NOTEBOOK AND LAPTOP REVIEWS: 7/1/11

ASUS EEE PC X101 SPECS RELEASED

Asus has revealed the official specifications of the Eee PC X101. As expected, the laptop will have a starting price of $199. For that price you will get a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 pixels display, 1.33Ghz Intel Atom N435 processor, 1GB of DDR3 memory and 8GB of Flash-based storage. It runs MeeGo Linux operating system. Higher-end configurations with 2GB of RAM,and a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 single core processor are also available.

The Eee PC X101 is super thin. It measures just 0.7 inches at its thickest point. The netbook will be available in white, red or brown. It weighs 1.98 pounds with the standard 3-cell battery. It will get up to 4 hours of runtime on a single charge. Other specifications include WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, a 0.3 megapixel webcam, stereo speakers, an SD/SDHC/MMC card reader and 2 USB ports. No word on availability in the US, but the netbook is expected to ship in August or September.

Asus will also offer a Windows version of this netbook.

LENOVO THINKPAD BUSINESS TABLET TO LAUNCH ON AUGUST 23RD

The Lenovo ThinkPad business tablet will launch in the US on August 23rd. It will be available internationally during the third quarter of this year.

The Lenovo ThinkPad tablet has a 10.1 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It is powered by a dual core NVIDIA Tegra processor. The tablet runs Google Android 3.1 Honeycomb operating system. It will have up to 64GB of storage. While these specs aren't outstanding, Lenovo does have a few tricks up its sleeve. The company will offer the tablet with an optional digital pen for drawing or taking handwritten notes. Another premium feature is the addition of the optional Folio keyboard case which features Lenovo's TrackPoint system in the middle of the keyboard.

The ThinkPad tablet has a Gorilla Glass IPS display. It measures 0.6 inches in thickness and weighs 1.6 pounds. Prices will start at $480.

DELL STREAK 10 PRO ANDROID TABLET LAUNCHED IN CHINA

Dell has officially launched its Streak 10 Pro Android tablet in China. It has the same specifications as other 10 inch Android Honeycomb tablets on the market. That isn't a bad thing, though.

While the hardware doesn't make the tablet stand out from the rest, it does come pre-loaded with interesting software. For example, there is this feature called Dell Divide which allows you to create separate profiles for work and personal use. There is also some software for synchronizing media and other files between the tablet and Windows computers.

Specs-wise, the Streak 10 Pro has a 10.1 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It is powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor. Other specifications include 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, stereo speakers, Bluetooth 2.1 and WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n. There is also an SDHC card slot for storage expansion. Dell says that it will get up to 12 hours of runtime with the 24.1Whr battery.

In China the Streak 10 Pro will sell for the equivalent of $465. No word on pricing or availability in China.

CLOSER LOOK AT THE PANASONIC TOUGHBOOK CF-H2 RUGGED TABLET

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-H2 rugged business tablet has started shipping. The device has a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 768 sunlight-readable display which accepts both touch and digitizer inputs. It runs Windows 7 Professional operating system.

The Toughbook CF-H2 is powered by an Intel Core i5-2557M vPro ULV processor. Other specifications include 4GB of RAM (supports up to 8GB), a 320GB, 7200 rpm hard drive or 128GB solid state drive.

Billed as the industry's most rugged handheld tablet computer, the Toughbook CF-H2 sports a magnesium alloy chassis. It meets the MIL-STD-810G standards for ruggedness which means that it can withstand minor drops, shocks, vibration, water, dust and extreme weather conditions.

The Toughbook CF-H2 weighs 3.5 pounds. It will reportedly get up to 6.5 hours of run time with the dual hot-swappable batteries. The supported connectivity options include Bluetooth 2.1, Gigabit LAN, WiFi 802.11n and optional Gobi 2000-branded 3G mobile broadband. The Toughbook CF-H2 starts at $3,449. It is available in four versions.

8 INCH PANDIGITAL SUPERNOVA ANDROID TABLET HITS FCC

A certain Pandigital tablet eReader called SuperNova has made an appearance at the FCC website. You can also find a user manual and some photos at the FCC website. Pandigital has a history of launching eBook readers that are actually tablets. This machine is no different.

The tablet comes pre-loaded with a Barnes and Nobles eBook reader app and store. The Supernova has an 8 inch, 600 x 800 pixels capacitive touchscreen display. It runs Google Android 2.3 Honeycomb operating system. Other specifications include 4GB of storage, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, HDMI output port, stereo speakers, built-in mic, front and rear facing cameras (at 0.3MP and 3MP respectively).

The tablet reportedly has an ARM Cortex-A8 processor from Samsung. According to the user manual you will be able to connect a keyboard, mouse or other USB peripherals to the tablet. It is not exactly clear whether Android 2.3 supports this feature, though. No word on pricing or availability at the moment.

7 INCH ACER ICONIA TAB A100 UP FOR PRE-ORDER

The 7 inch Acer Iconia Tab A100 is getting closer to its launch in the US. Several US retailers have started taking pre-orders for the tablet. Incidentally the tablet still hasn't got an official price tag. While Excaliber PC is taking pre-orders for $329, Negri Electronics has a higher pre-order price tag of $390. While Engadget reports that it will go on sale in the US in early August for around $300.

The Iconia Tab A100 runs Google Android Honeycomb operating system. The 7 inch capacitive touchscreen display has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The Iconia Tab A100 has a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor. While the product listing says that it has Android 3.0, chances are it will ship with Android 3.2.

Other specifications include 1GB of memory, 8GB of storage, a 1530mAh battery and WiFi 802.11b/g/n. There is a microSDHC card slot for expanding the storage.

COMPARISON TEST SHOWS THAT THE GALAXY TAB 10.1 HAS A BETTER DISPLAY THAN IPAD 2

Apple's iPad 2 has always been known for its super bright retina scorching display. But is it still the tablet with the best display? Well, it looks like it isn't. A comparison test held recently suggests that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 has got a better display. In the comparison test, the iPad 2 display was compared with those of various tablets including the Motorola Xoom, Acer Iconia Tab A500 and the Asus Eee Pad Transformer.

The attributes that were taken into account were color accuracy, viewing angles, saturation, brightness, screen reflections and backlight power consumption. The tablet that scored the worst across the board was the Motorola Xoom. The Acer Iconia Tab A500 and the Asus Eee Pad Transformer scored reasonably well, but they were nowhere close to the top slots which were occupied by the iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab.

While the iPad 2 scored well in color accuracy and viewing angles, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 did much better in aspects such as screen reflections, brightness and contrast. Overall, it was decided that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 display was better than that of the iPad 2.

DELL STREAK 10 PRO SPOTTED IN CHINA

We have already heard that Dell is building a 10 inch Android tablet. We have also heard that that machine will hit China before it reaches North America, Europe or Japan. While there is still no official word on a launch date, rumors suggest that it could launch this week. A Chinese tech blog has also published images of the tablet.

The 10 inch Dell Streak 10 Pro runs a version of Google Android Honeycomb operating system. The tablet is expected to have a 1280 x 800 pixels display. It will be powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor. The tablet also has front and rear facing cameras. The tablet reportedly weighs about 1.5 pounds. No word on pricing at the moment.

Dell has already launched two Android tablets. The 5 inch Dell Streak and 7 inch Dell Streak 7. Both models had received mixed reviews. It will be interesting to see how the 10 inch model fares in the market.

ULTRABOOKS COULD COST BETWEEN $1000 AND $2000

Ultraportable laptops have never really been cheap. Of course, there are those cheap and portable laptops called netbooks. Unfortunately, they are not good enough to meet all of your computing needs. If you need a portable laptop with decent specs, you still have to shell out a fortune.

When Intel introduced an 'Ultrabook' platform this summer there were talks about it being affordable with prices under $1000. Although they can't quite be called affordable at that price point they machines also offer much better performance, thanks to their higher-end components including faster processors and higher resolution displays.

But now it looks like that $1000 price tag is unreachable. Asus has sort of confirmed that its UX21, which will be one of the first ultrabooks to hit the market, will have prices ranging between $1000 and $2000. In other words, these Ultrabooks are no different from other higher-end ultraportables on the market. The only major difference is probably in weight. Ultrabooks are expected to weigh less than 3 pounds. Regular ultraportable with 12 or 13 inch displays usually weigh more. So the question is: Are you willing to spend a fortune on a laptop just because it isn't much heavier than a feather? If you are, then maybe you will want to buy an Ultrabook.

That said, companies like HP, Dell and Lenovo are also building Ultrabooks. It will be interesting to see if they manage to bring a sub $1000 ultrabook to the market.

ASUS EEE PC X101 WITH MEEGO LINUX TO SHIP IN SEPTEMBER

The Asus Eee PC X101 with MeeGo Linux will start shipping in September. It will be one of the cheapest netbook ever to hit the market.

Asus introduced the 10 inch laptop in May. It has a low power 1.33GHz Intel Atom N435 processor, 8GB of SSD storage and a low capacity 3-cell battery. As you can probably see none of these components are high-end. Actually, they were chosen not because they were good but because they were cheap. Asus is also loading the laptop with MeeGo Linux so that they don't have to pay Windows License fee. Needless to say the Eee PC X101 is expected to retail for under $200 in the US. A handful of US retailers have already started taking pre-orders.

Asus will also launch a version of this laptop with Windows operating system and a higher capacity 6-cell battery. It will cost more. It is not clear whether that model will be available in the US.

ACER ICONIA TAB A100 COULD LAUNCH SOON; ULTRABOOK COMING LATER THIS YEAR

Acer may soon launch its 7 inch Android tablet called Acer Iconia Tab A100. Digitimes report that the Taiwanese PC maker has asked Compal Electronics to deliver 30,000 units of the tablet this month.

Digitimes also report that Acer's first ultrabook will launch in the fourth quarter of this year. An Ultrabook is a new kind of ultrathin laptops sporting Intel's latest processors. According to Digitimes, Acer's Ultrabook will boot in under 6 seconds. It will reportedly also connect to the internet in just 2.5 seconds. It is not exactly clear whether Digitimes is talking about Chromebooks or Ultrabooks. The former has pretty fast boot speeds, thanks to its light weight operating system.

Ultrabooks, on the other hand, have Windows OS which isn't light by any standard. If Intel and Acer manage to build a Windows laptop that boots in under 6 seconds, it will be quite an achievement.

AMD LLANO LAPTOPS NOW SHIPPING

The AMD Llano based laptops from Acer, Gateway and Lenovo have started shipping. The Acer offering is the Aspire AS5560G-SB485. It has an AMD Quad-core A8-3500M APU with Radeon HD 6470M integrated graphics. This model also has 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 500GB hard drive and a DVD burner. Newegg is taking orders for this laptop for $700.

Gateway, which is owned by Acer, also has launched an AMD Llano notebook. The Gateway NV55S03u has a 1.9GHz A4-3300M dual core processor, Radeon HD 6480M graphics, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive and DVD burner. Amazon is taking orders for this laptop for $480.

Another AMD Llano laptop to hit the streets is the Lenovo IdeaPad Z575. This laptop is available in two versions. While the first version has the same basic specifications as the Gateway NV55S03U, the second version sports an AMD A6-3400M quad core processor and Radeon HD 6520G. All the three notebooks have 15.6 inch displays with 1366 x 768 pixels.

ASUS LAUNCHES U56E MAINSTREAM LAPTOP IN THE US

Asus has launched a new laptop in the US. The Asus U56E is a 15.6 inch portable laptop with Intel's 2nd generation Core processors. Best Buy is taking orders for a certain model called U56E-BBL5. It runs $630. The laptop has an Intel Core i5-2410M dual core processor, integrated graphics, 6GB of RAM, a 640GB hard drive and DVD writer.

The Asus U56E-BBL5 measures 1.1 inches in thickness. It sports a spun aluminum chassis in Blue. The computer weighs 5.5 pounds with the standard 8-cell battery. No word on battery life at the moment.

The Asus U56E also has an island style keyboard, a 0.3 megapixel webcam, one USB 3.0 ports,two USB 2.0 ports, WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI output port and WiMAX. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

MSI WINDPAD ENJOY 10 HITS FCC

The MSI WindPad Enjoy 10 Android tablet has hit the FCC. According to the user manual the Windpad Enjoy 10 has a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor. It runs the dated Android 2.3 operating system. While the processor isn't all that bad, other specifications are somewhat shabby. The 10 inch display, for instance, has a ridiculously low 800 x 480 pixels resolution.

Other specifications include 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. MSI says that the tablet will be able to handle 1080p HD video playback. The tablet also has front and rear cameras, an SD card slot, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and USB port. It will reportedly get up to 5 hours of video playback.

MSI is known for pricing its gadgets aggressively. It is not exactly clear at what price point this machine will hit the market but word is that it will sell for under $300. Even at that price point it is kind of pricey, considering the fact that it has last year's specs.

MEET WIN CT 704: YET ANOTHER ANDROID TABLET FOR THE US MARKET

Taiwanese company WIN Accord has launched a cheap Android tablet in the US. The company's CT 704 tablet has made an appearance at the FCC website. The WIN CT 704 doesn't have high-end hardware. Nonetheless, it is an attractive machine in its own right. Here is a little tablet that you can use as a portable media player or ebook reader.

The tablet has a 7 inch, 800 x 600 pixels capacitive touchscreen display. It is powered by an 800MHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor. Other specifications include 2GB of storage, 512MB of RAM. There is an SD card slot for expanding the storage up to 32GB.

The tablet runs Google Android 2.2 Froyo operating system. It also has WiFi 802.11b/g/n, USB port, stereo speakers, a built-in mic and a 3-axis g sensor. The company says that the tablet will get up to 4 hours of video playback.

WIN Accord says that the tablet will be able to handle 1080p MPEG 1/2/4 or H.264 HD video playback. No word on pricing at the moment.

CLOSER LOOK AT THE LENOVO THINKPAD TABLET WITH ANDROID

The Lenovo ThinkPad tablet has the same internals as the IdeaPad K1. But while the K1 is aimed at consumers, the ThinkPad tablet is aimed at businesses and sports some enterprise features.

As we have already stated, specs-wise it isn't different from the IdeaPad k1. It has the same 10.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixels display, a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, WiFi, HDMI and optional 3G. It runs Android 3.1 operating system and comes with up to 64GB of storage.

Lenovo has, nonetheless, loaded the tablet with a few features that will make it standout. The tablet, for instance, has a pressure sensitive ThinkPad Tablet pen for writing or drawing. There is also a Folio keyboard case with Lenovo's Trackpoint system. Other not-so-ordinary features include standard sized USB port and SD card reader. The tablet has an IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass which makes it kind of unbreakable.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet is currently up for order for a starting price of $499. It is expected to start shipping in August.

SAMSUNG SERIES 3 NOTEBOOKS UP FOR ORDER

The Samsung Series 3 notebooks are now available for purchase. Currently three models are available - 15.6 inch, 14 inch and 12.1 inch. All models sport Intel Sandy Bridge processors.

The 15.6 inch NP300V5A-A03 has an Intel Core i3 2310M processor, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive and DVD drive. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit operating system. Other specifications include WiFi, Bluetooth and a 6-cell battery. The 14 inch Samsung Series 3 NP300V4A-A01US has the same Core i3 processor and 4GB of RAM. It also has a larger 640GB hard drive. Other specifications include Bluetooth, WiFi and DVD Super Multi. The 12.1 inch NP350U2B-A01US has a Core i5-2410M and 500GB of storage. It doesn't have a DVD drive.

Pricing and availability
The 15.6 incher is now up for order from Newegg for $585. Buy.com is taking orders for the 14 inch model for $637. The 12 incher is currently up for pre-order at J&R for $750.

ACER TO LAUNCH A NVIDIA TEGRA NETBOOK

Digitimes report that Acer will launch a NVIDIA Tegra 2 netbook in the coming months. There will also be an Intel powered Ultrabook and tablets running Google Android 3.2 operating system.

Of course, the most unusual among these is the Tegra 2 powered netbook. While Tegra processors are quite common in tablets, there aren't many laptops with that processor. Although it is highly power efficient it can't run Windows or OS X operating systems at the moment. But this could change when MicroSoft launches Windows 8 which will be compatible with ARM-based processors. And when that happens we should see plenty of companies launching laptops with ARM-based processors.

But Digitimes report that the Acer Tegra netbook will launch in July. If that is indeed true, then it is likely to ship with Google Android. And we can't help but wonder if there is really demand for a laptop that can't run a desktop operating system.

$100 OFF ON MOST TABLETS AT STAPLES

Retailer Staples is offering a $100 discount on most tablets. The promotion is valid through July 30th. To avail of this offer, you have to print out the coupon and take it to a bricks and mortar Stapes store. If the tablet you are looking for is in stock, you will get it for $100 less.

Note that this offer isn't applicable to HP TouchPad, Amazon Kindle or Nook Color.
The tablets that can be bought at the discounted price include the Motorola Xoom ($400), Eee Pad Transformer ($300), Samsung Galaxy Tab ($400), Toshiba Thrive ($380) and the Acer Iconia Tab ($300).

Staples is also offering the Dell Streak 7. While the 7 inch tablet usually retails for $300, it should be available for just $200 while this promotion lasts.

CLOSER LOOK AT THE SAMSUNG N100 MEEGO NETBOOK

Samsung N100 is a cheap MeeGo Linux netbook for the Indian market. The device has a 1.33GHz Intel Atom N435 processor. It will run the local equivalent of about $275 US.

Like other Samsung netbooks, the N100 also has a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 pixels matte display. Other specifications include 1GB of DDR3 memory, a 250GB hard drive, an SD card slot, 2 USB ports and Intel GMA 3105 integrated graphics. It comes standard with a 3-cell, 40Whr battery.

While the base configuration has MeeGo Linux, the netbook can also be configured with Windows 7 and other operating systems. The reason Samsung launches the netbook with MeeGo is to keep the prices down. Because MeeGo is a Linux based operating system, Samsung doesn't have to pay the Windows license fee. It is not clear whether Samsung has plans to launch this netbook in other countries.

Asus has also announced a netbook with the same processor and operating system. The Asus Eee PX X101 will be available in the US, but it hasn't started shipping yet.

HP LAUNCHES PAVILION 2000-210US CONSUMER NOTEBOOK

HP has launched a new consumer-oriented notebook. In terms of looks the HP Pavilion 2000-210US isn't all that different from the business oriented HP 630. Both models have the same charcoal gray chassis. But while the Pavilion 2000-210US has a glossy BrightView display, the HP 630 has an anti-glare display.

The Pavilion 2000-210US is powered by a dual core Intel Pentium P6200 processor with Intel HD integrated graphics. That means it is not aimed at avid gamers, although modest gaming should be possible. Other specifications include 3GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, DVD burner and built-in webcam. The laptop runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

The HP Pavilion 2000-210US also has 3 USB 2.0 ports, VGA output, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, a media card reader and built-in Bluetooth. It doesn't have an HDMI output port. The trackpad supports multi-touch gestures.

Pricing and availability
The HP Pavilion 2000-210US is now available from Walmart for $428. Newegg is also taking orders for $450.

APPLE REFRESHES MACBOOK AIR WITH SANDY BRIDGE PROCESSORS

Apple has finally refreshed its MacBook Air with Intel's latest Sandy Bridge processors. Apple has left the chassis unchanged. The new MacBook Airs still sport that classy narrow aluminum casing. The keyboard is now backlit. The original MacBook Air had backlit keyboards, but Apple dropped that feature when they refreshed the laptop in 2010. Now the illuminated keys are back making typing a much more pleasant experience in dimly-lit surroundings.

The glass trackpad is oversized. It is quite responsive and does what it is supposed to. Because the notebooks now come with Core i5 processors, they have more than enough power to handle almost everything you throw at them. A Core i7 processor option is also available. The new MacBook Air doesn't have a discrete graphics option. That means it won't be able to handle high end gaming or heavy video editing.

Pricing & Availability
The 13-inch MacBook Air is now available for order from the Apple Store.

NOTION ADAM 2 TO LAUNCH IN DECEMBER

Most top of the line tablets on the market have a dual core Tegra 2 processor now. But it was Notion Ink, an unknown Indian startup, that first launched a tablet with the said processor. The Notion Ink Adam has several other firsts too. It is still the first and the only tablet on the market to have a 10 inch sunlight readable Pixel Qi display. Now the company is all set to launch Adam 2.

Notion Ink says that the company will launch Adam 2 in December 2011. The device will be on display at CES 2012. While Notion Ink hasn't revealed what new features the tablet has, rumor has it that it will have a NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor and a new Pixel Qi display.

The Pixel Qi display can operate in two modes. In the standard mode it is like any other LCD display. Turn the backlight off, and it will resemble a black and white E Ink display. In the black and white mode, the screen also consumes much less power.

The Notion Ink Adam has received mixed reviews since its launch earlier this year. While most people seemed impressed with the hardware, many were unhappy with the custom Eden user interface. Notion Ink has solved most of these issues by launching software updates. It will be interesting to see how Adam 2 fares in a market that is already overcrowded with tablets from known and unknown companies.

CLOSER LOOK AT THE SAMSUNG SERIES 3 LAPTOPS

Samsung will launch several new notebooks in the coming months as part of the company's back to school lineup. Here is an overview of some of the models.

Samsung Series 3 NP300U1A-A1US
This 11.6 inch laptop is due out in July. It has a suggested retail price of $679. At launch, this model will be a Staples exclusive. The laptop has a 1.2GHz Intel Pentium 957 dual core processor and a 1366 x 768 pixels display. Other specifications include WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, 3 USB 2.0 ports, a 6-cell battery and Gigabit Ethernet.

Samsung Series 3 NP350U2B-A1US
This model has a 12.1 inch display and a faster processor. Needless to say, it has a starting price of $749. Precisely the laptop has a 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-2410M dual core processor, 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 500GB hard drive. The 12.1 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. This model is up for pre-order at J&R.It hasn't started shipping yet.

LENOVO LAUNCHES IDEAPAD K1 ANDROID TABLET

Lenovo has officially launched its IdeaPad K1 Android tablet. The IdeaPad K1 resembles the LePad in many respects. It will go on sale in the US today for $499 and up.

The IdeaPad K1 has a 10.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixels display, 1GB of RAM and up to 64GB of storage. It is powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor. Other specifications include Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and optional 3G. The IdeaPad K1 has two cameras - a 2 megapixel camera on the front side and a 5 megapixel camera on the rear side.
The tablet also has a microSD card reader, a mini HDMI port and a port for a docking station.

The IdeaPad K1 runs Google Android 3.1 operating system. Lenovo has built several custom apps for the tablet. The tablet has official access to Google's Android Market. Lenovo also loads it with its own appstore. Lenovo says that the tablet will get up to 10 hours of battery life. The $499 model has 32GB of storage. It will go on sale in the US in August.

LENOVO IDEAPAD P1 WINDOWS TABLET GET OFFICIAL

At last Lenovo has officially introduced its IdeaPad P1 Windows 7 tablet. The company first showed off the tablet at CES in January. The Lenovo Ideapad P1 has a 1.5Ghz Intel processor and a 10.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixels display. Other specifications include 2GB of RAM and up to 64GB of storage. The tablet will reportedly be available in the US during the fourth quarter of this year. That means it will be in stores in time for the holiday shopping season.

The Lenovo IdeaPad P1 supports multi-touch finger input. It can also recognize stylus input. Other specifications include Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, optional 3G, a USB 2.0 port, microSD card slot and front-facing 2 megapixel cameras.

The IdeaPad P1 will be available with Windows 7 Starter, Home Premium and Professional operating system. The Lenovo says that the tablet will get up to 5 hours of runtime. No word on pricing at the moment.

VIZIO VTAB1008 TABLET UP FOR PRE-ORDER

Vizio VTAB1008, the first Android tablet from Vizio, is now available for purchase from the Vizio website for $379.99. The tablet will be available in stores next week. You can also place your order through Amazon, Walmart and other retailers. But while the Vizio website says that the tablet is in stock, Amazon and other retailers are still taking pre-orders.

The Vizio VTAB1008 tablet has been up for pre-order since July 1st. It has an 8 inch, 1024 x 768 pixels display. It runs Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. Vizio has also built a custom user interface for the tablet.

The Vizio VTAB1008 can be used with Vizio television sets. You can, for instance, use the tablet as a remote control for the TV. You will also be able to send apps from the tablet to your big screen TV.

10 INCH HTC PUCCINI TABLET HITS THE FCC

A 10 inch HTC Android tablet codenamed HTC Puccini could hit the market sometime soon. It has received green signal from the FCC. And now word is that the company has also started mass production.

The HTC Puccini could very well be the first 4G LTE tablet on AT&T's network. The FCC documents reveal that Puccini is compatible with AT&T's existing 3G network. It will also work with the carrier's new LTE 4G network which is expected to be fully functional by the end of this summer.

With its 10 inch display, the HTC Puccini is larger than the 7 inch HTC Flyer which is already available in many markets. Much like the display of the Flyer, the Puccini will also have a multi-touch and stylus capable display. It will reportedly be powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm dual core Snapdragon processor. The tablet will run a version of Android Honeycomb operating system. No word on pricing at the moment.

WIFI ONLY BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK COULD BE DISCONTINUED

RIM launched its first ever tablet - the BlackBerry PlayBook - earlier this year to mixed reviews. While most reviewers praised the tablet for its nice operating system and excellent multitasking capabilities, many also pointed out that it had several shortcomings. The tablet, for instance, runs the QNX based BlackBerry operating system which has few apps available at the moment. Although RIM is working on making the tablet compatible with Android apps, that functionality is not yet available.

The PlayBook launched with WiFi only. RIM has promised that a 4G version is coming. And now word is that RIM is planning to discontinue the WiFi-only model. Part of the reason being sited for the development is the weak PlayBook sales. RIM also wants to focus its resources on the 3G/4G model.

The BlackBerry PlayBook has a 7 inch capacitive touchscreen display. It is powered by a 1GHz Texas Instruments processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB / 32GB / 64GB of storage. It also has two cameras - a 3 megapixel camera on the rear side and a 5 megapixel camera on the front side.

ASUS EEE PC X101H SPOTTED AT FCC WEBSITE

The Asus Eee PC X101 is a 10 inch laptop designed to run MeeGo Linux. It runs just $200 and uses an 8GB SSD for storage. The laptop is expected to launch in the US later this summer.

There will also be a slightly different version of this laptop called Eee PC X101H. It will run Windows operating system and will have a higher capacity battery. The X101H has now hit the FCC, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Asus is planing to launch this laptop in the US.

Few details are available at the FCC website, but it is safe to assume that the X101H runs windows because the images clearly show a Windows key. Other specifications include 2 USB ports, an SD card slot, an Ethernet jack and a VGA port. The netbook reportedly has a removable battery and RAM access panel. While the X101 will only be available with a 3-cell battery, the X101H may also be sold with a 6-cell pack. No word on the pricing of this model.

INTEL INTRODUCES THREE NEW ULV CHIPS FOR LAPTOPS

Intel has announced three new Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) processors for notebooks. The new Core i5 and i7 ULV processors have clock speeds ranging between 1.7GHz and 1.8GHz.
The new ULV processors belong to Intel's latest Sandy Bridge platform. They have a total power draw (TDP) of 17W which makes them twice as power efficient as standard voltage Core i5 and i7 processors. All three chips can be overclocked using Intel's Turbo Boost technology.

The new processors are:

1.7Ghz Core i5-2557M with 3MB cache (up to 2.7GHz via Turbo Boost)
1.7GHz Core i7-2637M with 4MB cache (up to 2.8GHz via Turbo Boost)
1.8GHz Core i7-2677M with 4MB cache (up to 2.9GHz via Turbo Boost)

All three processors have integrated Intel HD graphics. Expect these processors to show up in ultraportable laptops this back-to-school season. They might also make their way to the MacBook Air which may get an update anytime now.

SAMSUNG INTRODUCES NEW LAPTOPS IN THE SERIES 9 LINEUP

Samung has made new additions to its Series 9 laptop lineup. The new models added to the lineup are the 13 inch Samsung NP900X3A and the 11-inch Samsung NP900X1B. These are part of Samsung's back-to-school thin and light laptop offerings.

There are three new 13.3 inch models. They measure just 0.62 inches in thickness and weigh 2.89 lbs. All models feature Intel's Core i5 and i7 processors. The two new 11 inch laptops are available with Intel's Core i3-2357M processor. They are even thinner and lighter than their 13 inch siblings.

All models in the new Samsung Series 9 has duralumin cases which according to Samsung is twice as durable as aluminum. Samsung claims that the new models will get 7 hours of battery life. Other specifications include SSD storage, backlit keyboards and SuperBright HD LED displays which are viewable both indoors and outdoors.

Pricing and availability
The new models in the Samsung Series 9 have prices ranging between $1,049 and $2,049. The 13.3 inch models are already available from Samsung's website and other retailers. The 11 inch models are expected to be available in August.

AMD ANNOUNCES THE RADEON HD 6990 GAMING GPU

AMD has announced a new gaming graphics card. According to AMD, its Radeon HD 6990M is the fastest gaming graphics card in the world. The chip maker has even gone to the extend of claiming that the 6990M GPU is up to 25% faster than any other announced notebook graphics card. That means it is even faster than the recently announced NVIDIA GTX 580M GPU.

The Radeon 6990M is compatible with MicroSoft DirectX 11. It also supports AMD Eyefinity multi-monitor technology and Stereo 3D.

Availability
It looks like the Alienware M18x will be the first laptop to ship with the Radeon 6990M graphics. The Clevo X7200/P170HM/P150HM notebooks, too, will be offered with the graphics card.

ACER ICONIA TAB WITH 64GB OF STORAGE COMING

The 10 inch Acer Iconia Tab A500 Android tablet has been available for a while. Currently two models are available - one with 16GB of storage and another with 32GB of storage. It looks like a third model with 64GB of storage is also coming.

Acer has filed documents with FCC for a model with a 64GB of SSD and AT&T's 3G modem. The new model is called Acer Iconia Tab A501. There is no word on pricing, but the new tablet is expected to be available before the end of the summer.

Both Iconia Tab A500 and A501 have 10.1, 1280 x 800 pixels displays, dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processors and 1GB of RAM.

Interestingly, the Iconia Tab, like most other tablets on the market, has a microSD card slot for expanding storage. That means there is no real point in paying a premium for a tablet with more built in storage.

HP TOUCHPAD TABLET NOW AVAILABLE IN EUROPE AND CANADA

The HP TouchPad tablet is now available for purchase in Europe and Canada. The device has been available in the US for a few weeks.

The 16GB model is selling for 479 Euros in France and Germany. In Canada it runs $450 and up. In the UK, it is priced at 399 pounds. A 32GB model is also available in all of these countries.

The HP TouchPad has a 9.7 inch multitouch display with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. It is powered by a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual core processor. The tablet runs webOS 3.0 operating system.

The TouchPad is the first tablet to run Palm's webOS operating system. While webOS is a nice operating system, few apps are available for the platform right now. Some early reviewers have also pointed out that the tablet feels sluggish at other times. HP, meanwhile, has plans to offer the tablet with a faster 1.5GHz processor. That model will also have 4G. It is not clear whether WiFi only models too will be offered with that processor in the future.

10 INCH VIEWSONIC VIEWPAD 10PRO WINDOWS TABLET HITS FCC

The 10 inch ViewSonic ViewPad 10pro Windows tablet could launch in the US soon. A listing for the tablet has hit the FCC website with test results and a user manual.

The ViewPad 10Pro is powered by Intel's latest 1.5GHz Oak Trail Atom Z670 processor. The tablet comes standard with 32GB of storage and has a 3500mAh battery. The FCC documents suggest that the tablet will have front and rear facing cameras, an ambient light sensor, a microSD card slot, USB port, SIM card slot and built-in speaker and microphone. The tablet, reportedly, also has a docking port on the bottom.

While ViewSonic has been saying that the tablet will be able to run Android apps using the Bluestacks, there is no mention of this feature in the FCC documents. Still no word on pricing or availability.

ASUS EEE PC 1215P WITH UBUNTU LINUX SPOTTED IN ITALY

An Asus Eee PC laptop running Ubuntu Linux has been spotted at an Italian retail site. Last month Asus had announced its plans to launch netbooks and notebooks with Ubuntu Linux instead of Microsoft Windows. The idea is to cut down on the cost. Because Ubuntu Linux is an open source operating system, consumers will not have to pay the Windows license fee when they configure the laptop with Ubuntu.

The notebook under discussion is the Asus Eee PC 1215P. It has a 12.1 inch display, an Intel Atom N570 dual core processor, a 320GB hard drive and a 2GB of RAM. It runs Ubuntu Linux. The notebook is selling for under 280 Euros in Italy, but that is hardly surprising because consumer electronics products tend to cost higher in Europe than in the US.

Asus apparently has no plans to offer this model in the US where the company is expected to launch its Eee PC X101 with MeeGo Linux this summer. That model will sell for about $200.

HAIER LAUNCHES HAIPAD ANDROID TABLET IN CHINA

Haier, Chinese consumer electronics company, has introduced a new 7 inch Android tablet in the Chinese market.

The Haier HaiPad runs a dated Android 2.2 operating system with a custom user interface running on top of it. The custom UI features an app tray at the bottom of the screen. The app tray gives quick access to up to four apps.

The HaiPad doesn't have particularly impressive specs. It has a 1GHz single core Samsung processor, front and rear cameras and a 3G modem. It will be available in five colors in China. The tablet doesn't have access to official Google Android Market but Haier has loaded it with its app store which has about 15,000 apps. It is not clear whether the company has plans to launch this model outside of US any time soon.

DELL LATITUDE E6420 NOTEBOOKS GET VERIZON 4G LTE

The Dell Latitude E6420 notebook is now available with Verizon's 4G LTE broadband connectivity. The Dell Latitude notebooks are aimed at mobile professionals. They offer 12 hour battery life, enterprise class security and durability.

The Dell Latitude business laptops were launched earlier this year. The Verizon 4G LTE mobile broadband technology is only available to customers in the US. According to Verizon its 4G network offers speeds 10 times faster than previous generation networks.

Dell has announced that later this year the 4G LTE broadband will also be available with semi-rugged business laptops like the E6420 ATG and E6420 XFR.

The Latitude E6420 features optimal security features such as Remote Data Delete and Free Fall Sensor. Other features include multi-touch LED display, quad-core processors, discrete graphics options and spill resistant keyboard.

SONY VAIO Z ULTRAPORTABLE LAPTOP SHIPPING

The Sony Vaio Z series ultraportable notebook is now available for purchase. Sony claims that its VAIO Z series is the world's lightest 13 inch laptop with a standard voltage processor. The machine is thinner and lighter than the MacBook Air. Better still, it has faster processors and better graphics options.

The most distinguishing feature of the Sony Vaio Z is its vertical Power Media Dock which when attached adds the powerful AMD Radeon HD 6650M discrete graphics. The dock will also add a slot loading DVD drive, 1 USB 3.0 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, HDMI and VGA ports.

The new Sony Vaio Z series has an aluminum and carbon fiber exterior. Sony claims that it will get up to 8 hours of runtime with the standard battery. As for other specs, the VAIO Z has Intel's latest Core i5 or i7 processors and dual-channel SSD drives. The 13.3 inch display is available in either 1920×1080 or 1600×900 resolution.

The new Sony VAIO Z is now available for purchase. Prices start at around $2000.

SONY S1 TABLET COULD HIT UK STORES IN SEPTEMBER

Sony's first ever Android tablet - the Sony S1 - could launch in the UK this fall. Word on the street is that Sony Centre stores in the UK will start taking pre-orders for the S1 tablet on September 1st.

The Sony S1 tablet has a 9.4 inch display and a unique design that makes it easier to hold. It will be powered by a dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and will run a version of Android Honeycomb operating system. The tablet will be PlayStation certified which means you will be able to play PlayStation games on it. You will also be able to use the tablet as a remote control for your Sony TV, thanks to its infrared port.

There is still no word on pricing. Meanwhile, Sony is also working on another tablet called S2. It has twin 5.5 inch displays. No word on the pricing or availability of that model either.

NO HARDWARE UPGRADE NECESSARY FOR RUNNING WINDOWS 8

Microsoft has confirmed that computers capable of running Windows 7 will be able to run Windows 8 just as well. That means system builders will be able to use the same hardware they use today. They just need to replace Windows 7 with Windows 8 when the OS becomes available.

One of the chief reasons behind the failure of Windows Vista was its requirement of better hardware. Many computers which were running Windows XP simply couldn't upgrade to Vista because of hardware limitations. Needless to say most consumers continued to use XP which meant that few upgraded to Vista. Microsoft doesn't want the same to happen to Windows 8.

That said, if you are still running Windows XP, now is the time to get the upgrade to Windows 7. The support for XP is on its last legs. If your PC can't run Windows 7, it won't be able to run Windows 8 either.

The new version of Windows operating system will be able to run on ARM-based processors as well. The existing version of Windows can only run on computers powered by x86 based processors. By making its OS compatible with ARM-based processors, Microsoft is hoping that it will be able to claim to its share of the tablet space.

HP TOUCHPAD 4G WITH 1.5GHZ CPU COMING SOON

A 4G-enabled version of the HP TouchPad tablet will be available soon. The HP TouchPad 4G will be powered by a faster 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual core processor. It will have an HSPA+ modem to connect to AT&T's wireless network.

A WiFi-only version of the HP TouchPad is already available in the market. It has a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The new model will also have 32GB of storage and integrated GPS. The current model has 16GB. Both WiFi-only and 4G-enabled models have 9.7 inch, 1024 x 768 pixels capacitive touchscreen displays.

The HP TouchPad runs webOS 3.0 operating system. It is the first tablet to ship with Palm's famed OS. Meanwhile, it looks like HP has no plans to offer the WiFi only model with a 1.5GHz processor. No word on the pricing or availability of the 4G model.

GATEWAY LAUNCHES CORE I5 POWERED ID47 WITH ULTRA THIN BEZEL

Gateway, an Acer subsidiary, has launched a new thin and light laptop. The new Gateway ID47 sports a brand new display technology, USB 3.0 ports and an aluminum body. The ID47 has an extremely thin bezel. Needless to say the 14 inch laptop can easily fit inside the case of a 13.3 incher.

Aside from the display, the ID47 has a 2.3GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. Other specifications include Dolby Home Theater audio, HDMI output port, and multitouch trackpad. The laptop measures 1.13 inches at its thickest part. It is now available for purchase for $700.

Gateway has also released an entertainment-oriented laptop called the NV55. It features an AMD Fusion based Llano APU, 6GB of RAM, USB 3.0 ports, 640GB hard drive and AMD Radeon HD 6620G graphics. The NV55 has a 15.6 inch display. It is priced at $630.

SAMSUNG NC215S NETBOOK UP FOR PRE-ORDER

The solar powered Samsung NC215s netbook is now up for pre-order. The laptop will get 1 hour of battery life for every two hours of charging time in the sun.

Samsung was supposed to launch the netbook in the US during the first week of July. Although the company couldn't deliver the laptop during that launch window, stores have started taking orders now.

The Samsung NC215s has a 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. It is powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N570 dual core processor. Other specifications include 1GB of DDR3 RAM, a 250GB hard drive, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 and Ethernet LAN 10/100. The laptop runs Windows 7 Starter edition.

Amazon is taking pre-orders for Samsung NC215s for $399. Provantage is also taking orders for $391.

ASUS EEE PAD SLIDER TO HIT THE UK THIS FALL

The Asus Eee Pad Slider is one of the four tablets Asus introduced early this year. Its stand-out feature is its slide-out keyboard which will hide itself behind the display when you are not using it.

The 10 inch machine was supposed to launch in the UK in August, but now Asus has confirmed that it won't ship until this fall.

The Eee Pad Slider has a 10.1 inch HD display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It is powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor. The tablet runs Android operating system. Unlike the Eee Pad Transformer which can be bought with or without the detachable keyboard, the Slider comes standard with the pull-out keyboard.

Meanwhile there is still no word on the pricing or availability of the 7 inch Asus Memo Android tablet. The Eee Pad Transformer is currently available for a starting price of $399.

MSI WINDPAD 110W WINDOWS TABLET UP FOR PRE-ORDER FOR $599

The MSI Windpad 110w Windows tablet is now up for pre-order. It is expected to start shipping on August 1st.

The Windpad 110w is a 10 inch Windows tablet with a 1GHz dual core AMD Z-01 processor. The AMD Z-01 has a total power draw of 5.9 Watts. Nonetheless, it comes bundled with the Radeon HD 6250 graphics. What this means is that the tablet will deliver better graphics performance than similar tablets with Intel Atom processors while at the same time offering good battery life.

Incidentally, the WindPad 110w will be one of the first devices to ship with the new processor.

The MSI tablet has a 10.1 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Other specifications include HDMI, USB, headphone port, SD card slot, a G-sensor, light sensor, front and rear facing cameras, WiFi and Bluetooth. The computer runs Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

The MSI WindPad comes standard with a 2-cell, 4200mAh battery. It weighs 1.9 pounds and measures 0.6 inches in thickness.You can pre-order the tablet from retailers like Amazon, Newegg and J&R for $599.

AMD TO LAUNCH E-450 LOW POWER PROCESSOR FOR NOTEBOOKS

AMD has launched a new notebook processor. The AMD E-450 is an upgraded version of the AMD E-350 Zacate processor. Sources claim that the E-450 will have a higher CPU clock speed than the E-350. It will also have more powerful graphics, while maintaining the same 18W TDP.

The AMD E-350 Zacate dual core processor has a clock speed of 1.6GHz. It uses the Radeon HD 6310 graphics. The new AMD E-450 will have a clock speed of 1.65GHz. It will feature the Radeon HD 6320 graphics. Both processors support DirectX 11 graphics and are capable of handling 1080p HD video playback.

The new chip also supports the Turbo Core technology which will improve performance by overclocking a single core while the other is not in use.

The AMD E-series processors are meant for use in netbooks and ultraportable laptops. They offer decent performance and get good battery life. No word on the pricing or availability of the E-450.

WIFI ONLY MOTOROLA XOOM NOW PRICED AT $499

The Motorola Xoom was the first tablet to ship with the tablet-optimized Google Android Honeycomb operating system. It hit the streets early this year. There was considerable hype surrounding the tablet, but unfortunately it launched with a high price tag. Till recently a WiFi-only model was selling for $599. A 3G enabled model costs a whooping $799.

But now Motorola has dropped the price of the WiFi Xoom to $499. At that price, it is still costlier than the $400 Asus Eee Pad Transformer. On the bright side, the Xoom has 32GB of storage whereas the Asus Transformer has only 16GB.

The Motorola Xoom is a 10 inch Android tablet with a 1280 x 800 pixels display. It is powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor. The tablet runs Android 3.1 operating system and has a 24Whr battery. Other specifications include WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, a 2 megapixel front-facing camera and a 5 megapixel rear camera. The Xoom doesn't have a 16GB model.

LENOVO IDEAPAD K1 INCHES CLOSER TO LAUNCH; LENOVO LAUNCHES PROMO VIDEOS FOR THE TABLET

It looks like the Lenovo IdeaPad K1 Android tablet is getting closer to its launch. Lenovo is yet to announce a launch date or pricing for the US market, but the tablet has started showing up at many online stores. It is expected to start at $499.99.

The Lenovo IdeaPad K1 is essentially the US version of the Lenovo LePad Android tablet. The LePad has been available in China for a while. The IdeaPad K1, like the LePad, is expected to have a 10.1 inch HD display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It will be powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor. Other specifications include 1GB of RAM, a 32GB hard drive and front and rear facing cameras. The tablet will measure about half an inch in thickness.

Lenovo recently launched 15 promotional videos for the tablet. One of the videos is about a desktop app called LeTools which allows you to synchronize your data by connecting your tablet to your PC via a USB or WiFi connection. You can also copy files to your tablet from your computer by dragging and dropping them in the LeTools app.

Incidentally, Lenovo will offer its own app store for the tablet. The curious thing is that the Lenovo app store doesn't seem to have anything you can't find in the Android Market.

12.1 INCH SAMSUNG SERIES 3 NOTEBOOK UP FOR PRE-ORDER

The Samsung Series 3 notebooks which were introduced at an event a few weeks ago are now up for pre-order. The notebooks in the Samsung Series 3 have screen sizes ranging between 11.6 inches and 15.6 inches. The smaller models sport a thin profile and lack an optical drive.
Although Samsung is yet to officially launch the products, retailer J&R has started taking pre-orders for a 12.1 inch model for $749.99.

For that price you will get a 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-2410M processor, 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 500GB hard drive and Intel HD integrated graphics. The 12.1 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The supported connectivity options are WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth 3.0.

Other specifications include 2 USB 2.0 ports, mic, headphone, VGA, and HDMI output ports. The laptop weighs 3.1 pounds with the standard 6-cell battery. It measures 1.2 inches in thickness.

SONY LAUNCHES VAIO Z WITH POWER MEDIA DOCK IN EUROPE

Sony has launched a brand new VAIO laptop. The 13.1 inch Sony Vaio Z has extremely attractive looks. The biggest USP of the laptop is its vertically standing dock which adds an external GPU and optical drive. The Power Media Dock, as it is called by Sony, uses Intel's Light Peak technology via a proprietary USB 3.0 port and optical cable to connect to the laptop. The dock adds the AMD Radeon HD 6650M discrete graphics. It also allows you to connect up to three additional displays via its HDMI and VGA ports.

The Sony Vaio Z weighs 2.6 pounds. It has a 2.7GHz Intel Core i7-2620M processor, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, a 256GB SSD and Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics. The 13.1 inch display has a resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels. Sony says that the laptop will get up to 8 hours of battery life. If you need more up time you can add an optional sheet battery which will increase the battery life to 14 hours.

Other specifications include a 1.3 megapixel webcam, 802.11a/b/g/n, 3G, Bluetooth 2.1, one USB 2.0 port, one USB 3.0 port, HDMI, and stereo speakers with Dolby virtual surround. The laptop is expected to be available in Europe in July.

LENOVO LAUNCHES THINKPAD X121E WITH A CHOICE OF INTEL, AMD CHIPS

Lenovo has launched a new ultraportable ThinkPad laptop.Unlike the ThinkPad X100e and ThinkPad X120e which are only available with AMD processors, the ThinkPad X121e can also be configured with an Intel processor.

At launch the ThinkPad X121e will only be available in Japan and Europe. Available processor options are:

1 GHz AMD C-50 dual core processor with Radeon HD 6250 graphics
1.6 GHz AMD E-350 dual core processor with Radeon HD 6310 graphics
1.3 GHz Intel Core i3-2357M dual core processor with Intel HD Graphics 3000

The Lenovo ThinkPad X121e measures 1.1 inches. Both 3-cell and 6-cell battery options are available. The 11.6 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional operating system. Other specifications include a 320GB hard drive and 2GB to 8GB of storage.

BEST BUY NOW SELLING HTC FLYER AND DIGITAL PEN FOR $500

The HTC Flyer is a 7 inch Android tablet computer running HTC's custom Sense software on top of Android 2.3. Although the tablet has a capacitive touchscreen display it comes with an active digitizer and a pressure sensitive digital pen with which you can draw and write on the screen.

When the Flyer launched in the US last month, Best Buy was selling the tablet for $499.99. If you needed the digital pen, you had to pay an extra $80. But now Best Buy has started bundling the digital pen with the tablet. The tablet-pen combo now retails for $499.99.

The digital pen is one of the primary selling points of the tablet. The tablet comes with a couple of apps that work well with the digital. For instance, there is a note-taking app that synchronizes your data with online note service Evernote. There is also an eBook reader which lets you highlight text or scribble notes in the margins using the pen.

4G-ENABLED HP TOUCHPAD TABLET COMING SOON

The HP TouchPad tablet is currently available in two models: one with 16GB of storage and another with 32GB. But starting next week, a third model with 64GB of storage could be available. There will be a fourth model with AT&T's HSPA+ 4G wireless network as well.

According to some leaked documents, the 64GB model will also have a faster processor. It is not exactly clear what processor we are talking about, but word is that it could be a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual core processor.

The HP TouchPad currently ships with a 1.2GHz Qualcomm CPU. The 64GB tablet will reportedly also have a white glossy finish. The current crop of Touchpad tablets have black glossy plastic exterior. Aside from having a 4G modem, the new AT&T model will be identical to the WiFi-only 32GB model currently shipping for $599.99.

SAMSUNG LAUNCHES 11 INCH SERIES 9 LAPTOPS

The Samsung Series 9 notebooks are thin, light and ultra stylish. They are also rather expensive. The company launched two Series 9 notebooks - one sporting a 13.3 inch display and another sporting an 11.6 inch display - earlier this year. They had prices ranging between $1599 and $1200. And now Samsung is launching relatively cheaper models as well.

The 11 inch Samsung Series 9 will run $1049. It has 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD and an Intel Core i3-2357M processor. A model with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD will run $1249. Both models are expected to start shipping in August.

Samsung has also lowered the price of entry-level 13.3 inch Series 9 laptops. A model with an Intel Core i5-2467M processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD is now available for $1349. For an extra $300, you can get 256GB of SSD and an Intel Core i7 processor.

SAMSUNG SERIES 5 CHROMEBOOK TOPS AMAZON'S BEST SELLING LIST

The Samsung Series 5 Chromebook is the first Chrome OS notebook to hit the market. With its 12.1 inch display this machine doesn't look all that different from other thin and light laptops. But unlike other ultraportables which take about one minute to boot this laptop boots in under 10 seconds.

The biggest strength and the biggest weakness of a Chrome OS laptop is its OS. While the light-weight OS delivers lighting fast boot speeds, it isn't capable of running native desktop applications. Sure, web-based applications are available for just about anything these days, but a ChromeBook is pretty useless when you are offline.

Needless to say, it got mixed reviews from most tech bloggers. But it looks like real customers think otherwise. The Samsung Series 5 notebook is currently at the top of Amazon's best-selling laptop list. Giving it company are a couple of MacBook models and Windows notebooks from Dell and Acer. Most people who bought the laptop seem to be impressed with its speed and the ease of use.

HP PAVILION DV6Z QUAD EDITION WITH AMD LLANO CHIPS NOW AVAILABLE

HP has just launched a new Pavilion notebook. The HP Pavilion dv6z quad edition notebook has a starting price of $649.99. It features AMD's newest Fusion based Llano APUs (accelerated processing units).

The base configuration has an AMD Quad-core A6-3400M APU, AMD Radeon discrete-class graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit operating system, 6GB of DDR3 RAM and a 640GB, 5400 rpm hard drive. The laptop has a 15.6 inch LED backlit HP Brightview display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It comes standard with a 6-cell battery which will reportedly get up to 5.5 hours of run time. Other specifications include built-in webcam, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth, VGA, HDMI output, fingerprint reader, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, Beats branded audio and Blu-ray.

Higher-end configurations with AMD Quad-core A8-3500M APU and 1GB Radeon discrete graphics are also possible. The top-of-the-line model has an AMD Quad-core A8-3530MX processor, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of HDD. A 9-cell battery option is also available if you need more battery life.

8 INCH VIZIO TABLET UP FOR PRE-ORDER FOR $380

Vizio has started taking pre-orders for its new 8 inch Android tablet. For $379.99, you can order the tablet. If you are willing to spend an extra $20, you will get a 16GB SD card and a case which doubles up as a tablet stand.

Vizio has announced that they will start shipping the tablet on July 18th. A week later the device will be available in retail stores.

The Vizio tablet has an 8 inch, 1024 x 768 pixels display. It runs Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. The biggest USP of the tablet is that it can act as a companion to the Vizio TV running Google TV software. The tablet can be used as remote control for the TV. You will also be able to send apps running on the tablet to a supported TV.

Vizio has tweaked the tablet's home screen a bit so that instead of displaying the typical Android home screen, it shows widgets for your favorite apps.

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