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Ripple updates its Look nettop with Fusion E-Series chip, leaves its handsome design alone
We don't cover nettops a whole lot around these parts, but we were powerless not to gawk when Ripple Korea unveiled the Look, a shapely nettop with a slick paintjob to match. At the time, it packed a dual-core Atom processor and integrated Intel graphics, in keeping with nettops' reputation for not being the most powerful PCs on the shelf. The next generation might be a bit more capable, though -- Ripple just refreshed it with an AMD Fusion E-350 ("Zacate") chip, which means you can almost certainly expect a bump in graphics performance this go 'round. Other than that, the specs haven't changed much: like the previous generation, it comes with 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. No word on pricing, though if the Fusion version is like its Atom-powered predecessor, you'll have your best chances of nabbing one if you make the pilgrimage to Seoul.
Apple refreshes MacBook Air with Sandy Bridge, Thunderbolt, and backlit keyboards
They say Apple updates its products like clockwork, releasing something new at the same time in the same place every year. Not so with MacBook Airs anyway. The outfit's gone and freshened up its 13-inch and 11-inch ultraportables -- the second such update in nine months. Although the industrial design hasn't changed much since the last generation, both models step up to Sandy Bridge Core i5 and i7 processors, Thunderbolt ports, backlit keyboards, and, of course, OS X Lion. The 11.6-inch flavor starts at $999 with 64GB of solid-state storage, 2GB of memory and a 1.6GHz Core i5 processor. The higher-end of the two configurations costs $1,199, with the extra two hundred dollars doubling your RAM and storage. The 13-inch Air, meanwhile, starts at $1,299, with a 128GB SSD, 4GB of RAM, and a 1.7GHz Core i5 CPU. Step up to the $1,599 model and you'll get a 256GB SSD instead. Regardless, you're looking at Intel HD 3000 graphics across the board, along with FaceTime webcams, two USB ports (plus an SD slot on the 13-inch version), 802.11n WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.0. The two differ when it comes to resolution and battery life: the 11-incher has a 1366 x 768 panel and is rated for up to five hours of battery life, whereas the 13-inch model has a 1440 x 900 screen and promises up to seven hours of juice. As for that 1.8GHz Core i7 CPU, it'll set you back an extra $100 on the 13-inch version, and $150 for the 11-inch version. Whichever size you choose, it's only an option for the higher-end configuration. Hit the source link to peep the specs and buy one, if you're so inclined. %Gallery-128755%
Samsung refreshes 13-inch Series 9 laptop, adds two 11-inchers to the mix
It's only been three months since we drooled over the thin, powerful, expertly built -- and expensive! -- Samsung Series 9. Of course, that's dog years in the world of consumer electronics -- the company has just refreshed its premium 13-incher, adding a Core i7 processor option, a 256GB SSD (up from 128GB), and 6GB of RAM to the highest-end model. While Samsung was at it, it added two 11-inch models, the lower-end of which which starts with a Core i3 processor, 64GB SSD, and 2GB of RAM. All told, you'll find two 11-inchers and three 13-inch models, ranging in price from $1,049 to $2,049, leaving the one we reviewed three months ago $300 cheaper. Full PR and a list of basic specs after the break.
Acer Liquid Mini intros four new flavors, each tastes like Gingerbread
Subtle variation is the name of the game with Acer's redesigned Liquid Mini smartphone. Traditionally styled with blue, pink, silver, black and green enclosures, the company is re-introducing the handset with colors named lagoon, cherry, pearl and steel. It's not just the outside that's getting a makeover, either. Inside, users will be treated to Android 2.3 alongside version 4.2 of Acer's customized interface which features widgets on the home screen and a repositioned status bar that's said to no longer interfere with your typing. Finally, the Taiwan company is including a freshly minted SocialJogger 2.0, which combines Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and Plurk -- we hear the last one is popular in the manufacturer's home country. The specs Acer provided suggest its RAM was reduced to 256MB, but other components remain the same -- including a 600MHz Qualcomm MSM7227 processor, 5 megapixel camera and DLNA capability. Pricing hasn't been established, though you'll (hopefully) find it for next to nothing on contract. Find a full press release after the break, including this doozy: "Liquidmini the best in fresh, fun and alluring design!"
Acer Iconia Tab A500 and ASUS Eee Pad Transformer getting Android 3.1 updates in June
Well, that was fast. Almost immediately after Google unveiled Android 3.1, Motorola was first out of the gate with an update, and now, not even a week later, Acer and ASUS are following suit with plans to freshen up their respective tablets with the newly minted software. To recap, 3.1's benefits include resizeable widgets, support for USB peripherals, and new Movies and Books apps, among other perks. Acer confirmed to us that it aims to start selling the Iconia Tab A500 with 3.1 next month, as well as upgrade existing units running Android 3.0. ASUS, meanwhile, has been touting the impending update for the Eee Pad Transformer on its Italian Facebook page. To which we say, grazie!
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 ups the interchangeable lens ante with fancy new touchscreen
Right on schedule, Panasonic's gone and made its thinly-veiled Lumix DMC-G3 Micro Four Thirds shooter official. The camera succeeds the G2 with a 16 megapixel sensor, support for 1080p AVCHD video recording with stereo audio, 4fps burst shooting at full resolution, and an articulating, 3-inch touchscreen that supplants some of the dials adorning the last-gen model. In addition to poking around menus, you can touch that display to focus on your subject, and slide your finger to tweak exposure, white balance, and depth of field -- all in all, not unlike how you might interact with a smartphone camera. And, at 11.8 ounces, the aluminum-clad body weighs about ten percent less than its predecessor. Look for it in June for $700 in brown, red, and white -- in addition to your garden-variety black. In the market for something more compact? Panny also trotted out the Lumix-FH7, a 16 megapixel point-and-shoot with 4x optical zoom and 720p movie recording. Oodles of photos below with a press release after the break. %Gallery-123430% %Gallery-123421%
HP unveils the Pavilion dv4, Envy 14 with Sandy Bridge, and a redesigned Mini 210
With a Sandy Bridge refresh, a new 14-inch mainstream laptop, and a redesigned netbook, HP's latest crop of consumer systems offers a little something for everyone. First up, there's the 14-inch Pavilion dv4 (not to be confused with the metal-clad dm4), which bears the same Imprint finish and CoolSense technology as its siblings and ushers in a striking cobalt blue color option, as you can see in the photo above. Look for it on May 18 with a starting price of $600. Then there's the revamped Mini 210, which swaps last year's not-too-glossy plastic lid for candy-colored lids, and adds a seamless touchpad, edge-to-edge 10.1-inch display, and a flush six-cell battery promising up to 8.8 hours of battery life -- an upgrade over last year's standard four-cell. Spec-wise, nothing has changed from the current 210, except for the addition of Beats Audio, something you'll find across HP's notebook lineup. It'll be available on June 15 and cost $300 for the charcoal version -- alas, you'll have to pony up $330 for one of the punchier colors. For now, be sure to check out our video hands-on. Lastly, HP did the predictable and refreshed the high-end Envy 14 with Sandy Bridge CPU options and USB 3.0. It also promises an improved touch experience -- something we bemoaned in our review last year -- with a trackpad that uses optical sensors to analyze your multitouch gestures. That will go on sale June 15 for $1,000 and up. %Gallery-123016% %Gallery-123021%
