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BenQ S6 MID back for vengeance... XP-style
The BenQ S6 MID didn't exactly light the world on fire when it was launched back in 2008, and although we assumed it had faded into irrelevance along with the rest of the category, it looks like the company's bringing it back -- preloaded with Windows XP instead of Linux. It actually makes a certain insane kind of sense, since the S6 is built on an Atom processor, but we're just not sure anyone wants to pay $424 for XP on a 4.8-inch screen with an 800MHz processor -- especially since you'll have to fly to Taiwan to pick one up. On the other hand, can you really put a price on "100% Web Experience?"[Via Pocketables]
BenQ shocker! Joybook Lite U102 outed
Admit it: you've been sitting around all day waiting to hear tell of the latest Joybook offering from BenQ, right? Well, have we got the story for you! BenQ's just dropped word of its newest -- the Joybook Lite U102. While we don't have full specs, we do know that this 10.1-inch baby boasts a 16:9 WSVGA backlit LED, an Intel Atom CPU, and a 250GB HDD, with a 90 percent-sized keyboard. Pretty generic netbook specs, but its super-shiny black shell also makes it decently attractive. The BenQ Joybook Lite U102 will be available any day now in Taiwan, Thailand, and China.[Via FarEast Gizmos]
BenQ gets its AMD Yukon kicks with the Joybook Lite T131
AMD's all about the thin-and-light category with its latest chips, and BenQ is happy to oblige with this new Joybook Lite T131 running AMD's Yukon chipset. At 4 pounds and 1.1-inches thick, however, the 13.3-inch laptop isn't incredibly notable in either department -- especially since it's short a disc drive -- but it's still a pretty attractive little unit. There's a 320GB HDD, SD reader and our favorite, an anti-glare screen, but other than the webcam and mic the laptop is pretty low on perks. It's available in either "opulent midnight blue" or "snowy white" and will be hitting China in June, with no word on price or when they might spread the love.[Via SlashGear]
BenQ working on Android smartphone and netbook for next year
BenQ said way back in February that it had no plans to release any phones in 2009, and from the looks of it, none of that has changed. It does, however, appear that the company will release one in 2010, and that handset will be of the Android variety -- in addition to an Android netbook. Yup, the company is jumping on the bandwagon, adding itself to the growing number of 'droid mobile makers, hoping to get itself back into the game with the new and ever more popular OS. Most of BenQ's netbooks currently run XP (some also boast a Linux option), so the added Android option will make a nice addition to the family. There are no concrete details about availability, specific devices, or pricing, but we're going to keep our eyes on this one for you.
Acer to join the Moblin Linux bandwagon
Moblin -- the Intel lovin' Linux flavor we've heard so much about recently -- just got some major support from Acer, who plans on slapping it on laptops, desktop PCs, and its Aspire One nettops. According to PC World, a press conference held today saw a wide range of Moblin versions (including Suse, Xandros, Linpus, Red Flag, and Ubuntu Moblin) installed on netbooks from companies that included HP, Asustek, MSI, and Hasee Computer; MIDs by the likes of BenQ and Compal; and even an Eee Keyboard. Not too bad for an OS that wasn't even an OS when we first laid eyes on it, eh? We'll keep our eyes peeled for those machines from Acer. In the mean time, how about that Tony Hawk Ride? Man, that looks sweet.
BenQ announces Joybook Lite U121 Eco to a nation in mourning
BenQ is back on the scene with another netbook, and against our better judgement we're going to let you in on the details. The Joybook Lite U121 Eco sports an Intel Atom Z520 / Z530 processor, an 11.6-inch WXGA (1366×768) display, 32GB SSD storage (or upgrade her to to a 500GB SATA hard disk), WiFi, optional 3.75G HSUPA, and a 6 cell battery that boasts a generous 8 hours of use. If you're in China, Taiwan, or Malaysia, keep an eye out for this thing sometimes this month. Ships with either Windows XP Home or Linux. Cramped hands and carpal tunnel included free of charge.
BenQ GP1 LED pocket projector reviewed: loved, possibly lurved
The universal acclaim for BenQ's GP1 LED projector is deafening. Naturally, some trade-offs were made in brightness, contrast, and resolution in order to squeeze things down to a palm-sized 5.4 x 4.7 x 2.1-inch footprint. But at just 1.4-pounds, it won't cause your bicep, atrophied by pantywaist netbooks, too much strain. Thanks to a LED light source with a 20,000 hour lifespan, this $499 DLP projector manages to spread 100 lumens across 858 x 600 pixels with a 2,000:1 contrast -- specs that give solid results when projecting a 40-inch image in a bright, shades-drawn room on up to 80-inches in near-black environments. Better yet, pop in a USB stick loaded with images (JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF) or videos (MPEG4, MJPEG, xvid, 3ivX) and the projector will automatically launch a media playback menu -- no laptop required. The lack of zoom, an ailment common in all these tiny projectors, will limit placement and a measured 38dB (from a distance of 30cm) operational hum will be distracting to home theater buffs or cubical monkeys forced into the sleepy corporate dens of PowerPoint. But all-in-all, BenQ's come up with a winner, and truth doesn't make a noise.Read -- TrustedReviews Read -- TrustedReviews (video)Read -- SlashGear Read -- iLounge
BenQ's $499 Joybee GP1 pocket projector up for pre-order
We had the pleasure of checking out BenQ's Joybee GP1 pocket projector back in March at CeBIT, and now the bantam beamer is just about ready to ship here in the States. Starting now (like, right now), interested consumers can plop down $499 in order to secure a place in line, ensuring that you'll be one of the first on the block to take possession of the planet's first LED-based PJ with a USB reader. Specs wise, you'll find a DLP projection system kicking out an 858 x 600 resolution, 100 ANSI lumens, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, a built-in 2-watt speaker and VGA / component / composite inputs. Five bills sounds a little steep for what it is, but hey, it's a 1.4 pound projector -- did you really expect it to be economical?
BenQ's Qisda QPD-111 Creative Design Center MID wins design awards, doesn't exist yet
Not that we have anything against products that don't exist, but it would seem to us convenient to have something to show on the other end of a couple design awards. BenQ's Qisda QPD-111 just won a red dot and iF award, but BenQ doesn't seem quite ready to show it off to the world. The MID sports a 5-inch screen, and is "designed for highly mobile people pursuing the best Internet experience while on the go." That fancy little red "Hot Key" sends you to the world wide internet with a single press, and the device can handle multitouch pinch-to-zoom and other gestures for browsing. There's also a built-in accelerometer, which lets you switch between communication and Internet functions with a little shake of your precious, imaginary MID. There's obviously no information on price or availability at this point -- we're not even sure what OS it's running -- but it's certainly a sexy and almost potentially usable entrant into the confounding and primarily useless MID market.[Via SlashGear]
BenQ's nScreen i91 all-in-one PC gets the hands-on treatment
BenQ's nScreen i91 came straight out of left field around a month ago, and while it definitely looked striking in the press photography, the live-in-person look is even nicer. Said machine has been unboxed and photographed somewhere in Asia, and it somehow managed to pick up a svelte looking VoIP phone along the way. Hit up the read link for a few more good looks, and if you're a native Chinese speaker, you may even learn some of the pros and cons of ownership.[Via Engadget Chinese]
BenQ GP1 (P1) LED pocket projector eyes-on
Remember that GP1 pico projector that was quietly announced alongside a slew of others at CES this year? Apparently it's sporting the P1 moniker in Europe, which is infinitely confusing given that BenQ used to have a PJ that looked mighty similar to this one, and yeah, it too was called the P1. At any rate, the GP1 you see here is BenQ's first ever LED beamer, and with it will come an 858 x 600 native resolution, 100 ANSI lumens, 2,000:1 contrast ratio, an integrated USB reader, TI's DLP technology and a lamp life of 20,000 hours. It should be out in Germany by April, but we're still expecting it here in the US next month for a lofty $599.%Gallery-46757%
BenQ puts its all-in-one where its mouth is, announces nScreen i91
Remember when we told you BenQ was hot and bothered for all-in-one computers? That pronouncement wasn't just the soulful yearnings of a lustful suitor; the company has followed through, revealing the i91, first in its nScreen line of (nearly) fully integrated machines. It's an 18.5-inch, 16:9 LCD boasting an AMD Semperon 210U processor, 1GB of memory, 160GB hard drive, and some other niceties like a 4-in-1 card reader, integrated webcam, and an average power consumption of just 30 watts. The machine is designed to be incredibly simple to use, like a television, advertising that users can just plug it in, press in the big volume/power knob, and then surf away -- assuming they know to connect the keyboard and mouse first. Sure, it's not half as attractive as Lenovo's A600, but at $517 it is about half the cost. No word on US availability, but can be found on store shelves in Taiwan now, with a 21-inch model, the i221, coming soon. [Via Tech Ticker]
BenQ has much love for all-in-ones in 2009, none left for handsets
BenQ is one of those manufacturers that produces a lot of different electronics for a lot of different markets, but has apparently decided that 2009 is a good time to get a bit more focused. The camel-case company has no plans to announce or release any new handsets this year, instead focusing on a new line of all-in-one PCs dubbed nScreen, set to debut sometime after February. After that you can expect to see the usual selection of other gadgetry coming out this year including digital cameras, netbooks, LCDs, and whatever else people buy in the midst of global economic crises.
BenQ goes for the kitchen sink approach with new line of 16:9 monitors
Never one to go half-way with a product line, BenQ has now filled out its G-series of LCD monitors with a full complement of 16:9 LCDs, including both 1080p and 720p models. Those range from the 23.6-inch G2410HD and 24-inch G2411HD/HDA, which each boast an Advanced Motion Accelerator that BenQ says improves response time and brightness, to the decidedly smaller 15.6-inch G610HDA and 18.5-inch G910HD/HDA models, which use a dual lamp system to conserve energy depending on the level of brightness needed. Complete specs on each model are otherwise a bit light, but you can apparently expect dynamic contrast ratios ranging from 10,000:1 to 40,000:1, response times of 2ms to 5ms, and DVI, HDMI ports, and built-in speakers on a few of 'em. No word on prices either, but they'll apparently start hitting China this month, with a "worldwide" rollout planned for later in the year.
TI's DLP Pico technology unveiled in new round of pico projectors
At last year's CES, Texas Instruments was simply demonstrating prototypes of its DLP Pico technology; this year, it's officially showcasing the real deal. The aforesaid chipset is currently residing within the WowWee Cinemin line and Optoma's PK-101, but here's something you didn't know. Evidently, the chip will also be a critical part of pico projectors from Samsung (the MBP200 with an SD card slot), BenQ (the GP1 with an integrated USB port; available in March for $599) and Toshiba (TDP-F10U Mobile LED Projector). Also of note, BUG Labs will presumably be introducing a module of its own dubbed BUGprojector, which will enable legible beaming of 480 x 320 images at just eight inches away along with stereo playback and a brightness of 9 lumens. Lastly, TI itself has announced that a DLP Pico Projector Kit which sports an HVGA resolution, a universal power supply and a few other integral components necessary for integrating it into consumer, industrial and medical products.Read - TI's DLP Pico roundupRead - TI DLP Pico Projector Kit
BenQ's Joybook Lite U101 delivers smileys on the lid, frownies on the keyboard
We hope you've forgiven us for being somewhat less than enthused when we got word of BenQ's Joybook Lite U101 being launched, as at the time we didn't quite see the need for another "me too" netbook. After reading Laptop Magazine's first impressions we're still not quite getting the point. While this little lappy is something of a looker, with a lid festooned with cute emoticons, on the other side of that lid is a glossy, 10.2-inch LCD that sheds 24 vertical pixels just for the sake of being 16:9 -- your average 1024 x 600 netbook doesn't exactly have any to spare. The keyboard, too, is said to be a bit cramped, but, for those who just can't leave anything stock, the U101 does have the rare distinction of being a "modder's paradise," offering easy access to RAM, storage, and an unoccupied mini PCIe slot that's just waiting for a 3G modem. Of course, HP's Mini 1000 comes with one out of the box, so again please forgive us for the lack of interest.
BenQ Joybook U101 launches, gives almost no joy
The BenQ Joybook Lite U101 we spied back when it was announced in September has just launched, and though there's nothing incredibly exciting here, we thought we'd give you a quick rundown, because we're just cool like that. The U101 boasts completely standard netbook fair -- an Atom N270 CPU, Intel 945GSE chipset, 1GB of DDR2 memory, with 80-160GB mechanical drives and 4-16GB SSD options. It's also got a 16:9 display with a 1024 x 576 resolution (rare for a netbook), a 1.3 megapixel webcam, and three USB 2.0 ports. The sassy little number comes in blue, pink, white and black, and it can be yours for €398 ($503) in Taiwan right now, but we've got no word on when it will be available elsewhere. Dip this puppy in gold or something and then maybe, just maybe we'll bite. [Via Fudzilla]
BenQ's M2400HD 24-inch LCD hits Japan next month
24-inch LCDs are the new black this season, with new ebony choices appearing seemingly every week. Funny, then, that BenQ should choose to distance its latest two-footer from the crowd by coloring it white -- plus giving it a few interesting features, like a 2 megapixel webcam peeking over the top of a 16:9, 1920 x 1080 resolution panel. That's a bit down from the typical 1920 x 1200 we'd expect on this size display, but it's perfectly suited for all that 1080p content you have lying around. (16:9 is a little rare on a desktop display, but we know how much you hate letterboxing.) An HDMI input will help to keep that HD video flowing, plus there's VGA and DVI-D too. The rest of the specs are fairly tame: 300cd/m2 brightness, 1,000:1 contrast ratio (capable of being dynamically boosted to 10,000:1), a 5ms response rate, and a 3-port USB hub. If you can do without the missing 230,400 pixels this sounds like a solid display, coming to Japan next month for 420€ (about $535).
BenQ Joybook R46 arrives in China, Thailand and Malaysia
The last time we saw some new Joybooks they were these cute little 10.1-inch things, but the new R46 is their professional-minded older sibling (the Alex P. Keaton to your Mallory, perhaps). This sober, serious machine sports a 14.1-inch "UltraVivid" WXGA display, a Core 2 Duo T3400 processor, integrated x4500 graphics, up to 4GB RAM, up to 320GB storage and all the love that WiFi and Bluetooth provide. And if video conferencing is your bag, you'll be please to note that it comes with a 2 megapixel webcam and microphone with smart noise suppression. Available now in China, Thailand and Malaysia -- but the price remains a mystery.
BenQ rolls out DC C1060 compact camera
It's been less than a month since BenQ churned out its E1050 camera, but it looks like it's already deemed it fit to let loose a new similarly spec'd but differently styled model in the form of the DC C1060. Those specs include a 10-megapixel sensor, a 3x optical zoom, and a 2.7-inch LCD, plus some added features like a "Super Shake Free" system, Smile Catch, and video recording at your choice of 720 x 400 or 640 x 480. As you can see above, you'll also get a stylish leather texture grip. No word on a price or release date just yet but, if past BenQ cameras are any indication, you can pretty safely bet that this one won't break the bank.
