RilakKuma
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Bandai Rilakkuma netbook gets touchscreen and CPU boost, as precious as ever
We've heard some folks (we're not naming names) disparagingly refer to netbooks as "toys" from time to time. Of course, when a manufacturer like Bandai cranks the cute factor up to eleven we can't say that it's an altogether bad thing. Like its predecessor, the Rilakkuma SX features 1Seg TV, webcam, Bluetooth, and WiFi. Putting the "next" in "next-gen," this baby features an Atom Z520 processor, 1GB RAM, 60GB HDD, DVD Super Multi, and an 8.9-inch (1280 x 768) convertible touchscreen. Built by Kohjinsha, this one is reportedly coming to the Bandai Namco online store in June for ¥90,000 (about $995).
Bandai RilakKuma netbook suffers from serious supercuteitis
The RilakKuma is what's known in the business as a money-printing device. It might have the same spec -- Atom N270, 1GB memory and 160GB storage -- as every netbook since the time of Moses, but its killer feature is a set of eyes and whiskers painted on the lid. Having once already cashed in on popular children's characters, Bandai is clearly not shy about exploiting its intellectual assets in peddling outdated 8.9-inch 1024x600 displays to the undemanding youth. Only 500 units will be produced, making this a pretty exclusive item and the price is unsurprisingly steep: ¥79,800 ($862). Integrated WiFi and a 1Seg tuner go some way toward rationalizing the cost, but let's be frank, rationality doesn't play a huge role in a purchase like this.
