HP's obviously getting ready to expand its netbook line beyond the well-received Mini-Note 2133 -- the company recently started teasing the Vivienne Tam Digital Clutch, and now images and pricing for a "Mini 1000" have appeared on the HP shopping site. As expected, the new rig is basically a non-glam version of the Digital Clutch, and specs appear to be right in line with what we've seen: 10-inch screen, sub-1-inch thickness, and 2.25-pound starting weight -- and we're guessing the Mini 1000 also gets the upgrade to an Intel Atom over the 2133's VIA C7-M. Not bad at all for a starting price tag of $399 -- hopefully we'll find out a lot more soon. News Source: Engadget |
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10-inch Mini 1000 appears on HP website
Submitted by shc-boomer on Tue, 10/28/2008 - 06:01ASUS rolls out Eee PC 1002HA, still mum about next week's model
Submitted by shc-boomer on Tue, 10/28/2008 - 05:58
Still haven't found an Eee PC to your liking? Then perhaps ASUS's new 10-inch Eee PC 1002HA model will be more to your liking, with it bringing some of the S101's stylings to the company's standard 1000 series. Otherwise, you can expect most of the usual specs that now haunt our dreams, including a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor,1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and, apparently, a two-cell, 4200 mAh battery. No word on a release 'round here just yet, but it looks like this one will be available in Europe in the not too distant future for €449, or about $565. News Source: Engadget |
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Poll | How many netbooks do you have?
I only have one, and I only need one
25% (37 votes)
I only have one but I want to get another
16% (24 votes)
I already own two
3% (4 votes)
I own more than two
6% (9 votes)
I want to own at least one in the future
46% (67 votes)
I do not own any and do not want one
4% (6 votes)
Total votes: 147
Dell Launches Mini 12 Netbook in Japan
Submitted by shc-boomer on Tue, 10/28/2008 - 05:50| With the current state of the global economy, computer makers are throwing their marketing and development dollars where the consumers are currently shopping -- the netbook category. The wealth of new netbook systems coming to market as we build to the holiday season is impressive.
One of the most interesting new netbooks is the Dell Inspiron Mini 12. The Mini 12 is the big brother to the smaller Mini 9 that Dell introduced officially in September 2008. The main and obvious difference between the two Dell netbooks is the screen size. The Mini 12 has a 12.1-inch 1280 x 800 WXGA display promising wider viewing angles and good brightness. Other features of the system include 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a built-in webcam, 1GB of RAM, 60GB or 80GB HDD (on the Japanese model) and Windows Vista for the OS. Dell says battery life is up to 3 hours and 32 minutes. Dell's Japanese site lists the CPU in the machine as the Intel Atom Z520. Dell says that hard drive capacities will vary by country so odds are a higher capacity version will come to America when the late November launch date rolls around. The starting price for the rig in the U.S. will be under $600. Dell says that the Mini 12 weighs 2.27 pounds and is 0.92-inches thick. Some may eye those specifications and think about the MacBook Air. News Source: DailyTech |
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Asus Eee PC 1002HA: Somewhere between a 1000 and S101?
Submitted by shc-boomer on Sat, 10/25/2008 - 09:08| A few months ago, Engadget published an image showing a roadmap with upcoming Eee PC models divided into three segments: Smart Casual, Pro Fashion, and Ultimate.We’ve already seen a few new members of the Smart Casual family including the Eee PC 904HD and the 701SDX. And the Eee PC S101 is the first in the “ultimate” line, which is apparently reserved for thinner, lighter machines with a bit more emphasis on style. Now it looks like the first entry in the Pro Fashion line is on the horizon.
Blogeee reports that a source says the Eee PC 1002HA will be available soon. The only thing that seems to set the 1002HA apart from the current Eee PC 1000H is its size and weight. The Eee PC 1000H weighs 1.45kg or 3.2 pounds, while the 1002HA will weigh 1.2kg or 2.6 pounds. The Eee PC 1002HA will also reportedly be a bit slimmer than the 1000H, at 10.4? x 7.1? x 1.1.” In other word’s the 1002HA has almost exactly the same dimensions as the Eee PC S101. But it weighs a few ounces more and we have no idea what it will look like. On the inside, the 1002HA, like the S101 will look a lot like the Eee PC 1000H. It will have a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB HDD. So there you have it. Asus appears to be differentiating its Eee PC lineup by charging a premium for thinner, lighter devices while offering pretty much the same features on all models. That would make perfect sense if it weren’t for the fact that you can already pick up a smaller, lighter MSI Wind with nearly identical specs to the Eee PC 1000H for about the same price. That said, the Eee PC S101 is certainly a lot prettier than the 1000H or the MSI Wind. News Source: Liliputing |
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MSI Wind v1.09 BIOS update makes overclocking easy
Submitted by shc-boomer on Sat, 10/25/2008 - 09:08| We've long since known that MSI was a fan of overclocking. After all, just about every last one of its gaming notebooks come with one-button OC'ing courtesy of the Turbo Drive Engine technology. Now, it seems that the company is giving the spoils once reserved for the Crysis crowd to those with netbooks, or more specifically, the Wind. The freshly released (and absolutely official) v1.09 BIOS update enables simple overclocking by mashing Fn+F10, giving users the ability to push things 8%, 15% or 24% beyond their normally specified limits. Electric Feel over at ElectricVagabond has found that the update provides up to a 30% boost in performance, which he claims is quite noticeable in processor-intensive apps like Photoshop. You know you're dying to give your Wind a little lift, so hit the via below for the step-by-step of getting this installed.
News Source: Gizmodo |
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Dell rebrands its own Mini 9 as the Vostro A90, jacks the price to absurd levels
Submitted by shc-boomer on Sat, 10/25/2008 - 09:08| We're no strangers to rebranded netbooks, but we're a little befuddled as to why Dell's rebranding its own Inspiron Mini 9 as the Vostro A90. Sure, we're digging the stealth looks, but the specs haven't changed at all, and we don't think the Vostro brand really has any more cachet than Inspiron -- they're both pretty low end. Even more bizarrely, the A90 is apparently Japan-only for now, and it's priced at an absurd ¥92,830 ($972) -- yeah, you can get three Eee 900As for that price with more or less the same specs. Must be one hell of a paint job.
News Source: Gizmodo |
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Raon Digital readies SSD-based Everun Note models
Submitted by shc-boomer on Fri, 10/17/2008 - 05:53| If one of the things keeping you away from the Raon Digital Everun Note (aside from the recall) is its 60GB spinning hard drive, then it may be time to step a little closer. Because according to UMPCPortal, the original mini notebook has turned out to be the black sheep of an SSD-based family and will soon be sandwiched between the low-end S16S (1.2GHz Sempron, 16GB SSD, Ubuntu, $659) and high-end D24S (1.2GHz Turion 64 X2, 24GB SSD [8GB fast SLC, 16GB standard MLC], Windows XP, $950).
I'm not sure the SSD benefits really outweigh the serious reduction in storage space, but the built-in SD card slot should be able to pick up most of the slack. Having all three models priced under $1000 is a good move on Raon Digital's part and should be well received by consumers, but a 24GB flash drive is hardly "high-end," especially when it adds only about $80 to the existing Everun Note. A 64GB SSD would be much more expensive, sure, but that's why it's called the top-of-the-line model. The S16S is expected to be released in mid-November, while the D24S is already being offered to resellers. The current model, the D60H, is available now. News Source: Pocketables |
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HP To Release Touchscreen Laptop, 10-Inch Mini Note by Year’s End
Submitted by shc-boomer on Fri, 10/17/2008 - 05:50| The Wall Street Journal is reporting some interesting HP news this morning. Firstly, like we revealed last month, the company is working on a 10-inch version of its HP Mini-Note. We caught the first pictures of the 10-inch netbook at an exclusive HP event, but the WSJ is now reporting that it will release before the end of the year.
The more shocking news is that HP will release a touch-focused notebook before the end of the year. We aren’t talking an HP tablet, like the tx2500. According to the Journal: The computer giant is now developing a consumer notebook machine with a touchscreen that will debut before year end, said people familiar with the matter. It will include special HP software that supports the touch screen, but other details, such as pricing, remained unclear. We assume it will be a take off on the popular HP TouchSmart PC and will incorporate a software overlay on top of Vista. Also revealed in the WSJ was that the computer manufacter is working with Frog Design to help develop new touch software and hardware. News Source: Laptop Magazine |
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Asus Planning to Release Touchscreen Eee PC Within Six Months
Submitted by shc-boomer on Thu, 10/09/2008 - 19:23| Asustek Computer is planning to launch touch panel Eee PCs in the first quarter of 2009, which the company expects will help drive sales further, according to Samson Hu, general manager of Eee PC business at Asustek.
The company has not yet decided details of the models which will be updated but will reach a decision based on market demand. The company expects to showcase the products during CES 2009, Hu noted. Hu also revealed that Asustek will launch dual-core Atom-based netbooks as soon as Intel begins shipping the CPUs. However, Intel has not yet confirmed a date on when this will happen. In addition to touch panel and dual-core Atom-based Eee PCs, president, Jerry Shen, revealed that the company will also release a model priced less than NT$10,000 (US$307) during 2009. News Source: Digitimes |
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Super Talent caters to Eee PC with new 16/32/64GB SSDs
Submitted by shc-boomer on Thu, 10/09/2008 - 19:21| Though not the first SSDs we've seen looking for homes specifically in netbooks, Super Talent is hoping to make an even bigger splash with its latest trio and their bite-sized prices. Merely days after causing us all to drool with a sub-$300 128GB drive, the firm has revealed a trifecta of mini PCIe SSDs designed "explicitly for the ASUS Eee PC." The units are available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB flavors, each with 40MB/sec maximum read speeds and 15MB/sec maximum write rates. The trio is expected to hit mass production next month, and they'll only cost you $53, $79 and $149 in order of mention.
News Source: Engadget |
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Shuttle's Atom 230-packin' X2700N nettop now available
Submitted by shc-boomer on Thu, 10/09/2008 - 19:19| Surely you remember the Atom-based Shuttle X27 barebones kit -- you know, that cute little nettop case that was selling for $189 with its insides all hollow? For those with no time to fill it up, the full-fledged X2700N is now on tap. Boasting a 1.6GHz Intel Atom 230 processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 120GB hard drive and a GMA950 integrated graphics set, this Linux-based box can be yours right now for $379.99. That'll also buy you a dual-layer DVD writer, gigabit Ethernet port, 802.11b/g WiFi, a handful of ports (six USB, VGA, DVI, audio in / out) and a 1-year warranty. 'Tis a shame it's not housing one of those dual-core Atom 330s, huh?
News Source: Engadget |
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MSI Wind Now on Sale at Best Buy
Submitted by shc-boomer on Mon, 10/06/2008 - 18:03MSI has announced that people wishing to get their hands on an MSI Wind U100 Netbook can stroll into their nearest Best Buy starting today and pick up the 10" 3-cell version with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor and Windows XP for $399. Before your rush out to get one though, keep in mind that the updated U120 version with HDSPA could hit before Christmas.
News Source: Gizmodo |
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Eee marketing getting adorably bitchy
Submitted by shc-boomer on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 21:58
When every company out there is cranking out the same 10-inch 1.6GHz Atom netbook, there aren't many ways to make your product stand out: the obvious trick is to go low on price, but ASUS isn't messing with its profit margins. Instead, it's apparently going negative in the most adorable way possible -- check this hit piece on the Acer Aspire One. If all these frowny faces are to be believed, using the Aspire One will basically be awkward and unergonomic for a short while, at which point you'll burst into flames. Not only that, but ASUS can't even bring itself to spell out "Aspire," instead starring it out like someone might catch them saying it out loud. Very mature. Still, if anything can revive our flagging enthusiasm for the entire netbook category, it would be one of these WINNER crowns packed in with every Eee -- now that's a real differentiating factor, ASUS. Full image in the gallery. News Source: Engadget |
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ASUS Releases 900HA and 1000HA Eee PCs, Biggest Bowl of Alphanumerical Soup Ever
Submitted by shc-boomer on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 21:47| Besides making us laugh every time we say it, the HA suffix means that this model is the triplet brother of the 900A/901Eee PCs but with a 160GB hard drive instead of a much smaller solid-state drive.
Other traits like an 8.9-inch display, Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 1.3-megapixel camera, and Windows XP are all present, too. The 900HA is available for pre-order at Amazon for the pretty little price of $349.99. That’s more than $100 off the 901 which comes with a 6-cell battery, Bluetooth, and wireless-N support, all of which the 900HA lacks. If you like the size of 160GB HDD, but want a 10-inch display AND the six-cell battery, the Eee PC 1000 series has its own HA model, too. Like previous versions, this model comes with a 10-inch display, Intel Atom, 1GB of RAM, and a 6-cell battery. The 1000HA is available for pre-order at Amazon for $429.99. Eee PC 900HA ($349.99) * Windows XP Eee PC 1000HA ($429.99) * Windows XP News Source: Laptop Magazine |
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Averatec Buddy for U.S. Confirmed Rebranded MSI Wind
Submitted by shc-boomer on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 21:46| There has been some debate as to what netbook the Avertec’s Buddy really is. Many tech blogs posted pictures of the Korean Averatec Buddy, which is a rebranded ECS G10IL. However, this isn’t the Buddy that will hit the U.S. market.
Averatec just put up its U.S. page which confirms that this Buddy is in fact a rebranded MSI Wind (of which there are many these days). It will retail for $449 when it becomes available later this month. Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.6GHz) News Source: Laptop Magazine |
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Japan to Get Toshiba's Latest Netbook: The NB100
Submitted by shc-boomer on Tue, 09/30/2008 - 05:55
Last week we announced the release date and price of the latest Netbook from Toshiba for the European Market. Well, it will also be available in Japan. As a reminder, our NB100 features an 8.9-Inch LCD screen (LED backlighted) with WSXGA resolution (1024x600), Intel ATOM N270 (1.6GHz), 1GB of RAM, 120GB of HDD. It also comes with Wi-Fi b/g, Bluetooth, three USB ports, and is SD/SDHC/MMC/Memory Stick/Memory Stick PRO cards compatible. At price of 330€ in Europe, in Japan it will cost around 450€… Sometimes it’s better to live in Europe… News Source: Akihabara News |
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LG Teaser Shows 3G Netbook: The Momo
Submitted by shc-boomer on Mon, 09/29/2008 - 22:05
LG is planning the release of a new netbook with 3G internet inside. The X110 Momo is listed on LG's site as "coming soon", and includes the standard netbook features: 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1.3MP webcam, a 10" screen, optional Bluetooth, an SD card reader and Windows XP Home Basic. The addition of an HSUPA 3G radio, though, makes this look a lot more interesting. LG hasn't yet announced any partnerships with cellphone carriers, or even a price. We'll take a guess that it will be around $500, though, if it hopes to compete with the other netbooks out there. The case of the X110 looks very similar to the MSI wind, although slightly more stylish. The Wind's rounded corners have been squared, and LG seem to have solved a big problem with many netbooks by moving the arrow keys slightly downwards. This leaves room for a full sized right-shift key and also means that the three keys to the right of "m" are no longer tiny vestigial dots but full sized buttons. Otherwise, it has the standard slip-in-a-bag form factor od any other netbook. News Source: Wired |
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Averatec Netbook AVN0270N Now Available in Japan
Submitted by shc-boomer on Mon, 09/29/2008 - 22:01| On October 15th, Averatec 1000 will release the AVN0270N. Our Netbook features 10.2-Inch LCD screen with WSGA resolution (1024x600), an Intel Atom N270 (1.6GHz), 1GB of RAM (up to 2GB), 160GB of HDD.
It also comes with Windows XP home, three USB ports, a multicard reader, WiFi b/g, 1.3Mpix camera, and a battery life span of 2.5 hours. News Source: Akihabara News |
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$50 rebate brings 6 cell MSI Wind down to $480
Submitted by shc-boomer on Mon, 09/29/2008 - 20:22| I love it when computer makers get involved in price wars. The Asus Eee PC 1000H and the 6 cell version of the MSI Wind are virtually identical on paper. Both have 10 inch displays, large(ish) keyboards, high capacity batteries, Intel Atom processors, 80GB hard drives and 1GB of RAM. The Eee PC 1000H has a multi-touch trackpad and 802.11n, while the Wind has a keyboard that puts the right shift key in the proper location, and according to at least some tests, may get better battery life.
Once upon a time, you could pick up either computer for about $550. And then Asus dropped the price to about $449. Now MSI appears to be following suit. Amazon is offering a $50 rebate on the already discounted 6 cell version of the MSI Wind, bringing the price to $480. If you value storage space more than battery capacity, you can also pick up a 3-cell version of the MSI Wind with a 120GB hard drive for $480 from Amazon. No rebates necessary. News Source: Liliputing |
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