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Toshiba announces U205 ultra-portable and R25 convertible notebooks
Toshiba just introduced another pair of Intel-powered notebooks to join the Epson and Alienware models we spotted earlier, both members of the Satellite series: the U205 ultra-portable (pictured) and the R25 convertible tablet (pictured after the break). Weighing in at 4.1 pounds, the 12.1-inch U205 (which is pretty similar to the U200) comes in either S5002 (Core Duo T2300E, 100GB hard drive) or S5022 (T2400, 120GB HDD) configurations, with both versions sporting 1GB of 533MHz DDR2 RAM, WXGA TruBrite TFTs, integrated graphics, dual-layer DVD burners, and Toshiba's LifeSmart Technology -- which includes a fingerprint reader, shock-absorbing components, and spill-resistant keyboard. Meanwhile, the 5.95-pound R25-S3503 also sports a Core Duo processor -- though only the 1.66GHz T2050 -- along with a 14.1-inch WXGA+ display, 100GB hard drive, and the same burner, graphics, memory configuration and LifeSmart swag as the U205. Both models are available immediately, with the S5022 and the tablet each going for $1,349, and the S5002 priced at $1,199.Read- U205Read- R25
Alienware's m3450, m5550, and m5750 go Core Duo
They had to go Core Duo sometime, so why not now? Looks like Alienware's updated their laptop lineup with three new machines that run right up the spectrum of portable product offerings. The new Sentia m3450, replacement to the m3400, is your basic 14.1-inch widescreen Centrino Duo 5.5-pounder, integrated graphics, and options for the usual gear (7200 RPM drives, Bluetooth, etc.); the 15.4-inch Area-51 m5550, successor to the m5500 also appears to be more of the same, though this time, of course, equipped with Core Duo Mobile (and integrated graphics, as far as we can tell); and, of course, their 17-inch powerhouse m5700 go the Core Duo upgrade and the m5750 monicker and, you guessed it, that new dual core Intel chip. Expect prices between $1,100 to upwards of a couple of grand, depending on your machine and options; games not included, and probably shouldn't be considered for your regular Alienware shoppers looking to snag a rig with some graphics horsepower. [Thanks, gimmeadollr] Read - m3450 Read - m5550 Read - m5750
Core Duo KHAN laptop line from Korea's Hasee
Yeah, these are just Korea-bound laptops, but there's some good stuff going on here for a decent price, so we thought we'd show you just the same. The 6.2 pound laptop holds a 15.4-inch screen, Core Duo T2300 1.66GHz processor, DVD burner, WLAN, 80GB SATA HDD and an ATI Radeon X1600. Hasee skimped a bit on the 512MB of RAM, but they're including a DVI port, along with your (well, your Korean friend's) choice of a DMB TV tuner or an external Sony HDD. The whole package is 1070 Euros, about $1342 USD. Not quite bargain basement, but it's getting there.
Toshiba Satellite M105 reviewed
If you're looking to do Core Duo on the cheap, it looks like Toshiba has you pretty well covered with their Satellite M105-S3011 laptop. It's no steal like Dell's Inspiron E1505, but for $1,050 direct -- and we're guessing cheaper at retail -- you get one of the lightest laptops in this price range (5.2 pounds, same as the MacBook), along with a few other perks to aid you in your Dell-free travels. The 1.6GHz Core Duo T2300 processor is sort of par for the course, but nothing to sneeze at, though with integrated graphics and 512MB of RAM the laptop does lag a bit in speed tests. But with a good-looking 1280 x 800 14.1-inch widescreen LCD, 100GB HDD, DVD+R DL disc drive and 3 hours 38 minutes of battery life, most non-gamers should be kept pretty well occupied. There's also FireWire, S-Video, four USB ports and a 4-in-1 card reader, along with dedicated media playback keys and a preboot app for media playback without booting the computer. PC Mag definitely recommends another stick of RAM, but were otherwise pleased with this value offering from Toshiba.
Asus W2JB media-centric laptop reviewed
It seems like we've been hearing a lot of good things about Asus laptops lately, and the praise doesn't stop at their 17-inch media monger, the W2JB. PCMag put the put the Core Duo (T2600)-based machine through its paces, stopping to take notice of its built-in TV tuner, VGA and DVI-I (via a dongle) connections, dual-layer DVD burner, 2GB of RAM, 120GB of storage and a slightly less impressive ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card. Weighing in just a hair under 8-pounds, the W2JB is only 1.2-inches thick and sits on little rubber legs, much like those you'll find on your DVD player., which allow for excellent ventilation. The only real gripes the review mentions are the somewhat disappointing 1,440 x 900 screen and the difficulty involved with actually finding one of these for sale -- Asus doesn't sell computers directly, so you'll need to do a little searching around the web. Once you do find it though, the $2099 price tag won't kill your bank account, like some other media-centric machines we know of, mostly thanks to the exclusion of a next gen DVD drive.
More from BenQ: the webcam-equipped Joybook T31
The R55 wasn't the only Joybook BenQ had on display at Computex; the company was also showing off its 13-inch T31, which is the first notebook in this lineup to feature a built in webcam (with Sony having already snatched up the MotionEye name, this 1.3 megapixel cam is known as the QEye). Like the R55, this model also features an UltraVivid display (with a 220-nit brightness, though, as opposed to 180-nit), SRS Trusurround XT audio enhancement, and a dual core processor, but the T31 eschews Intel's Core Duo chip for a Turion 64 X2 from AMD. Rounding out the specs are ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 graphics pushing WXGA resolution, four USB 2.0 ports, and a 5-in-1 card reader that can handle SD/MMC, MemoryStick, and the still-kicking xD format, but unfortunately, prices and release dates remain elusive.[Via AVING]
Sony's Blu-ray-equipped Vaio AR laptop reviewed
Surely one of the most highly-anticipated notebooks of the year, Sony's Blu-ray-sporting Vaio VGN-AR190G offers a lot of compelling features for HD buffs on paper -- 1,920 x 1,200 WUXGA+ Xbrite display, HDMI out (cable and DVI-adapter included), 200GB worth of storage, and of course that high definition optical drive -- but specs don't mean much if the machine can't perform in the real world. Thus we've been eagerly awaiting the first reviews of this 8.4-pound, 17-inch model, and much to our delight, it seems to work almost exactly as advertised. Laptop magazine was lucky enough to get a pre-release unit for putting through the old benchmark torture test, and came away very impressed with the high resolution, anti-glare screen and video output quality, pretty impressed with the performance of the 2.0GHz T2500 Core Duo CPU and nVidia GeForce Go 7600 GT graphics, and not all that impressed with the 2-hour battery life, inconveniently-placed trackpad/mouse buttons, and pokey 1.0x Blu-ray burning speed. Still, the simple fact that you can burn to an HD optical disc at all puts the AR190G in a class by itself and makes it more attractive than Toshiba's Qosmio G35-AV650 with read-only HD DVD, but Laptop still feels that even the burner and the better screen don't quite justify the extra $500 you'll have to thrown down for the Sony.
Toshiba reveals Tecra M7 dual core tablet
So apparently Toshiba has a Core Duo-powered update to the Tecra M4 convertible tablet waiting in the wings, and this one gives you a 100GB hard drive, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, and especially nice, a dual layer Super Multi drive that handles both flavors of recordable DVDs. Although we haven't yet seen any pics of the 14.1-inch, WXGA+ Tecra M7, info on Toshiba's European website seems to indicate that it will look similar to the M4 (pictured), but you're getting a lot more muscle on the inside with either 1.66GHz or 1.83GHz Core Duo chips. Rounding out the specs are nVidia Quadro NVS 110M graphics, a 6-in-1 memory card reader, four USB ports, PCMCIA slot, video out, FireWire, and both WLAN and Bluetooth wireless radios. It's not clear when this model will officially be released (pretty soon, we reckon), but we already have a good idea on pricing: it looks like you'll be able to get a nice configuration for around $1,600 or $1,700.[Thanks, Ethan]
Asus W3J 14-inch Centrino Duo laptop reviewed
It might not be as fancy as the high-class Lamborghinis our pals at Engadget Chinese saw at Computex, but according to this review, the 14-inch Centrino Duo W3J is a winner. Weighing in around 4-pounds, it fits right into the ultra-portable category, but doesn't skimp on specs including a Core Duo processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM and an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 that maxes out at 512 MB when the HyperMemory kicks in (256MB onboard and 256MB shared RAM). It even has the Bluetooth 2.0 that its cousin the A8Jm was so tragically missing – at least here in the States. All that, plus Asus' signature brushed metal styling and a battery life of about 2.75 make this machine sound like a champ, but we still can't help but think about the slick Q35 we could buy with the £1029 asking price.
NEC's VERSA L1100 13.1-inch ultra-portables
Maybe you've noticed that we likes our laptops small, powerful, and foxy 'round here. NEC looks set to indulge our whims with their new VERSA L1100 series of ultra-portables. Weighing in at 4.4-pounds, these widescreen 13.1-inch (1280 x 768) laptops feature dual-layer DVD writers, 802.11b/g WiFi, up to 2GB DDR2 memory (256MB shared with graphics), 100GB disk, a 5-in-1 card reader, and scads of expansion and multimedia outs. Systems can be configured with either Intel Celeron or Pentium M processors -- by the latter we assume NEC means the Intel Core, be that Single or better yet, Duo processors which are based on the Pentium M micro-architecture. If not, then we'll just have to pass when these drop in mid-June. [Via MobileWhack]
Samsung's Q35 reviewed
What can you say about a Samsung laptop (hot) that's already supposedly the smallest Core Duo machine in the world (very hot)? Well, not a lot else except that you really like it, in TrustedReviews' case; the gave Samsung's Q35 an average 9/10, finding notable "improvements" over its predecessor the Q30, like an integrated DVD burner and PC card slot (so sue us, we like our ultraportables to have external drives and maybe an ExpressCard slot, where possible). And that's not even to mention the nice widescreen display, a 5-in-1 media reader, solid keyboard, and a semi-reasonable £993 ($1,830 US) price tag that TR thinks makes this thing "impossible not to recommend."
Gigabyte's A963 and H971 VIIV-powered HTPCs
Besides that pair of smartphones we spotted earlier today, Gigabyte has also been showing off a set of home theater PCs at Computex, and whether you like your media centers in tower or pizza box configuration, Gigabyte's got you covered. While both the silver H971 and white A963 support VIIV-powered Core Duo processors, the rest of the specs are nothing that will get you too excited, and the lack of built-in HDMI or WiFi will probably keep most of our readers from even giving these machines a second glance. Still, if the Intel spin machine has done its job right, the VIIV stickers alone should help Gigabyte move a few units whenever they hit stores.Read- A963 [Via AVing]Read- H971 [Via AVing]
ASUS' A8Jm Core Duo laptop reviewed
According to Notebook Review, ASUS' 14.1-inch A8Jm Core Duo-powered laptop is a powerful, feature-filled machine that provides good value for its $1,550 pricetag -- but you also have to factor the cost of potential Geek Squad service calls into that price, because ASUS' tech support options, both online and over-the-phone, are judged to be pretty mediocre. Still, even after having no luck -- and getting no help -- figuring out why the InstantON button on his unit was causing the notebook to boot directly into Windows, the reviewer doesn't hesitate to recommend the A8Jm almost without reservation, citing its video capabilities (a nVidia GeForce Go 7600 card pushing 1,280 x 800 pixels), connectivity options (WiFi, ExpressCard, card reader, and FireWire, DVI, S/PDIF, and five USB 2.0 ports), quiet operation, and most importantly, the speed of its 1.83GHz T2400 processor and 667MHz DDR2 RAM. Besides that buggy InstantON button, the lack of built-in Bluetooth seems to be the only real knock against this model (especially since European versions have it while North American ones don't), but that's an issue you can easily remedy on your own.
Asus goes Turion with new 15.4-inch Z92T laptops
As far as we know, the jury is still out on AMD's Core Duo competitor, the Turion 64 X2 Mobile, but manufacturers seem to be fully behind the chips, with every day seemingly ushering in a few new Turion-based notebooks. Now Asus is joining the fray with their Z92T laptop, featuring a WXGA 15.4-inch screen, 1.6GHz TL50 processor, 1.3 megapixel webcam, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 with 256MB of RAM, 1GB of DDR2 memory, 100GB HDD, TV and DVI out, gigabit Ethernet and 802.11b/g WiFi. Pretty meaty specs other than that 1.6GHz processor, which is the lowest of the Turion line, but it all manages to fit inside the 1.38-inch thickness of the Z92T, so we're not going to do too much complaining. You should be able to get this in France today for 1,199 Euros (about $1542 USD).
First International's slim, VIIV-powered GE2 multimedia PC
Ever since the Mac mini made its much-heralded debut, new small form-factor multimedia PCs have been popping up seemingly every day, so a new company called First International (FIC) has its work cut out for it if it hopes to top the likes of AOpen, Blueado, and Hi-Grade with the super-slim, VIIV-powered GE2 revealed at Computex. Not surprisingly, the specs on this machine closely match other models on the market, so features like a Core Duo processor, integrated graphics, slot-loading DVD burner, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0, optional TV tuner, and DVI and S/PDIF outputs will probably sound quite familiar by now. Since neither pricing nor release date are known at this point, all we can hold onto is FIC's promise that the GE2 will be shipping "very soon."
Alienware's Superman-themed limited-edition Area-51 systems
Not to be outdone by parent company Dell's X-men-themed XPS machine, Alienware fired up their factory on the planet Krypton to produce a limited number of their Area-51 laptops (limited to 350) and desktops (limited to 250) with artwork, themes and a mousepad from the upcoming movie Superman Returns. The desktop, which is emblazoned with an impressive mural by comic artist Tommy Lee, starts at $1,899 (without a monitor, of course) but quickly heads skyward when you add upgrades like a 3.4GHz Pentium D dual core processor, liquid cooling, 1TB of storage and the ability to turn back time by reversing the earth's rotation. The 17-inch Core Duo notebook starts at around $2,500 and is slightly less bawdy in appearance, ditching the mural for a sleek blue finish and the Superman shield in place of the usual alien head. You can keep track of how many of the individually-numbered systems are sold via Alienware's website, so we'd recommend you move faster than a speeding something-or-other should you want one.
Acer Aspire 9510 and 9110 HD-DVD-sporting laptops
Along with the 15.4-inch 5670 and 20.1-inch 9800 notebooks that we'd already known about, Acer formally unveiled at Computex two other HD-DVD- and Centrino Duo-toting models from the Aspire line that we hadn't seen before: the 17-inch 9510 and 15.4-inch 9110 (pictured). All four models are being billed as all-in-one multimedia centers, and with all but the 5670 sporting 1,920 x 1,080 resolutions, S/PDIF and HDCP-capable HDMI outputs, optional analog and DVB-T tuners, and of course those high-def, backwards-compatible optical drives (still waiting on those Blu-ray models, though), it sure sounds like Acer knows what it's talking about. Both of the new-new notebooks also offer up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM and nVidia graphics cards, but the 9510 rocks the GeForce Go 7900 GS with 512MB of RAM and up to 240GB of hard drive space, while the 9110 has to settle for the GeForce Go 7600 with 256MB of RAM and a HDD that maxes out at 120GB. Unfortunately, Acer was so busy selling us on the benefits of all these new machines that they forgot a few important details, so both pricing and release dates for each and every one remain a big fat mystery for now.[Via Notebook Review]
Intel reveals Core 2 Duo info and ULV Core Duo CPU
Intel is using this week's Computex trade show to reveal various bits of information about upcoming additions to the Core Duo family, including details on the chipset that will support the new Core 2 Duo (formerly known as Conroe) processors as well as the existence of an impending low voltage version of the current Core Duo CPU. Senior Vice President Anand Chandrasekher announced that the 965 chipset will come in three versions (P965, G965, and U965) sporting either Core 2 Duos or Core 2 Extremes -- the latter chip coming in July in a 2.93GHz version, followed by a 3.2GHz model later this year -- along with DDR2 memory as fast as 800MHz. As for the new ULV Core Duo processor, the company claims that it will sip an average of just 0.75 watts (compared to the one to two watts consumed by the already efficient Core 2 Duo), and be available in a 1.06GHz configuration called the U2500 for $289 this summer. Release dates for the Core 2 Duo chip are still unknown, although a press conference being held tomorrow may contain that key piece of info, which is already being reported by some sources as July 23rd.
Apple pushes Intel into new direction
Apple and Intel seem to be a marriage made in heaven (it is still feels a little odd to write things like that). Anand Chandrasekher, a senior Intel exec, has been quoted by Computer World as saying that Intel's partnership with Apple has made the chip maker think about things it never considered. Chandrasekher says that this 'push' will become evident in Intel's roadmap, but don't expect anything right away.
HP's Pavilion DV1700 and DV5200 laptops
HP just gave a bump to their Pavilion lineup with the introduction of their DV1700 and DV5200 laptops in Japan. Destined for casual consumers, not suits, both models feature Core Duo CPUs, up to 2GB memory, ExpressCard slots, a multi-format memory card slot, and HP QuickPlay allowing you to fire-up DVDs and CDs without booting into XP. The DV1700 gets down with a Core D14-inch, 1280 x 768 (WXGA) LCD, up to 100GB SATA disk, Intel's 945GM Express integrated graphics and the ability to tuck the remote control card away in the ExpressCard slot. The DV5200 features a 15.4-inch LCD with a 1280 x 800 resolution, up to 120GB of SATA disk, integrated Altec Lansing speakers, and the same Intel integrated graphics which may, or may not be adequate to make Vista's Aero interface sing. Both slabs will drop in Japan on June 2 with base configs for the DV1700 pulling ¥79,800/$710 while the DV5200 will start at ¥84,000 or about $750. Snap of the DV5200 after the break.[Via Impress Watch]
