Thin and Light
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VIA Nano 3000 CPU series finally launches to rival Intel's Atom
We suppose dreams really do come true. Nearly a full year after we heard that VIA was toiling on a new processor line to really give Intel's aging Atom a run for its money, the company has come clean and confessed that those whispers were indeed true. The Isaiah-based Nano 3000 Series is a range of six new CPUs clocked between 1GHz and 2GHz, all of which boast an 800MHz FSB, 64-bit support, SSE4 instructions, Windows 7 / Linux compatibility and power ratings that check in some 20 percent more efficient than existing VIA Nano processors. There's also the promise of 1080p multimedia playback, and VIA swears that we'll see these popping up in all-in-one desktops as well as thin-and-light laptops in the very near future. How soon, you ask? Samples are shipping now to OEMs, with mass production slated for Q1 2010.
HP Pavillion dm3t and its terrible touchpad get reviewed
The dm3 series of laptops might be HP's biggest potential seller. Hitting that 13-inch sweet spot, they are neither too small, nor too big, neither underpowered, nor overly encumbered, and -- unlike the Envy 13 -- they're actually priced within reach. Laptop Magazine had a $839 configuration in for review, and were immediately impressed with the ultrathin aluminum-clad body, describing it as "one of the best looking notebooks of the year." Opening it up, they found a "thoughtfully designed" keyboard, above-average display and speakers, and a stonking 9 hours of battery life under a WiFi-enabled web browsing test. Their gripes related to a heat issue on the bottom left side and, more significantly, an overly glossy touchpad that refused to play nice and left the reviewers feeling like they were fighting, rather than using, it. Read link shall enlighten you on the full spec and relative performance of the ULV processor inside.
Lenovo IdeaPad U150 is official in Japan, not very big
Lenovo hasn't been driving quite as hard after the thin-and-light consumer game as some others (though that U350 is a sexy exception), but this upcoming ULV-powered, 11.6-inch IdeaPad U150 should put it right in the runnings. Unfortunately for us, Lenovo has only just announced the computer for Japan, with no word on when it might be coming Stateside. The specs are alright, with a brand new Intel Core 2 Duo SU4100 ULV processor, integrated graphics, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB HDD, multitouch trackpad and Windows 7. We still don't have a price to go on, but since the whole point of that new Intel proc is taking ULV chips to somewhere approaching Atom prices, we're hoping for good things. [Via Netbooked]
LG intros ultrathin Win7-powered X-Note T380
We're still struggling to figure out why every PC maker in the universe has decided to debut at least one or two new Windows 7 machines today, but while we spin our wheels in frustration, we'll point you in the direction of LG's latest. The X-Note T380 is a 13.3-inch ultraportable powered by a Core 2 Duo SU3700 and featuring 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a GMA 4500MHD graphics set, 500GB of hard drive space, 802.11a/g/n WiFi and Win7 Home Premium. In related news, the outfit also updated its X-Note P510 to include Microsoft's newest, shiniest operating system, though otherwise it's remaining exactly the same. Price and release for the little guy has yet to be determined, but judging by just how stoked that lady appears, we'd say it'll be worth whatever LG decides to charge.
AMD's Congo platform getting really official next month?
AMD's never been much for keeping to the roadmap, and it looks like the curious launch of its Congo platform is evidence of that very fact. If you'll recall, we actually saw a Congo-based netbook launch way back in June, and it was expected that a flood of other ultrathin machines would follow shortly thereafter. According to DigiTimes, the demand in the market just wasn't there (thanks, recession!), so everything was pushed back until November. Lo and behold, our Gregorian calendar has that very month on deck for next, and according to mythical sources at laptop makers, the platform should make its super-duper official debut within a matter of weeks. The dual-core Turion Neo X2 L625, Athlon Neo X2 L335/L325 and / or single-core Athlon Neo MV-40 should be front and center, and AMD is apt to announce progress on its Nile and Brazos platforms -- both of which should help carry the chip maker through the next two years. Look out Atom, you've got some delayed competition coming your way.Update: Seems as if this may all just be a "second wave" of sorts when many PC makers choose to launch machines based on this platform alongside Windows 7's debut. AMD informed us that the November delay notion was also false, and we get the feeling that Congo's just been waiting for Win7 to really get itself out there.
Transparent Sony VAIO X amazingly captured on camera
We've already gotten a couple of up close looks at Sony's new thin-and-light VAIO X ourselves, but it seems that the company had a little something extra for its debut at a press event in China today: an amazing transparent edition of the laptop. Of course, the chances of it ever seeing a store shelf are even slimmer than its impossibly thin profile, but we're guessing this is the best glimpse most folks will get of the laptop's internals -- as anyone shelling out $1,300+ for one of these likely won't be able to bear prying it apart. Be sure to hit up the gallery below for a closer look courtesy of our pals at Engadget Chinese.%Gallery-75444%
Toshiba rolls out Dynabook MX/43, MX/33 thin-and-lights for Japan
Toshiba certainly isn't hurting for laptops big or small these days, but it looks like it's nonetheless decided to mix things up a bit further with two new CULV models: the 13.3-inch MX/43 and 11.6-inch MX/33. Of course, both come with a few trade-offs to performance for that added portability, but you'll get a slightly better balance with the MX/43, which packs a Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor, 2GB of RAM (up to 8GB), a 250GB hard drive, a promised 10.5 hours of battery life, and Windows 7 Home Premium for an OS. The MX/33, on the other hand, dials things back with a 1.3GHz Celeron 743 processor and a smaller battery, among other similar specs, although you can get it in you choice of three different colors. No word on a release over here, but folks in Japan will be able to pick this one up on (you guessed it) October 22nd.[Via Engadget Japanese]
Sony VAIO X specs and pricing leak out -- 2.0GHz Atom, $1,499?
We're expecting the official launch of Sony's hot little VAIO X ultraportable later today, but Boy Genius Report claims to have some leaked specs and pricing to think over while we wait -- and if they're accurate, you'll be staring down the wrong end of a $1,499 price tag when all is said and done. Yeah, it's not unexpected, but still, ouch. For your trouble, you'll be getting what Sony's calling the "world's lightest notebook," weighing in a just 1.5 pounds of carbon-fiber with an 11.6-inch LED display, SSD, multitouch trackpad, and a 3.5-hour standard battery life that can be pushed to 14 hours using a "super-extended" battery. Okay, not bad, but what's running this show? Well, we've got some potentially bad news to report -- we've been told that the VAIO X will have a 2.0GHz Atom Z550 inside, just like the prototypes. Yep, that's another $1,499 Sony Atom laptop -- we'll wait for the official announcement to confirm before we start wringing our hands, but we're open to your lamentations in comments.
HP Envy 13 review
In more ways than one, the HP Envy 13 seems like a "new generation" of PC laptop for HP or even the industry. Intentional or not it bears more in resemblance with Apple's lineup than its own predecessors, it's part of the very first wave of computers with Windows 7 pre-installed, it places a large emphasis on battery life but still manages great performance, and it's a "luxury" PC that actually provides some pretty good excuses for its inflated pricetag. We've spent a nice solid week with the laptop, so find out if the Envy 13 can live up to its promise after the break.
Dell adds dual-core SU1400 CPU, other options to Inspiron 11z
Dell's 11.6-inch Inspiron 11z just went on sale last month, and already the outfit is opening up the options for those not entirely pleased with the single $399 model. Starting today, a $479 configuration is available to ship with a 250GB HDD and Vista Home Premium (with a Windows 7 upgrade, of course), and if that's still not enough, prospective customers can soon select their 11z in a variety of colors. We're talking Alpine White, Ice Blue, Jade Green, New Cherry Red, Passion Purple and Promise Pink, with the latter contributing $5 to breast cancer research. As for optional hardware upgrades, you can slot a dual-core Pentium SU1400 CPU in there alongside 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. As of this very moment, Dell has yet to open up the CTO doors, but we're guessing an admin is on that as we speak. Right, Dell?
Dell's sensual Latitude Z now on sale, starts at $1,799
Mmm, sexy. To be honest, we're still trying to shake the butterflies we felt when we touched Dell's 16-inch Latitude Z yesterday, and if you'd care to join us, you can place your order right now. The base package gets going at $1,799 after a $200 instant rebate, and that'll net you a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo SU9400 CPU, 64GB SSD, Intel's GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics, 2GB of RAM, a 4-cell battery, 8x slot-loading DVD burner, 802.11a/g/n WiFi and a 3-year warranty. So, who's putting a dent in their credit card tonight? Be honest -- we're all friends here.[Via Laptoping]%Gallery-74180%
HP Envy 15 FCC filing reveals magnesium casing, Linux options
Okay, so here's a big way the HP's new Envy 15 isn't like the MacBook Pro: its case is made of magnesium, not aluminum. Take that, haters. Of course, there's still the note-perfect reproduction of the MBP's unibody looks, that buttonless glass multitouch trackpad, and the overall sense that HP's designers did their homework in an Apple store to deal with, but hey, at least you're getting a Core i7 processor when this thing launches on October 18th, right? Oh, and in case you're not into Windows 7, you're in luck -- there are quite a few references to Linux scattered about, so we'd expect a penguin-friendly configuration to be announced at some point. [Warning: PDF read link] [Via Wireless Goodness]
Toshiba Satellite T100 series of thin-and-lights receive Windows 7 nod
Hope you're ready for it 'cause a deluge of new computing hardware is coming with the launch of Windows 7. Here's Toshiba's T100 series with LED backlit displays, Intel CULV SU4100 processors, DDR3 memory, eSATA/USB combo ports, integrated webcams, 5-in-1 card readers, HDMI-out, a claimed 9-hours of life from 6-cell batteries, and multi-touch trackpads set for launch on October 22nd. The 13-inch, 3.88-pound T135 (pictured above, left) starts at $600 with 250GB 5400RPM disk, up to 8GB or memory, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR. The T115 starts at $450 and brings an 11.6-inch display, up to 4GB of memory, and 3.49-pound heft. All Windows 7 all the time, just the way you want it.
Dell's Latitude Z 600 is a 16-inch thin-and-light, makes overcompensated CEOs out of us all (update: video!)
It's not every day you see something thoroughly distinct in the laptop scene -- or even barely off the beaten path -- so we were quite happy to behold Dell's new Latitude Z 600 outside of the narrow confines of the FCC. The machine combines a 16-inch 1600 x 900 display with a Core 2 Duo processor and a thin (0.57-inch) and light (4.5 pounds) chassis -- a rather rare trifecta. Dell's gone with premium soft touch materials, a large multitouch touchpad, a 2 megapixel webcam with included security and document scanning (like business cards) software, and a rather novel capacitive "EdgeTouch" sensor on the side that can be tapped for a quick launch bar of apps. Remember that 802.11g radio that had us scratching our heads in the FCC docs? Well it's actually one of two WiFi radios in the machine (the main radio is 802.11n, just like mother used to make), and belongs to Latitude ON, that instant-boot ARM-based Linux system that co-exists inside the computer (which first made an appearance in the Latitude E series). For security reasons it doesn't share a lick of data with the main OS, but it can hook up to Exchange and handle basic browsing tasks. In addition to its quick-booting properties, the low-power nature of the ARM chipset means you can get "days" of computing out of the machine, despite the 16-inch screen the battery is up against. But that's not all! Dell has built in a UWB radio for communicating with an optional wireless base dock (out in November) that pumps out DVI and USB, and there are also induction charging contacts on the bottom of the laptop for use with an optional induction charging stand. Other features include a built-in Smart Card reader and room for dual SSD drives. We got to play around with the laptop briefly, and it doesn't just pile on the features -- it's really a pretty tight design from Dell, and oozes quality. Some of the features make a bit less sense, like the EdgeTouch sensor, but if you're going to go all out on a laptop for executives, you might as well really go all out, right? The keyboard is one of the best laptop keyboards we've played with in a while, the touchpad is expansive, and the machine doesn't seem brittle despite its wild surface-area-to-thickness ratio. The screen did seem a little dim to our eyes, but it was mercifully matte, and that 2 megapixel camera up top really comes in handy with Dell's bundled software, reading and deciphering a business card of ours without a problem. It's a three way tie for neatest feature between UWB, Latitude ON and induction charging, but we'd probably have to go with UWB -- unlike Toshiba's similar solution, which relies on a dongle, Dell's built-in implementation actually makes a lot of sense for a premium laptop. It was also surprisingly quick at pairing with the wireless dock, and there's no harm done by pulling the laptop out of range of UWB -- a quick screen flicker and it's back to regular. Our biggest downers about the laptop probably have to do with the odd color choice (a bit too personal of a preference to be made a default) and the understandable but painfully sky-high $2,000+ pricetag. Update: Smarmy infomercial and in-depth look at Latitude ON now posted after the break.%Gallery-74180% %Gallery-74181%
Airis Praxis Slim Air is one-inch thick, KIRFtastic
Airis is no stranger to the fine art of imitating without getting sued out of existence, and its latest effort -- the shamelessly titled Praxis Slim Air -- is no exception. It sports a 12-inch display spanning 1366 x 768 pixels, a gig of memory and a 160GB hard drive, and if you think this is the usual prelude to a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, well, you'd be spot on. To be fair, with two USB ports, WiFi, HDMI, a 1.3 megapixel webcam and a choice of Windows XP, Vista, 7 or Linux, this isn't a terrible proposition in its own right. The big downfall comes with a rated battery runtime of just three hours, but if you're unfazed by the tethered life, you can grab one in Europe for €399 ($586) this October. Full frontal picture after the break.
Haier steps out of character, builds ultra-desirable Jian i7 ultra-thin laptop
The last time Haier really wowed us was back in 2007 when the company was peddling its "screen-on-a-stick" laptop tech. Two years later we've got this little beauty to drool on: the Jian i7. The 13.4-inch Core 2 Duo ULV laptop is pretty dang thin, weighs 3 pounds, and retails for a mere 6,000 Yuan (about $879 US). Where do we sign up?
MSI slides out 14-inch Athlon Neo-equipped X410 laptop
MSI's X-Slim X400 made quite the splash alongside the X340 and X600 earlier this year, but now it's time for the slighted middle child to get an upgrade. Upstaging both of the aforementioned siblings, the refreshed X410 gets powered by AMD's Athlon Neo processor and also packs an ATI Radeon X1250 GPU, 14-inch LCD (1,366 x 768), up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 1.3 megapixel camera, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, optional Bluetooth, an HDMI port, an SD card reader and a 320GB or 500GB hard drive. There's also a pair of USB 2.0 sockets, a VGA output, external DVD writer (or Blu-ray drive, if you'd prefer) and a 4- or 8-cell battery to boot. Per usual, MSI isn't doling out pricing or release details just yet, but we're betting a pre-holiday ship date is practically a lock.[Via HotHardware]
HP and Dr. Dre team up to shill a limited edition Envy 15
When we saw the HP-branded Envy leak a whole four days ago we certainly didn't expect to get any news on the beast so soon, but 'lo and behold! The new Envy is here, and we've been getting plenty of positive feedback from HP fanboys the world o'er regarding the new sub-brand. Who could find fault with a Windows machine that features everything we love about those new MacBooks, including the chicklet keyboard, unibody aluminum chasis, thin-and-light physique, multitouch trackpad, and all the Microsoft OS action you so obviously crave, wrapped ever-so-lovingly in a Hewlett Packard shell? We'll tell you who: Lady Gaga. That's right, the popular recording artist and all-around good American just found out that HP has teamed up with Dr. Dre to create a limited edition Envy 15 laptop and is a little perturbed that she wasn't involved in the branding. How dare they think that a matte black chassis and bright red "Beats" logo would be enough to sell this bad boy? We'll tell you what -- if you feel for her plight, you might think about spending some of your heard earned cash on a pair of her headphones. The rest of us can feel content to peep the gallery below and think about what might have been. %Gallery-73404%
HP's ProBook 5310m and Pavilion dm3 keep "thin-and-light" cheap enough for the rest of us
Those new ENVYs too rich for your blood? HP still has some design chops to show off in the ProBook 5310m and the (leaked, pictured) Pavilion dm3. HP is calling the classy 5310m the "world's thinnest full-performance notebook," whatever that means, while the dm3 offers a choice of AMD Neo or Intel Core 2 Duo processors. Both rock 13-inch LCDs, hover around four pounds and measure around an inch thick. The 5310m is available with a Celeron for as low as $699, but to get that "full-performance" Core 2 Duo action, you're looking at a $899 tag. Meanwhile the dm3 starts at $549 for AMD and $649 for Intel. With thin-and-light prices like these, who needs netbooks? Both laptops should be out on October 22, running Windows 7. Full PR is after the break. %Gallery-72817% %Gallery-72815%
HP ENVY 13 and 15 bring luxury to the everyman, look like MacBooks
There's no getting around it, so we'll just say right at the outset: HP's new ENVY 13 and 15 laptops might've been built on the "Voodoo ENVY legacy," but they sure look a lot like Apple's unibody MacBook Pros. Of course, there's much more than meets the eye. The ENVY 13 is a bit of a mix between a traditional 13-incher and a real thin and light, weighing in at 3.74 pounds and packing in Radeon HD 4330 discrete graphics, but still forgoing an internal disc drive. The 13.1-inch WXGA display is the real draw, offering impressive colors (82% color gamut) and brightness (410 nit). The other big winner is the optional Slim Fit extended life battery, a slice which snaps onto the bottom of the laptop, hardly protrudes, and more than doubles the standard 7 hour quoted battery life. The laptop body is magnesium coated with aluminum -- which gives it the texture of a MacBook Pro, but a bit less of the weight. In our non-scientific tests the build wasn't exactly as rigid as a MBP, but still quite a bit stronger than the average laptop -- and quite nice to the touch. The MacBook-style glass clickpad, however, is not an exciting addition in our book, since the software to support the automagical detection of left and right click -- not to mention zoom, rotate and scroll gestures -- just wasn't very tight. Please, give us back our buttons. HP's ENVY 15 isn't much of a "thin and light," really, more of a straight up premium 15-incher crammed into a 1-inch thick 5.18 pound form factor. It keeps the ENVY 13's unibody-style construction, and, sadly, the single button glass trackpad, but also works in a new Core i7 processor, makes room for dual SSD drives and adds high-end Radeon HD 4830 graphics with 1GB of VRAM. The 15.6-inch LCD isn't quite as stellar as the 13, at 300 nits, but HP did manage to include support for a Slim Fit battery for the ENVY 15 -- though with non-switchable discreet graphics, you're not going to get much longevity out of this laptop either way. The two laptops start at $1,699 and $1,799, respectively (a far cry from the original ENVY 133's $2,100 starting price), and will be available on October 18th with Windows 7 pre-loaded. Check out video of the ENVY 13 after the break. %Gallery-72803% %Gallery-72809%
