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HP refreshes the Pavilion dm1 with a new design, optional Intel ULV Core i3 CPU (video)
Eight months is dog years in the world of consumer electronics and yet, we still have a soft spot for the HP Pavilion dm1, a dirt-cheap 11.6-inch ultraportable that ushered in AMD's long-awaited Fusion chips. HP just announced the second-gen model, a refresh that includes some spec bumps, as well as a new design and some software add-ons (because we loved the bloatware load so much in the original!). Getting the performance boost out of the way, it'll now be offered with an ultra-low voltage Core i3 processor, while the Fusion options now include the E-300 and E-450 chips (until now, it's been sold with the E-350). The AMD versions will start at $399 with the Core i3 model fetching $599 and up. For some reason even HP doesn't seem able to explain, the Intel version will come with an external optical drive, but the AMD models won't. At least you know you'll be getting more than Intel's brand name for those extra two hundred bucks. The version with the black, non-reflecting lid will go on sale October 30, with a glossier charcoal number available September 21. Until then have a gander at our hands-on shots and walk-through video. %Gallery-131824% %Gallery-130799%
Dell intros slimmed-down Inspiron 13z and 14z laptops with aluminum lids, USB 3.0
Can you blame Dell for deciding its laptops needed a makeover? After suffering some serious market share losses and earning a reputation for bland designs and questionable customer service, we can see why the company would be keen on revamping its lineup as a way of distancing itself from its not-so-sunny rap. That seems to be precisely what the outfit's doing with the Inspiron 13z and 14z, which Dell unveiled today. Both laptops move to aluminum lids and palm rests, available in a small (and fairly toned-down) color selection, with black and red being your only choices. The two have also whittled to under an inch thick, with the beefier 14z leaving enough room for an optical drive. Not surprisingly, the resolution's 1366 x 768 -- precisely what you'd expect in a $600 laptop. Also predictable: this generation of Inspirons offers USB 3.0 and Sandy Bridge, with a choice of Core i3 and Core i5 processors. Both models start at $599.99, with the 14z available in the states today, and the 13z launching in "select" Asian countries. Curious? We've got a handful of hands-on shots below and the full PR after the break. %Gallery-130429%
Gateway NV5933u review
A Core i3 processor, Blu-ray drive, and 320GB hard drive for $629.99 -- does the Gateway NV5933u really need more of an introduction than that? We didn't think so, since that's all it took for us to track down the budget multimedia 15.6-inch laptop and get it into our eager hands. For a budget system it sure has the specs to carry it on home, but after the dog has barked at the mailman and you've gotten it out of the box, how is it in actual everyday use? You know where to find out. We'll see you after the break in our full review. %Gallery-89097%
MSI's new CX420, CR420 and CR720 laptops put Intel's new processors to good, workaday use
Smell that? That's a smell of a real man's budget computer, doing real manly things like task processing and pixel churning. MSI's new CX420, CR420 and CR720 laptops aren't much for looks, but under the hood you can find new-gen Core i Series processors across the board and ATI Radeon HD5470 graphics in the CX420 (pictured). Sure, there's only Intel integrated HD graphics in the CR420 and CR720, and the 1366 x 768 14-inch displays in the CX420 / CR420 are a bit of a letdown, but knowing MSI we're sure the prices for this trio will more than make up for any mild disappointments on the spec sheet. Hit up the PR for the full breakdown, but there's no release date to be found just yet.
Compaq CQ61 does 15.6-inch screen and "real" processor for $399, wonders what all that netbook fuss was about
It doesn't usually take much to identify the type of person that's suited for a netbook and the type of person that's suited for a budget laptop, but unfortunately not all of them can self select -- we're pretty sure a lot of folks who picked the former option would be pretty pleased to trade up for this here Compaq CQ61 right about now, the followup to the well-received Walmart-destroying CQ60. Compaq is becoming HP's "value" brand in the US, and we'd say the CQ61 is a pretty nice way to flex those wallet-friendly credentials for a wider audience than the Walmart set. It's built on a 2GHz AMD Sempron M100 processor, ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics, 2GB of RAM and Windows 7 Home Premium, with a WXGA 15.6-inch screen, 160GB HDD and DVD burner to boot. HP was a bit cagey on what sort of battery life to expect out of the included 6-cell (our guess is not much), and of course the laptop won't be winning any beauty pageants, but it's a pretty nice score for the truly cash-strapped student or anyone else who needs a full-fledged laptop on the cheap without all the netbook compromises. Still too rich for your blood? Compaq's CQ4010 slim desktop weighs in with relatively similar specs and a $319 pricetag. %Gallery-75374% %Gallery-75375%
Inventec intros $230, 10.1-inch V10 laptop for China
If the current crop of cheaptops are still a bit too pricey for your taste, you may want to keep an eye out for Inventec's new V10 laptop, which apparently costs a mere 1,600 Chinese yuan (or about $230) . That'll get you a bigger than usual 10.1-inch display, but a decidedly lackluster 1GHz VIA C3 processor, along with 128MB of RAM (apparently upgradeable), a 20GB hard drive, and built-in Ethernet but seemingly no WiFi to speak of (there are two USB ports, though). Of course, there's no word on a release 'round these parts, but we'd expect there to be at least a decent market for these given the price / screen size combo
Is this Intel's Netbook?
We're not exactly sure what to make of this one just yet, but the photo above seems to indicate that Intel may be hopping on the quickly growing sub-$400 laptop bandwagon. Reportedly spotted at an undisclosed OEM facility, the so-called Netbook would weigh less than three pounds, arrive in June and feature a 900MHz Celeron processor, 512MB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive, 9-inch display, built-in WiFi / Ethernet and a convenient carry handle à la Eduwise. We know, you've no idea how you're going to contain your excitement over another budget priced lappie, but feel free to tap the read link for a couple more snapshots.
Acer prices themselves right out of "low-cost" laptop game
Acer's little low-cost laptop plans just emerged from the rumor closet. Chairman J.T. Wang says they'll launch a cheap-o, 7- to 9-inch laptop in Q2 or Q3 of 2008. That puts the world's number 3 computer maker in direct competition with the Eee PC and CloudBook in the burgeoning low-end laptop market. However, Acer should really re-think their expected price point of "around $470." After all, Dell's full, 15.4-inch laptops start at just $499.
Eee PC killer coming from Acer?
Is Acer prepping to go head-to-head with ASUS in the surprisingly hot low-cost laptop market? A Chinese-language Commercial Times report says so. The laptops are expected to carry 8- and 9-inch displays when launched "late in the first quarter or early second quarter" and priced to compete directly with the Eee. Of course, ASUS is planning their own refresh about that time so Acer (and Everex) had better keep on its toes.
Acer kicks out Extensa 4620 laptops on the cheap
Sure, Acer may be marketing its Extensa lineup to small business owners, but there's nothing that says bargain hunters can get in on one, too. The 14.1-inch Extensa 4620 comes loaded with Windows XP Professional (sorry, Vista aficionados), 1GB of RAM, a 120GB hard drive, dual-layer DVD burner, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, gigabit Ethernet, a 56k modem, GMA 3100 graphics chipset and a six-cell Li-ion good for around two hours. The first of the two 4620 iterations (that'd be the 6294, break out the pencils!) sports an Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 CPU, while the 4620-4054 rocks a T2310. According to Acer, both of the lappies are available now throughout North America for $799 and $699, respectively.[Via I4U News]
HP rolls out budget-priced HP 530 laptops
HP may have let loose most of its new laptops in one fell swoop during the Santa Rosa madness last week, but it looks like it still has a few stragglers to push out the door, introducing a pair of budget-priced models in its new HP 530 series today (a follow-up to the 510). True to their budget nature, these two miss out on the Santa Rosa upgrade, although that adherence to yesterday's tech will at least save you quite a bit of cash. On the lowest of the low end, the $549 GH635AT model packs a 1.46GHz Celeron M 410 processor, Intel's 940GML Express chipset, 802.11b/g WiFi, and a DVD/CD-RW combo drive. Dropping $699 for the GH640AT model will upgrade that to a 1.6GHz T2050 Core Duo processor, Intel's 945GM Express chipset, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, a dual-layer DVD burner, and Windows Vista Business (as opposed to Home Basic). Both laptops are otherwise identical, packing the same 15.4-inch WXGA display, 512MB RAM (expandable to 2GB), and 80GB hard drive. If that'll do, you should soon be able to snag either one of these laptops from all the usual HP resellers.[Via Laptoping]
