Thin and Light
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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.
Dell Latitude 13: a thin-and-light for big business
Dell is serious about its thin and light class of machines judging by its ability to churn out these lovely lappies from its Adamo design studio. Today we've got the Latitude 13. Oh sure, it looks almost exactly like the Vostro v13 for small businesses but this is Latitude brother, Dell's mainstream business brand. As such, it comes fully IT-ified with a preinstalled Citrix client, easier virtualization options, and baked in know-how for system image and software update distribution. So it's not really new, but it's still "the world's thinnest 13-inch commercial client laptop," according to Dell and that's gotta be worth a second look when it begins shipping in a few weeks.
Acer not making a tablet, will focus on ultra-thin laptops
We're sort of loving Acer's new bad-boy vibe -- not only have company execs recently gone on record saying that US PC manufacturers will be dead within 20 years and that they want to "change the Microsoft-Intel environment" with Chrome OS, but now they're standing firm while everyone else races to do a tablet. At least that's the word from Acer Taiwan president Scott Lin, who told Digitimes that while Acer can certainly produce a tablet device, it doesn't fit into the company's business model. What's more, he doubts that other companies can simply copy Apple's hardware and succeed -- instead, Acer's going to focus on ultra-thin laptops, a category Acer expects to account for 20-30 percent of its business this year. Lin also said Acer will introduce some new models that are less then 2cm (.7 inches) thick -- assuming there's an ARM-based Chrome OS netbook in that mix, we can certainly see the super thin and light laptop category and the tablet category aligning as direct competitors in the near future.
Averatec's Lookie is medium power in a small package
Right now it's Korea-only, but it's Averatec's Lookie laptop stuffs some decent power into its tiny chassis. Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 250GB HDD, Windows 7, HDMI port, and six hours of battery life. We're a little bit light on the other details, but we're assuming they fall in line with other thin-and-lights. At a touted 0.5 centimeters, this sucker's thin -- beat that, Adamo XPS -- and pretty light at 1.4kg (just over 3lbs). The catch to all this -- and of course there's bound to be one -- is the 799,000KRW price, which translates to about $711 locally.
LG X300 hands-on: thin, light, and handsome
Impressively thin and light, and that's really all you need to know about LG's X300. The touchpad and chiclet keyboards are comfortable, but what's really gonna seal the deal is the as-of-yet unknown price tag. Direct your eyeballs this way, why don't ya? %Gallery-82130%
Toshiba's T115 and T135 thin-and-lights start at $450, offer Intel and AMD flavors
When a manufacturer picks AMD or Intel chips for a particular model, it's often a bit of an exclusive marriage. Toshiba, however, is going Big Love for its new 11.6-inch T115 and 13.3-inch T135 ultraportables, which can both run AMD Neo, AMD Turion or Intel Pentium SU4100 processors. Nothing absolutely blazing, but at the $450 starting point (for AMD) you're hardly past a netbook cost for something considerably peppier. The laptops, which measure less than an inch thick and weigh 3.5 and 3.9 pounds, respectively, offer up 9 hours of battery on Intel and 6 hours on AMD, with the ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics in the latter providing some decent low-power video decoding (including Blu-ray, if you have an external drive). Prices scale up to $700, with a 320GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM at the high end. We played around with both models, and while there's nothing specific to gripe about, we can't say we're super impressed by Toshiba's heavy handed, ultra-gloss approach. It feels a little last gen and cheap, particularly in comparison to the refined mini NB305 -- whose chiclet keyboard is almost preferable to the slightly mushy keys on display here. The price point and feature set makes these certainly worth a further look, but we wish Toshiba would get over its plastic fetish and make something a bit more desirable. %Gallery-81708% %Gallery-81707%
Acer gets in the Olympic spirit with special edition Aspire Timeline 1810TZ
Lenovo really went to town with its Olympics-branded gear, but while Acer is a major Winter Olympics partner (and keeping the spot for 2012 as well), it's taking a bit more of a tame approach at the outset. This Acer Aspire Timeline 1810TZ, for instance, merely slaps some silver rings on the lid and calls it a day. Pretty classy, and the price isn't bad: $580 for a 11.6-inch CULV laptop with 3GB of RAM and Windows 7. Perfect for the multitasking ski jumper in your life.
MSI slides out 13.4-inch X-Slim X350 CULV laptop
MSI has been quite the snake of late. Just over the past fortnight alone the outfit has slyly rolled out a new Wind Top all-in-one PC, a revamped X-Slim X600 Pro and now a brand new CULV rig that promises up to 9 hours of battery life and weighs just 3.31 pounds. The 13.4-inch X-Slim X350 doesn't deviate from the design mantra established in earlier X-Slim models, and within you'll find an Intel CULV Core 2 Duo processor, a 'chiclet' keyboard, LED-backlit 1,366 x 768 resolution display, an integrated HDMI socket, GMA 4500MHD graphics set, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, gigabit Ethernet, optional Bluetooth, WiFi, an SD / MMC card reader, audio in / out, a couple of USB 2.0 sockets and Windows 7 Home Premium runnin' the show. There's also an optional external optical drive available (DVD or Blu-ray), your choice of a 4- or 8-cell battery, VGA output and a pair of inbuilt speakers. Mum's the word on pricing and availability, but we suspect the firm will be showcasing this shortly when CES kicks off.
MSI X-Slim X600 Pro tweaks the 15.6-inch thinsanity formula
The last time we bumped into MSI's 15.6-inch X-Slim X600 we were unimpressed with the build quality -- it just seemed like too much plastic in too thin of a form factor to be trusted. Well, the X-Slim X600 Pro seems to have addressed some of the perceived quality issues, with a new scratch-resistant surface and silver inlays, but we'll have to play with one before we really know if these refinements are merely skin deep. The largest hardware tweak is the new chiclet keyboard, while inside the laptop has scored "the latest" Intel Core 2 Duo CULV processor, matched with the same ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 graphics from last time. There's no word on price or availability, but we're sure we'll be seeing and hearing more at CES.
Dell Adamo XPS: Exclusive to John Lewis in the UK for the holiday season
If you're lucky enough to live in the US, buying the super slim Adamo XPS is just a matter of hitting up Dell's website -- and then ponying up nearly $2,000, of course. Those in the UK, however, have been sorely out of luck. Luckily for them, we're hearing that the much lusted-after laptop will be available at John Lewis department stores in time for holiday shopping. That's right, this hinged baby -- which boasts a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor, a 128GB SSD, a 13.4-inch WLED panel, a 2 megapixel camera, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, and GS45 integrated graphics -- will be available there as of today, for the base price of £1750 (that's about $2,800). For a better idea of what this bad boy looks like, check out our hands-on impressions video after the break.
Dell Vostro V13 hands-on impressions: 'yes'
What if you took an original Adamo, shaved a couple pounds off the weight and a grand off the price? You'd end up with something pretty close to the new Dell Vostro V13. We just got a quick look at the machine, and while some of the cheaper materials Dell is using here certainly came through, the total package is still quite impressive -- and the price unimpeachable. The anodized aluminum exterior is smooth to the touch and gives the frame of the entire laptop a great amount of stiffness; none of that bendy nonsense that can be found in some of the $500ish thin-and-light competition. We were also pleasantly surprised to find a antigloss (not quite matte) display under the hood. Unfortunately, the compromises begin with the keyboard, which is a bit bendy and "clacky" (the bad version of "clicky"), and the 6 volt battery gets 4.75 hours as quoted, so probably around three in real life. We're also a little disappointed that the $450 base price rips out the SD card and ExpressCard slots, and that you can't get a Windows 7 version for under $600 -- even though the Ubuntu default is mighty tempting. So, there are compromises, just like in life, but for the most part this is one of the least timid computers we've seen from Dell in a while: not afraid to step on the toes of its brandmates and make a name for itself. Check out a quick video hands-on after the break, and stand by for our review that should hopefully arrive later this month. Update: We got some bad info, and it turns out that the ExpressCard and SD card slots do come standard with the laptop -- the mockup we saw didn't have them, but all shipping models will. Phew! %Gallery-79846%
Dell Vostro V13 is $450, .65 inches thick, available 'worldwide' today (update: video!)
You had to know Dell's comically secretive product launch strategy would eventually break down, and here we go: although the company is teasing an "unnamed $450 Vostro" to US media, Dell Singapore has just gone ahead and launched the thing officially as the Vostro V13, complete with specs. Oops. While Dell PR tries to put out that fire, we can dance in the rubble and tell you that Dell's putting everything it learned building the Adamo XPS to some more practical use in the .65-inch thick, sub-3.5-pound V13, which packs either a 1.2GHz Celeron, 1.3GHz Core 2 Duo or 1.4GHz Core 2 Solo with integrated X4500MHD graphics under that 13.3-inch screen. Sure, the design isn't as wild as the Adamo XPS, but the extra thickness means that it can accommodate an Ethernet port, along with eSATA, USB, an SD card slot and even a freaking ExpressCard slot. All this for just a confirmed US$450 on the low end? Okay, sign us up. Hit the Dell Singapore link for more pics and a nice 360-degree view. Update: Added a video after the break so you can hear Dell pitch the V13 direct. Update 2: It's now official in America, starts at $449 and can be had "worldwide" starting today. %Gallery-79806% [Thanks, Daniel]
ASUS UL30Vt now available at Amazon
Remember just a while back when we told you that you could pre-order the ASUS UL30Vt over at Amazon if you so wished? Well, it's actually, really available and shipping now. The Windows 7 Home Premium-boasting 13-incher is part of ASUS's thin and light line -- with looks we're quite fond of. It's also packing switchable graphics, DDR3 memory, and a 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 CPU which can be overclocked. This baby is selling for $799 and it's in stock now, so if you want one -- well, you know where to find it. [Thanks, Leonel]
MSI X-Slim X430 gets an Athlon Neo CPU, Windows 7 and Blu-ray
AMD spoiled MSI's surprise a bit by snagging an X-Slim X430 early for its VISION gala back in September, but now that Windows 7 is out and about, MSI has decided to officialize its latest thin-and-light. Unlike most of its rivals, this one shuns Intel's CULV lineup and instead relies on a dual-core AMD Athlon Neo X2 CPU, and with Win7 Home Premium at the helm, performance shouldn't be too much of an issue when it comes to handling basic tasks. There's also a 14-inch display (1,366 x 768), 2GB of RAM, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, HDMI / VGA sockets, an SD card slot, a 320GB or 500GB HDD and even an optional Blu-ray drive (albeit an external one). 4 and 8-cell batteries will also be available, and at 3.3 pounds, we're guessing you won't need to bulk up before slapping this in your knapsack.
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge to bridge gap between IdeaPads and pro machines?
Dear Lenovo, thank you for being so loose-lipped about your forthcoming products, we most certainly appreciate it. Joining the now fully detailed X100e is a purported new line of entry-level ThinkPads -- dubbed the ThinkPad Edge. We've only got the one source and that image above as evidence, but the details appear to make sense in terms of Lenovo's overall lineup strategy. Set to fit in between the professional ThinkPads and more consumer-oriented IdeaPads, the Edge will start off with 13.3-inch units sporting a choice of low-voltage dual-core AMD or Intel processors, up to eight hours of battery life, and a robust 4GB of memory paired to 500GB of storage. The word is that we'll see the new machines make an appearance by CES 2010 at the latest, and we've got a purported spec sheet for your perusal after the break.
HP's 11.6-inch Pavilion DM1 gets unboxed on video
HP's Pavilion DM1 has been floating around for a few weeks now in various corners of the globe, but now it seems as if the CULV-based machine is splashing down in at least a few lairs. Sporting an 11.6-inch display, a built-in 3G SIM card slot and Windows 7, this thing looks an awful lot like the Mini 311 (and for good reason). Granted, we're still waiting for it to ship here in North America, but if you're too impatient to just wait things out, an unboxing video is posted up just past the break for your enjoyment.
Intel Arrandale chips detailed, priced and dated?
Who's up for some more Intel roadmap rumoring? The latest scuttlebutt from "notebook players" over in the far East is that the chip giant has finally settled on names, speeds, and prices for its first three Arrandale CPUs, which are expected to arrive in the first half of 2010. The Core i5-520UM and Core i7-620UM both run at 1.06GHz, while the top Core i7-640UM model speeds ahead at 1.2GHz, with bulk-buying prices of $241, $278, and $305 per unit of each processor. Even if the processing speeds might not impress on paper, these 32nm chips splice two processing cores, the memory controller, and graphics engine all into the same package and thereby deliver major power savings. Platform pricing is expected to remain at around $500 for netbooks, while the ultrathins these chips are intended for should hit the $600 to $800 range... if Lord Intel wills it so.
Lenovo IdeaPad U150 11.6-inch ultraportable hits the streets with $699 asking price
Just in case it had slipped your mind, now is a pretty great time to be looking for a computer. Take this IdeaPad U150 from Lenovo which just started shipping, for instance. For $699 you can get a CULV processor, 3GB of RAM and a 250GB HDD stuffed inside a 3 pound, 0.75-inch thick enclosure, with a 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 display and Windows 7 Home Premium. Bump it up to $849 and you're looking at better internals all around, and while those Intel X4500 graphics might be holding you back performance-wise, the external looks and build quality of this thing almost make up for it.
Toshiba's 320GB hard disk is world's largest 1.8-incher
That's the world's largest capacity 1.8-inch hard disk drive right there. A claim met by a list of specs going a little something like this: 3.0Gbps SATA interface, 320GB capacity, 5,400 RPM, 16MB buffer, and 19dB of emitted noise during seeks -- a 4dB cut from Toshiba's previous generation of 5,400 RPM 1.8-inchers. Of course, these 1.8-inch mechanical HDDs are the form factor most commonly found in those netbook-shoving CULV thin-and-light ultraportables now coming onto the market. Look for it in December when the MK3233GSG hits mass production.
HP Envy 14 on the horizon?
We'll keep this short and sweet -- the same amateur sleuths who were responsible for revealing the majority of HP's fall lineup ahead of time are back again, this time indicating a forthcoming Envy 14 model. It doesn't take much genius to find this information out, mind you, as HP's Softpaq support docs just keep coming out ahead of official announcements. Two Envy 14 iterations appear to be in the works, though their specifications remain open to speculation. There still shouldn't be too much of a wait before finding out if this will be just a range filler or a distinctive advancement in its own right, so we'll leave it to you to decide whether to delay that Envy purchase for just a little while longer. [Thanks, Al]
