ConsumerUltraLowVoltage
Latest
Dell's 11.6-inch Inspiron 11z thin-and-light now on sale for $399
Dell may have ditched the 12-inch Mini netbook, but for those still looking for something a touch larger than 10-inches, there's the all-new Inspiron 11z. Strictly classified as a "thin-and-light," this three-pound machine measures in at just one-inch thick and ships with a 1.2GHz Celeron 723 processor, a 1,366 x 768 LED-backlit panel, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 250GB (5400RPM) SATA hard drive, GS45 integrated graphics, WiFi, a 3-cell battery and nary an optical drive to speak of. There's also a 1.3 megapixel camera, twin stereo speakers, an Ethernet port, three USB sockets, a 3-in-1 multicard reader and an HDMI output, though we get the feeling Windows Vista won't be too happy with the hardware. Thankfully, you can drop your $399 now and snag Windows 7 on the cheap here in just a few months.[Thanks, Joe]
MSI readying 14-inch X-Slim X400 laptop
Ruh roh -- looks like MSI's about to pull an ASUS. While the introduction of a few good X-Slim laptops is find and dandy, we're already starting to lose count of 'em. Aside from the X320, X340 and X600, the outfit is apparently readying a 14-inch variant that will be tagged X400. The news was outed at a company event over in Japan this weekend, and while details outside of the diagonal screen size were short, we can probably expect it to hum along on a CULV (Consumer Ultra Low Voltage) chipset and be just as sexy as its more diminutive counterparts. If we were betting folks, we'd probably expect an official specifications sheet to hit just in time for Computex. Right, MSI?
MSI's CULV-packin' X-Slim X340 ships this month in US
MSI already told us that its ultraslim, super-sexy, WiMAX-ready X-Slim X340 would be starting at right around $1,000, and now we're being told that the planet's first laptop to be based on Intel's CULV (consumer ultra low voltage) platform will be shipping in April. As in, this month. For the forgetful souls in the crowd, this here ultraportable will ship with an SU3500 CULV processor that consumes just 5.5 watts of power and a 4-cell battery. Now, to find a retailer 'round these parts willing to let you pre-order one...
Compal producing August-bound ultraportable for Dell?
With the Studio XPS 13 and newfangled Adamo already in its pocket, what other ultraportable does Round Rock really need? That's a question that Compal seems eager and ready to answer, at least according to Chinese-language Commercial Times. The all-too-scant report mentions that the ultrathin laptop will be based on Intel's excruciatingly slow (but power-sipping) CULV (consumer ultra low voltage) processor and should start shipping this August. Our best (and only, really) guess as to what Dell's mystery machine could be? That already planned Mini 11, which we heard earlier this month would be ready between yesterday and Q3.
MSI outs full specs of X-Slim X320 / X340 and Wind U123
While MSI has been teasing its Wind U123 and X-Slim X320 / X340 laptops for a little while now, we've yet to see the full specifications for each rig laid out. Until now, of course. Over at CTIA in Vegas, the company is revealing all the dirty details about what makes these May-bound rigs tick, and we're pleased as punch to see a few unexpected inclusions. As for the 10.2-inch U123, you'll find a 1.66GHz Atom N280 CPU, integrated WWAN and even a built-in TV tuner. As for the X-Slim X340 (starting around $1,000), it's amongst the first to feature Intel's newfangled CULV platform, which sucks down one-sixth the power of a regular mobile CPU. The X320 (starting at $700) gets gifted with a less exciting 1.6GHz Atom Z530, but the optional 3G / WiMAX module definitely makes it altogether enticing for those scouting a continually connected ultraportable. Head on past the break for the full hardware breakdown.
Acer reportedly launching laptops based on Intel's CULV platform
We don't doubt that Acer's cooking up a few laptops based on Intel's forthcoming consumer ultra low voltage (CULV) platform, but we do have serious reservations about 'em coming out next month. Last we heard, the platform was still on track for a summer release, and at least in our hemisphere, April ain't summer. For what it's worth, Taiwan Economic News is reporting that Acer is looking to launch 11.6-, 13-, 14- and 15-inch machines with CULV processors within, and if rumors prove true, at least some of 'em will make their debut next month. Don't bet the farm, but you're probably safe to pencil it in.[Via NotebookReview]
