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Packard Bell debuts dot m/u 'netbook with the performance of a notebook'

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 16th 2009 at 6:16AM

Packard Bell sure has been keeping itself busy lately with some new laptops, desktops, and even the odd display, but it looks like it's not quite ready to stop this train just yet, and it's now also introduced its new dot m/u "netbook." According to Packard Bell, that is the "first netbook with the performance of a notebook," which could also mean that it's simply not a netbook at all depending on your point of view. Either way, the device is small and light (just over three pounds with an 11.6-inch screen), and a definite step up from your average Atom-based netbook in terms of performance, with it packing an unspecified Intel ULV processor, up to 4GB of RAM, a max 500GB hard drive, a multitouch trackpad, a 5-in1 memory card reader, and Windows 7 Home Premium for an OS. Of course, its £399 price tag (or about $650) is also an upgrade over your usual netbook, and you'll naturally have to wait for Windows 7 to ship before it does.

Packard Bell's Viseo 200T display gets multi-touchy-feely next month

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 11th 2009 at 5:01PM

We don't see too many multitouch displays for desktop systems in these parts, but if Packard Bell has its way that's likely to change tout de suite. Not only has the company just announced its oneTwo line of all-in-one PCs with touchscreen displays at CEDIA, but now its back with the Viseo 200T Touch Edition -- a 20-inch multitouch monitor featuring built-in stereo speakers, a 16:9 aspect ratio, 50,000:1 contrast ratio, 5ms response time, and VGA and DVI input. When this thing hits Merry Olde England in mid-October, you can expect to pay roughly £200 (about $330) to take advantage of all that Windows 7 multitouch magic. And, believe us, it is truly magical.

Packard Bell debuts oneTwo line of all-in-one PCs

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 10th 2009 at 12:13PM

It seems like a no-brainer, introducing small footprint, multitouch Windows machines to rooms usually off-limits to PCs. HP's certainly taking a stab at it, and now the "trendy lifestyle brand" (ugh) Packard Bell is going for the gold in Europe. First up, the oneTwo L sports a 23-inch (1600 x 900) display, an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670 graphics, E-SATA, and optional Blu-ray drive and DVB TV tuner. For the more budget-conscious touchscreen fiend, the oneTwo M comes in with a 20-inch (1920 x 1080) display, Intel Core 2 Duo T6600, and ATI Mobility Radeon HD series 4500. Both will ship with Windows 7, up to 8GB RAM, PacBell's TouchGadgets (including TouchFriends social networking integration for Flickr and Facebook, TouchMusic media player, TouchMemo, and TouchMediaShare), a 5-in-1 memory card reader, and a webcam. You can expect to pay €999 ($1,452) for the former, or €599 ($872) for the latter. On sale October 22. Video after the break.

Continue reading Packard Bell debuts oneTwo line of all-in-one PCs

Packard Bell debuts 15.6-inch EasyNote Butterfly m laptop

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 8th 2009 at 8:49PM

Well, we didn't get a chance to check it out first hand at IFA, but Packard Bell did make a showing of its own at the show, and took the opportunity to debut this new EasyNote Butterfly m laptop. As you can see above, this new model one-ups the smaller 13.4-inch EasyNote ButterFly with a slightly sleeker design (and a shiny silver exterior), but it keeps things mostly in check inside, with it packing an unspecified low-voltage processor, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 graphics (which can be switched off to save power), a max 640GB hard drive, up to 4GB of RAM, and all the usual niceties like a multi-touch trackpad, Bluetooth 2.1, and 802.11n WiFi. Still no word on a release over here, but folks in Europe should be able to pick one up next month for a starting price of €599 (or just under $900).

[Via Notebook Italia]

Packard Bell debuts updated ixtreme desktop PC

by Donald Melanson posted Jul 11th 2009 at 4:11AM

Packard Bell already rolled out its updated line of imedia desktop PCs earlier this month, and it's now done the same with its higher-end "ixtreme" desktop, which gets some upgraded specs and a sleek new look. While that exterior is certainly a step up for Packard Bell, it's not quite as eye-catching as the specs, which include your choice of Core i7, Core 2 Quad, or AMD Phenom II X4 processors, up to 12GB of DDR3 memory, a max 3TB of storage space, your choice of a few NVIDIA graphics options (including the 1GB GeForce GTS 250), an optional Blu-ray combo drive, and ten USB ports for anything that won't fit inside. No word on a release 'round here, of course, but folks in the UK will be able to pick this one up this month with a starting price of £599 (or just under $1,000).

[Via Randomly Accessed, thanks Steve]

Packard Bell imedia lineup gets an Acer-inspired refresh

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 3rd 2009 at 4:47AM

Packard Bell recently overhauled its logo in an effort to keep up with the times, but are its offerings up to the same task? The new imedia lineup immediately recalls the recently announced M-series desktops from Acer, and that's no accident. The innards are remarkably similar too, with the top models sporting Core 2 Quad or AMD Phenom II X4 processors, a 1.5GB GeForce GT230, HDMI out, Blu-Ray combo drive and a maximum of 8GB DDR3 memory and 1TB of storage. While none of the specs are on the blistering edge of innovation, there's plenty of power there and keen pricing could make them an attractive proposition. The entry-level Celeron-based units start at £299 ($490) in the UK.

Packard Bell intros Ion-based iMax mini nettop, non-Ion dot netbooks

by Donald Melanson posted May 28th 2009 at 4:15AM

Packard Bell hit a bit of a rough patch with its netbook business earlier this year, but things now seem to be getting back into full swing, with the company not only finally pushing those "dot s" and "dot m" netbooks out the door, but a new Ion-based nettop as well. As you can see above, however, it didn't exactly have too much work to do on the latter (dubbed the iMax mini), which is apparently nothing more than a rebadged Acer AspireRevo. Those similarities also expectedly extend right down to the specs, which include the Ion-complementing Atom N230 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, six USB ports, and an HDMI port. It will interestingly come bundled with a gamepad, however, along with an unfortunately higher £249 price tag (or about $400 US). The two dot netbooks, on the other hand, remain unchanged since we last saw 'em, and should be in UK shops by July with a matching starting price of £249.

Read - Pocketlint, "Packard Bell iMax mini launches"
Read - Pocketlint, "Packard Bell officially launches dot s and m netbooks"

Packard Bell rolls out 13.4-inch EasyNote Butterfly laptop

by Donald Melanson posted Apr 14th 2009 at 12:59PM

While Acer is keeping plenty of its latest and greatest laptops for itself, it's also keeping its Packard Bell subsidiary fairly well supplied with some gear to reshape and rebrand, with this new EasyNote Butterfly model only the latest to surface following a pair of new DOT netbooks. This one steps above netbook territory with a 13.4-inch LED-backlit display, however, along with an unspecified Intel Ultra Low Voltage processor, ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 graphics, your choice of an SSD or standard hard drive, a multitouch trackpad, optional 3G, and a promised eight hours of battery life. No word on a price just yet, but, as with the netbooks, this one will be reserved for the European market.

[Thanks, Pat]

Packard Bell's new DOT S and DOT M netbooks for Europe

by Paul Miller posted Apr 10th 2009 at 10:02PM

Acer-owned Packard Bell is taking Acer's latest and greatest netbooks and rebadging them for the European market. The 10.1-inch DOT S swipes most of its specs from the Acer Aspire One D250, while the DOT M (pictured) goes for the 11.6-inch Aspire One's guts. There do seem to be a few aesthetic differences, however, with a fancy textured palm rest, silver touches to the trackpads and a tweaked lid. The DOT S will be available this week for 299 Euros, while the DOT M hits at the end of this month for 399 Euros.

Packard Bell drops "dot" netbook in favor of new, unannounced model

by Donald Melanson posted Mar 11th 2009 at 3:33PM

Well, it looks like Packard Bell's "dot" netbook just didn't capture that trademark Packard Bell flavor the company was looking for, as it has now officially ditched the netbook in favor of a new, as yet unannounced model. As you may recall, the dot was essentially just an original Acer Aspire One in disguise, with it packing an 8.9-inch display, an Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and an optional 3G module, among other standard fare. Unfortunately, Packard Bell doesn't seem to be saying anything at all about the new model just yet, with it only going so far as to tell Pocket-lint that there will be "some changes made to the brand."

[Via Electronista]

Packard Bell dot spotted in UK

by Tim Stevens posted Nov 20th 2008 at 8:55AM

Oh, look! It's another netbook in the wild! This one is Packard Bell's dot, and according to the boffins at Pocket-lint it's now available for purchase across the pond by anyone who can find a reason to care. The Aspire One-like specs and style are just what you'd expect (do we really need to recount the Atom 270 processor, 1GB of RAM, and 160GB hard drive yet again?), and while there's the promise of being able to add internal 3G connectivity at some point in the future, right now the only thing setting this one apart is the red dot on the hinge. (Which, we confess, is a nice look.) Still no mention of when or even if this one will be appearing domestically -- though if it does it'll probably be as an Everex anyhow.

Packard Bell debuts "dot" netbook

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 23rd 2008 at 1:56PM

Well, it looks like Acer's considerable influence is starting to have an impact on Packard Bell's "trendy" new ways, with the company now trotting out its new "dot" netbook, which bears more than a passing resemblance to Acer's own Aspire One. Those similarities also extend down to the netbook's specs, which include an 8.9-inch 1024 x 600 display, the usual Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, a 6-cell battery, a built-in webcam and card reader, and a slightly bigger than average 160GB hard drive. Somewhat notably, you'll also apparently be able to snag an optional 3G module, and it looks like Windows XP is your only OS option on this one. No word on a release 'round these parts just yet, unfortunately, but those in Europe can look for it to land there in November with a starting price of €399 (or about $580, though that'd no doubt be cut down for a US release).

[Via PC Launches]

Packard Bell looks to reposition self as 'trendy' lifestyle brand (no, really)

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 22nd 2008 at 4:15AM

Packard Bell, what a wild ride it's been... you've gone to Europe, you've been bought out by Acer,and you've hit back stateside with some truly gnarly gaming PCs. But this latest scheme of yours is really a stretch: you intend to reposition yourself as a "lifestyle brand." Long gone, you say, are the days of bizarre case designs, with their peripherals jutting out of the machine at odd angles. You will have new designs -- designs that exemplify the elegance and "alchemy" of your company. And alchemy, you say, is "a mixture of science and magic, to generate emotion." We expect great things.

Gateway's new MC Series shown off, signs of life spotted

by Darren Murph posted Sep 19th 2008 at 3:15PM

No bull whatsoever -- we're really digging this so-called MC Series that Gateway's busy showing off in Budapest. According to Laptop Mag, who was on hand for the event, the family is designed to go after those mildly spectacular HDX rigs from HP and Sony's FW crew. The model on display was packing a 16-inch widescreen LCD, color customizable lid with a leather strip running down its center, a backlit keyboard and a brushed metal palm rest. Also of note, editors spotted both AMD and Intel-powered versions, and while no pricing information was available, we're told to keep an eye out for a November release. Head south to the read link for more pictures and a hands-on vid.

Packard Bell's iPower GX laptop for hardcore gamerz. Sniff.

by Paul Miller posted Sep 19th 2008 at 9:32AM

Following in the vaunted footsteps of Packard Bell's ugly-ass iPower X2.0 desktop, PB has swiped Gateway's well-received, if already-gaudy P-7811 FX gaming laptop and turned it into pure gamer stereotype: the iPower GX. As far as oppressed people groups go, "hardcore gamers" have had some of the worst aesthetics known to man foisted upon them, and this is no exception. We don't know how they can keep on keeping on -- we would've given up and bought a MacBook to play WoW years ago. Lucky for us, Acer-owned Packard Bell is still Europe-only for the time being, so maybe everything's going to be okay.