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PeeWee PC loses the stylus, gains average netbook status (update)
Previously on Computers Designed For Children, protagonist PeeWee PC introduced us to its creation, the Pivot Tablet Laptop, a cute little netvertible with childish specs -- but a $600 price that set it well out of reach of the average piggy bank. One year later, PeeWee has matured, but not necessarily for the better. For $100 less, the new PeeWee Power Laptop, which is actually just a rebranded Classmate PC, sports the same carry handle and kid-friendly construction as its the aforesaid Tablet (though with a faster 1.66GHz Atom N450 processor, 15 game titles and a security suite, mind you), but completely ditches the tablet PC functionality. Without a stylus or touchscreen for kids on which to express their creativity (read: color outside of the lines), we're not quite sure of the point. In truth, the Power Laptop is neither laptop nor powerful -- merely a rugged, kid-friendly netbook at an adult price point. But hey, it's got a carry handle! Update: PeeWee representatives tell us that the Power Laptop will not actually replace the Pivot Tablet -- a new version of that machine (perhaps a rebranded convertible Classmate?) is slated to appear around May. %Gallery-89438%
ASUS Eee PC T101MT headed to US in April for $499
Well beginning of April, you sure do like tablets for $499, don't ya? While the Eee PC T101MT has been available to suave Europeans since February, ASUS has let out word that the 10-inch, multitouch tablet will start shipping in the US sometime in April for $499. Not a bad deal considering the Pine Trail-powered netvertible has been priced around 499 Euros overseas -- though we're unsure at this point of the final specs of the American T101MT and what version of Windows 7 it will boot. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for it at the usual etailers, but before you head out and buy one you may want to wait on our upcoming full review to see how this thing measures up to the other netvertibles out there.
ASUS T101MT gets the quick and dirty video review treatment
We've already witnessed ASUS' netvertible undergo some hands-on testing, but the units inspected up until now have all been pre-production devices. Well, finally a retail T101MT has made its way out to online scribes and we've got the first video review for your delectation. We're told that the machine is still pretty thick and a tiny bit too heavy to comfortably hold in one hand for long periods of time, but also that the previous touchscreen issues have been rectified -- it is now "responsive and precise." The general theme is that you shouldn't expect too much out of it, particularly since a 480p YouTube clip gobbled up 95% of the T101MT's CPU cycles and still provided only a choppy picture, but if your ambitions are sufficiently moderate, ASUS' latest could prove a versatile little machine. Video awaits after the break and a summary review can be found at the source. Update: The YouTube video played was a stop-motion animation running at 5fps and therefore shouldn't be considered representative of the T101MT's video performance. What should be taken as representative is the fact that it maxed out the CPU.
Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t review
Who says you have to pick between a netbook and the coming onslaught of standalone tablet devices? Okay maybe some (eh hem Apple), but Lenovo's trying to have it both ways with the IdeaPad U1 and the S10-3t. In clamshell mode the S10-3t looks like any old 10-inch netbook, but swivel around its capacitive mulitouch display and it turns into that slate device you've been dreaming of. That's not all: the S10-3t is one of the first netbooks (or netveritbles) that has the new Intel 1.83GHz Atom N470 processor. But can the S10-3t straddle both worlds and do it well? And perhaps more importantly, is it worth the premium $649 price tag? That's the question we've been asking ourselves for the last few days, so hit the break for some answers in our full review.%Gallery-87678%
Gigabyte T1000 takes a new twist on life with Atom N470 and a multitouch display
Ever get the feeling that what you see on paper just isn't going to be as good in person? That's sort of how we felt today when we stopped by Gigabyte's CeBIT booth to get a look at its newly announced T1000 netvertible. On the spec front the T1000 has everything we could possibly want in a netbook -- a new 1.83GHz Atom N470, 2GB of RAM, a chiclet keyboard and a 1366 x 768-resolution multitouch display -- but in our few minutes of use things were far from rainbows and butterflies. The resistive touch panel required a pretty firm press, and when in slate mode there's no buttons (or accelerometer) for rotating the device. While we liked the chiclet keyboard, we'll never understand why Gigabyte has kept the two mouse buttons on the sides of the touchpad. We realize that we may be jumping to conclusions too quickly here, so we'll let you decide for yourselves with the help of a short video after the break. %Gallery-86765%
Viliv's S10 Blade netvertible priced at $699 and up
There's hardly a shortage of tablet news these days, but Viliv is managing to cut through somewhat with its relatively robust S10 Blade. Introduced (and toyed with) at CES this year, the Atom-powered device is now up for pre-order at Dynamism (sort of, anyway), with the big reveal being the heretofore unannounced starting price: $699. We get the feeling that some of the more well-appointed units will end up costing far more than that, but at least you know you can get 10.3-inches of resistive multitouch action into your life for less than a carbon fiber Mustang hood. Or pretty much anything else that cost over seven Benjamins.
ASUS gets official with swivel-screen multitouch Eee PC T101MT
Thanks to the oh-so-revealing pages of the FCC, we already knew that ASUS had yet another multitouch-enabled Eee PC in the works, but there's just nothing quite like the satisfaction of seeing an official portal launched to celebrate the reality of being. The Eee PC T101MT is a swivel-screen netvertible that packs a 10.1-inch resistive multitouch display (1,024 x 600), Windows 7, up to 2GB of DDR2 memory, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, a 160GB or 320GB hard drive, 0.3 megapixel webcam and a 6.5 hour battery. You'll also get a VGA output, a trio of USB 2.0 sockets, Ethernet audio in / out, an SD / SDHC / SDXC card reader (nice!) 500GB of internet-accessible ASUS WebStorage and your choice of white or black. Per usual, there's nary of a mention of a price or release date just yet, but you can check out what fun awaits you in the demonstration video just past the break. %Gallery-85452%
Toshiba Portege M780 highlights business laptop refresh to Core i-series CPUs
For some among us, the VAIO E series is the pinnacle of modern mobile computing design. Then there are other, saner individuals, who prefer the understated aesthetics of what are commonly termed business laptops. For that latter group, we have a whole glut of new Toshiba notebooks to look at, highlighted by the delectable looking Portege M780 above. Much in the vein of HP's 2730p, it's a 12.1-inch convertible tablet PC, with a spill-resistant keyboard and rugged features (tested to withstand drops from up to 1 meter), but its biggest attraction will still likely be the Core i5 heart thumping inside. Also undergoing upgrades are the Tecra A11 (already available in the US), M11 and S11, which will come with up to 8GB of RAM, 802.11n wireless, SSD options, and of course Intel Core i7 CPUs. Check them out after the break, and expect them to arrive in Europe, the Middle East and Africa this quarter, with the M780 close behind them with a Q2 2010 release.
Viliv S10 Blade netvertible, N5 MID get official
We loved the design of Viliv's S10 Blade, and we love they fact that it's finally official. The 10.1-inch resistive multitouch convertible sports integrated 4G mobile WiMAX and 3G HSPA, and is being hailed as "a non-compromise, high-performance" device by those who want you to buy one. Additionally, the N5 is a 4.8-inch clamshell MID with 3G and WiFi. Look for 'em at your favorite e-tailer. PR after the break.
Malata's R108T netvertible embraces touch, Windows 7
It's been nearly three full years since we've heard a peep from Malata, but the outfit has chosen an opportune time to reemerge into the spotlight. The R108T netbook is one of the convertible variety, boasting a swiveling 10-inch touchscreen (similar to ASUS' Eee PC T91) and Windows 7 to boot. Internally, things get a lot more boring -- there's a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 160GB hard drive, 1.3 megapixel camera, WiFi, Ethernet, a pair of USB sockets, VGA output and a 3-in-1 card reader. We're told that the asking price on this one will hover around $439, though there's no clear indication that it'll ever head stateside.
Kohjinsha PA series reviewed, found lacking
It's well established by now that the Kohjinsha PA series tablet is one peculiar creature. It has the internals and OS of a netbook, with a 1.33GHz Atom CPU and Windows XP Home, the 4.8-inch display of a portable MID, and the convertible capabilities of an internet tablet, while its price (around $770) seems to imply it performs all three roles with aplomb. The Pocketables crew have followed up their unboxing of the quirky little device with a full-on review, and their conclusion has been that sadly it's more of a chump than a champ. Poor build quality and substandard input controls dragged this contender down, in spite of its swiveling screen and decent performance thanks to a 32GB SSD. Ultimately, it's the price that dooms the PA series to ignominy, and it seems like only a miracle -- or a timely RilakKuma rebadge -- will make it commercially successful. Hit the read link for the full story.
Gigabyte T1028X and M1022X netbooks launch in Japan, Win 7 in tow
In anticipation of the Thursday's launch, the crazy kids at Gigabyte Japan have refreshed two of their netbook lineup to include Windows 7 Starter. Unfortunately for the T1028X tablet we've been tracking for a while now, this flavor of the OS doesn't support multitouch. While that makes a touchscreen far less attractive in our eyes, maybe you're into that sort of thing. Who knows? That said, new OS aside, you're pretty much looking at the same old netvertible. Also on tap, the M1022X brings the M1022M docking netbook up to speed, adding a 6 cell battery (boasting 8 hours of use) to the 10.1-inch, Atom N280-powered ultraportable. Look for that one to retail for ¥66,800 ($738) while the T1028X fetches ¥72,800 ($804).[Via Netbooked]
Fujitsu goes multitouch with a bevy of Windows 7 machines (video)
Not that there's any shortage of choice in the touchscreen all-in-one space, but Fujitsu seems keen on covering all the bases with its latest product unveiling. The headline F series (pictured) will be powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 processor, which represents 2.53GHz of ultra-efficient and plenty capable laptop hardware, and 4GB of RAM. Machines can be had in 23- or 20-inch varieties, with respective resolutions of 1920 x 1080 and 1600 x 900. There's also the MT series of 12.1-inch convertible tablets, which come with WACOM functionality and up to an SU9400 Intel CPU. Perhaps the most esoteric new offerings, however, are the NF/ER (laptops) and F/ER (desktops), which combine the hip new multitouch skills with specially designed keyboard and mouse inputs, as well as a support hotline, all in the name of getting the older generation in on the computing craze. Video lies after the break, or check out the Akihabara News link below for a full gallery of images.[Via Akihabara News]%Gallery-75410%
Viliv S10 Blade netvertible hands-on at IDF
Viliv has one of the best-looking convertible tablets we've ever seen here at IDF, the new S10 Blade. It's actually quite striking in person -- it's thin and light, while still offering a convertible touchscreen and a decent keyboard. Sadly the version pictured here has a pretty slow single-touch resistive touchscreen and will be limited to Windows 7 Starter when it launches in November for around $570, but we're told that a multitouch resistive model will hit early next year with Windows 7 Home Premium for around $700. We'll see if that one has the functionality to back up these hot looks when it hits -- but for now, check the rest of the pics in the gallery. %Gallery-73941%
Video: Gigabyte T1028X unboxed, handled, available in good ol' USA
Looks like we've got not one, but two nuggets of good news for you today: firstly, the latest Gigabyte swivel-screen tablet has been unboxed, undressed and appropriately groped up, and secondly, Amazon have now got stock of the device at $679 plus shipping. That might still seem a bit rich for a netbook, albeit with expanded functionality, but it's significantly more affordable than what our European comrades have to pay. As to the unboxing -- and there's a lot of it since Gigabyte decided to pack the unit in like a matryoshka -- the Liliputing crew do a thorough inspection as well as a size comparison against devices from ASUS and Lenovo. Slide past the break to see the pair of videos and judge for yourself.
Asus Eee PC T101H launching this fall to a world in crisis
As all you hardcore ASUS-heads undoubtedly recall, we got our first fleeting images of the Eee PC T101H way back in January. Now here we are six months later and man, how the world has changed: Jacko's in a better place, there's been a coup in Honduras, civil unrest in Iran, and Lindsay Lohan has started a new line of spray-on suntan. Sensing that the world is ripe for another bombshell, ASUS has finally released the specs on its up-and-coming 10.1-inch resistive touchscreen netvertible. Just like the 8.9-inch T91, the T101H sports an Intel Atom Z520 1.33GHz processor, a max 2GB memory and a 16GB SSD. The display supports 1024 x 600 resolution, and the battery boasts up to a 5.4 hour lifespan. According to SlashGear, "wireless options include WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth and a 3G module, together with GPS and digital TV, though it's unclear whether those final three are standard on a single T101H model, or will be spread out among several versions as with the T91." The bad boy is expected to launch by the end of August / early September 2009 in the UK. No word on the OS (Windows 7 doesn't drop until late October, so Windows XP Home is a good guess) or price. Video after the break.[Via SlashGear]
Kohjinsha SK3 convertible UMPC adds Windows 7 support, excitement, and danger
We know what you're thinking: sure, lime green netbooks are fun, but when is Kohjinsha going to revisit that dapper little SC3 convertible UMPC that won our hearts way back in the summer of '08? You're so predictable -- and you're in luck! According to the cats at a little UMPC portal we like to call UMPC Portal, the newly re-jiggered Kohjinsha SK3 sports subtle design differences (including a new WiFi module that brings 802.11n to the table), but otherwise the same ol' 1.3GHz Menlow processor, GPS, SD card slot, VGA out, and LAN of its predecessor. If that weren't enough, this device contains two cameras and Windows 7 support. No word yet on price or a release date on this beauty -- or whether or not it will sport a HDD or SSD drive. But we do have one more lovely promo shot for you after the break.[Via SlashGear]
Swiveling ASUS Eee PC T91 does multitouch in Windows 7
Like so many other dodgy things in life, ASUS' Eee PC T91 has been around the block a time or two. It wasn't until this week, however, that ASUS finally came clean with a full specifications list for the swivel-screen netvertible. The 3G-equipped machine also packs a GPS module, Bluetooth, WiFi, an 8.9-inch LED-backlit touch panel, Intel's Atom Z520 CPU, Ethernet, a multicard reader, VGA output, twin USB 2.0 sockets and audio in / out ports. Sadly, there's still no definite US release date, but we suspect it can't be too far off now. In related news, this very machine was caught showcasing its elite multitouch skills with Windows 7, and if you're interested in seeing exactly how that went down, hop on past the break and mash play.Read - Official Eee PC T91 specificationsRead - T91 multitouch on Windows 7
Mtube II mixes an Android tablet with an XP netbook
Been thinking about settling down with an XP netbook but can't get the idea of an Android tablet out of your mind? We understand your pain -- and so does Taiwan's Institute for Information Industry, which is showing off the Mtube II netbook / tablet at Computex. The slick remix of an HP Mini 1000 runs XP when in netbook configuration, but then switches over to Android on an unspecified ARM processor when the screen is pulled off and used as a tablet. Yes, it's basically the product most of us have daydreamed about for ages -- much like the Touch Book -- but there are some tradeoffs here: first, the Atom in the netbook base has been swapped for a VIA C7-M, so it's not exactly a rocket, and second, the screen is connected by VNC, so video performance isn't going to be all that great. We're hoping the additional year of development III says it needs will solve some of those problems, but until then you know we'll be doodling this thing all through math class. Videos after the break.
Gigabyte posts T1028 TouchNote product page, user manual
Gigabyte's T1028 TouchNote has been cooking on the back burner for weeks now. After we first spotted it lookin' pretty at CeBIT, the tablet / netbook hybrid has since landed in the FCC's database and has now shown up officially on the company's website. The formal specifications list explains that the 10.1-inch machine will boast a swiveling touch panel (LED-backlit), a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, 92 percent full-sized keyboard, embedded HSDPA module, a 2.5-inch 160GB SATA HDD, Bluetooth 2.1, 1.3 megapixel camera, Ethernet, 4-cell battery, WiFi and twin 1.5-watt speakers. Optional equipment includes an Atom N280 CPU, WiMAX module, 1,366 x 768 resolution panel (at least according to the user manual) and a more longevous a 6-cell Li-ion. Now, give us a price and ship date and we'll be pleased as punch.[Via Slashgear, thanks Chris]Read - T1028 product pageRead - T1028 user manual
