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MSI Wind starts arriving, gets unboxed
Sure, the MSI Wind's taken its sweet time to start shipping here in the States, but it looks like a few units finally started trickling out last week, and that means its time for a torrent of unboxing pictures and videos to flood the tubes. Adam Smith has the first video we've seen -- head on after the break to watch his very-visible hands pull a black Wind running XP blinking into the world for the first time.[Thanks, Cameron]
Fujitsu Siemens' netbook entry gets revealed
It looks like Fujitsu Siemens have broken cover on the next member to get in on the netbook party. That's right -- the company is launching a cheap, micro-sized laptop in the coming months... just like everyone else. According to reports, the 8.9-inch device will clock in around €300 or €400 (about $470 to $630), and will likely sport some version of Windows (we're thinking XP, as is the case with the vast majority of these). The laptop will be part of the Amilo line, but little else is known about it at this point.[Via Lilliputing]
Elonex unveils £129 One T netbook
The first Elonex One was an oddly-configured little beast, with the guts of the machine tucked behind the display for an unwieldy, top-heavy look that was only acceptable given the £100 ($199) pricetag and pseudo-tablet functionality it offered. That doesn't mean Elonex isn't after the rest of the netbook market, though -- it's just introduced the Elonex One T, which has a much more traditional form-factor and comes in a variety of colors, but retains the bargain basement price of £129 ($255). Of course, that means you're getting an unspecified 400MHz processor and a 7-inch, 800 x 480 display that's sure to be fairly mediocre, but for just over a hundred quid, just be happy this thing doesn't look still look like it fell out of 1983. [Via Liliputing]
Acer's Aspire One on sale in America, said to be shipping
Acer played it safe early last month by telling Americans to expect its Aspire One "later this year," but just a month and change after UKers had the privilege of toying with one on video, here she comes. So far, we're seeing a couple of variations for sale here in the US, two of which include the $399.99 A110-1295 (8GB SSD) and the $422.99 A150-1006 (120GB HDD). We're also hearing that select e-tailers are already slapping those shipping labels on there and moving 'em out to anxious consumers, so be sure and chime in when your confirmation arrives. Wait, what? You already own six netbooks? Ah well, what's another one amongst family?[Via AspireOne, thanks Tony and Timothy]
ECS G10IL: Stateside September for $399
ECS has been teasing the netbook market for months now with its G10IL -- meticulously surveying the competition and batting its eyelashes at US consumers. Fortunately, LAPTOP was able to sit down with Henry Kwan of ECS to help bring the flirtatious cycle to a satisfying end. Accordingly, we now know that the G10IL will ship in 8.9- and 10-inch models with the latter most likely shipping to US soils. It'll be available at an entry-level price of $399 in September running Linpus Lite 9.4 Linux off an 8GB SSD. It'll also be configurable with XP on an 80GB disk and EDGE/HSDPA/HSUPA data for much more. No sentimental delusions of educating the world's children here, the G10IL is meant for serious business use only. How refreshingly direct ECS.
MSI finally ships the Wind
After weeks upon weeks of painstaking delays (okay, so maybe that's a stretch... maybe), MSI has finally started shipping the Wind to US customers. As you very well know, these buggers have been showing up everywhere across the pond, but we've just received word that Fry's, NewEgg, Amazon, ZipZoomFly, MWave and Buy.com are all sending units out as we speak for those that pre-ordered. Chime in below if you've just recently received a shipping notification (or, heaven forbid, if you're still waiting). Full release after the jump.
Eee PC 901 shows up for pre-order on Amazon for $399 (update: NewEgg shipping)
You know it's getting bad when even Amazon can't tell all the flavors of the Eee PC apart -- a listing for an "Eee PC 900" with 16GB of flash and an Atom processor just went live on the etailer's site with a pre-order price of $399. Those are actually the specs and tasty price of the long-awaited Eee 901, so we're going to say that ASUS's endless stream of minor new Eee models has everyone confused, and that the 901 looks like it's ready to drop -- is this the Eee that'll finally make you take the plunge?Update: NewEgg just went live with the 12GB XP-based 901 for $599.999999. Shipping today. Also, Amazon is now listing XP and Linux-based 901s for the same price although still as pre-orders. Our advice: stay away from the so-called Atom-based Eee PC 900 until Amazon clarifies the configuration.[Via I4U, thanks Carl]
Teardown party: the MSI Wind and Acer Aspire One get ripped open
You knew this was bound to happen. Like any good piece of gadgetry, there's always someone who can't wait to get their grubby hands all over it... and rip it to shreds to see how it works. Today we present the disemboweling of two of the latest challengers to the Eee's netbook throne: the MSI Wind, and the Acer Aspire One. The Aspire One at least gets the courtesy of a proper unboxing before the medical proceedings begin; the Wind just gets cracked open like a cold PBR at your cousin's barbecue. Don't take our word for it, however -- truck on over to the read links and see the messes with your very own eyes.Read - Breaking WindRead - Acer Aspire One Unboxed and Disassembled
Gigabyte gets official with 8.9-inch M912V swivel screen netbook
It has taken long enough, but Gigabyte finally saw fit to make official its intriguing M912V. If you'll recall, this critter popped up and caught eyes at Computex, as it's essentially a netbook with a swivel screen -- think Tablet PC, but miniature. Specs wise, you're looking at an 8.9-inch WXGA (1,280 x 768) LED-backlit panel, Intel's 1.6GHz Atom processor, a 2.5-inch HDD (120/160/250GB), 1.3-megapixel camera, twin 1.5-watt speakers, 1GB of RAM and your choice of Windows XP, Vista or Linux. Furthermore, you'll find Bluetooth, WiFi, an ExpressCard slot, a wide of array of ports and even an option for HSDPA expansion. It should be noted that there's no internal optical drive (nor a price or release date just yet), but at least Gigabyte's offering up a netbook with some inkling of innovation, right?[Via PCLaunches]
Acer Aspire One available in Europe
According to reports, Acer's tiny Aspire One laptop is now available in three breathtaking variations: the A110L, A150L, and A150X. The A110L sports an Atom N270 CPU, Intel's 946GSE chipset, 512MB or 1GB of RAM, 8GB of NAND flash storage, an 8.9-inch 1024 x 600 display, 802.11b/g, and three USB ports. The other two models come equipped with the same specs, save for a 120GB hard drive in place of the flash storage, and are offered with Linpus Linux, or Windows XP. Excited? Retailers in Germany already claim to have the A110L in stock now, selling for €329 (or about $518).[Via Fudzilla]
ASUS' Eee 904 gets official. Officially boring.
ASUS has apparently gotten totally, righteously official on its Eee 904, according to reports. Word on the street is that the new iteration of its overflowing line of micro-laptops will be headed to shelves very soon, though it won't exactly pack a groundbreaking set of features. As we previously reported, the system will feature an 8.9-inch 1024 x 600 display -- but now full specs include a 900MHz Celeron M CPU, 1GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, and an install of Windows XP on board. Keep in mind the keyboard on this model mirrors the one used on the larger Eee 1000, though little else is different about this model versus the Eee 901 (which incidentally gets a price cut to £299, or about $595). The 904 will retail for £269 ($535), and will be available mid-July.[Via TechRadar]
MSI Wind shipping in "3 to 5 weeks," Advent rebadge available now
Okay, so we've got hard evidence the Wind is shipping out somewhere in the world, but the latest status check on Amazon reveals that it'll be another 3 to 5 weeks before Americans can indulge. Granted, we've seen these dates slip around a bit, so hopefully it'll slide to "sooner" if anything. Interestingly enough, the Advent 4211 rebadge is shipping this very moment to customers in the UK for £279.99, though that currency conversion is apt to be a real thorn in your side when looking to import.Read - MSI Wind availability, via ComputerMonger, thanks IvanaRead - Advent 4211, thanks zeesh
Everex readying 10.2-inch Cloudbook with 3G WWAN?
As we all wait tensely for Everex's Cloudbook MAX to land (and WiMAX to launch in a big way), rumors are swirling that First International Computer (FIC) -- Everex's affiliate and the maker of the Cloudbook -- is preparing a 10.2-inch "Eee PC killer." 'Course, by the time this thing comes out it'll have 27 Eees to kill, but we digress. Early word suggests that the unit will pack a 1,024 x 600 resolution panel, a 1.3-megapixel camera, up to 2GB of RAM, a 4-in-1 multicard reader, ExpressCard slot, 4- or 6-cell battery, 802.11b/g WiFi as well as optional 3G WWAN / WiMAX capabilities. With everyone and their first cousin twice removed getting into this arena, don't be shocked to see this turn up here in a few months.[Via SlashGear]
MSI's Wind gets received by someone, unboxed on video
Even though the world at large is waiting on pins and needles for these Wind delays to subside, at least one lucky individual in Italy has received one. Not that you haven't already seen this netbook from every angle imaginable, but things just look entirely more fluid on video. Three minutes (2:55, to be precise) in heaven await you after the break.[Thanks, Marcello]
The Eee PC 903, 904, and 905 make their unofficial debut
The non-stop barrage of Eee-branded gear from ASUS continues on today, with the first appearance of the Eee PC 903, 904 (above), and 905. It's not clear exactly what the differences between the three models are, but as we've heard, they're all basically the Eee PC 901's Atom-based guts shoved into the Eee PC 1000's case -- which means you're getting a larger keyboard, but the 8.9-inch display will have a pretty significant bezel around it. As before, final specs and pricing aren't available, but since these are destined to replace the 900 and 901, we'd expect pricing to remain in the $600 range.[Thanks, Sascha]Read - Eee 903Read - Eee 904 and 905
HCL's MiLeap handled in the wild, likened to V-Tech toy
HCL's MiLeap has long been forgotten amongst the swarm of other low-cost laptops to emerge post-CES, but a kind fellow over in Bahrain was able to handle one for a tick, snap a few photographs and dish out some early impressions. Essentially, this 7-inch netbook was more akin to a V-Tech toy than a bona fide computing instrument, and typing on the thing was apparently a very non-enjoyable experience. Still, those anxious to see what this critter looks like in the flesh can head on down to the read link, but don't even pretend that you're not going there with full intentions of pointing and laughing.[Thanks, Mo]
Aware Electronics shows off A-Pad convertible netbook
As you're no doubt all too well aware, there's certainly no shortage of netbook options out there these days, but the number of convertible netbooks is considerably more limited -- a situation that little known Aware Electronics now looks set to somewhat rectify. It's apparently now set to jump into the game with this 7-inch number, which packs an Aday5G 800MHz X86 processor (all bets are off on that one), 4GB of NAND Flash, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth (with optional 3G and GPS), an integrated webcam, dual USB ports, an SD card slot, and the LINOS Linux distribution for an OS. Nothing particularly standout there, but Aware is promising that this one'll sell for $300 when it launches in two months, which certainly evens things out -- assuming that you can actually get one for that price.
Medion's Atom-powered Akoya Mini laptop now on sale
Here's a peculiar one. Medion's Akoya Mini -- you know, just one of the legions of low-cost laptops you've barely heard of -- is finally on sale after being showcased at Computex. But it's not the mere fact of being on sale that's intriguing; for whatever reason, Medion has decided to offer the unit up in Austria's Hofer, which is the foreign equivalent of America's Aldi. So you know, while you're browsing around picking up a few bits of produce and a 20-pack of Fun Dip, why not snag a 10-inch netbook for €399 ($628) to round things out?[Thanks, hondosan]
MSI Wind, delayed again?
It's June 27th, but instead of a 10-inch MSI Wind NB unboxing we're hearing that at least one pre-order customer is being greeted with another delay. Reason? An "industry wide battery shortage." Come now MSI, we guess you missed that giant fireball-of-a-signal to look elsewhere for your inventory back in March? At least MSI is tossing in free overnight delivery with the new July 7th ship date. Hoozah, drinks are on Fred! Full MSI notification posted after the break.P.S. The MSI Wind NB retail page is currently blank. Time will tell if this is a deeper issue or just a temporary administration error.[Thanks, Fred H.]
Eee PC 901 and 1000 to ship in US on July 8?
We've gotten just about as much info on the Eee PC 901 and 1000 as we can handle, but we've been missing that most important piece of data until now: a US release date. That might be about to change, though, as ASUS's pre-sales department has apparently been telling people that the 901 and 1000 will ship on July 8th. Of course, that's not a firm commitment, and ship dates have been known to slip, but if you've been waiting to cold-cock that piggy bank, well, let the countdown begin.
