7 inch Gorilla Glass display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. Other specifications include a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, a 5 megapixel rear camera, 16GB of storage, WiFi and Bluetooth.
Meanwhile, word is that T-Mobile will stop offering the Samsung Galaxy Tab at the end of January. If that is true, then it is likely to be replaced by the Galaxy Tab 2.
The Dell Streak 7 is a larger version of the Dell Streak 5 inch tablet already available on the market. It runs the Dell Stage software on top of Android 2.2. The Dell Streak 7 also has a faster dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. It is 4G-enabled and will connect to T-Mobile's HSPA+ network that offers top speeds of 21Mbps.
The Streak 7 has a 7 inch Gorilla Glass display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. Other specifications include a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, a 5 megapixel rear camera, 16GB of storage, WiFi and Bluetooth.
Meanwhile, word is that T-Mobile will stop offering the Samsung Galaxy Tab at the end of January. If that is true, then it is likely to be replaced by the Galaxy Tab 2.
T-MOBILE G-SLATE SIGN UP PAGE GOES LIVE
The T-Mobile G-Slate sign-up page has gone live. We first heard about the G-Slate tablet last month when T-Mobile sought trademark over the name. And then at CES the carrier announced its plans to release the tablet built by LG.
The LG T-Mobile G-Slate is not yet available for purchase, but the sign up page does have some interesting details. To start with, the G-Slate will run Android 3.0 aka Honeycomb. This is the version of Android optimized for tablets. The tablet will connect to T-Mobile's HSPA+ network which has top speeds of about 21Mbps. T-Mobile, however, says that it will increase the speeds to up to 42Mbps sometimes soon.
It is not clear when the G-Slate will be available. But because it runs Honeycomb, it is unlikely to launch before April. Now in case you are smitten by this little machine, you can sign-up at the T-Mobile website to receive more information.
The LG T-Mobile G-Slate is not yet available for purchase, but the sign up page does have some interesting details. To start with, the G-Slate will run Android 3.0 aka Honeycomb. This is the version of Android optimized for tablets. The tablet will connect to T-Mobile's HSPA+ network which has top speeds of about 21Mbps. T-Mobile, however, says that it will increase the speeds to up to 42Mbps sometimes soon.
It is not clear when the G-Slate will be available. But because it runs Honeycomb, it is unlikely to launch before April. Now in case you are smitten by this little machine, you can sign-up at the T-Mobile website to receive more information.
EVOLVE III MAESTRO TABLET TRIPLE-BOOTS ANDROID, MEEGO AND WINDOWS 7
An unknown Australian company called Evolve III has launched a 10 inch tablet that triple-boots Android, MeeGo and Windows 7. A few tablets on the market already dual boots Android and Windows 7. But this is the first time we have come across a machine that can run three operating systems.
The Evolve III Maestro tablet has a 1.83GHz Intel Atom N475 processor right now. It will get upgraded to an Intel Oak Trail processor during the 2nd quarter of this year.
The tablet weighs less than three words. It reportedly gets 8 hours of battery life when running Windows 7 and 16 hours when running Android. Other specifications include a 10.1 inch capacitive touchscreen display with 1024 x 600 pixels, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, up to 32GB of solid state storage, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 3G and 2 full-size USB ports.
Sources suggest that tablet will have a price point of $500. The Oak Trail version will run about $600. It is expected to hit the streets some time soon.
The Evolve III Maestro tablet has a 1.83GHz Intel Atom N475 processor right now. It will get upgraded to an Intel Oak Trail processor during the 2nd quarter of this year.
The tablet weighs less than three words. It reportedly gets 8 hours of battery life when running Windows 7 and 16 hours when running Android. Other specifications include a 10.1 inch capacitive touchscreen display with 1024 x 600 pixels, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, up to 32GB of solid state storage, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 3G and 2 full-size USB ports.
Sources suggest that tablet will have a price point of $500. The Oak Trail version will run about $600. It is expected to hit the streets some time soon.
DELL ALIENWARE M17X R3 GAMING NOTEBOOK NOW AVAILABLE
The Dell Alienware M17x R3, the third version of the M17x, has started shipping. The Alienware M17x R3 is a 17.3 inch gaming laptop. It has the 2nd generation Intel Core processors - the Core i7 2820QM, i7 2720QM, or i7 2630QM, the 1.5GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M or the 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6870M video card, optional full HD and 3D-capable full HD display. Other specifications include up to 16GB of RAM, up to 2 hard drives or solid state drives via dual storage bays and a slot-loading DVD burner or Blu-ray combo.
Dell's gaming rig also has stereo speakers, USB 3.0 port, webcam, a mini-Display connector as well as HDMI output and input ports. It also supports 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound output.
The Alienware M17x R3 runs Windows 7 operating system. It is available in Stealth Black and Nebula Red colors with backlighting for keyboard, touchpad and other notebook areas.
The Dell Alienware M17x R3 has a base price of $1,499 at the Dell website.
Dell's gaming rig also has stereo speakers, USB 3.0 port, webcam, a mini-Display connector as well as HDMI output and input ports. It also supports 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound output.
The Alienware M17x R3 runs Windows 7 operating system. It is available in Stealth Black and Nebula Red colors with backlighting for keyboard, touchpad and other notebook areas.
The Dell Alienware M17x R3 has a base price of $1,499 at the Dell website.
ASUS N53SV-A1 MULTIMEDIA NOTEBOOK NOW SHIPPING
The 15.6 inch Asus N53SV-A1 multimedia notebook has started shipping in the US. The N53SV-A1 is the first notebook in the Asus N series to sport Intel's 2nd generation Core 'Sandy Bridge' processors.
Precisely, the notebook has an Intel Core i7-2630QM qaud-core processor, GeForce GT 540M 1GB discrete graphics, 4GB of RAM, a 750GB hard drive, DVD burner and a silver aluminum finish. The 15.6 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
The N53SV-A1 runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. It also has a 2 megapixel webcam, microphone, Altec Lansing stereo speakers, 1 USB 3.0 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 eSATA port, HDMI, VGA and a 5-in-1 media card reader. The laptop weighs 6.4 pounds with the standard 6-cell battery.
The Asus N53SV-A1 can be purchased from SuperBiiz for $1,170.96.
Precisely, the notebook has an Intel Core i7-2630QM qaud-core processor, GeForce GT 540M 1GB discrete graphics, 4GB of RAM, a 750GB hard drive, DVD burner and a silver aluminum finish. The 15.6 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
The N53SV-A1 runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. It also has a 2 megapixel webcam, microphone, Altec Lansing stereo speakers, 1 USB 3.0 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 eSATA port, HDMI, VGA and a 5-in-1 media card reader. The laptop weighs 6.4 pounds with the standard 6-cell battery.
The Asus N53SV-A1 can be purchased from SuperBiiz for $1,170.96.
SONY NOW OFFERS CONFIGURABLE VAIO S LAPTOPS
The 13.3 inch Sony VAIO S is now up for configuration at Sony's official website. The laptop was previously a Best Buy exclusive. The Sony Vaio S has the first generation Intel Core processors up to the Core i5-580M, Intel GMA HD integrated graphics or the NVIDIA GeForce 310M discrete graphics, up to 4GB of RAM, up to 500GB hard drive or a 256GB Solid State Drive, a DVD / Blu-ray combo drive or a Blu-ray burner. The 13.3 inch LED backlit display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
The Sony VAIO S will reportedly get 5.5 hours of battery life. It runs Windows 7 operating system. Other features include Bluetooth, Gigabit LAN, a webcam with microphone, HDMI, VGA outputs, Firewire, 3 USB 2.0 ports, SD card slots, an ExpressCard slot and optional Intel Wireless Display technology.
The Sony VAIO S is available in black or silver color. Sony also offers VAIO S models with white or black Wavy Signature Collection design. The configurable Sony VAIO S VPCS1390X has a starting price of $874.99 at SonyStyle.com.
The Sony VAIO S will reportedly get 5.5 hours of battery life. It runs Windows 7 operating system. Other features include Bluetooth, Gigabit LAN, a webcam with microphone, HDMI, VGA outputs, Firewire, 3 USB 2.0 ports, SD card slots, an ExpressCard slot and optional Intel Wireless Display technology.
The Sony VAIO S is available in black or silver color. Sony also offers VAIO S models with white or black Wavy Signature Collection design. The configurable Sony VAIO S VPCS1390X has a starting price of $874.99 at SonyStyle.com.
ASUS G73SW-A1 GAMING LAPTOP NOW SHIPPING, 3D VERSION COMING SOON
Excaliber PC has started shipping the Asus G73SW-A1 gaming notebook with Intel's new quad-core processor. The 3D version of the same laptop - the G73SW-3DE is now up for pre-order.
Both G73SW-A1 and G73SW-3DE have the Intel Core i7-2630QM processor, GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB discrete graphics, 8GB of RAM, dual 500GB hybrid HDD/SSD drives for 1TB of storage and Blu-ray combo drive. The laptops have full HD displays with LED backlight and run Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. They also feature the 'one-click' overclocking technology.
The Asus G73SW-A1 and -3DE feature a F117 stealth bomber-inspired design with a rubberized matte finish. Other specifications include 8-cell battery, built-in stereo speakers and a subwoofer,TNX TruStudio audio technology, 2 MP webcam with mic, backlit keyboard, WiFi 802.11n, Bluetooth, Gigabit LAN, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, HDMI, VGA and 8-in-1 media card reader.
The 3D-enabled G73SW-3DE has a 120Hz 3D-capable display and comes with 3D Vision glasses. The Asus G73SW-A1 and G73SW-3D both come with a gaming mouse and backpack. They are priced at $1,849 and $1,939, respectively.
Both G73SW-A1 and G73SW-3DE have the Intel Core i7-2630QM processor, GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB discrete graphics, 8GB of RAM, dual 500GB hybrid HDD/SSD drives for 1TB of storage and Blu-ray combo drive. The laptops have full HD displays with LED backlight and run Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. They also feature the 'one-click' overclocking technology.
The Asus G73SW-A1 and -3DE feature a F117 stealth bomber-inspired design with a rubberized matte finish. Other specifications include 8-cell battery, built-in stereo speakers and a subwoofer,TNX TruStudio audio technology, 2 MP webcam with mic, backlit keyboard, WiFi 802.11n, Bluetooth, Gigabit LAN, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, HDMI, VGA and 8-in-1 media card reader.
The 3D-enabled G73SW-3DE has a 120Hz 3D-capable display and comes with 3D Vision glasses. The Asus G73SW-A1 and G73SW-3D both come with a gaming mouse and backpack. They are priced at $1,849 and $1,939, respectively.
LENOVO IDEAPAD Y560P ENTERTAINMENT LAPTOP NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
The 15.6 inch Lenovo IdeaPad Y560p entertainment laptop has started shipping in the US.The IdeaPad Y560p is powered by Intel's second generation Core 'Sandy Bride' processors. Two models are available right now - the Y560p 439726U and Y560p 439727U.
Both of them have Intel Core i7-2630QM quad-core processor, AMD Radeon HD 6570M graphics with 1GB of video RAM, 8GB of RAM, and a 6-cell battery that will reportedly get up to 5 hours of run time. The 15.6 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The laptops run Windows 7 Home Premium.
The Y560p 439726U has a 750GB hard drive and a DVD burner, while the 439727U comes standard with a 750GB HDD and a 32GB solid state drive for improved system performance, and Blu-ray Combo drive.
The Y560p notebooks also have JBL speakers, Dolby Home Theater audio, 1.3MP web camera and Bluetooth. They sport a brushed metal exterior, and metallic gray interior.
Pricing and availability
The Lenovo Ideapad Y560p 439726U and 439727U are now available for purchase at the Lenovo Online store. They are priced at $1,399.00 and $1,449.00, respectively.
Both of them have Intel Core i7-2630QM quad-core processor, AMD Radeon HD 6570M graphics with 1GB of video RAM, 8GB of RAM, and a 6-cell battery that will reportedly get up to 5 hours of run time. The 15.6 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The laptops run Windows 7 Home Premium.
The Y560p 439726U has a 750GB hard drive and a DVD burner, while the 439727U comes standard with a 750GB HDD and a 32GB solid state drive for improved system performance, and Blu-ray Combo drive.
The Y560p notebooks also have JBL speakers, Dolby Home Theater audio, 1.3MP web camera and Bluetooth. They sport a brushed metal exterior, and metallic gray interior.
Pricing and availability
The Lenovo Ideapad Y560p 439726U and 439727U are now available for purchase at the Lenovo Online store. They are priced at $1,399.00 and $1,449.00, respectively.
CLOSER LOOK AT THE SONY VAIO YB-SERIES NOTEBOOK
Sony, it looks like, is keen on getting its share of the netbook market. The company did release a few netbooks over the past year or so, but none of them were netbooks in the strict sense of the term. All of these machines had ridiculously price tags that never matched their specs. But now Sony has released a somewhat budget-friendly mini laptop under the Sony YB-series. This machine has an AMD Fusion processor and a starting price of about $550. It is still expensive but not as expensive as typical Sony netbooks.
The Sony YB series laptop has a 1.6GHz AMD E-350 processor with Radeon HD 6310 graphics, up to 4GB of storage and a 500GB hard drive. It also has an HDMI output, VGA, Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and 3 USB ports. The computer has an 11.6 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It will be available in several color combinations. The notebook has a chiclet style keyoard and two nice big buttons below the touchpad.
The Sony YB-Series should be available next month.
The Sony YB series laptop has a 1.6GHz AMD E-350 processor with Radeon HD 6310 graphics, up to 4GB of storage and a 500GB hard drive. It also has an HDMI output, VGA, Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and 3 USB ports. The computer has an 11.6 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It will be available in several color combinations. The notebook has a chiclet style keyoard and two nice big buttons below the touchpad.
The Sony YB-Series should be available next month.
HP PAVILION DM1Z WITH AMD ZACATE PROCESSOR UP FOR ORDER
HP has started taking orders for its 11.6 inch Pavilion dm1z with AMD Zacate processor. The base configuration includes a 1.6GHz dual core AMD E-350 processor with Radeon HD 6310 graphics, 3GB of DDR3 memory and a 320GB, 7200rpm hard drive. It is priced at $449.99. For that price you will also get a 6-cell battery, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit operating system. The laptop's 11.6 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
The HP Pavilion dm1z offers lots of configuration options. You can, for example, upgrade to Windows 7 Professional, 4GB or 8GB of RAM, up to 750GB of hard drive or a 128GB SSD and a spare battery. Sure, adding these options will drive the price up. A fully decked up Pavilion dm1z can easily cost well over $1000.
The HP Pavilion dm1z offers lots of configuration options. You can, for example, upgrade to Windows 7 Professional, 4GB or 8GB of RAM, up to 750GB of hard drive or a 128GB SSD and a spare battery. Sure, adding these options will drive the price up. A fully decked up Pavilion dm1z can easily cost well over $1000.
ACER ASPIRE ONE 522 WITH AMD ONTARIO PROCESSOR UP FOR PRE-ORDER
The AMD Zacate and Ontario processors are part of AMD's Fusion platform which combines a low power processor with a high performance graphics. Over the past week or so we saw many companies announcing notebooks with the 18W dual core AMD Zacate chips, and now Acer has announced a netbook with the 9 W AMD Ontario processor. The Acer Aspire One 522 has a 1GHz dual core C-50 Ontario chip with built-in Radeon HD 6250 graphics. The laptop is now up for pre-order at Amazon.
The Aspire One 522 is available in solid black and green/black. It is priced at $329.99.
The Aspire One 522 also has 1GB of DDR3 memory, a 250GB hard drive, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 1.3MP webcam, 3 USB 2.0 ports, and a 6-cell, 4400mAh battery. It runs Windows 7 Starter Edition. Acer claims that the netbook will get around 6 hours of battery life. The laptop is expected to have a 1280 x 720 pixels display. It can output 1080p HD video and has also got an HDMI port.
The Aspire One 522 is available in solid black and green/black. It is priced at $329.99.
The Aspire One 522 also has 1GB of DDR3 memory, a 250GB hard drive, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 1.3MP webcam, 3 USB 2.0 ports, and a 6-cell, 4400mAh battery. It runs Windows 7 Starter Edition. Acer claims that the netbook will get around 6 hours of battery life. The laptop is expected to have a 1280 x 720 pixels display. It can output 1080p HD video and has also got an HDMI port.
SPRINT OFFERING SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB FOR $300 WITH CONTRACT
Although the Samsung Galaxy Tab is one of the best Android tablets available on the market at the moment, it is a bit expensive for a 7 inch machine. But there is good news. Sprint is now offering the tablet for $299.99 with a 2 year service contract.
A contract-free Galaxy Tab still runs $499.99. Even at that price, it is cheaper than what it was at launch.
Sources suggest that the price drop could be a way to clear inventory and make room for a new updated Galaxy Tab and that may be true. We have been hearing about a Galaxy Tab 2 for a while.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab runs Android 2.2 at the moment. Samsung may offer an update to Android Honeycomb when that version of the OS arrives. The tablet has a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor, front and rear-facing cameras, 3G and WiFi connectivity. It can also function as a mobile hotspot. The US version of the Tab doesn't make phone calls, but you can install Skype to make calls on the go.
A contract-free Galaxy Tab still runs $499.99. Even at that price, it is cheaper than what it was at launch.
Sources suggest that the price drop could be a way to clear inventory and make room for a new updated Galaxy Tab and that may be true. We have been hearing about a Galaxy Tab 2 for a while.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab runs Android 2.2 at the moment. Samsung may offer an update to Android Honeycomb when that version of the OS arrives. The tablet has a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor, front and rear-facing cameras, 3G and WiFi connectivity. It can also function as a mobile hotspot. The US version of the Tab doesn't make phone calls, but you can install Skype to make calls on the go.
SAMSUNG LAUNCHES NC110,NC210 AND NS310 NETBOOKS
At CES Samsung was seen busily promoting its innovative Sliding series tablet and the super-thin and super-expensive Samsung 9 series laptop. But that's not all. The company also introduced a new line of netbooks almost queitly.
The new 10 inch Samsung NC110, NC210 and the NS310 are minor updates to the existing Samsung N110, N210 and N310 Go netbooks.
The Samsung NC110 and the NC210 have up to 2GB of DDR3 memory, a 250GB hard drive, 3 USB ports, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, a VGA port, a flash card slot and a 6-cell battery. While the NC110 has an Intel Atom N570 processor, the NC210 has an Atom N550 dual core processor. Both notebooks have matte displays.
The NS310 seems like an update to the N310, but it has a metal chassis and a backlit keyboard. No word on when or where these models will be available.
The new 10 inch Samsung NC110, NC210 and the NS310 are minor updates to the existing Samsung N110, N210 and N310 Go netbooks.
The Samsung NC110 and the NC210 have up to 2GB of DDR3 memory, a 250GB hard drive, 3 USB ports, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, a VGA port, a flash card slot and a 6-cell battery. While the NC110 has an Intel Atom N570 processor, the NC210 has an Atom N550 dual core processor. Both notebooks have matte displays.
The NS310 seems like an update to the N310, but it has a metal chassis and a backlit keyboard. No word on when or where these models will be available.
MSI X370 WITH AMD ZACATE PROCESSOR ANNOUNCED
MSI has announced a new X-Slim notebook. The MSI X-Slim X370 has the same svelte profile, but instead of the low-power Intel Core 2 Duo processors found in the X350 and the X360, it has a more powerful AMD Zacate processor. And because Zacate processors are highly power efficient, the notebook should get decent battery life.
Like the other notebooks in the X-Slim series, the X370 measures 0.8 inches in thickness and weighs 3.8 pounds. It has a 13.4 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The notebook is powered by an AMD Fusion E-350 Zacate processor and the Radeon 6320 graphics that comes with it. Other specifications include up to 4GB of RAM and up to 320GB hard drive space.
The MSI X370 is expected to ship this Spring. There is no word on final pricing, but MSI is known for pricing its notebooks aggressively so you should be able to get a good deal.
Like the other notebooks in the X-Slim series, the X370 measures 0.8 inches in thickness and weighs 3.8 pounds. It has a 13.4 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The notebook is powered by an AMD Fusion E-350 Zacate processor and the Radeon 6320 graphics that comes with it. Other specifications include up to 4GB of RAM and up to 320GB hard drive space.
The MSI X370 is expected to ship this Spring. There is no word on final pricing, but MSI is known for pricing its notebooks aggressively so you should be able to get a good deal.
DELL XPS 17 WITH 2ND GEN CORE SERIES PROCESSORS ANNOUNCED
Dell has announced a new XPS notebook. The Dell XPS 17 has the same great speakers and nice HD displays as other notebooks in the XPS family. It has also got 3D.
The 3D experience is delivered by the NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M discrete graphics announced earlier this week. It also delivers better HD video and hardware accelerated browsing.
The XPS 17 is available with an optional full HD display so that you can watch your Blu-ray movies in full HD. Another nice feature is the NVIDIA 3DTV Play software that comes with the notebook. The 3DTV allows users to send 3D content to compatible 3D televisions. Of course, to experience 3D, you will need the NVIDIA 3D glasses, but that doesn't seem to come with the laptop.
The Dell XPS 17 can be configured with the next generation Core i7, i5 or i3 processor. Integrated and discrete graphics options are available. The new Core i7 processor also supports the Wireless Display technology so that you can stream 1080p HD video to your HDTV wirelessly.
The Dell XPS 17 will be available in the US starting February 1. Prices start at $1,449.
The 3D experience is delivered by the NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M discrete graphics announced earlier this week. It also delivers better HD video and hardware accelerated browsing.
The XPS 17 is available with an optional full HD display so that you can watch your Blu-ray movies in full HD. Another nice feature is the NVIDIA 3DTV Play software that comes with the notebook. The 3DTV allows users to send 3D content to compatible 3D televisions. Of course, to experience 3D, you will need the NVIDIA 3D glasses, but that doesn't seem to come with the laptop.
The Dell XPS 17 can be configured with the next generation Core i7, i5 or i3 processor. Integrated and discrete graphics options are available. The new Core i7 processor also supports the Wireless Display technology so that you can stream 1080p HD video to your HDTV wirelessly.
The Dell XPS 17 will be available in the US starting February 1. Prices start at $1,449.
HP PAVILION DV6T AND DV7T SANDY BRIDGE NOTEBOOKS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
The HP Pavilion dv6t and the dv7t notebooks with Intel's second generation Core i series processors are now available for purchase in the US.
The 15.6 inch Pavilion dv6t (dv6tqe) and the 17.3 inch dv7t (dv7tqe) are available with a choice of Intel Core i7-2630QM 2GHz, i7-2720QM 2.2GHz, or i7-2820QM 2.3GHz quad-core processor and up to 8GB of RAM.
The Pavilion dv6t is also available with a choice of Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics or ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6570 discrete graphics with 1GB of video RAM. The display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. An optional touchcreen display is also available. This model can be configured with up to 1TB of hard drive space.
The Pavilion dv7t has the ATI Radeon HD 6570 discrete graphics, up to 2TB of storage using dual hard drive bays and a 1600 x 900 pixels display. Both models have a DVD burner / Blu-ray combo drive, built-in webcam, an HDMI port, stereo speakers and a brushed aluminum finish.
The Pavilion dv6t and dv7t runs Windows 7 Home Premium. They are now available for purchase from the HP Online store for the base price of $899.99 and $999.99 respectively.
The 15.6 inch Pavilion dv6t (dv6tqe) and the 17.3 inch dv7t (dv7tqe) are available with a choice of Intel Core i7-2630QM 2GHz, i7-2720QM 2.2GHz, or i7-2820QM 2.3GHz quad-core processor and up to 8GB of RAM.
The Pavilion dv6t is also available with a choice of Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics or ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6570 discrete graphics with 1GB of video RAM. The display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. An optional touchcreen display is also available. This model can be configured with up to 1TB of hard drive space.
The Pavilion dv7t has the ATI Radeon HD 6570 discrete graphics, up to 2TB of storage using dual hard drive bays and a 1600 x 900 pixels display. Both models have a DVD burner / Blu-ray combo drive, built-in webcam, an HDMI port, stereo speakers and a brushed aluminum finish.
The Pavilion dv6t and dv7t runs Windows 7 Home Premium. They are now available for purchase from the HP Online store for the base price of $899.99 and $999.99 respectively.
CLOSER LOOK AT THE ASUS EEE PAD MEMO 7 INCH ANDROID TABLET
The Asus Eee Pad MeMo is the smallest tablet Asus introduced at CES this week. It has a 7 inch display. Unlike the Slider or Transformer, the MeMo doesn't have a slide-out or detachable keyboard. Still it is an interesting machine in its own right.
The Eee Pad MeMo has a 7 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. Besides the HD display, it has a snappy dual core 1.2GHz Qualcomm 8260 processor. Although the demo unit was running Android 2.2 Froyo, the MeMo is expected to ship with Android 3.0 Honeycomb. And like other Android tablets from Asus, the MeMo also has a custom user interface running on top of Android.
The Eee Pad MeMo also comes with a stylus. But because the tablet has a capacitive touchscreen display, you wouldn't probably have to use it. That said, it is still a worthy addition and has a rubbery pointing area which allows for precise, pressure sensitive input. It can, for example, be used for painting.
The Eee Pad MeMo also has 512MB of RAM, up to 64GB of SSD, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 3G, Bluetooth 2.1, HDMI port, a microUSB port, a microSD card slot, a 5 megapixel camera on the back and a 1.2 megapixel camera on the front. The tablet is expected to be available this summer for between $499 and $699.
The Eee Pad MeMo has a 7 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. Besides the HD display, it has a snappy dual core 1.2GHz Qualcomm 8260 processor. Although the demo unit was running Android 2.2 Froyo, the MeMo is expected to ship with Android 3.0 Honeycomb. And like other Android tablets from Asus, the MeMo also has a custom user interface running on top of Android.
The Eee Pad MeMo also comes with a stylus. But because the tablet has a capacitive touchscreen display, you wouldn't probably have to use it. That said, it is still a worthy addition and has a rubbery pointing area which allows for precise, pressure sensitive input. It can, for example, be used for painting.
The Eee Pad MeMo also has 512MB of RAM, up to 64GB of SSD, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 3G, Bluetooth 2.1, HDMI port, a microUSB port, a microSD card slot, a 5 megapixel camera on the back and a 1.2 megapixel camera on the front. The tablet is expected to be available this summer for between $499 and $699.
CLOSER LOOK AT THE ASUS EEE SLATE EP121
Asus introduced four tablets at CES this year. Of them the Asus Eee Slate EP121 is the largest one. It has a powerful 1.3GHz Intel Core i5-U470 processor and 4GB of RAM. It is also the only model to run Windows - all the other three run Google Android. The Eee Slate EP121 has a capacitive multitouch display. It also comes with a Wacom digitizer for use with a stylus.
Asus says that the EP121 is the most powerful Windows tablet around and that makes sense. It specs match those of traditional slate computers.
Unlike the Eee Pad Slider or Transformer, the Eee Slate EP121 doesn't have a physical keyboard. But you can add a keyboard via Bluetooth. Asus says that the final unit will support 10-finger multitouch. However, the model on display at CES
supported only two.
The Asus Eee Slate EP121 is now up for pre-order. It is priced between $999 and $1099. Shipping is expected to start in the next few weeks.
Asus says that the EP121 is the most powerful Windows tablet around and that makes sense. It specs match those of traditional slate computers.
Unlike the Eee Pad Slider or Transformer, the Eee Slate EP121 doesn't have a physical keyboard. But you can add a keyboard via Bluetooth. Asus says that the final unit will support 10-finger multitouch. However, the model on display at CES
supported only two.
The Asus Eee Slate EP121 is now up for pre-order. It is priced between $999 and $1099. Shipping is expected to start in the next few weeks.
SAMSUNG LAUNCHES 9 SERIES THIN AND LIGHT LAPTOPS
Samsung has unveiled a new line of thin and light laptops. The Samsung 9 series has a 13.3 inch display and Intel's second generation ultra-low voltage Core series processor. The laptops sport a case made of duralumin.
The Samsung 9 series measures 0.64 inches in thickness and weighs 3 pounds. It is powered by a 1.4GHz dual core Intel Core i5 2537M ultra low voltage processor with integrated Intel HD GT2 graphics. Other specifications include 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 128GB solid state drive and a battery that will reportedly get around 6.5 hours of run time.
The Samsung 9 series runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. The 13.3 inch LED backlit display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The laptop also has two built-in stereo speakers and a subwoofer, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 and WiMAX in select models.
Pricing and availability
The Samsung 9 series is due out in February. Prices start at $1,599.
The Samsung 9 series measures 0.64 inches in thickness and weighs 3 pounds. It is powered by a 1.4GHz dual core Intel Core i5 2537M ultra low voltage processor with integrated Intel HD GT2 graphics. Other specifications include 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 128GB solid state drive and a battery that will reportedly get around 6.5 hours of run time.
The Samsung 9 series runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. The 13.3 inch LED backlit display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The laptop also has two built-in stereo speakers and a subwoofer, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 and WiMAX in select models.
Pricing and availability
The Samsung 9 series is due out in February. Prices start at $1,599.
CLOSER LOOK AT THE ASUS EEE PAD SLIDER TABLET COMPUTER
Asus introduced four tablet computers at CES 2011. One of these machines called the Asus Eee Pad Slider is an Android tablet with a pull-out keyboard.
The Eee Pad Slider has many things going for it. It has a snappy 1GHz dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and a capacitive touchscreen display. Like all new Asus tablets, the Eee Pad Slider also runs a custom user interface on top of Android.
What makes the Slider more interesting than other tablets on the market is its full QWERTY keyboard which is tucked away behind the slider. To pull the keyboard out all you have to do is lift one edge of the screen and pull. The keyboard appears below and because the display is propped up at a convenient angle typing is very comfortable.By pushing the back of the screen forward you can close the keyboard.
The Eee Pad Slider also has good viewing angles which is a definite plus point for a tablet because these machines are more likely to be held at an angle. The Eee Pad Slider is due out in May. Prices will range between $499 and $799.
The Eee Pad Slider has many things going for it. It has a snappy 1GHz dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and a capacitive touchscreen display. Like all new Asus tablets, the Eee Pad Slider also runs a custom user interface on top of Android.
What makes the Slider more interesting than other tablets on the market is its full QWERTY keyboard which is tucked away behind the slider. To pull the keyboard out all you have to do is lift one edge of the screen and pull. The keyboard appears below and because the display is propped up at a convenient angle typing is very comfortable.By pushing the back of the screen forward you can close the keyboard.
The Eee Pad Slider also has good viewing angles which is a definite plus point for a tablet because these machines are more likely to be held at an angle. The Eee Pad Slider is due out in May. Prices will range between $499 and $799.
CLOSER LOOKS AT THE ASUS EEE PAD TRANSFORMER
The Asus Eee Pad Transformer is one of the four new tablet computers Asus introduced at CES this week. Like the Eee Pad Slider, the Transformer also has a 10.1 inch IPS capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It is powered by a dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and runs a custom user interface on top of Google Android.
While the Eee Slider has a slide-out keyboard, the Transformer has a removable keyboard. The tablet can be docked with the keyboard and used like a laptop. You can even close the lid like a laptop for carrying it around easily. Or you can remove the keyboard and simply use the tablet.
Since the keyboard isn't permanently attached to the tablet, the Transformer feels lighter than the Slider except when it is docked with the keyboard.
The Eee Pad Transformer also has WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, a 1.2 megapixel camera on the front, a 5 megapixel camera on the back, a G-sensor, gyroscope, HDMI output, a microSD card slot and an ambient light sensor.
The Eee Pad Transformer is due out around April. It will be priced between $399 and $699.
While the Eee Slider has a slide-out keyboard, the Transformer has a removable keyboard. The tablet can be docked with the keyboard and used like a laptop. You can even close the lid like a laptop for carrying it around easily. Or you can remove the keyboard and simply use the tablet.
Since the keyboard isn't permanently attached to the tablet, the Transformer feels lighter than the Slider except when it is docked with the keyboard.
The Eee Pad Transformer also has WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, a 1.2 megapixel camera on the front, a 5 megapixel camera on the back, a G-sensor, gyroscope, HDMI output, a microSD card slot and an ambient light sensor.
The Eee Pad Transformer is due out around April. It will be priced between $399 and $699.
LOGICBUY OFFERS $250 OFF ON HP ENVY 14-1111NR
The HP Envy 14-1111nr is a 14.5 inch notebook designed to meet all your computing needs in style. The machine boasts of a laser-etched aluminum finish and a slew of productivity and entertainment features.
The HP Envy 14-1111nr measures a little over 1 inch in thickness and weighs around 5 pounds. It is powered by a 2.53GHz Intel Core i5-460M processor. Other specifications include Beats Audio, a 640GB, 7200rpm hard drive, 4GB of RAM, slot-loading optical drive, HDMI, eSATA and miniDisplayPort. The graphics department is handled by the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 discrete graphics with 1GB of dedicated video memory.
The HP Envy 14-1111nr runs Windows 7. It is now on sale At LogicBuy for $799. That's $250 off its regular list price.
The HP Envy 14-1111nr measures a little over 1 inch in thickness and weighs around 5 pounds. It is powered by a 2.53GHz Intel Core i5-460M processor. Other specifications include Beats Audio, a 640GB, 7200rpm hard drive, 4GB of RAM, slot-loading optical drive, HDMI, eSATA and miniDisplayPort. The graphics department is handled by the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 discrete graphics with 1GB of dedicated video memory.
The HP Envy 14-1111nr runs Windows 7. It is now on sale At LogicBuy for $799. That's $250 off its regular list price.
SONY ANNOUNCES VAIO S WITH CORE SERIES PROCESSORS
Sony has announced an update to its 13 inch VAIO S ultraportable laptop. The new and improved Sony VAIO S starts at $899. It is available with a choice of Intel's first generation Core i3 and i5 processors and sports a magnesium alloy chassis.
Like its predecessor, the new VAIO S will also have an optical drive. It will also feature Intel's Wireless Display (WiDi) technology for wirelessly streaming video to an HDTV. But note that the version of WiDi that comes with older Core series processors only streams 720p video content. Only the second generation Sandy Bridge Core series processors support 1080p video streaming. Other features of the notebook include G-sensor shock protection technology.
The new Sony VAIO S is now up for pre-order at Sonystyle.com and is select stores.
Like its predecessor, the new VAIO S will also have an optical drive. It will also feature Intel's Wireless Display (WiDi) technology for wirelessly streaming video to an HDTV. But note that the version of WiDi that comes with older Core series processors only streams 720p video content. Only the second generation Sandy Bridge Core series processors support 1080p video streaming. Other features of the notebook include G-sensor shock protection technology.
The new Sony VAIO S is now up for pre-order at Sonystyle.com and is select stores.
DELL STREAK 7 COMING TO T-MOBILE
Dell has officially unveiled its Streak 7 Android tablet. The Dell Streak 7 seems to have more potential than its predecessor, the 5-inch Dell streak 5.
The Streak 7 weighs about a pound. It is powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. The tablet runs the Dell Stage software on top of Android 2.2 Froyo.The tablet also has a 5 megapixel camera in the back and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera. Other features include Adobe Flash support, access to T-Mobile TV. It will also have mobile hotspot feature.
It is not clear whether the tablet will get updated to Android 3.0 when that arrives. Our guess is that it will. Even in its present form, the Streak 7 is more powerful than the Samsung Galaxy Tab on T-Mobile.
Pricing and availability
The Dell Streak 7 will connect to T-Mobile's 4G network. The carrier says that it will start offering the Streak 7 in the coming weeks for a very consumer friendly price.
The Streak 7 weighs about a pound. It is powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. The tablet runs the Dell Stage software on top of Android 2.2 Froyo.The tablet also has a 5 megapixel camera in the back and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera. Other features include Adobe Flash support, access to T-Mobile TV. It will also have mobile hotspot feature.
It is not clear whether the tablet will get updated to Android 3.0 when that arrives. Our guess is that it will. Even in its present form, the Streak 7 is more powerful than the Samsung Galaxy Tab on T-Mobile.
Pricing and availability
The Dell Streak 7 will connect to T-Mobile's 4G network. The carrier says that it will start offering the Streak 7 in the coming weeks for a very consumer friendly price.
DELL LAUNCHES XPS 17 WITH NEXT-GEN CORE SERIES CHIPS AND 3D
Dell announced a new XPS laptop today. The new Dell XPS 17 is aimed at multimedia enthusiasts. Like the other notebooks in the XPS family, the XPS 17 also boasts of great speakers and a nice HD display. It has also got 3D.
The graphics department is handled by the NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M discrete graphics announced earlier this week. The GeForce 555M is powerful enough to deliver great 3D performance as well as better HD video and blazing fast gaming performance.
The XPS 17 also comes with Nvidia’s 3DTV Play software, which allows users to stream 3D content to to compatible 3D televisions. Of course, you will need the NVIDIA glasses to experience 3D, but unfortunately they don't seem to come with the notebook.
The Dell XPS 17 is available with a choice of new Core i3, i5 or i7 processors. The Core i7 chip supports the NVIDIA Optimus automatic graphics switching technology. It also supports the Intel WiDi option which now allows you to wirelessly stream 1080p video from the computer to an HDTV.
The XPS 17 will be available in the U.S. starting February 1. Prices start at $1,449.
The graphics department is handled by the NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M discrete graphics announced earlier this week. The GeForce 555M is powerful enough to deliver great 3D performance as well as better HD video and blazing fast gaming performance.
The XPS 17 also comes with Nvidia’s 3DTV Play software, which allows users to stream 3D content to to compatible 3D televisions. Of course, you will need the NVIDIA glasses to experience 3D, but unfortunately they don't seem to come with the notebook.
The Dell XPS 17 is available with a choice of new Core i3, i5 or i7 processors. The Core i7 chip supports the NVIDIA Optimus automatic graphics switching technology. It also supports the Intel WiDi option which now allows you to wirelessly stream 1080p video from the computer to an HDTV.
The XPS 17 will be available in the U.S. starting February 1. Prices start at $1,449.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
