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notebook posts

ASUS U50VG announced, naming scheme remains impenetrable

by Vladislav Savov, posted Jul 10th 2009 at 10:31AM

Coming in today with no fewer than five new laptops -- the U50VG, K50AB, K70AB, K50IJ and F52Q -- the king of market segmentation is clearly still in good form. Announced in Italy today, the main attraction for Intel fans is the U50VG, which sports a 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo T6500 chip alongside 4GB of memory, 250GB storage, and a Geforce G 105M for a price of €943 or $1,320. A backlit chiclet keyboard, WiFi and a 16:9 display stretching to 15.6-inches fill out the spec sheet. The AMD-based AB variants are 15.6 (€793 / $1,107) and 17.3-inches (€868 / $1,212) respectively -- their main attraction being an ATI Mobility Radeon HD4570 purring inside -- whereas the latter two models are targeted at the budget-conscious crowd. Click through for exhaustive specs and info on each model.

[Via Slashgear]

Colorware offers up $6,000 Stealth MacBook Pro: it's really dark

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 4th 2009 at 4:10PM

Colorware's well known for offering up all sorts of consumer electronics in all sorts of hues, but the outfit has definitely stepped up its game with the Stealth MacBook Pro. This limited edition piece is an all-black 15-inch MacBook Pro with a matte display, 3.06GHz CPU, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, 256GB SSD, an 8x SuperDrive, zero gloss finish and a SofTouch coating that'll make it downright impossible for your fingers to stop stroking it. Reportedly, these will be limited to just ten units, and each one will cost a not-at-all affordable $5,999. See Apple, this is what you get when you voluntarily axe the BlackBook. Opportunity, lost.

[Via Engadget Polska]

Gateway adds the 15.6-inch NV series to its laptop lineup

by Ross Miller, posted Jun 25th 2009 at 12:01AM

Gateway seems to be on a roll with new product announcements lately. Tonight the company's unveiled a new NV series of laptops with one-touch backup and powersaving features. Let's get down to business: the 15.6-inch laptop's got an LED-backlit display with 1366 x 768 widescreen resolution, up to 4GB DDR2 RAM and 320GB HDD, DVD optical drive, 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N, multi-card reader, VGA and HDMI out, four USB 2.0, 6-cell battery, and Windows Vista Home Premium. Fanciful color choices? We got you covered: NightSky Black, Midnight Blue, Cherry Red, and Coffee Brown. Doling out $499 will net you a 2.1 GHz AMD Athlon 64 with Radeon HD 3200 graphics, while the $599 option comes with 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with GMS 4500MHD. Full press release and another glimpse of the laptop after the break.

Continue reading Gateway adds the 15.6-inch NV series to its laptop lineup

Netbook study finds that netbook buyers don't know what netbooks are

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Jun 24th 2009 at 1:04PM

Oh noes! According to some market research dudes, the average consumer cannot tell the difference between a netbook and a notebook. We're inclined to believe that this is simply because the average consumer hasn't perused this handy chart, but what do we know? Of course, the readers of Engadget are an intelligent and sophisticated bunch, one that understands all the intricacies of this -- one of the most important questions of our time. But what about the folks that need to sell netbooks (and notebooks) to 18-24 year olds, one of the main demographics that manufacturers hope to reach with their products? Hit the read link for what's sure to be a gripping (if wicked expensive) report titled Netbooks II: A Closer Look. Or, if you're only moderately curious, feel free to check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Netbook study finds that netbook buyers don't know what netbooks are

Logitech V220 notebook mice now features colors, patterns, psychedelia

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Jun 9th 2009 at 3:46PM

Hey old man, with your "sensible shoes" and your "401(K)" and your "Mr. Acker Bilk," we don't need your boring old Logitech mouse. Your scene is so yesterday, man! We just got an eyeful of the new V220 notebook mice and we gotta say -- these bad boys are outtasight! They feature the same RF-based USB wireless dongle action of its boring gray brethren, but now the three-button peripheral comes in several psychedelic hues, including blue, pink, purple and red. If that weren't enough, three new patterns are also available -- sure to blow the minds of any squares who might accidentally wander in to your hip pad. Ships today for $30, and we got one more pic for you after the break. Now, where did we put that Moby Grape album?

[Via Electronista]

Continue reading Logitech V220 notebook mice now features colors, patterns, psychedelia

Toshiba's WS206T notebook tablet gets handled ahead of Willcom release

by Chris Ziegler, posted Apr 15th 2009 at 9:02AM

Our own Engadget Japanese had an opportunity to play with Toshiba's odd little WS206T for Japanese carrier Willcom -- one of the concept devices demoed at CES, for particularly observant readers and rabid Toshiba fans -- and came away largely unimpressed. Shoving a thin, internet-enabled tablet into an old-school leather notebook sounds cool and all, but the problem is that the hardware's weak -- the screen's smaller than it could be, Willcom's PHS network tops out at just a few hundred kbps, there's no voice calling, and it runs some weird widget-based custom UI on top of Windows CE. What's more, it's a single-touch resistive display, and the UI's said to be annoyingly inconsistent. On the upside, it'll only run ¥2980 (about $30) a month for unlimited data, including the cost of the hardware itself, when it launches later this month -- just don't expect a product that's going to change your life and win you friends.

Video: Via announces Surfboard netbook with 1080p graphics

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Mar 19th 2009 at 1:29PM

Via Technologies has announced its new Surfboard C855 mainboard reference design directed at the netbook market. This guy is built around the company's new VX855 chipset and promises 1080p Full HD video playback, 8-channel HD audio, hardware decoding for H.264, MPEG-2/4, VC-1 and WMV9, and support for Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS and 3G connectivity. According to the company, the thing will play HD video with under 40 percent CPU use, supporting up to 1366 x 768 internal display resolution (1920 x 1440 external). What do you think? Are you a would-be netbook developer looking for "a complete, ready-to-build solution," that offers "a superior multimedia entertainment experience?" Be sure to check out that video after the break.

Continue reading Video: Via announces Surfboard netbook with 1080p graphics

Intel puts the freeze on notebook prices, ponders Calpella delay

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Feb 10th 2009 at 10:41AM

We know what you're thinking. A global economic downturn can only mean one thing: savings! Perhaps, but if you were holding out for a price break on that new Intel-powered laptop, it looks like you may have a little longer to wait. According to DigiTimes, Intel is notifying its partners that it won't be cutting notebook prices before the end of May. If the report is correct, the company will start reducing the price of some notebook CPUs (including the Core 2 Duo T9600) by 13-40% in June, adjusting the launch schedule of its Calpella platform "based on its partners' inventory status and market demand." You know what that means -- no new processor, and no price cuts, not until manufacturers get rid of their current inventory. And it looks like Intel means it. Now go clean up your room or you won't get any dessert.

[Via SlashGear]

Ask Engadget: What's the best netbook out there (redux)?

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 12th 2009 at 11:50PM

It's been just under half a year since we originally asked about the best netbook out there, and a lot has changed in the meanwhile. Thanks to some incessant begging from reader Chad (we kid, we kid), we're putting this out once more for an updated look at your best option for a minuscule lappie.

"Hey guys. How about we pose the topic of best netbook once more since so many new models have arrived since the original? Much appreciated!"

So, what netbooks have impressed you over the back end of '08? Are you still insistent that the first-generation Eee is the one to buy? Are closeout models a better option? Spill it all in comments below, then send us a question of your own at ask at engadget dawt com.

NEC's L series is back -- now in four exciting colors!

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Dec 22nd 2008 at 5:07PM

The last time we saw a LaVie netbook we were seriously taken aback by the company's apparent decision to base its design on that of a ten year old Micron, so it's nice to see that NEC Japan will soon be releasing another of their (relatively) classy L series machines. Due out Christmas Day for about ¥175,000 (about $1,950) the LL750 sports a 15.4-inch, 1280 x 800 LCD display, a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo with Intel graphics, 4GB of memory, 320GB storage, HDMI out and a FeliCa port. No sure on Stateside availability, but lucky consumers in Japan will get their choice between white, pink, black, and red -- how debonair!

[Via Akihabara]

ASUS adds N80V and N50V to its ever-expanding family of laptops

by Laura June, posted Nov 7th 2008 at 3:06PM

Yesterday ASUS stunned and pleased our eyeballs with the announcement of the 12-inch N20A laptop, and today two more get added to the crew: the 14.1-inch N80V and the 15.4-inch N50V. Both have the option of T9400 / P8600 / P7350 Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, up to 4GB of RAM, and each pack NVIDIA's GeForce 9300M GPU with 512MB of VRAM. The N80V has an up to 320GB hard drive capacity while the N50V goes up to 500GB. The N80V boasts a WXGA display and the NV50 offers WXGA / WXGA+ / WSXGA+ options. There's also a stunning selection of ports, including eSATA and HDMI on both of these bad boys. For unequaled spec-reading pleasure, hit the read links.

[Via PC Launches, PC Launches]

Read - ASUS N80V
Read - ASUS N50V

HP's Pavilion G60-120US laptop tries on a 15.6-inch LCD

by Stephanie Patterson, posted Sep 22nd 2008 at 11:11PM

If HP's latest 16-inch notebook didn't grab you for reasons like: "That's a whole 0.4-inches bigger than my desk," then you're in luck, because for about half the price you can now pick up a Pavilion G60-120US Notebook PC -- HP's first 15.6-inch model. The G60, with 1,366 x 768 resolution display, comes caked with all the ho-hum features you might expect from a $629.99 price tag: 2GHz AMD Turion X2 dual-core processor, GeForce 8200M graphics card, webcam, DVD burner, WiFi, Bluetooth, ExpressCard slot and 250GB hard drive. On the other hand, it's got 3GB RAM, Altec Lansing speakers and HDMI output, weighing in at a palatable 6.06 pounds. Not a bad deal, who needs a lousy HDX anyway, right?

[Via Laptoping]

The corntop lives: Fujitsu showing off mostly-biodegradable notebook

by Evan Blass, posted Jan 10th 2008 at 9:25AM

We're not exactly sure what became of that biodegradable laptop being touted by NEC all the way back in 2004, but the concept of corn-based notebook casings is far from dead, with Fujitsu showing off just such a machine at this year's CES. According to Inhabitat, "the main component is polylactic acid, also known as PLA, a resin that comes from the fermentation of the raw biomass from plants," although a small amount of nasty fossil fuels must still be mixed in to create a housing with the proper structural integrity. Fortunately, once the rig is ready for the great gadget heaven in the sky, the plastic can be separated from the PLA so that the latter material can be left to safely biodegrade. No word yet on when we'll see these ~~edible~~ inedible lappies hit the market, so for now we'll have to continue kicking Mother Nature's ass with our biannual tech upgrades.

[Via, and image courtesy of, Inhabitat]

NVIDIA rolls out GeForce 8800M GTX / GTS notebook GPUs

by Donald Melanson, posted Nov 19th 2007 at 3:49PM

It looks like Alienware's decision to announce its latest laptops today was hardly an arbitrary one, as it just so happens that NVIDIA has also chosen the date to get official with its new GeForce 8800 GTX and GTS laptop GPUs, which the Alienware systems are based on. Described as the "World's Fastest Notebook GPU," the 96 stream processors in the GTX model, as opposed to 64 in the GTS. Otherwise, you can expect full DirectX 10 support from each, along with NVIDIA's PureVideo HD engine for your HD decoding needs, up to 512MB of dedicated memory, and NVIDIA's trademark "PowerMizer technology," which promises to "intelligently" balance battery life and performance. According to NVIDIA, in addition to Alienware, you can also expect Eurocom, Gateway, and Sager to offer laptops equipped with the GPUs in North America before too long, with a handful of other companies also set to trot out systems in other parts of the world.

[Via Laptoping]

PC MicroWorks rolls out Black-Hawk XR5 "super notebook"

by Donald Melanson, posted Nov 16th 2007 at 11:33PM

It may not be much to look at, but PC Microworks' new 17-inch Black-Hawk XR5 laptop certainly looks like it has the specs to get the job done, including room for three SATA 300 hard drives and a pair of NVIDIA's new Geforce Go 8800GTX graphics units in SLI mode. Otherwise, you can expect a range of configurable options, including your choice of Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad processors, up to 4GB of 800 MHz DDR2 memory, and an optional Blu-ray burner, to name a few. Look for this one to start shipping sometime next month, with PC MicroWork's default system setting you back $2,779 (although some of those aforementioned options will cost you considerably more than that).