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MSI robot vacuums invade Computex, set sights on Roomba (updated)
We don't have a ton of details on these just yet, but MSI has rolled into Computex with something of a surprise: a new line of robot vacuums. As you can see, they look remarkably similar to iRobot's Roomba vacuums, and they apparently come in three different versions: the standard M800 Smart Vacuum Robot, the R500 Slim Vacuum Robot, and the R1300 Security Vacuum Robot, the latter of which adds a camera and internet connectivity for some low-level surveillance. No word on pricing or availability just yet either, but MSI has at least kindly put together a wonderfully soothing promotional video. Check it out after the break. Update: We've been told from the floor at Computex that MSI will begin shipping its new robots in Q1 2011 for about $150 (model R500), $450 (M800), and $600 (R1300). They are still undecided if this will include North American and European markets.
Lenovo's SL, R, and T series ThinkPads get the data sheet treatment
Lenovo provided most of the basic specs for its new batch of ThinkPads when it announced 'em yesterday but, if you want to examine them right down to the very last detail, Lenovo has now got you covered with some data sheets for most the Centrino 2-based laptops. That includes the SL300, SL400 and SL500, the R400 and R500, and the T400 and T500, but not the W series models, although those are really just T series ThinkPads with added ATI Mobility FireGL graphics and Display Port. All set? Then dig into the PDFs below.Read - ThinkPad SL300, SL400, and SL500Read - ThinkPad R400 and R500Read - ThinkPad T400 and T500
Toshiba intros 12.1-inch Portege R500-S5007V with 128GB SSD
Ah yes, we've been expecting you. That Portégé R500-12Q that popped up on a few foreign sites earlier this year seems to be making the trip Stateside, albeit with a slightly different model name. The R500-S5007V claims to be the "world's first laptop with a 128GB SSD" packed within, which is patently untrue, but we digress. The 2.4-pound machine also includes an integrated DVD SuperMulti drive, 12.1-inch transreflective LED-backlit WXGA display, a battery good for 8-hours of use, 1.33GHz Core 2 Duo U7700 CPU, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, GMA950 graphics set, WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and a three-year warranty. You better believe that 0.77-inch frame is appealing, but the $2,999 starting price is still mighty tough to swallow.
Toshiba's Portege R500 gets cautiously torn apart
Sure, you've seen a plethora of R500 shots already, but this ultrathin Portégé has somehow managed to keep its clothes on -- until now. One curious owner just couldn't resist the urge to operate, and after careful dissection, we're left with a handful of snaps showing off the unit's internals. Don't be shy, check out the whole lot in the gallery below.[Thanks, Jai] %Gallery-23645%
Toshiba Portege R500-12Q surfaces with 128GB SSD
Well, would you cast a keen eye on this? Over on Toshiba's European website (among other regions), an atypical Portégé R500 (the R500-12Q, to be precise) has made an appearance, and while most everything looks to be the standard fare, the included hard drive certainly isn't. Looking past the 12.1-inch LED-backlit display, Core 2 Duo ULV U7700 processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM and dual-layer DVD writer lies a drool-worthy 128GB SSD, sure to send the flash faithful into a tizzy. There's no pricing information to be immediately found, but those scouting an ultraportable with a solid state disc have likely already come to grips with the lofty premium sure to be attached.[Thanks, Philippe]
Toshiba adds 3G to the featherweight Portege R500
Forget the MacBook Air: those folks seeking the absolute lightest notebooks on the planet know that Windows machines are still the only way to go, and Toshiba has proven that once again with an official 3G upgrade to the already impressive Portege R500. According to Akihabara News (which seems to be a little confused concerning the model number here), two new 12.1-inch, HSDPA-equipped configurations will be available this month: the ultra-lightweight (and ultra-pricey) R500-11J, highlighted by a 64GB SSD drive and impressive 1.72-pound package, and the cheaper, optical drive-packing R500-11I, which features the same 1.20GHz U7600 CPU and 2GB of RAM, but introduces a less appealing 120GB HDD. Pricing should be around €2,500 ($3,658) for the high-end 11J and €2,050 ($3,000 even) for the heavier 11I.
Toshiba Portege R500 3G upgrade gets FCC approval
The Toshiba Portege R500, a 12.1-inch ultraportable that we've been telling you about has just gotten a new 3G add-on cleared for takeoff by our favorite government agency, the FCC. The Core 2 Duo-driven laptop, which just hit the market, has been given the a-ok on an HSDPA module, potentially making this a big deal for people who are in dire need of connectivity options (jet-setting suits, we're looking at you). In case you've forgotten, the ultralight, ultrathin laptop starts at a weight of 1.72 lbs, can utilize a 32GB or 64GB SSD drive, and also has 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth. The "world's thinnest" laptop is on sale right now starting at $1,999, but no word on when the 3G is coming, or how much it will cost.[Via PC Joint, thanks Stasys]
Toshiba's Portege R500 laptop in the wild
Just after seeing Toshiba's mysterious X200 roaming free in France, it looks like that isn't the only machine from the firm running wild in the land of fragrances and fashion. The ultrathin Portégé R500 was also spotted in Paris recently, and while we wish that NTT's 3D glove contraption was already a reality so we could feel this thing for ourselves, we'll just have to judge from afar for now. Sure looks as thin as advertised to us, but be sure and click through to see (more) for yourself.Update:More shots from Engadget China.
Alltel to get Samsung R200 and R500
A batch of new Samsung handsets is apparently headed to Alltel soon. Specifically, the Sammy SCH-R500 and the SCH-R200 should be on their way to Alltel shelves (and on Alltel's site) for your viewing and purchasing pleasure. While the R200 is a relatively plain (but slim) candybar, you'll be hooked on it if you liked the Samsung Wafer (the R200 is very similar in size). Size aside, the R200 drops several features from the Wafer to make the cut to its entry-level status. Meanwhile, the 1.3 megapixel, EV-DO R500 clamshell reminds us of the Samsung SPH-M500 from Sprint (at least in features), but does have stereo speakers inside that fold. No word just yet on release dates.
Panasonic has a 7-millimeter thick DVD burner
If you were wondering who's responsible for the super-slim burner that allows Toshiba's waifish Portege R500 sub-notebook to sport an optical drive in such a small enclosure -- and who wasn't, really? -- it seems that Akihabara News has solved this non-mystery by outing Panasonic's seven-millimeter thick DVD writer as the guilty party. At only 99 grams heavy as well, the unnamed spinner reportedly stomps all over the previous record holder for slimmest notebook drive, which measured a relatively-bloated 9.5 millimeters from top to bottom. You'll probably be seeing this model all over the place soon enough; in fact, we wouldn't be surprised (well, maybe we would) if Samsung stuffs one into the first revision of the Q1 Ultra. or Mr. Hawkins employs it to add some value to the critically-panned Foleo.
Toshiba's 12.1-inch Portege R500 is world's thinnest with disc drive
It's easy to jump to conclusions when you hear a spec like "2.4 pounds" -- things like no disc drive, minuscule screen and a complete lack of horsepower quickly spring to mind -- but Toshiba is really taking things next-gen with its new Portege R500. The new bestest buddy to Tosh's flagship R400 tablet, the R500 packs a first ever 7mm optical drive, 12.1-inch transflective (outdoor readable) LED-backlit screen, and does it all with a mere 0.77-inches of thickness, which Toshiba claims is the thinnest ever to include a disc drive, and that aforementioned 2.4 pound weight. The R500 isn't spec shy either, with a Core 2 duo U7600 1.2GHz processor, Intel GMA 950 graphics, up to 2GB of RAM, a 120GB HDD and a 1280 x 800 screen res. There's even a PCMCIA slot, gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth and VGA out, just to make the other ultraportables look bad. To top it all off, Toshiba is boasting of the "world's longest" battery life for a 12.1-inch widescreen notebook, but doesn't have any hard numbers other than that. The laptop starts at $2,000 with XP Pro, or $2,150 with Vista Business, but the real fun starts later this year when Toshiba starts shipping 64GB SSD configurations, which once specced to a 3 cell battery and no optical drive will weigh a paltry 1.72 pounds.[Via Laptoping]
WiMedia and Mercedes to demo in-vehicle, HD streaming over UWB
In what the WiMedia Alliance calls a "first of its kind demonstration," DaimlerChrysler Research will roll-out a Mercedes-Benz R500 SUV at CES next week all dolled up in Intel's and Alereon's Ultrawideband (UWB) USB technology. The demonstration will pump high-definition video from a handheld mobile device to an array of factory installed headrest monitors for the middle and third row passengers. Great, let's hope they do better that we did with the Belkin's CableFree USB Hub which wasn't quite up to the task of streaming HD with a paltry 6.35Mbps measured. But Belkin's box packs Freescale's flavor of UWB -- this is WiMedia kids, the favored child of the Bluetooth SIG. So let's hope they can demonstrate something a bit closer to the "480Mbps and beyond" transfer speeds they like to boast about. You know, so your kids can someday sit zombied in the backseat watching their videos on a 7.1-inch, 1080p display just as the Good Lorf intended.
