NOTEBOOK AND LAPTOP REVIEWS: 3/1/11

ARCHOS ARNOVA 10 ANDROID TABLET NOW AVAILABLE FOR $180

The 10 icnh Archos Arnova Android tablet has started shipping in the US.The device is the latest budget-friendly tablet from the French device maker. The Archos Arnova 10 has a suggested retail price of about $199, but it is currently on sale at Mertado for about $180.

As you have probably guessed, the Archos Arnova 10 doesn't have high-end hardware. It is powered by a low power ARM-based processor and has a resistive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The tablet runs Google Android 2.1 operating system. On the plus side, the tablet can handle 720p HD video playback with support for MP4, H.264, and RealVideo.

The Archos Arnova 10 also has WiFi 802.11b/g, G-sensor, front-facing VGA camera, built-in mic and speaker and an SDHC card slot. Archos says that the tablet will get around 6 hours of battery life when playing videos.

ASUS EEE PAD TRANSFORMER LAUNCHES IN THE UK

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer has launched in the UK. It will have a starting price of about £379 in the UK which is a little over $600 US.

The Eee Pad Transformer is the first 10 inch Android tablet from Asus. It runs Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. There is still no word on a US launch date, but the machine is expected to be cheaper in that part of the world.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer has a detachable keyboard. What is interesting about this machine is that the keyboard will dock firmly with the tablet so that you can use the device as a laptop. What's more, the keyboard has its own battery. While the tablet is expected to get around 9.5 hours of battery life, by adding the keyboard you can increase the battery life to 16 hours.

The £379 is the price of the standalone tablet with 16GB of internal storage. The tablet with the optional keyboard is priced at £429, or about $688.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer has a 10.1 inch IPS Gorilla Glass capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It is powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor. The supported connectivity options include Bluetooth 2.1 and WiFi 802.11n.

The Eee Pad Transformer will start shipping in the UK on April 6th.

ASUS EEE PC T101MT CONVERTIBLE TABLET GETS ATOM N570 UPGRADE

The Asus Eee PC T101MT convertible tablet style netbook has been around for a while and now Asus has introduced a new version of the device. The Eee PC T101MT has a 10 inch display. When it launched almost a year ago, it sported a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 single core processor. The new model has a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N570 dual core CPU.

The rest of the specs haven't changed much. The laptop still has 2GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive and 4-cell or 6-cell battery options. The new model is expected to start shipping in mid-April for about 499 Euros.

The Asus Eee PC T101MT will ship with Windows 7 Home Premium in Europe. The model that is currently available in the US runs Windows 7 Starter. It is not clear whether the new model will be available in the US or what version of the OS it will run. Meanwhile, some retailers have already started taking orders for the Eee PC T101MT.

ACER ICONIA TOUCHBOOK WITH DUAL TOUCHSCREENS UP FOR ORDER FOR $1200

The Acer Iconia-6120 TouchBook dual touchscreen notebook is now up for pre-order. The device was first introduced last year. It has now become a finished product and is ready to ship.

The Acer Iconia Touchbook has twin 14 inch touchscreen displays. It runs Windows 7 operating system with a custom user interface. When the lid is closed, the notebook looks like any other 14 inch laptop, but when you open the lid you will find that the Touchbook doesn't have a physical keyboard. That place is occupied by a second touchscreen display.

The Iconia Touchbook has impressive specs. It is powered by an Intel Core i5-480M processor with integrated Intel HD graphics, 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 640GB hard drive and a 4-cell battery which will reportedly get up to 3 hours of battery life. Other specifications include a webcam, Dolby Home Theatre v3 Audio technology, WiFi, HDMI and USB 3.0 ports.

The Acer Iconia Touchbook is now up for pre-order at Amazon for $1,199.99.

LENOVO THINKPAD W520 MOBILE WORKSTATION GOES ON SALE

The 15.6 inch Lenovo ThinkPad W520 mobile workstation has gone on sale. By Lenovo's own admission, the ThinkPad W520 is the fastest ThinkPad notebook ever.

The ThinkPad W520 is aimed at architects and graphics professionals. It can be configured with 2nd generation Core i series processors up to the Extreme Edition Core i7-2920XM. Other specifications include NVIDIA Quadro 1000M or 2000M discrete graphics with NVIDIA Optimus automatic graphics switching technology, optional full HD display with 270-nit brightness and optinal X-Rite color calibration sensor in the palm rest.

While dual-core configurations support up to 8GB of RAM, quad-core models are available with up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM. The supported connectivity options include 802.11n Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth 3.0, optional 3G, Gigabit LAN, and a 56k modem.

The ThinkPad W520 is now available from Lenovo.com for a starting price of $1,299.00.

LENOVO THINKPAD L420 AND L520 ECO-FRIENDLY NOTEBOOKS NOW SHIPPING

The eco-friendly Lenovo ThinkPad L420 and ThinkPad L520 business notebooks are now available for purchase. Both models feature Intel's 2nd generation Core i series processors.

While the Lenovo ThinkPad L420 has a 14 inch display, the ThinkPad L520 sports a 15.6 inch display. They are both built of materials obtained from post-consumer recycled content and come in 100% recyclable packaging.

The ThinkPad L420 and L520 can be configured with dual core processors up to Core i7-2620M, up to 6GB of DDR3 memory, up to 500GB of hard drive or a 128GB SSD. Other specifications include integrated Intel HD graphics, a DVD burner and 6 or 9-cell battery. Both models come standard with a 1366 x 768 pixels display. The L520 is
also available with an optional 1600 x 900 pixels display.

The Lenovo ThinkPad L420 and L520 both pass military specification for durability and have built-in webcams, optional 3G and Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional operating system.

Pricing and availability

The Lenovo ThinkPad L420 and Thinkpad L520 are now available for purchase from Lenovo.com. Prices start at $599.00 and $649.00, respectively.

SAMSUNG RC512-S02 NOTEBOOK NOW SHIPPING FOR $1200

The high-performance Samsung RC512 multimedia notebook is now available for purchase in the US. Best Buy is selling a model called Samsung RC512-S02 with a quad-core Intel Core i7-2630QM processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT525M discrete graphics, 6GB of DDR3 memory, a 750GB hard drive, Blu-ray combo drive and a 6-cell battery which will get up to 3 hours of run time.

The 15.6 inch LED backlit display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The Samsung RC512-S02 supports Intel's Wireless Display technology.

Other specifications include stereo speakers, SRS Premium Sound Audio, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, built-in WiMAX mobile broadband module for Clear network, 2 USB 3.0 ports, WiFi, Gigabit LAN, 2 USB 2.0 ports and a 3-in-1 media card reader. The notebook runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system and has a starting price of $1,199.99.

NETBOOK NAVIGATOR NAV7 WINDOWS TABLET UP FOR PRE-ORDER

Netbook Navigator has started taking pre-orders for its 7 inch Windows tablet called Nav7. The machine has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor and a 1024 x 600 pixels multitouch display. It runs Windows 7 operating system.

The Nav7 starts at $649. If you place your order today, your tablet should ship in late May. The base configuration has 1GB of RAM, a 16GB SSD, Bluetooth, WiFi, 2 USB ports and an Ethernet jack. Bear in mind that $649 don't get you an operating system.

The lowest possible configuration with Windows 7 Home Premium runs $749. Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate operating systems are also available. It is also possible to configure the tablet with 32GB or 64GB of storage, 2GB of RAM and 3G. The top-of-the-line model will run a $1249.

Sure, the Nav7 isn't the cheapest Windows tablet on the market. But it does have a few things going for it. For one thing, it is one of the first Windows 7 tablets with a 7 inch display. It also offers plenty of configuration options.

LENOVO THINKPAD EDGE E220S COULD SHIP ON APRIL 8TH FOR $899 AND UP

The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E220s is an ultraportable business notebook with a 12.5 inch display. It measures just 0.86 inches in thickness and weighs 3.5 pounds. The computer was introduced at CES in January and now Engadget reports that it will go on sale on April 8th. That said, there is no official confirmation from Lenovo.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E220s will be available with your choice of an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processor. Lenovo says that the notebook features the best in VOIP and video conferencing technologies including a 720p HD webcam, HDMI output port, Dolby Audio and noise cancellation software.

Unfortunately, it looks like the laptop has had a not-so-minor price bump. While Lenovo said that the ThinkPad Edge E220s would start at $799 in January, the company now says that it will have a starting price of $899. It is not clear whether the specs have also received a bump.

CLOSER LOOK AT THE SAMSUNG NC110 NETBOOK

The Samsung NC110 is a 10 inch netbook the company introduced at CES in January. It has a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 single core processor, 1 GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and Windows 7 Starter Edition operating system. Like other netbooks from Samsung the NC110 also sports a matte display which is usable in bright surroundings. Although glossy displays look better than matte displays, they virtually turn into mirrors when you use the netbook in direct sunlight.

The NC110 has a relatively thin bezel. Although this isn't the first feature you would notice upon opening the netbook, it does make the machine look more attractive. The touchpad is nice and wide, it but it doesn't have distinct left and right buttons. The Samsung NC110 is now available for purchase from J&R for $289.

FUJITSU LIFEBOOK P771, S751, E751 AND NH751 GO ON SALE

Fujitsu has added four new notebooks to its LifeBook lineup - the LifeBook P771, S751, E751 and NH751. While the LifeBook P771 features ultra-low voltage Core i7 Sandy Bridge processors, the other three notebooks have standard voltage Core i7 Sandy Bridge processors.

The LifeBook P771 is aimed at the mobile professional.It is an ultraportable notebook with a 12.1 inch display. The S751 has a 14 inch display while the business-class E751 sports a 15.6 inch display. The 17.3 inch NH751 is a multimedia-oriented desktop replacement laptop.

Fujitsu's LifeBook P771, S751, E751 and NH751 are now up for order from Fujitsu's online store. Prices start at $1,699, $999, $949, and $1,199, respectively.

MSI LAUNCHES GX680 GAMING LAPTOP

MSI has launched its new top-of-the-line gaming laptop called the MSI GX680. The 15.6 inch GX680 is available with up to a quad-core Intel Core i7 2630QM processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M discrete graphics with 1GB of video RAM, up to 16GB of DDR3 memory via four memory slots, dual hard drive bays and a Blu-ray combo drive or DVD burner.

The 15.6 inch panel is available with either 1920 x 1080 or 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. Other specifications include TNX TruStudio Pro audio technology, chiclet style keyboard. There are LED lights embedded on both sides of the notebook and in front of the keyboard.

The MSI GX680 also has a 720p webcam, WiFi, Gigabit LAN, Bluetooth, HDMI, VGA outputs, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA port and a 5-in-1 media card reader. The notebook weighs 7.7 pounds with the standard 9-cell battery. It runs Windows 7 operating system. No word on pricing or availability at the moment.

LENOVO THINKPAD E420S NOW AVAILABLE

The Lenovo ThinkPad E420s business notebook is now available for purchase. The 14 inch ThinkPad E420s features Intel's 2nd generation Core i series processors and optional AMD Radeon HD 6630M discrete graphics. The laptop supports up to 8GB of DDR3 memory. The storage options include up to 320GB of hard drive, a 128GB of SSD or hybrid storage comprising of an 80GB SSD and a 320GB hard drive. The 14 inch edge-to-edge glass display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.

Other specifications include a slot-loading DVD burner, a 48.8Whr battery, hd webcam, stereo speakers, mic, WiFi 802.11N, optional Bluetooth, optional WiMAX, optional 3G mobile broadband, Ethernet LAN, HDMI, VGA, 2 USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA/USB combo port, 4-in-1 media card reader, and a fingerprint sensor.

The ThinkPad E420s has an island-style spill resistant keyboard and magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis. It runs Windows 7 operating system. Prices start at $699.

SAMSUNG RF SERIES RF511 AND RF711 NOTEBOOKS GO ON SALE IN THE US

Samsung has made two new additions to its entertainment-class RF series laptop lineup. The new Samsung RF511 and RF711 both have Intel's 2nd generation Core i series processors.

While the Samsung RF511 has a 15.6 inch display, the RF711 has a 17.3 inch display. The models currently available in the US are the RF511-S02 with a 2.00GHz quad-core Core i7-2630QM processor and RF711-S01 with the dual core Core i5-2410M processor. Both notebooks have NVIDIA GeForce GT540M discrete graphics with 1GB of video memory. Other specifications include 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 500GB hard drive, stereo speakers, HDMI output, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, 2 USB 3.0 ports and Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

While the RF511 has a DVD burner and a 1366 x 768 pixels display, the RF711 sports a Blu-ray combo drive and a 1600 x 900 pixels display.

The Samsung RF511-S02 and RF711-S01 can be purchased from various online retailers for around $900 and $1000 respectively.

ASUS EEE PAD TRANSFORMER LAUNCHES IN TAIWAN

Asus officially launched the Eee Pad Transformer in Taiwan today.The 10 inch Android tablet has a detachable keyboard that will transform the device into a laptop. The tablet is expected to ship in the US next month.

Aside from the detachable display, the tablet has regular specs including a 10.1 inch touchscreen display, NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor and Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. The tablet also has Asus Waveshare software running on top of Android to provide quick access to media, social networks etc.

The 10.1 inch IPS Gorilla Glass display has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.

The Eee Pad Transformer also has a two cameras - a 5 megapixel camera on the rear side and a 1.2 megapixel camera on the front side. The tablet reportedly gets up to 9.5 hours of battery life. The keyboard dock has its own battery and Asus says that adding the keyboard will increase the battery life to 16 hours.

The tablet will be available with 16GB or 32GB of storage, 1GB of RAM, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, G-sensor, ambient light sensor, e-Compass and gyroscope.

The Eee Pad Transformer is selling for about $500 in the US. The keyboard costs an extra $100.

BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK WILL BE ABLE TO RUN ANDROID APPS

Research in Motion (RIM) has announced that its upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook will be able to run Android apps. The tablet will also be able to run BlackBerry Java apps. PlayBook runs a QNX-based operating system. While the OS is good in itself, there aren't a lot of apps written for it and many prospective buyers have been put off by this lack of a big apps pool.

RIM says that the PlayBook will be able to run Android and Java apps like native apps. Users can download Java and Android apps from the BlackBerry App World. Interestingly, RIM's press statement mentions Android 2.3 apps. It is not clear whether the tablet will be able to run apps designed for Android 3.0.

The BlackBerry PlayBook is a 7 inch tablet computer. It is expected to launch in the US and Canada on April 19th for $499 and up. At launch the tablet will only support QNX apps. The Java and Android players will be available this summer.

ASUS K53E MAINSTREAM NOTEBOOK NOW SHIPPING

Asus has launched a 15.6 inch Intel Sandy Bridge based laptop called the Asus K53E. Two models of this laptop are currently available.

While the Asus K53E-A1 has a dual core Intel Core i3-2310M processor, the K53E-B1 has a Core i5-2410M processor. Both models have Intel GMA integrated HD graphics, 6GB of DDR3 memory, a 640GB hard drive, DVD burner and a 6-cell battery. The 15.6 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.

The mainstream K53E also has a 0.3 megapixel webcam, Altec Lansing speakers, WiFi 802.11n, Gigabit Ethernet, three USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, VGA and a 4-in-1 media card reader. The dark-brown Asus K53E-A1 and K53E-B1 run Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. They are priced at $631.38 and $723.18 respectively.

Meanwhile Asus's website also list the K53SV and K53SJ notebooks, but these are not available for purchase at the moment. The K53SV and K53SJ notebooks have discrete NVIDIA video cards and quad-core Core i7 processor options.

CLOSER LOOK AT THE DELL LATITUDE E6520 RUGGED-BUSINESS NOTEBOOK

The Dell Latitude E6520 is a 15.6 inch rugged business notebook featuring Intel's 2nd generation Core i series processors.

The Latitude E6520 meets the MIL-STD 810G standard which means that the notebook can withstand extreme temperatures, vibration, dust and high altitudes. It also features a spill resistant keyboard, anodized aluminum display back, reinforced steel hinges and zinc alloy latch.

Regarding specs, the Latitude E6520 is available with a choice of Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processors, integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, optional NVIDIA NVS 4200M 512MB discrete graphics card with NVIDIA Optimus technology, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, up to 500GB of hard drive or up to 256GB of solid state drive. There is also an internal bay which can accommodate a 320GB, 7200 hard drive, a DVD burner or an extended 3-cell battery.

The display is available with a choice of 1366 x 768, 1600 x 900 or full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution. The 1366 x 768 panel is also available with optional multitouch capability.

The Dell Latitude E6520 support a range of connectivity options including WiFi 802.11n, optional mobile broadband, optional A-GPS and optional Bluetooth 3.0. There is also a Gigabit Ethernet LAN connector. Other specifications include an optional fingerprint reader, encrypted drive options, HDMI and VGA outputs, 4 USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA USB combo port, ExpressCard slot, a multi-in-one media card reader and optional backlit keyboard.

The Latitude E6520 run Windows 7 operating system. Prices start at $759.00 at the Dell online store.

SPRINT INTRODUCES HTC EVO VIEW 4G TABLET

Sprint has announced its plans to offer a 7 inch tablet computer called HTC Evo View 4G. This is the same tablet that HTC introduced at the Mobile World Congress in February. Back then it was called the HTC Flyer.

The HTC Evo View 4G has a 7 inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The display supports both finger and stylus input. It is powered by a 1.5GHz single core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The tablet has a 5 megapixel camera on the rear side and a 1.3 megapixel camera on the front side. Other specifications include 1GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 and GPS.

The Sprint version of the tablet will connect to the carrier's 3G and 4G WiMAX networks. And thanks to the mobile hotspot feature offered with the tablet, you will be able to share its internet connection with up to 8 other WiFi devices.

The HTC Evo View 4G is due out this summer. No word on pricing at the moment.

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 8.9 COMING THIS SUMMER FOR $469 AND UP

Samsung has officially unveiled its 8.9 inch tablet called Galaxy Tab 8.9. As expected, the device runs Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system and comes in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage capacities. Incidentally, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is also the first Samsung tablet to run a customized user interface on top of Android 3.0.

The Galaxy Tab 8.9 is thinner than Apple's iPad 2 and sports a high resolution display with 1280 x 800 pixels. It is powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. The tablet has a 2 megapixel camera on the front side and a 3 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash on the rear side. It will be available in WiFi-only and WiFi+3G versions. The Galaxy Tab 8.9 will be able to play 1080p video. It also supports 720p HD video recording.

Samsung says that the tablet is due out this summer. The WiFi only version with 16GB of storage is priced at $469. The 32GB model will run $569. Meanwhile Samsung has announced that the 10 inch Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available on June 8th. The WiFi only model with 16GB of storage is priced at $499. The 32GB model runs $599.

T-MOBILE TO OFFER LG G-SLATE FOR $529 ON CONTRACT

T-Mobile has announced that it will offer the LG G-Slate for $529 after a $100 rebate to customers who sign up for a two year service contract. The G-Slate has an 8.9 inch display. It runs Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. The tablet has three cameras - two 5 megapixel cameras on the rear side and a front-facing camera for making video calls. One of the rear cameras can shoot HD videos in high resolution.

The LG G-Slate is powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. It has 1GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The tablet supports WiFi and T-Mobile's HSPA+ 4G network. LG will reportedly also pre-load the tablet with apps like T-Mobile TV, Zinio eBook reader and Need for Speed Shift HD. There is no word on a WiFi only version.

SAMSUNG TO LAUNCH 8.9 INCH HONEYCOMB TABLET WITH CUSTOM UI

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 inch tablet to feature customized Honeycomb UI
Samsung will reportedly introduce an 8.9 inch tablet computer at a press event tomorrow. The tablet will be called Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9. Samsung also has a 10.1 inch tablet bearing the name Galaxy Tab 10.1.

The 8.9 inch Galaxy Tab will be slightly smaller than the 10.1 inch model. Word is that it will also be the first Samsung tablet to run a custom user interface on top of Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. Competing tablets like the Motorola Xoom and the upcoming LG G-Slate run Plain vanilla Honeycomb with no extra bits of flare.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 is also one of the thinnest tablets around. It measures only around 0.34 inches in thickness and weighs just over a pound. The tablet will be powered by a 1GHz dual core processor, although it is not clear which processor the tablet is using. The 8.9 inch touchscreen display has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.

SAMSUNG SLIDING PC 7 SERIES UP FOR PRE-ORDER

The Samsung Sliding PC 7 series is now up for pre-order from several retailers in the US for prices ranging between $670 to $760.

The Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series computers can function either as laptops or as tablets. They feature a slide-out keyboard which slides out from under the keyboard. Samsung says that this design makes the Sliding Series computers much more portable than old-generation convertible tablet style laptops.

The Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series has a 10.1 inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It is powered by a 1.5GHz Intel Atom Z670 processor and runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. Other specifications include 2GB of RAM, a 32GB SSD and a 3-cell battery. The computer weighs 2.2 pounds and measures 0.8 inches in thickness.

Samsung says that the Sliding PC 7 series will be available in March.

ASUS EEE PAD TRANSFORMER TO HIT TAIWAN THIS WEEK

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer is expected to hit Taiwan on March 25th. The Eee Pad Transformer is the first of four tablets from Asus to ship with Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. It is also the first Asus tablet to offer a removable keyboard option. Asus is also scheduled to launch three other Android 3.0 tablets in the coming months.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer is powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor. It has a 10.1 inch capacitive multitouch display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Other specifications include 1GB of RAM and 16GB to 32GB of storage. The Eee Pad Transformer also has WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, audio jack, a mini-HDMI jack, a microSD card reader. What makes this machine different from other Honeycomb tablets on the market is its detachable keyboard. You can purchase the tablet with or without the detachable keyboard.

The Eee Pad Transformer is expected to be available in other parts of the world. No word on pricing.

SONY WORKING ON A CHROME OS NETBOOK?

Sony is reportedly working on a Chrome OS netbook. That means Asus will not be the only company launching a Chrome OS netbook this summer. Sony Insider reports that the Sony Chrome netbook will have an 11.6 inch display. It can't quite be called a netbook because it is expected to have some premium features including an HD display and a dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor.

While the Asus Chrome OS netbook is expected to be dirt cheap (word is that it will sell for as little as $200), the Sony Chrome OS netbook is unlikely to sell for that price. In fact, the Japanese company has no history of launching budget-friendly computers. Just because this particular model runs an open source operating system, you can't expect it to be cheap as long as it carries the Sony brand name.

Meanwhile Sony Insider reports that the netbook will also have 1GB of RAM, a 16GB SSD and an 8 hour battery. The netbook will also have a large nearly full sized keyboard and a light-weight design. At launch it will only support WiFi. Bluetooth and GPS options are expected to be available later. No word on pricing at the moment.

LENOVO THINKPAD T420 AND T520 NOW AVAILABLE

The Lenovo ThinkPad T420 and T520 business notebooks are now available for purchase in the US. The ThinkPad T420 has a 14 inch display and a starting price of $799. The 15.6 inch T520 starts at $819.

The base configuration T420i has an Intel Core i3-2310 processor and Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics. The laptop runs Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit operating system. Other specifications include 2GB of RAM, a 250GB, 5400rpm hard drive, optical drive, 6-cell battery and WiFi 802.11b/g/n. The 14 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.

The ThinkPad T520i has the base configuration as the T420i. Higher-end configurations with an Intel Core i5-2520M Processor are also possible. The ThinkPad T420 and T520 are now available from Lenovo's online store.

ARCHOS TO LAUNCH 6 NEW ARNOVA TABLETS THIS YEAR

French company Archos has been building low cost portable Android tablets for a while. Archos tablets can’t be compared to the likes of Apple iPad or Motorola Xoom, but they are cheap and offer decent performance. Now Archos has announced its 2011 tablet lineup. The company will reportedly offer six new Arnova tablets this summer.

The Gen 9 Archos Arnova tablets will have a 1.6GHz dual core ARM Cortex A9 processor. Archos says that these machines will also have 3G mobile broadband connectivity. Like the company’s existing tablets, the Gen 9 tablets will also have low cost plastic cases over a stainless steel frame. They will be available with a choice of hard drives of SSDs.

Archos has tablets selling for between $140 and $560. The company doesn’t believe that it can beat Apple, HP or Samsung in the premium tablet segment, but in the low price tablet space Archos is definitely a power to reckon with.

DELL VOSTRO LAPTOPS GET SANDY BRIDGE PROCESSORS

Dell has announced the 2011 Vostro laptop lineup. The Dell Vostro laptops are aimed at small and medium businesses. The series includes the 13.3 inch Vostro 3350, 14 inch Vostro 3450, 15.6 inch Vostro 3550 and 17.3 inch Vostro 3750.

The new Vostro laptops feature Intel’s 2nd generation Core i series Sandy Bridge processors and integrated Intel HD graphics. Select models are also available with AMD Radeon or NVIDIA GeForce discrete graphics cards. Other specifications include up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, up to 750GB hard drive or 128GB SSD and a DVD burner or Blu-ray combo drive.

Dell says that select models of Vostro laptops will get up to 12 hours of battery life. The new Vostro laptops have 720p webcams, microphones, stereo speakers, 2 USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI connector and a customizable dashboard button for launching VoIP applications. They feature an aluminum finish in Aberdeen Silver, Lucerne Red and Brisbane Bronze colors.

The Dell Vostro 3350, 3450, 3550, and 3750 are expected to be available on March 22 with starting prices of $599, $499, $499, and $549, respectively.

AMD TO LAUNCH NEW FUSION CHIPS FOR LAPTOPS AND DESKTOPS

AMD is expected to launch new Fusion processors for mainstream laptops and desktops during the third quarter of this year. The AMD Fusion platform has integrated graphics and CPU cores on a single piece of silicon.

The Fusion chips are power efficient. They also deliver decent performance. The first Fusion-based processors to ship were the AMD C-30 and C-50 Ontario and E-350 Zacate APUs. These are designed for use in netbooks and ultraportable notebooks. And because they come bundled with powerful Radeon graphics, they deliver excellent graphics performance.

According to Digitimes the new chips will belong to the AMD Zacate family. Among them the AMD E-300 and E-450 are designed for notebooks. The top-of-the-line E2-3250 has a huge TDP of 65W which probably means that it will be aimed at desktop computers. Like the E-350, the E-240, E-300 and E-450 will have a TDP of 18W.

WIFI-ONLY DELL STREAK 7 UP FOR PRE-ORDER FOR $380

The WiFi-only version of the Dell Streak 7 Android tablet is now up for pre-order at Amazon.com for $379.99. There is still no word on a ship date.

The Dell Streak 7 is a 7 inch Android tablet with a dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. Due to its small form factor it is more portable than the 10 inch Motorola Xoom or the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

On the flip side, Streak 7 has a lower resolution 800 x 480 pixels display. In fact it was the mediocre display that earned the tablet much of the criticism. Another down side is the dated operating system. The Streak 7 currently ships with Google Android 2.2 while competing tablets have Android 3.0 which is optimized for tablets.

On the bright side, at $380, the WiFi-only Streak 7 is much cheaper than the WiFi only version of other tablets like the Motorola Xoom or Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. The Dell Streak 7 is also available with 3G. The 3G-enabled version starts at $449. If you sign up for a 2-year service contract, you can get it for as little as $199.99.

DELL UPDATED INSPIRON 14R, 15R AND 17R NOTEBOOKS WITH SANDY BRIDGE PROCESSORS

Dell has updated its Inspiron R series notebooks with Intel's 2nd generation Core i series processors and interchangeable lid options.

The 14 inch Dell Inspiron 14R, 15.6 inch Inspiron 15R and 17.3 inch Inspiron 17R are now available with a choice of Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processors, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, optional Blu-ray drive, and Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional operating system. The notebooks will also support Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) technology and Blu-ray video playback on an external monitor via HDMI 1.4 port. Other specifications include chiclet-style keyboards, USB 3.0 ports and webcam.

Dell says that the Inspiron 15R will get up to 13 hours of battery life.
The new Inspiron R notebooks feature interchangeable lids by Switch by Design Studio. The collection includes 25 lid designs.

The new Inspiron R series will be available later today from Dell.com. The Inspiron 14R, 15R and 17R are priced at $579.99, $529.99 and $579.99 respectively. The Switch By Design Studio lids start at $39.99.

AUSTRALIAN PIONEER COMPUTERS LAUNCHES ANDROID HONEYCOMB TABLET

Australian PC maker Pioneer Computers has produced a new 10 inch tablet with NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and Android Honeycomb operating system. The Pioneer DreamBook ePad H10 HD isn't much different from other Honeycomb tablets on the market. It has a 10 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.

Like similar tablets from Motorola, Samsung and LG, it also has front and back-facing cameras, 1GB of RAM and 16GB to 64GB of flash-based storage. The standard connectivity options include WiFi and Bluetooth. 3G will be available as an optional feature.

The ePad H10 HD also has a micro HDMI port, 3.5mm audio jack, micro USB port, SIM card slot, microSD card slot, 3-axis G-sensor, a gyroscope, ambient light sensor and a dock connector.

The ePad H10 HD is priced at 699 Australian dollars. No word on pricing or availability outside of Australia.

ASUS COULD LAUNCH ANDROID OR CHROME OS NETBOOK FOR $200

Asus was the company that sparked the netbook revolution by launching cheap low power laptops with 10 inch or smaller displays. The first Eee PC launched in November 2007 with a price tag of $400. Since then almost every PC maker has launched netbooks and sold millions of units. Prices have also fallen. You can get a decent netbook for as little as $300 these days.

But Asus wants them to get even cheaper. DigiTimes report that the company plans to launch a new netbook this June. It could sell between $200 and $250 and ship with Android or Chrome OS. Both Chrome OS and Android 3.0 are expected to be available by this summer so that PC makers can ship devices without paying any licensing fees.

On the flip side, a chrome OS or Android OS netbook will not be able to run many desktop applications. Of course, web-based alternatives exist and it will be nice to see how open source netbooks fare against Windows netbooks. In any case, a $200 starting price isn't bad.

SAMSUNG LAUNCHES SERIES 2 AND SERIES 4 NOTEBOOKS WITH 12.5 INCH DISPLAYS

Samsung has launched a whole new line of business class notebooks. The Samsung Series 2 and Series 4 will be available each with a choice of 12.5 inch or 14 inch displays.

There is still no word on pricing, but the 12.5 inch Series 2 notebooks should be the cheapest.

The Samsung Series 2 features Intel's Celeron processors and run Windows 7 Professional operating system. Other specifications include 2 to 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. The display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The graphics option is the Intel GMA HD integrated graphics.

The Samsung series 4 notebooks will also be available with 12.5 inch displays. But these machines will be available with a choice of Intel Core i3,i5 or i7 processors, up to 6GB of RAM and up to 500GB of hard drives.

The Samsung Series 2 and Series 4 notebooks feature durable magnesium alloy chassis. Other features include anti-shock hard drive protection and anti-spill case design. The Samsung Series 2 and Series 4 notebooks are expected to start shipping in April. No word on pricing.

DELL LATITUDE E5420, E5520, E6420 AND E6520 NOTEBOOKS NOW AVAILABLE

The new Dell Latitude E series notebooks - the Latitude E5420, E5520, E6420 and E6520 - are now available for purchase. The new Dell Latitude E series notebooks feature Intel's second generation Core i series processors and refreshed case designs.

The Latitude E5420 and E5520 are budget-friendly and can be configured with Core i3, i5 or i7 processors, integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, up to 8GB of RAM, up to 500GB of hard drive space or a 128GB of SSD. While the E5420 has a 14 inch display, the E5520 is equipped with a 15.6 inch display.

The Latitude E6420 and E6520 notebooks fit the business-rugged category. They have 14 and 15.6 inch displays respectively and support up to 500GB of HDD or 256GB of SSD. The Latitude E6520 is also available with an optional full HD screen, a quad-core Core i7 processor and NVIDIA NVS 4200M discrete graphics with Optimus technology. All models in the Latitude E series have DVD drives, webcams and run Windows 7 operating system.

Pricing

The Dell Latutide E5420, E5520, E6420, and E6520 notebooks have a starting price of $889.00, $922.00, $1040.00, and $1090.00 respectively.

WIFI ONLY MOTOROLA XOOM NOW UP FOR PRE-ORDER FOR $599

US retailer B&H has started taking pre-orders for the WiFi only version of Motorola Xoom Android tablet for $599.

The Motorola Xoom is the first tablet to ship with Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system which is optimized for tablets with HD displays. Needless to say the tablet has generated considerable interest among tablet enthusiasts.

While a 3G version of Xoom has been available since late February, it isn't exactly cheap. The tablet runs $799 without a service contract. If you are willing to sign up for a 2-year broadband service contract with Verizon Wireless you can get it for $599.

The WiFi-only version is also priced at $599. It has the same specs as the 3G model, but it lacks a 3G modem.

The Motorola Xoom has a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor, 1GB of RAM and 32GB storage. The 10.1 inch display has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The tablet also has front and rear facing cameras. Sure, it has got better hardware than the iPad 2, but it also starts higher. Apple's second generation iPad has a starting price of $499.

INTEL BUILDING CHIPS FOR ANDROID AND WINDOWS TABLETS

Almost every big name tablet that currently ships or is expected to ship one of these days feature low power ARM-based processors. Does this means that Intel has no role to play in the tablet space? The company's Atom processors reign supreme in the netbook space, but the truth is that Intel has no significant presence in the tablet space. That however, doesn't mean that Intel has given up.

The chipmaker is very keen on making its presence felt in the tablet space and is currently working with a number of tablet PC makers.

Digitimes report that Intel will show off a number of tablet computers at the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing next month. Most of these machines are being built by Taiwanese OEMm like Inventec and Compal.

Intel chips can run operating systems like Windows, MeeGo Linux and Google Android. But if my memory is correct, none of the Android tablets on the market have Intel processors. Windows based tablets, however, favor chips from Intel because ARM processors can't run Windows. Now that Microsoft has announced a version of Windows for ARM-based processors, Intel can't help feeling the heat.

Digitimes also report that Intel is currently working with 6-8 tablet makers. Interestingly, these machines run Android.

ASUS EEE PC 1215B WITH AMD FUSION APU REVIEWED

The folks at Netbook Live have reviewed the AMD powered Asus Eee PC 1215B. The Eee PC 1215B is the first ultraportable notebook from Asus to ship with an AMD Fusion processor. It is available with the single core AMD C-30 or the dual core C-50 or E-350 processor options. All three configuration comes standard with AMD Radeon HD graphics capable of handling 1080p video playback.

The model that was reviewed by Netbook Live has a dual core AMD E-350 processor, Radeon 6310 graphics, 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 320GB hard drive. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

The notebook weighs 3.2 pounds. In terms of design it isn't all that different from other ultraportable notebooks from Asus. What's new is the chip. The AMD E-350 Zacate processor has a total power draw of 18W. While it isn't significantly more powerful than a dual core Atom processor, what makes it interesting is that it comes bundled with powerful Radeon graphics capable of handling HD video.In graphics benchmarks the notebook scores really well.

The reviewer also reports that there is no heating issue. The laptop is also reasonably quiet and gets around 5 hours of battery life. Not bad for an AMD powered machine.

TOSHIBA QOSMIO X500-Q930X WITH SANDY BRIDGE CPU NOW SHIPPING

Toshiba has released a new 18.4 inch gaming and multimedia notebook. The Toshiba Qosmio X500-Q930X will replace the Qosmio X500-Q930S which was recently recalled due to a problem affecting Intel 6 series Cougar Point chipsets.

The Qosmio X500-Q930X has a 2GHz Intel Core i7-2630QM quad core processor. It can be overclocked up to 2.9GHz in TurboBoost mode. The laptop also features the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M discrete graphics with 1.5GB of dedicated video RAM. Other specifications include a full HD display, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, up to 1TB of storage via dual hard drives and a Blu-ray combo drive.

The Qosmio X500-Q930X weighs 10.1 pounds. It also has Harman-Kardon stereo speakers, backlit keyboard, Dolby Home Theatre sound technology, microphone, webcam, WiFi 802.11n, Gigabit LAN, Bluetooth 3.0, HDMI, VGA, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB/eSATA combo port, FireWire, an ExpressCard slot and a multi-in-one media card reader. Toshiba says that the laptop will get up to 3.5 hours of battery life.

The Toshiba Qosmio X500-Q930X runs Windows 7 Professional operating system. It is now available from Toshiba's online store for $1,899.

NEW HP PAVILION DV6T AND DV7T NOTEBOOKS UP FOR ORDER

The recently announced HP Pavilion consumer notebooks are now up for pre-order. The new Pavilion dv6t and dv7t Select Edition notebooks feature Intel's latest Sandy Bridge dual core and quad core processors and optional AMD Radeon HD 6000M series graphics. They also sport a refreshed case design.

While the Pavilion dv6t has a 15.6 inch display, Pavilion dv7t has a larger 17.3 inch display. The standard Pavilion dv6t and dv7t with first generation Core i series processors are also available for purchase.

The Select Edition Pavilion dv6t and dv7t are priced at $799.99 and $899.99 respectively. The dv6t and dv7t quad core models have a starting price of $999.99 and $1,099 respectively. All models are now available for purchase from HP's online store.

EEE PC 1015B AND 1215B LAPTOPS GET OFFICIAL

Asus has posted the official product pages for the Eee PC 1015B and 1215B mini-laptops. Both machines are equipped with AMD's new Fusion APUs. They are unlikely to ship in the US until April.

As you can expect, the Eee PC 1015B has a 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. It runs Windows 7 Starter Edition. The netbook will be available with either a 1.2GHz AMD C-30 single core or a 1GHz AMD C-50 dual core processor. Both models come standard with AMD Radeon HD 6250 graphics. The Eee PC 1015B also has 1 to 2GB of RAM, up to 500GB of hard drive, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1/Bluetooth 3.0 and a 0.3 megapixel webcam. Other specifications include an HDMI output port, VGA, USB and audio jacks. The netbook will be available with either a 3-cell (23Whr) or a 6-cell (56Whr) battery.

The Eee PC 1215B has a larger 12.1 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium. This model will be available with three processor options: the AMD C-30, AMD C-50 or the AMD E-350 dual core Zacate processor. The E-350 configuration will have the Radeon HD 6310 graphics.

The Eee PC 1215B will be available with 2 to 4GB of RAM and up to 500GB of storage. It comes standard with a 6-cell battery rated at 56Whr. Other specifications include HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth and USB ports.

Both computers are now for pre-order from US retailers including ExcaliberPC and Abe’s of Maine.

LENOVO THINKPAD X220 REALLY GETS 20+ HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE

The Lenovo ThinkPad X220 is a 12.5 ultraportable notebook Lenovo recently introduced. Its claim to fame is its super endurance levels. Lenovo says that the notebook will get up to 24 hours of battery life when the standard battery is paired with an optional 9-cell slice battery.

The folks at Laptop Magazine reviewed the notebook recently and managed to get over 20 hours of battery life from the laptop which is quite impressive.

However, to get 20+ hours of battery life, you will need to buy the X220 with a 9-cell battery and then pair it with the optional 'battery slice' that will attach itself to the bottom of the laptop. While the notebook weighs only around 3 pounds, the optional battery pack will add about 1.8 pounds to that weight. It also costs $179.

The good news is that even with the standard 6-cell battery, the ThinkPad X220 manages to get up to 8 hours of run time. It is also available with a 9-cell battery which will get more than 12.5 hours of endurance.

APPLE IPAD 2 NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

The Apple iPad 2 is now up for pre-order and the tablet will go on sale in retail stores later today. The WiFi only version with 16GB of storage is priced at $499.The iPad 2 is thinner and lighter than the original iPad. It is also faster, thanks to its dual core processor.

The original iPad was introduced in April last year. It is the most successful tablet of all time. Word is that Apple sold almost 15 million iPads in just 8 months. Will the new model be just as successful? My guess is that although iPad 2 has better hardware and the exact same starting price, it is unlikely to sell more units than the original iPad. And that is not because it is not a good tablet. It just happens to have plenty of competition. The iPad 1, on the other hand, hardly faced any competition in the market.

Meanwhile Gazelle has a buy-back program for owners of original iPad. They can trade in their old tablet for $300 to $530 and use that money to buy the new model. And for customers who aren't all that keen on buying the new iPad, Apple is offering the original iPad for just $349.

CLOSER LOOK AT THE LENOVO THINKPAD W520

Lenovo has launched a new mobile workstation notebook for designers and engineers. The Lenovo ThinkPad W520 features Intel's 2nd generation laptop processors including the dual core Core i5-2540M and i7-2620M, and quad-core i7-2720QM, i7-2820QM, and Extreme Edition i7-2920XM. Dual-core configurations support up to 8GB of DDR3 memory while the quad-core configurations support up to 16GB of RAM.

The available graphics options are the NVIDIA Quadro 1000M or 2000M discrete graphics with 2GB of video memory and Optimus automatic graphics switching technology.

For storage, you can opt for either an SSD or a traditional hard drive. There is also an Ultrabay that can accommodate either an optical drive, a secondary hard drive or other Ultrabay compatible parts.

Other features include a spill-resistant keyboard, 720p high definition webcam, stereo speakers, VGA, DisplayPort, 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, 1 eSATA/USB combo port, 4-in-1 media card reader, FireWire 400 port and Expresscard slot.

The Lenovo ThinkPad W520 ships with a 6-cell or 9-cell battery. The 6-cell option will get up to 6.5 hours of battery life whereas the 9-cell battery will get up to 10.8 hours. There is also an optional 9-cell slice battery which when paired with the standard 9-cell battery will get up to 21 hours of run time.

ASUS K73 MULTIMEDIA NOTEBOOK ANNOUNCED

Asus has launched a new multimedia notebook. The Asus K73 has a 17.3 inch display and Intel's latest Core series Sandy Bridge processors.

The Asus K73 will be available in two models. While the K73SV has a discrete graphics option in the form of NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M, the K73E doesn't have discrete graphics. Instead, it relies on Intel's integrated GMA HD graphics.
Both notebooks are available with dual core Intel Core i3-2310M, Core i5-2410M or quad-core Core i7-2630QM processor. Other specifications include up to 750GB hard drive, up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM and DVD drive or Blu-ray combo drive.
The 17.3 inch LED backlit display has a resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels.

The Asus K73 comes pre-loaded with Windows 7 operating system. It also has a 0.3 megapixel webcam, HDMI and VGA outputs, WiFi, Bluetooth (optional), Altec-Lansing speakers, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 4 USB 2.0 ports and an SD/MS/MMC media card reader. The laptop weighs around 7 pounds with the six-cell battery. No word on pricing or availability at the moment.

LENOVO SKYLIGHT TABLET HITS FCC

Lenovo is selling a 10 inch Android tablet in China under the name LePad. It looks like this model will be called Lenovo Skylight slate in the US. The company has filed documents with FCC for an Android tablet called Lenovo Skylight. There are photos, test reports and a user manual.

As per the documents submitted with FCC, the Lenovo Skylight will have a 10.1 inch HD display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. it will be powered with a 1.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 8650A processor. Other specifications include a 2 megapixel webcam, WiFi, Bluetooth, stereo speakers, a built-in mic, 1GB of RAM and a 27Whr lithium polymer battery.

Right now the tablet runs Android 2.2 with custom Lenovo software running on top of it. It has a 27Whr lithium polymer battery. There is also a 3-axis gravity sensor with compass support.

The Skylight slate looks exactly like the slate Lenovo showed off at CES. It is expected to be available outside of China in May. Still no official word on pricing.

INTEL LAUNCHES 2ND GENERATION CORE VPRO CPUs

Intel has released the 2nd generation Core vPro processors. Besides offering the same performance and features of the standard Core i series Sandy Bridge processors, the Intel vPro processors also offer enhanced security features.

The new Core i5 and i7 vPro processors are designed for use in business notebooks and desktops. They feature advanced security features such as the Intel Anti-Theft Technology Ver. 3.0 (AT 3.0), Intel Identity Protection Technology (IPT), Advanced Encryption Standard – New Instructions (AES-NI), new Host-Based Configuration functionality and improved Keyboard-Video-Mouse (KVM) Remote Control. They also feature performance enhancing features such as Turbo Boost 2.0, Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX), virtualization, and Intel HD integrated graphics.

The vPro-enabled processors among the Intel 2nd generation Core series laptop processors include the standard voltage Core i5-2520M, i5-2540M, Core i7-2620M, i7-2720QM, i7-2820QM, and i7-2920XM. Among the low voltage processors, the Core i7-2629M, i7-2649M, Core i5-2537M, i7-2617M, and i7-2657M also support vPro technology.

LENOVO AND INTEL LAUNCHES CLASSMATE+ PC FOR KIDS

Lenovo has teamed with Intel to bring out a new Classmate PC. The new Lenovo Classmate+ is essentially a rebranded version of Intel's Classmate PC. Like other models in the Classmate series, it is also based on Intel Learning Series reference design.

The Lenovo Classmate+ has a 10.1 inch display. It is powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 processor and runs Windows 7. The netbook also has 1GB of RAM, a 1.3 megapixel webcam and WiFi. Both 3-cell and 6-cell battery options are available.

Like other models in the Classmate series, the Classmate+ too won't be directly available to consumers. Instead, it will be sold in bulk to educational institutions or agencies, primarily in the developing world. And Lenovo says that the company has already received order for 158,000 units for students in Buenos Aires.

SONY VAIO S NOW AVAILABLE IN THE US

The Sony Vaio SB ultraportable notebook is now available for purchase in the US. The VAIO SB has a 13.3 inch display. It is already available in Europe.

The 3.8 inch Sony Vaio SB is sold as VAIO S in the US. It is now available for pre-order from SonyStyle.com for a starting price of $970.

The VAIO S is based on Intel's 2nd generation Core i series Sandy Bridge processors. It can be configured with Core i5 or i7 processors and a hybrid graphics solution involving integrated Intel HD graphics and AMD Radeon HD 6630 discrete graphics with 1GB of dedicated video memory.

The notebook will get up to 15 hours of battery life when the standard battery is paired with a secondary pluggable sheet battery that mounts on laptop's bottom. Other specifications include 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, VGA, HDMI output, an SD card slot and Windows 7 operating system.

LENOVO THINKPAD X220 AND X220T GET OFFICIAL

Lenovo has introduced two new laptops in the ThinkPad X series line. The new ThinkPad X220 and X220T convertible both have 12.5 inch displays. Specs are similar.

The new ThinkPad X220 and X220T will be available with your choice of Intel Core i3, i5 or Core i7 processors. In other words, the laptops are much more powerful than typical ultraportables.

Lenovo says that the ThinkPad X220 laptop will come standard with a 6-cell battery which will reportedly get up to 9 hours of run time. The optional 9-cell battery pack will get up to 15 hours of run time. There is also an external battery option which when paired with the standard 9-cell battery will get up to 24 hours of battery life.

The ThinkPad X220T convertible comes standard with a 4-cell battery. It will also be available with a 9-cell battery. The convertible tablet will get up to 16 hours of run time when paired with the external battery pack.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X220 and X220T will be available in April. The ThinkPad X220 and X220T start at $899 and $1199 respectively.

CLOSER LOOK AT LENOVO THINKPAD T520 NOTEBOOK

Lenovo has revealed the specification details of its upcoming ThinkPad T520 notebook. The Lenovo ThinkPad T520 has a 15.6 inch display. It will be available with Intel's Core i5 or i7 dual core processors and integrated Intel HD or discrete NVIDIA Quadro NVS4200M graphics.

The ThinkPad T520 supports up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, SSD / HDD and an Ultrabay which can be housed with an optical drive, secondary hard drive or other Ultrabay compatible components.

The 15.6 inch display is available with 1366 x 768, 1600 x 900 or 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution. The supported connectivity options include WiFi 802.11N, Bluetooth 3.0, Gigabit LAN and mobile broadband (optional). Select models also come with a 56k modem.

Other specifications include a 720p HD webcam, stereo speakers, 4-in-1 media card reader, FireWire, ExpressCard slot, 4 USB 2.0 ports (one of which is shared with an eSATA port), VGA and DisplayPort connectors. The laptop comes standard with a 6-cell battery which will reportedly get around 8.4 hours of battery life. A 9-cell battery will get up to 14 hours of endurance. There is also an extended 9-cell battery option which when paired with the standard 9-cell battery will get up to 28 hours of uptime.

The Lenovo ThinkPad T520 weighs around 5.5 pounds. It runs Windows 7 Professional. Prices start at $909. Availability is expected in late March.

ACER ASPIRE ONE D255E WITH DUAL CORE ATOM N570 NOW SHIPPING IN THE US

The Acer Aspire One AOD255E has started shipping in the US. The Aspire One D255E is Acer's first netbook with the newest Intel Atom N570 processor.

The 10 inch netbook is now available for purchase from Amazon. It has a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N570 processor which is slightly faster than the 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550. Other specifications include 1GB of DDR3 memory, a 250GB hard drive, integrated GMA 3150 graphics and a 6-cell battery which will reportedly get around 8 hours of run time.

The 10.1 inch LED backlit display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels.
The Aspire One D255E runs Windows 7 Starter operating system. It weighs 2.76 pounds and has a 1.3 megapixel webcam, WiFi 802.11n, Ethernet LAN, 3 USB ports, VGA, a mono speaker and an SD/MMC card reader.

The Aspire One D255E is now available in Sandstone Brown and Ruby Red for $329.99. Diamond Black and Aquamarine versions of the netbook are also available for pre-order for the same price.

JOLICLOUD COMES TO DELL INSPIRON DUO CONVERTIBLE NETBOOK

The Dell Inspiron Duo is a convertible tablet style netbook with a dual core Intel Atom N550 processor. It has a 10.1 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The most interesting thing about the Inspiron Duo is its unique rotating display which doesn't rely on a swiveling mechanism.

While the design impressed most people, reviewers weren't all that happy with the custom touchscreen software that Dell shipped with the netbook. But it looks like Jolicloud could be a solution to the problem. Some hackers have managed to install Jolicloud on the Inspiron Duo. Although it isn't perfect, it does seem to solve some of the issues associated with the Duo.

Jolicloud is a Linux-based operating system designed for netbooks. It works well with Atom processors. It is also light-weight and offers basic touchscreen support.

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