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HP Pavilion dv3 with multitouch screen spotted in the wild, we go hands-on

by Richard Lai posted Oct 27th 2009 at 7:28PM

Our curious British fingers managed to stumble upon a European HP Pavilion dv3 blessed with Windows 7 and multitouch on both the screen and the trackpad. The keyboard was great to type on with negligible flex, but the trackpad suffers from the same glossy issues on other recent HPs -- although it responded to our multitouch gestures better than the capacitive screen did. Our major annoyance came from the attempts to rotate pictures on the screen: we learned the hard way that the laptop (or Windows 7 itself) seemed to prefer more exaggerated rotation gestures than the MacBooks -- perhaps one would get used to it over time. The hinge is fairly solid, but we still preferred holding the screen while touching it. On a brighter note we totally dig the inclusion of an HDMI port and an eSATA port, plus you'll get up to seven hours of sweet battery juice from this 2.24kg (4.94 pounds) machine. Read on for our hands-on video and photo gallery.

Gallery: HP Pavilion dv3 with multitouch screen spotted in the wild, we go hands-on

Continue reading HP Pavilion dv3 with multitouch screen spotted in the wild, we go hands-on

New Eee PC Seashells sport Windows 7 Starter, less battery life

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 21st 2009 at 6:44PM

Ah, Windows 7 Starter -- you're adding to the retail cost of netbooks, and for what? Lack of support for multiple monitors, DVD playback, or remote media streaming? Lack of Windows Media Center? Granted, these things aren't at the top of your list if you're rocking a netbook (and DVD playback won't be on your list at all) but we have principles, y'know? And that leads us to the next batch of Eee PCs that will fly the flag of the aforementioned OS. Both machines sport your standard Atom N280, 1GB memory, IEEE802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, and customary 10.1-inch display. Of the two, the 1005HR-WS sports WXGA, a 250GB HDD, and will run you ¥49,800 (about $546). The 1005HE-WS, however, is WSVGA and comes in two capacities: 250GB HDD for ¥46,800 ($513) or 160GB HDD for ¥44,800 (about $490). In addition to that jive Starter edition of Windows, battery life for these guys has decreased to about 8.4 hours. Available in Japan come mid-November.

[Via Engadget Japan]

Gigabyte T1028X and M1022X netbooks launch in Japan, Win 7 in tow

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 21st 2009 at 2:20AM

In anticipation of the Thursday's launch, the crazy kids at Gigabyte Japan have refreshed two of their netbook lineup to include Windows 7 Starter. Unfortunately for the T1028X tablet we've been tracking for a while now, this flavor of the OS doesn't support multitouch. While that makes a touchscreen far less attractive in our eyes, maybe you're into that sort of thing. Who knows? That said, new OS aside, you're pretty much looking at the same old netvertible. Also on tap, the M1022X brings the M1022M docking netbook up to speed, adding a 6 cell battery (boasting 8 hours of use) to the 10.1-inch, Atom N280-powered ultraportable. Look for that one to retail for ¥66,800 ($738) while the T1028X fetches ¥72,800 ($804).

[Via Netbooked]

iiView A2 borrows Apple's panache for a Win 7 netbook

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 19th 2009 at 6:14PM

Manufacturers the world over have given this one some serious thought, and they've decided that you want something that feels like a MacBook Air, looks (vaguely) like a MacBook Air, and doesn't run OS X. Available come October 22, the iiView A2 features an Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz CPU, 2GB DDR2 RAM, 320GB HDD, a 12.1-inch display, and 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless. Shipping for $399 with Windows 7, this guy will look right at home next to your award-winning collection of Air KIRFs -- and won't break the bank in the process. Hit that read link for more info.

[Via ChipChick]

Vaio X series thin-and-light reviewed: 'It's really thin! And light!'

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 16th 2009 at 11:43AM

In the mood for a thin-and-light, got $1,300 burning a hole in your pocket? Have we got a lappie for you! The kids at T3 have put the new Sony Vaio X through its ever-lovin' paces recently and have been kind enough (and gracious enough) to give us the scoop. In short, there's a lot to love about the thing: thinner than even the MacBook Air (yet packed with an ethernet connection, VGA, and two USB ports) and "super light," this guy offers an "impressive" 11.1-inch display with "excellent color reproduction." On the other hand, while the carbon fiber keeps weight down, it isn't too terribly sturdy -- the entire body "flexing alarmingly under light pressure." And sure, you're paying quite a premium for an Atom CPU, but hey -- maybe you're into that sort of a thing. If so, hit the read link for the rest of the story.

Sony VAIO X announced, starts at $1,299

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 7th 2009 at 6:32PM

Sony's just started a laptop-oriented event in NYC, but we just got our hands on what look like unpublished web pages for the new VAIO X and VAIO CW and an updated VAIO L machines. All of 'em now run Windows 7, of course, but the big news is apparent confirmation that the VAIO X will indeed have a 2GHz Atom -- although it's listed at a "2GHz Intel Processor," the 533MHz bus speed also listed pretty much gives it away. And no, you're not getting an Ion in this deal to make up for that starting $1,300 price tag -- it's Intel GMA500 graphics all the way. You're also getting an integrated Verizon 3G card and both the standard and extended batteries, however. Still is that insane? It's probably insane.

We'll keep you updated as the event goes on, stay with us!

gScreen Spacebook caught on video working its dual-screen magic

by Ross Miller posted Sep 12th 2009 at 11:37PM

Admittedly, we had our doubts when we first heard about gScreen's dual-screen Spacebook portable and saw only renders and prototypes not shown working. We've now got video of the laptop in action, although the company couldn't have done much more to make it a less appealing presentation. The glimpse is seconds long, the resolution is very low and lighting is poor, but it does seem to be working solution. Video beyond the read link, here's hoping next time around we get something a little clear.

Santech LV1 is low voltage and low fat, but not low price

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 31st 2009 at 8:39AM

Santech might not be the most familiar name around here, but the company has a bit of history in the mobile field, and its latest 13.3-inch effort definitely merits a second look. Coming in under that magical mental barrier of an inch in thickness and sporting an Intel CULV processor, it's slinky and (just) powerful enough to be called an ultraportable. Add in a claimed 12 hours of battery life, and the LV1 would seem like a viable competitor to Acer's Timeline series, but it falters on pricing, which -- once you add the 8-cell battery to the base unit of a SU3500 1.4GHz CPU, 2GB RAM and 160GB HDD -- is €701 ($1,003) after taxes, or €100 more than an almost identical Aspire 3810T from Acer.

[Via Notebook Italia]

Acer Timeline 1810T gets renamed and reviewed ahead of imminent US release

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 16th 2009 at 10:16PM

With a 1.4GHz Intel SU3500 chip, up to 4GB of memory and a 1366 x 768 display, Acer's 11.6-inch Timeline 1810T threatens to bridge the usability gap between netbooks and workhorse laptops. And now that the first review has come in, we can say that the verdict is... well, ambivalent. Multitasking, battery life and general build quality scored the thumbs up, but the glossy screen and casing weren't so well received, and 1080p and Flash video playback were hit-and-miss. Set to be known as the Aspire 1410 in the US, this grown-up netbook is expected to arrive pretty soon, with some online retailers already offering pre-orders at $450. The video review is after the break, or hit the read link to check out the unboxing and more extensive thoughts on the laptop.

[Via Netbooked]

Read - 1810T to be sold as 1410 in US
Read - 1810T / 1410 unboxing and review

Continue reading Acer Timeline 1810T gets renamed and reviewed ahead of imminent US release

LG X130 goes from dawn till dusk on standard 9-cell battery

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 14th 2009 at 1:42PM

12 hours. That, according to LG, is the new benchmark by which all wannabe long-lasting laptops will have to measure up. Of course, we've seen similar aftermarket solutions before, but it's good to see a manufacturer stick a flag in the ground -- and a big rump on the back -- in the race for the highest endurance netbook. And boy is the X130 a netbook: 1024 x 600 resolution, 10-inch screen and the predictable Atom N270 et al. Koreans can grab one now for 789,000 Won ($639), with almost worldwide availability to follow shortly. Check out our review of the X120 for a flavor of LG's history in the market, while we go look for actual benchmarks undermining that legendary battery life claim.

[Via Trusted Reviews]

Lanyu LY-EB01 is world's cheapest laptop with built-in obsolescence

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 13th 2009 at 11:32AM

Step aside, World's Cheapest Laptop, Lanyu of China just undercut you -- and the magical $100 barrier -- with the 666 Yuan ($98) LY-EB01. This marketing marvel might have a processor slower than most netbooks' FSB at 266MHz, and its 128MB of RAM might spontaneously combust if you even type the word Vista into it, but it is, technically, a laptop. And you can totally store, like, a few hundred Word files on the 2GB flash drive. Having played around with the previous champ of the 'cheap 'n useless' weight class, we must at least congratulate Lanyu on a solid looking construction, and hey, apparently there's a chance for a release outside China. Aren't you excited?

[Via Cloned in China]

Lenovo caves, lets you order 14-inch IdeaPad U450p laptop

by Darren Murph posted Aug 12th 2009 at 6:57AM

Apparently the note sent in by the collective internet had its desired effect, as the machine we knew was sitting somewhere in a Lenovo R&D lab two weeks ago is now available to order. The IdeaPad U450p packs a 14-inch "anti-glare" display (1,366 x 768 resolution), your choice of Intel's 1.3GHz SU2700 or 1.4GHz SU3500 CPU, Windows Vista Home Premium, GMA X4500 integrated graphics, 3GB or 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 250GB or 320GB 5400RPM hard drive, six-cell Li-ion battery, WiFi and a bundled DVD writer with Ultrabase. Current shipping estimates show that machines ordered today won't arrive until mid-September, but those with ample amounts of patience (and at least $799 in marked US bills) can get in line right now.

[Thanks, M. Hellenthal]

Video: Gigabyte T1028X unboxed, handled, available in good ol' USA

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 11th 2009 at 4:07PM

Looks like we've got not one, but two nuggets of good news for you today: firstly, the latest Gigabyte swivel-screen tablet has been unboxed, undressed and appropriately groped up, and secondly, Amazon have now got stock of the device at $679 plus shipping. That might still seem a bit rich for a netbook, albeit with expanded functionality, but it's significantly more affordable than what our European comrades have to pay. As to the unboxing -- and there's a lot of it since Gigabyte decided to pack the unit in like a matryoshka -- the Liliputing crew do a thorough inspection as well as a size comparison against devices from ASUS and Lenovo. Slide past the break to see the pair of videos and judge for yourself.

Continue reading Video: Gigabyte T1028X unboxed, handled, available in good ol' USA

Gigabyte T1028X TouchNote brings fresher specs, steeper price

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 10th 2009 at 10:24AM

It's only been a few months since Gigabyte unveiled the 1028M netbook / tablet hybrid, but its successor is already available to buy in Europe. Announced in Hong Kong last month, the 1028X ups the resolution to 1366 x 768 on the 10.1-inch swivel display and bundles a 6-cell 7650 mAh battery for a purported six and a half hours of juice. There's also an utterly meaningless 60MHz CPU upgrade from the Atom N270 to the N280, but the most surprising thing of all might be the price: €622 ($877). That's an awful lot of damage for what is still very much a netbook, but then if you simply must have a touchscreen display in that specific size range, there isn't much competition going around. At least for now.

[Via Slashgear]

Read -- Gigabyte product page
Read -- European reseller

Snapdragon and Tegra smartbook rumors swirl before likely year end push

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 3rd 2009 at 9:51AM

DigiTimes is reporting -- in its usual sourceless, rumorific way -- that a slew of Taiwanese manufacturers are set to deliver smartbooks based on the Snapdragon and Tegra chipsets by the fourth quarter of this year. Acer is leading the charge with an Android-sporting device, adding to its push of the Google mobile OS, while Mobinnova has confirmed US and European orders for its 8.9-inch élan, shipments of which might top half a million units in 2009. In the meantime, Inventec is expected to launch a 10-inch Tegra smartbook entitled Rainbow, which is probably set for a prompt rebadge. On the other hand, citing what it sees as weak demand, ASUS is holding back and won't launch anything until November at the earliest. While none of these rumors are massively surprising, and given the source could be downright erroneous, they do hint at a wild, industry-wide synergy of smartbook rollout for the holiday period. And we all love synergy.