Packard Bell debuts "dot" netbook

Well, it looks like Acer's considerable influence is starting to have an impact on Packard Bell's "trendy" new ways, with the company now trotting out its new "dot" netbook, which bears more than a passing resemblance to Acer's own Aspire One. Those similarities also extend down to the netbook's specs, which include an 8.9-inch 1024 x 600 display, the usual Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, a 6-cell battery, a built-in webcam and card reader, and a slightly bigger than average 160GB hard drive. Somewhat notably, you'll also apparently be able to snag an optional 3G module, and it looks like Windows XP is your only OS option on this one. No word on a release 'round these parts just yet, unfortunately, but those in Europe can look for it to land there in November with a starting price of €399 (or about $580, though that'd no doubt be cut down for a US release).

[Via PC Launches]

[andy @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:00PM]

pass

[Ken @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:05PM]

So, how does this define my "lifestyle"?

[Christian @ Sep 23rd 2008 6:50PM]

small and insignificant?

)P

[Dahk @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:07PM]

Hmmm, bash the words as you may, but I like that seemingly extended trackpad.

[Mile @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:07PM]

Anyone see where the mouse buttons are? I see the touchpad but no buttons.

[Tinu @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:57PM]

Apple has clickwheel, perhaps Toshiba has clickTouchpad hehe.

[aieee @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:59PM]

Looks like they are to the sides of the pad like on the Aspire One...

[smeep2k4 @ Sep 23rd 2008 3:43PM]

They're in the same place as the aspire one. If you look verrrry closely, you can see one on each side of the track pad. I have and Aspire One, and the trackpad is the only thing that really sucks on the device.

[Steve Jobs @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:08PM]

VAIO TT ripoff.

[Melay @ Sep 25th 2008 12:56AM]

Iphone ripoff!!

:D

[Dagreenman18 @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:10PM]

meh.


although the 3g is a nice touch.

[frozenrubber @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:10PM]

It's just an Acer Aspire One. But if Acer or Packard Bell could actually deliver ANY of their 6-cell offerings anytime soon, that would be a better business decision. I'm tired of waiting and may cancel my pre-orders to find something else.

[Ruben @ Sep 23rd 2008 8:15PM]

Dude, your still waiting?

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33114&vpn=LU%2ES410B%2E023&manufacture=Acer

They have been around for weeks now. In stock too.

Im still on the fence on getting one.

[frozenrubber @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:29PM]

NCIX isn't offering the same version. There are two main differences: 1) the webcam is a .3 megapixel, not a 1.3 megapixel camera 2) The keyboard is an international version. In addition to having multiple markings for accents and characters, the shiftkey has been halved to make room for other functions.

I am still waiting for 6 cell Acer Aspire One that has yet to be delivered to any vendors. CDW was supposed to have stock yesterday, but Acer didn't make the scheduled delivery. It is getting ridiculous.

[Chris @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:18PM]

Packard Bell has recently done a great job improving it's image as demonstrated by their lines, their laptops are more appealing and hopefully for them will translate in more marketshare. At that time, the Packard Bell brand still lacks the quality positioning that some of its main competitors have, so they have a long way to go at that time in this fast pace, changing fast market.

Chris
editor
www.bestlaptopsreviews.com

[phanbouy @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:33PM]

I motion that Chris is a PB viral marketing specialist

phanbouy
playboy-at-large
sphinctersaurus.tv

[kjb434 @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:25PM]

Packard Bell? Really?

[Matt @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:26PM]

Grandpa Willis with a story 'bout the past:

Back when I was your age, kids, we used to have them there Packard Bell computers in our Living rooms, here in the States! Big boxes, they were, with turbo buttons and the sort. Why, I used to fire that bad boy on and scream for hours at the Packard Bell Navigator, watching them lights on the front flashing yeller an' green, before finding my way into the good ol' Spider Man Cartoon Maker, they use-ta bundle in dem thangs.

Yesshuree, them were the days.

==========
Okay, I hope someone found even a little humor in this.

[216 @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:28PM]

haha i used to have so much fun with the Spider-Man cartoon maker

[andy @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:30PM]

I chuckled. How I missed that "turbo" button on my 386.

[mark429 @ Sep 24th 2008 10:10AM]

ROFLMAO!! You made my day...

[DENgerous @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:39PM]

Would be funny if somebody will make laptop with this "turbo" button. For example it could switch off 2 core of CPU or switch from integrated to accelerated graphics mode.

[Igotnotes Onya'll @ Oct 21st 2008 2:49AM]

whats funny about is my neighbor had one and we were jelous of him. I read this last week.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/129857-12/the_10_worst_pcs_of_all_time.html

I'll stick with my mini 9 for now

[thejart @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:26PM]

i thought packard bell died...a long time ago.

[crow610 @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:36PM]

ya, just like we though Michale Miers, Jason Vohres, Freddy Kruger, Chucky all died.

[crow610 @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:37PM]

oh ya, and Jaws.

[Mr Cool @ Sep 23rd 2008 3:26PM]

Old computers never die. They just fade away.

[Superevil @ Sep 23rd 2008 3:43PM]

I think your spell checker is broken

[will @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:26PM]

Never really liked packard bell, this is no exception :/ also they need to redesign there logo its horrible!

[crow610 @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:27PM]

circle circle dot dot....

[Grammar freak @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:33PM]

Wow. Packaged Hell is still around? Haven't even thought about them in at least 10 years.

[phanbouy @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:34PM]

do they still have that proprietary boot loader which was instant death to any OS mods?

[KilgoreTrout @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:49PM]

Pack-Bells & HP are at the bottom of the list of my preferences, but really this thing does'nt look half bad.
I hate to admit it but (on paper) its specs look better than my much loved and ingeniously tweaked MSI wind.
Price seems honest too, does'nt it?

[elloh7 @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:49PM]

Oh, wow.. a proper reflection! Here I thought the tacky "flip'n'fade" photoshop reflections had completely taken over.. glad I'm wrong.

:P

[r351574nc3 @ Sep 23rd 2008 4:50PM]

Acer owns commanding stock in Packard Bell. It makes sense that these are so comparable. They should be.

[Sam Zebian @ Sep 23rd 2008 5:19PM]

I read the title thinking they created the domain name enfing .Netbook, like.com. Silly me, oh except that would be a brilliant idea for websites that would be optimized for netbooks.... Engadget.netbook, or engadget.eee, which rolls off the tongue better?

[Ian @ Sep 23rd 2008 9:13PM]

If these are the same as the Acer, why is this one so much uglier? Is it just the Packard Bell name on the laptop that ruins it?

[bryan @ Sep 24th 2008 12:56PM]

Buying an Atom based netbook -weeeeeak... Buying a Packard Bell branded Atom based netbook -stuuuuupid...

[Marcus Hesse @ Sep 26th 2008 1:26PM]

It's even trendy enough to come with a seven year-old operating system!