convertible PC
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Panasonic intros CF-MX3 convertible laptop with Yoga-like design, built-in DVD drive
The category of laptop/tablet hybrids is one of the favorites among Windows PC manufacturers, including the Japan-based Panasonic. Accordingly, the Toughbook maker hosted a conference in the Land of the Rising Sun recently, where it took the time to reveal its new CF-MX3 convertible laptop. This adjustable machine comes with a 12.5-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 LCD, a removable battery that can last between 14 to 15 hours, Windows 8.1, pen support and a built-in DVD drive -- yes, a DVD drive. The entry-level CF-MX3 features a 2.6GHz Core i5-4200U CPU, 4GB RAM and a 128GB SSD, while there's also an option with double the memory and storage, a 3.0GHz Core i7-4500U CPU and a Pro version of Microsoft's OS. Furthermore, Panasonic loaded the MX3 with a ton of ports, such as two USB 3.0, HDMI, VGA and an SD card reader; all in all, it weighs in at roughly 2.65 pounds. Pricing details for Panasonic's CF-MX3 convertible are still unknown, though we do know it'll be available in Japan starting February 14th. [Thanks, Siegfried]
Panasonic Toughbook 19 gets Ivy Bridge upgrade, small price bump
There's no doubt Panasonic keeps its Toughbook 19 line updated with the recent times, and today's no exception. This time out a processor upgrade is the main change, with the company announcing the rugged convertible will now ship sporting one of Intel's latest CPU creations -- a Core i5-3320M vPro, to be precise. That's not all, however, since there are also improvements in battery life, the addition of USB 3.0 ports and the option to load it with a beefier 500GB hard drive. Naturally, these nice enhancements had a mild effect on the price tag, making the jump from the previous starting price of $3,349 to a slightly heftier $3,549. But, hey, if you're already spending that much, 200 extra bucks shouldn't cause you any sweats.
Gigabyte's Booktop M1022 (and dock) hits the FCC
Lookie here -- Gigabyte's Booktop M1022, which we spotted looking peculiar at CeBIT earlier this month, has just splashed down in the FCC's database. The 10.1-inch machine will apparently arrive with a LED-backlit panel, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, WiFi, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1.3 megapixel camera, optional integrated WWAN, VGA output, an Ethernet port, ExpressCard slot, 4-in-1 multicard reader, 1GB of RAM and a bundled docking station that sits it upright rather than flat. Obviously there's no mention of a US price or release date, but it can't be long now.[Thanks, Tom and Mike]
CTL 2go Convertible Classmate PC reviewed: good enough for big people, too!
Just days after its arrival on the market, Laptop Magazine's had some in person time with the CTL 2go Convertible Classmate PC. They found the little convertible tablet -- which has an 8.9-inch resistive touchscreen (with 1024 x 600 resolution) -- to be a more grown up version of its predecessor, heavier than other, similarly-sized netbooks, and they love the overall aesthetics of it. It falls a little short in a few categories: they found the 60GB hard drive to be "sluggish" and the keyboard to be "cramped," but overall, they're pretty into the Classmate, even going so far as to suggest that adults might just be covetous of the netbook. Hit the read link to check out the full review which, incidentally, is written entirely in crayon. (Note: totally kidding. We write in crayon, though. Sometimes).
Details surface on Fujitsu's Core 2 Duo-powered LifeBook T4215
We're all about giving ya options, and we're certainly down with speedy upgrades, and Fujitsu is making sure both areas of greatness are covered in its newly-unveiled LifeBook. The T4215 takes over where the mediocre T4210 left off, but offers up a plethora of new hardware choices, and even promises a respectable battery life. The convertible will sport a trio of 12.1-inch LCD options, including XGA for indoor and / or outdoor use and SXGA+ for indoors, Intel's T5500/T5600/T7200/T7400 Core 2 Duo processors, "up to 120GB" hard drive, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g, and the obligatory inclusion of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. The device is slated to look like a long-lost twin of the prior model, but manages to trim 0.2 pounds from its arguably bulky frame; moreover, the 6-cell Li-ion cell promises "up to six hours" of life, but we'd be happy with just under four. While we aren't sure if this newest addition to the T-Series lineup will be available before the holiday rush, you can expect it to run you $1,799 (and way, way up) whenever it drops.
