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Packard Bell debuts dot m/u 'netbook with the performance of a notebook'
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.
BenQ endows S35 and S43 Joybooks with CULV, kicks 'em out the door
It's not quite on the scale of the netbook revolution, but the CULV ultraportable uprising does seem to be gathering steam. Latest on the scene is BenQ, with its 13.3-inch S35 and 14-inch S43 Joybooks, sporting a choice between a single core SU3500, dual core SU7300, or some old and busted Celeron 723 / 743 chips. From what Acer's Timeline series has shown, the 1.4GHz SU3500 is a major step up from Atom machines, while making for ridiculous battery longevity. BenQ claim you'll be able to squeeze more than five hours of juice from the default batteries and there's an eight cell option on the S35 that is rated for 11+ hours. Hard drives clock in at 500GB, Bluetooth, WiFi and the like are all present, and the S43 also gets an ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 GPU option to make it stand out. The announcement is for Asia only so far, but we see no reason why these laptops shouldn't make it to more familiar shores as well. [Via Engadget Chinese]
Acer Aspire 1410 ULV, America's 1810T, now in stock stateside
Peculiar name change or no, Acer's 11.6-inch Aspire 1410, the ULV known in Europe as 1810T, is now available in the US. Price tag is $460.33 from Cost Central and that nets you a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500, 2GB RAM, a 250GB HDD, and Windows Vista. There's quite a few Sapphire Blue models in stock, while Diamond Black are only available in limited quantities. Waiting for Ruby Red, you say? Sorry, no such luck yet, but keep checking. [Via Liliputing; thanks, knifex4] Read - 1410-8414 (Sapphire Blue) Read - 1410-8804 (Diamond Black) Read - 1410-8913 (Ruby Red)
Acer Timeline 1810T gets renamed and reviewed ahead of imminent US release
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
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXX: Inkia 500 is a mutated, hamstrung N810
How do you cook up the perfect KIRF product? Well, you take a well-loved device, say the Nokia N810, and start chopping off the things that made it a winner, like that oh-so-bulky QWERTY keyboard, until you get a device cheap enough to be sold as "the world's first MID under $300." The painfully unoriginal Inkia 500 -- which isn't even the first to rip off Nokia's internet tablet -- isn't entirely without merit, as it comes with a 5-inch touchscreen plus a ULV Atom processor, and once you pony up for 3G and GPS options it might even be useful. All that's holding it back now is the tiny issue that you can get a real N810 for the same price. [Via Shanzai]
Lenovo caves, lets you order 14-inch IdeaPad U450p laptop
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]
Lenovo slips out IdeaPad U450p, won't let you order one
Hey Lenovo, that's a pretty sweet landing page you've got there for this newfangled IdeaPad U450p. In fact, we're crushing pretty hard on that glossy 14-inch display, ultrathin frame and patterned lid. If you're really looking for candor, we'd even go so far as to say that the "energy-efficient ULV processor" and "integrated optical drive" have us all sorts of hot and bothered, but the inability to actually see a full build sheet or order a unit for ourselves is simply disheartening. Care to fix that? Thank you so much. -Signed: The Internet[Thanks, alsyl]
Acer's Aspire Timeline 1810T gets a price, release window
If you're in Europe and you love Acer laptops, today is your lucky day. The company has gotten totally official with its Aspire Timeline 1810T notebook, at least according to ComputerBase in Germany. If you'll recall, the laptop boasts an 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768 display, a 1.4GHz ULV CPU, can support up to 4GB of RAM, and sports a GMA 4500MHD graphics chipset. The base model includes a 250GB hard drive, and all the systems come with an HDMI out, Bluetooth 2.1, a 3G option, and are preloaded with Vista -- just in case you were worried. For the low-ish starting price of €499 (or about $708) you can take one of these puppies back to your flat soon (they're on preorder now and should be available in two or three weeks). Hit the read link for all the nasty details... if you dare.[Via Engadget Spanish]
Acer's 11.6-inch Aspire Timeline 1810T: a netbook we can finally embrace?
We're doing our darnedest to keep our expectations in check, but it looks like the long, painful wait for a halfway potent netbook may be drawing to a close. With Windows 7 just months away, laptop makers are finally able to skirt around Microsoft's Windows XP-netbook limitations in preparation for a better, more refined OS. The just-leaked Aspire Timeline 1810T, for example, shares the same chassis as the underpowered Aspire One 751, though the innards are similar to those found in the Timeline series. We're talking an 11.6-inch display (1,366 x 768 resolution), Intel's 1.4GHz ULV SU3500 processor, GMA 4500MHD graphics, hardware accelerated decoding of HD video, up to 4GB of RAM, an HDMI socket, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, optional 3G / Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and an 8-hour battery. Naturally, this one is slated to ship with Vista Home Premium, but that free upgrade to Win7 makes said pill entirely easier to swallow. C'mon Acer -- dish out the price and release date, won'tcha?
GETAC's ultra-rugged V100 gets upgrades for performance, not looks
For those of you in need of a PC capable of operating in extreme conditions (anyone reading this from a mine shaft or a bunker, for instance). Getac's battle-tested and war-weary V100 convertible tablet PC has received several key upgrades, including a bump in processing power to a 1.4 GHz Intel Penryn, a front side bus increased from 533 MHz to 800 MHz, a RAM increase (bringing the total up to 4GB), and a max capacity increase from 250GB to 320GB. If that weren't enough, this bad boy now supports draft 802.11n WiFi, and lastly (but not leastly) a new UL 1604 certification (optional) ensures safe, spark-free use of the device in potentially explosive environments. Yes, that's right -- you'll soon be able to read The Onion from the shop floor at the TNT factory. No definite prices or release dates yet, but if this is up your alley you can keep an eye on your usual sources. Full PR after the break.
Gigabyte shows off thin-and-light Booktop M1305 and super slim Myou netbook
Apparently people are really falling hard for this whole "thin" fad, and Gigabyte's design department is the latest victim. The new Booktop M1305 (pictured) sports a CULV Intel processor and a 13.3-inch screen, putting it squarely in the land of MacBook Air and ThinkPad X300-style thin-and-lights, while also managing a disc drive and room for up to 8GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the new Myou netbook is actually Gigabyte's ThinNote S1024, which weighs under two pounds, measures less than an inch thick, and still leaves room for a 10-inch screen and 6 cell battery. It should be shipping in the next few months for an estimated $600 pricetag. Video of the surprisingly excellent form factor is after the break. Read - Booktop M1305 Read - Myou
Intel debuts three new Core 2 Duo procs, new SU2700 ULV chip and GS40 Express Chipset
It doesn't take an Intel-salaried futurist to see that extended battery life and thin form factors are kind of a big deal going forward, while price and performance aren't getting swept away either -- it's been basically the ongoing state of the laptop industry since time began (as Intel has so helpfully illustrated for us). What is new is that form factors and bang-for-buck is truly getting wild of late, and Intel's latest crop of chips should help keep moving things along. In the high end, Intel's Core 2 Duo processor is breaking 3GHz with the 3.06GHz T9900 in the high end, alongside the new P9700 and P8800 chips. Meanwhile, the Pentium SU2700 is a 1.3GHz ULV chip for stuffing in everybody's next low-cost thin and light, while Intel is also introducing the GS40 Express Chipset as a scaled-down, lower power alternative to the GS45, likely for similar aims. No word on price points or availability just yet.
Acer Aspire Timeline out of the box and loving life
While it's always a fun rush to see an unopened box in a Canadian store room, we're much more excited about what's inside the box, and friendly tipster James somehow managed to buy himself an Acer Aspire Timeline 5810TZ-4657 in Iowa about a week ago. For a scant $598 he got a 15-inch display, DVD drive, Intel U2700 1.3GHz processor and 3GB of RAM -- which makes most similarly specced "thin and lights" seem a little silly in comparison. He says he's gotten around 7 hours of battery on max power saving mode, and about 4-5 hours on max use, finds the 720p webcam comparable to a Flip camera, enjoys the keyboard and multitouch trackpad, and overall finds the system to be very quick and responsive running Vista. Acer still hasn't confirmed an official lineup, price or availability for these things, but we've gotta think it's gonna be soon -- if this is right, it's almost too good not to share.
MSI's CULV-packin' X-Slim X340 ships this month in US
MSI already told us that its ultraslim, super-sexy, WiMAX-ready X-Slim X340 would be starting at right around $1,000, and now we're being told that the planet's first laptop to be based on Intel's CULV (consumer ultra low voltage) platform will be shipping in April. As in, this month. For the forgetful souls in the crowd, this here ultraportable will ship with an SU3500 CULV processor that consumes just 5.5 watts of power and a 4-cell battery. Now, to find a retailer 'round these parts willing to let you pre-order one...
Via's one-watt Eden processor gets official
Just as expected, Via is indeed releasing an uber-efficient, one-watt Eden processor. Reportedly, the 500MHz Eden ULV boasts "an idle power of just 0.1-watt," and is targeting "a wide range of industrial, commercial, and ultra mobile applications." The fanless CPU resides within a 21- x 21-millimeter NanoBGA2 package, is manufactured using a 90-nanometer process, and should be on display (and in a number of wee devices) at the Embedded System Conference taking place right now in Taipei.
VIA readying one-watt Eden processor?
Apparently, VIA is hoping to stretch the battery life of devices that sport its forthcoming ULV processor, as the chip manages to hum along at 500MHz yet only consumes one-watt of power. According to DigiTimes, the company announced the CPU during a press conference held yesterday, and also noted that it will "adopt the same VIA V4 bus and 21- x 21-millimeter nanoBGA2 packaging as other Eden models." Reportedly, several industrial PC makers "including Advantech have already adopted the new Eden ULV processor" and hopes to have products shipping to market later this month, and if this thing actually does sip power as its creator suggests, we've all ideas Advantech won't be the last firm placing an order.[Via Wired]
GETAC's ultra-rugged V100 convertible tablet PC
GETAC's latest rugged laptop does something that most other units simply can't, as it conveniently converts into a tablet while maintaining that beefy stature and war-tested agility. The V100 is fresh out of FCC boot camp, and judging by the documentation, it looks like it's been cleared for civilian handling. Inside the 11.2- x 8.7- x 1.9-inch enclosure sits a 1.2GHz ULV Intel Yonah U2500 Core Duo processor, up to 2GB of RAM, Intel's 945GMS integrated graphics set, a shock-mounted SATA hard drive, gigabit Ethernet, a 56k modem, WiFi, and of course, optional 3G, Bluetooth, and GPS connectivity. You also get your choice of a 10.4-inch XGA or 12.1-inch WXGA screen, a smorgasbord of ports, Windows XP, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, and a magnesium alloy case that shouldn't have any issues with vibrations, drops, shocks, or extreme temperatures. Unfortunately, there's no details concerning price or a planned release date, but we can't imagine a battlefield-ready convertible landing without some sort of premium.[Via MobileWhack]
Intel rolls out first Core 2 Duo ULV processors
So those pokey UMPCs and super-duper ultraportables that we love to hate are about to get a little more peppy, thanks to a pair of ultra low voltage processors from Intel that just happen to sport that AMD-killin' Merom core. Without much fanfare (or any at all, really -- where's the OCC ULV chopper?), Santa Clara introduced the 1.06GHz U7500 and 1.2GHz U7600 CPUs today, the latest chips to join the powerful Core 2 Duo family. Headed straight for the smallest of the small PCs, the new models are compatible with both the Napa and upcoming Santa Rosa platforms, with a minor pinout change necessary to accommodate the latter when it's released. Pricing details were not immediately available when we wrote this, but you can probably expect these two low-enders to be some of the cheapest Merom parts yet.
Azentek planning ruggedized, longevous "Scout" UMPC
While the UMPC in general hasn't had the appeal manufacturers surely hoped for, they're still hanging in there, and apparently Azentek sees an opening in the less-than-attractive market. Diverting from its traditional "carputer" (i.e. in-car PC) offerings, the firm has announced a forthcoming UMPC built to military specifications to handle any dropkicks it may receive once the battery craps out after an hour or two, and will be based on its "Scout" platform. Beneath the hood, the device will be built around Intel's second generation "UMPC ultra low voltage platform," and feature up to 1GB of DDR2 RAM, 30 to 160GB standard / hybrid hard drives, and a rotatable webcam to boot. The 6.5-inch touchscreen will sport 500 cd/m2 brightness, and the battery will supposedly last "six to eight hours," which seems mighty liberal considering how pitiful most UMPCs are at sipping juice. Nevertheless, it'll also boast a biometric scanner, PC card / SD slot, and a pair of USB ports. While no concrete information was given on future availability, the outfit is aiming for a $1,500 pricetag at launch, which wouldn't be all that bad if the battery lives up to the admittedly lofty promises behind it.[Via Carrypad]
Pentium-powered Samsung Q1 in the wild
Well, we sure didn't see this one coming: those sneaky devils over at Samsung have very quietly released yet another version of their Q1 UMPC into the wild, and to the delight of the few, the proud, the Origami lovers, this one features a Pentium M ULV CPU among several other spec bumps. You'll recall that the original Q1 sports a Celeron M processor, while the updated Q1b and Q1p offer Via chips to extend the battery life, and now an OrigamiPortal member named "millard" claims to have picked up a speed-stepping, Pentium-powered model at his local Fry's. Besides the improved battery life that should result from the 1.0GHz auto-adjusting processor in this new Q1 (which curiously retains the original "Q1" designation, though its model number has been changed to NP-Q1-V0002), other welcome improvements over the original include a 60GB hard drive and a full 1GB of RAM (compared to the 40GB / 512MB configuration on the debut model). At $1,249 the spec-bumped Q1 will set you back $250 more than the Celeron-powered version, but hey, it's still over $1,000 cheaper than the upcoming Q1-SSD with that hot little 32GB solid state flash drive.[Via Carrypad and JKOTR]
