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VIA's 1080p-lovin' VX855 chipset emerges in MacBook Air knockoff
We've already seen one legitimate laptop maker botch up its specification sheet within the past 24 hours, so we certainly wouldn't put it past a KIRF-maker to pull a similar trick. At least on paper, Top Crown Technology Limited's simply-titled 3G Notebook includes a 1.3GHz VIA Nano CPU, the newfangled VX885 Media System Processor, a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display (1,024 x 576), Chrome9 graphics, a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD, 3-in-1 multicard reader, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3.5G WWAN and a pair of built-in speakers. The only problem is the backwards Apple logo and the absolute assurance that this thing will be just marginally less craptastic than the "world's cheapest laptop." For shame.[Via NetbookNews]
VIA's VX855 Media System Processor handles the 1080p
Big news, folks -- 1008p is about to hit the minuscule PC market, and VIA's making darn sure it doesn't miss the boat. Hot on the heels of HABEY's BIS-6550HD announcement, VIA has stepped in to formally introduce its VX855 Media System Processor, which aims to bring hardware-based 1080p decoding to VIA-based rigs. The highly integrated single chip package sucks down just 2.3 watts and provides hardware H.264 video acceleration when snapped in alongside a VIA Nano, C7 or Eden processor. Other specs include a 400 to 800MHz FSB speed, support for up to DDR2 800 memory (4GB maximum), six USB 2.0 ports and the company's own Chrome9 graphics set. There's no mention of when this bugger will find its way into shelf-bound rigs, but we're hoping Computex sheds some light on the situation.[Via HotHardware]
Samsung's NC20 reviewed ahead of US release
If all goes according to plan, Samsung's more-than-a-netbook NC20 is just a day away from its official American release, and, on this momentous eve, Laptop has graced us all with a full review of the thing -- or the Korean version, at least. We've been following the NC20's buildup closely, as it looks to slot in between flimsy netbook and a proper ultraportables in terms of size but at a sub-$500 price that's decidedly more Eee than X300. The review seems to echo that sentiment, with its VIA Nano processor found to be at least on par with Intel's Atom, if not slightly faster, and the 12-inch, 1280 x 800 display quite pleasing to the eye -- despite its glossy sheen. That (relatively) large size gives room for a comfortable keyboard, but overall this is a bit bulkier than its competition; heavier too, clocking in at 3.4 pounds with a 6-cell battery compared to about 3 pounds for a similarly powered Mini 12. Overall it sounds like a great device for those looking for a netbook with a little more to love.
Samsung's Nano-powered Q1EX UMPC loses its QWERTY, gains 4.5-hour battery at the FCC
Meet the latest iteration of the Samsung Q1 handheld: the NP-Q1EX. First spotted at CES in January, Sammy's going back to its UMPC roots by ditching the split QWERTY in favor of a clean, slate look that keeps the eye focused on the 7-inch, touchscreen display with 1,024 x 600 pixel resolution. Inside you'll find XP Tablet Edition running on a 1.2GHz VIA Nano ULV U2500 processor, VIA's Chrome9 HC graphics, 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 memory, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, a SiRF Star GPS receiver, SD card slot, and a rear-mounted camera of unspecified pixel density. The unit that passed through the FCC for US airwaves approval also features a 60GB hard disk and 4-cell, 4,000mAh lithium ion battery for up to 4.5-hours of battery life according to Samsung. A quick search through the Intertubes also reveals a retail price of about $775 at on-line retailers. No launch date yet, but it can't be long now can it? A couple more pics after the break.[Via Navigadget] Read -- Samsung official specs Read -- $775 listing
NVIDIA Ion platform to support VIA Nano processors this year
It's pretty clear NVIDIA already has some big plans for its new nettop / netbook-specific Ion platform, and it looks like its reach is about to get broader still, with company president Jen-Hsun Huang reportedly confirming that the platform will also support VIA's Nano processor by the end of the year. As you may recall, the two companies had been in off and on talks about a partnership last year before things finally fell though in November, and there was even a point where it seemed like NVIDIA might actually acquire VIA. No word from Intel on this latest development, although it doesn't seem like it'll be affecting the Atom's status as the go-to processor in the short term. There's also unfortunately no indication as to exactly what sort of VIA-powered, Ion-based systems we can expect to see, although it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if they followed the Ion / Atom combo and went with a nettop first.[Via GadgetMix.com]
TechCrunch's internet tablet gets a new prototype
TechCrunch's Michael Arrington has pulled together a squad to make this whole simple, cheap, internet tablet thing he started talking about in July, 2008 happen for real. Their goal is to make a tablet that browses and plays flash videos really well (pretty simple stuff) that costs around $200. Built by a team led by Louis Monier -- former CTO of Alta Vista -- "Prototype B" is a 12-inch touchscreener with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Internally, the "CrunchPad" has a Via Nano CPU, 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of flash memory, a 4-cell battery, and WiFi, plus a camera. In terms of software, the prototype runs a full install of Ubuntu with a custom browser. They estimate the total cost of the device at just over $200 to produce, and that a commercial model would realistically cost about $300. They don't seem to be heading toward production anytime soon, so don't cross your fingers, but you'll undoubtedly want to see if it's any good for yourself in the breathtaking video after the break.[Via jkkmobile]
Samsung publishes NC20 user manual, new images surface
Eager to get your digits onto an NC20 keyboard? Sadly, we can't help you there, but we can point out something to whet your appetite until shipment day dawns. Samsung's UK branch has hosted up the NC20 user manual, and while it doesn't really offer too many nuggets that we weren't already aware of, it still proves that this here netbook will arrive with the oh-so-promising 1.3GHz VIA Nano U225 CPU. Additionally, you'll find a 12.1-inch WXGA display (1,280 x 800), VIA Chrome 9 HC3 graphics, a multicard reader, Ethernet / USB 2.0 ports, optional WiFi / Bluetooth and your choice of HDD or SSD. Check out the links below for more on the hardware details and a new load of press shots, and start saving you pennies now, 'cause early estimates put this one at around $500 or so.[Via NotebookItalia]
VIA's dual-core Nano still on track, but it's not the Nano 3000
We know, we can't imagine how this naming convention could be confusing at all, but VIA's vice president of corporate marketing Richard Brown has stepped forward to clarify things a bit. In short, that Nano 3000 we heard about a few days back will not be dual-core, but the firm is still lining up a dual-core version of its Nano processor in order to totally slay Intel's Atom in the future. According to Mr. Brown: "The Nano 3000 isn't dual-core. It's a different version of the Nano that's based on a more advanced manufacturing process." So, the take-home here is that VIA actually has a couple of new chips in the pipeline worth keeping an eye on, and we're even told that the Q4 release date for the still-elusive dual-core CPU remains solid. CES 2010 sure seems like a swell launching pad, no?
VIA's low-power Nano 3000 rumored to rival Intel's Atom
Not that we didn't already have a hunch that VIA was working up a dual-core Nano, but it seems that details are beginning to firm up just a bit. According to a new report over at China-based HKEPC, the dual-core Atom-killer will be dubbed the Nano 3000, and while it will still rely on a 65-nanometer manufacturing process, the power consumption should be much lower than existing Nano chips. Furthermore, it'll reportedly boast SSE4 instruction support, integer / floating point enhancements and improved internal cache performance. The writeup has it that samples could begin shipping out as early as this quarter, with mass production expected to get going in Q3. So, is it safe to say this whole "netbook" thing has grown some legs, or is the Tamagotchi-like crash just around the bend?[Via CNET]
Samsung's NC20 netbook: the predictable successor to the NC10
Samsung's NC10 netbook has barely been out long enough to get a footing in the market, and already we're learning of its natural successor. The NC20 (likely not pictured) will reportedly hit the ground running in February, and with it will come a 1.3GHz VIA Nano U225 processor, a 12.1-inch display, 160GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g WiFi, Ethernet, a 3-in-1 card reader and a 1.3-megapixel camera. The 3.3-pound machine is expected to launch at around $642, which -- quite honestly -- sounds a touch on the high side to us. Who knows though, maybe that sticker includes a secondary display that we're just not privy to yet.[Thanks, Faber]
VIA's Trinity Platform brings much-needed religious imagery to small form factor media acceleration
Not to be outdone by NVIDIA's move to accelerate netbook graphics with its new Ion platform, VIA just debuted its "Trinity" platform, which pairs a VIA Nano chip with a Media System Processor like the VIA VX800 and a discrete S3 Graphics PCI Express GPU. VIA is aiming this lineup at netbooks and mini-PCs, and are planning to power DirectX 10.1, HD video, Blu-ray playback and Windows Vista. Sounds fine and dandy to us, but unfortunately, like with NVIDIA, we're at the mercy of the manufacturers who will actually be stuffing this into their product -- and they've sure seemed gun-shy with Nano so far. Hopefully this can change some of that, Christian Bale is only half as badass at 15 fps QVGA.
Jeffrey Stephenson impresses with another wood grained, retro casemod
Last time we heard from Jeffrey Stephenson he had crafted an art deco-styled casemod that, spiritually at least, brought us back to the watery confines of Bioshock. He's back with another classic-looking device, dedicating this one to Ingraham Cabinet Co., creator of many a fine walnut-ensconced radio case in the WWII era. His Ingraham case mod is similarly walnut-clad (though veneered) with a hand-built basswood frame layered atop an otherwise mid-grade mini-ITX SilverStone case. The focal point is a finely polished chrome knob on the front that Harley riders might recognize from an Arlen Ness catalog, perched atop a final retro flourish: a Firewire 400 port. Inside (pictured below) things are rather more modern: a VIA VB8001 mobo, a (rarely seen in the wild) 1.6GHz Nano processor, 4GB of DDR2 memory, a 64GB SSD, and not a single vacuum tube.
Dual-core VIA Nano processor apparently on track for June 2010
We've been hearing about a dual-core VIA Nano processor for some time now, but it looks like things are now finally starting to firm up a bit, as evidenced by the seemingly legit roadmap pictured above. Unfortunately, there's not much more to go on than what's in the image, though we're sure plenty of folks will be relieved to learn that the processor will, in fact, boast "new process technology," not to mention "further performance enhancement." What's more, as you can see, it looks like the first samples will be available by December of next year, which mostly lines up with what we had heard previously, while mass production will apparently get underway in June of 2010.
VIA and NVIDIA axe netbook platform, questions abound
Something is definitely going awry with VIA's Nano platform: the company just lost HP's Mini 1000 to Intel, and now Digitimes says that VIA and NVIDIA are backing out of their plan to develop a netbook platform. Remember, Nano was announced back in May, so it's a little odd that we haven't seen a single shipping machine with the chip, even as VIA has hyped its performance advantages over the ubiquitous Atom 230 -- the closest we've come is the imini S1 in June, which has since disappeared. Now, we're always a little suspicious of Digitimes' anonymous reports, so nothing's written in stone, but things just seem pretty bleak 'round VIA way right now -- especially since it just dropped out of the mobo biz entirely to focus on processors. Hopefully we'll see some good news in the form of shipping products soon.[Via Electronista]
VIA teams with Microsoft to drive low-cost netbooks in global markets
Here in the US of A, most netbooks come stocked with a predictable array of hardware: a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 80GB HDD, 1GB of RAM and a price tag ranging from $399 to $699. Elsewhere on the planet, things are a bit different, and if VIA has anything to say about it, it will be the name people think of when hearing "netbook" in Asia and beyond. Said outfit has just cranked up a Global Mobility Bazaar program to "drive [global] mobile computing adoption," and it has already managed to pull 15 companies (including Microsoft, for a little thing called WinXP) onboard. In essence, the program will enable second-tier vendors to get in the netbook game and offer products with shorter life cycles and lower prices -- both of which are mighty useful in emerging markets. In somewhat related news, we're also hearing a sketchy report that HP has chosen the Intel route for its future netbooks, and considering that the Vivienne Tam Digital Clutch has already selected Intel, we suppose the forthcoming Mini 1000 will likely be the real confirmation / denial.[Via Liliputing]Read - VIA's Global Mobility BazaarRead - HP choosing Intel?
CE-Oh no he didn't! Part LVIII: NVIDIA CEO doesn't know what Larrabee is, doesn't care
NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang just can't resist throwing more jabs at Intel, distracting the inaugural NVISION crowd from Battlestar Galactica star Tricia Helfer with the claim that "Larrabee hasn't shipped so you don't know what it is and I don't know what it is." The fact that we do know what it is -- a next-gen hybrid CPU / GPU -- shouldn't be a concern according to Huang, because "By the time it does ship, Nvidia's technology will be so far advanced it won't matter." Besides stuffing Usain Bolt-type speed into a GPU the company will keep busy working on its WinMo smartphone hardware, and software for the not-exactly-Atom-killing VIA Nano, but forget about that rumored x86-compatible hardware 'cuz, as Jen-Hsun reminds us, "the Internet doesn't run on x86." For a company that lacks innovation, is "a joke," and at least four years behind, Intel must be doing something right, because the competition can't keep its name out of their mouths.
VIA Nano trounces Intel Atom in HD video playback? Not quite.
As a recent VIA promo video would have you believe, the company's lightweight Nano processor is capable of soundly beating Intel's competing Atom CPU when it comes to playing HD video. Or is it? Not willing to take VIA's word at face value, jkkmobile decided to try out the very same 1080p video on an Eee PC with the same Atom processor that VIA used in its test and -- surprise, surprise -- they found that the video played just fine. Now, it is entirely possible that the Nano can beat the Atom in playing video under certain circumstances (and given the raw benchmark numbers, that even seems likely), but when it comes to basic HD video playback, it seems that the Atom can at least hold its own. Head on past the break to see for yourself.
VIA Nano whoops Intel's Atom (again) on video
Do you cheer for the underdog? Would you love to see VIA unseat Intel in the battle for the hearts and minds of netbook market share just because Intel's, well, Intel? Good, then you'll love this highly emotive video produced by VIA showing its meager 1.3GHz Nano processor kicking Intel's 1.6GHz Atom to the curb in a 1080p HD video test. We'd be more suspect of the results had we not already seen VIA clean Intel's house in the head-to-head benchmarks. Now pull up a seat ringside and get ready to sputter along with the Atom-based netbook -- video after the break. [Via UMPC Portal]
VIA and NVIDIA sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g
Sweet, and likely salty. That's VIA's "special assistant to the president," Timothy Chen, giving NVIDIA's Drew Henry, general manager of its MCP business, a little sugar. The moment was captured after the unveiling of the Mini-ITX 2.0 spec at Computex last week. Why? We're not exactly sure, but we imagine things can get a bit emotional when old enemies join forces against a foe as formidable as Intel. Now give eachother a firm slap on the back, punch to the shoulder, and possibly, if it feels right... a noogie. There's much to do if NVIDIA's Tegra and VIA's Nano are to supplant Intel's Silverthorne and Diamondville in future MIDs and netbooks, respectively. [Thanks, Richard L.]
First VIA Nano-based netbook spotted
Stop the presses, UMPC Portal (AVING really) spotted the first netbook pumping VIA's Atom-hating Nano processor at its core. The 10.2-inch Imini S1 Mini-Note from TongFang is just a customized VIA OpenBook reference design. Still, it does our Intel-weary, competitive hearts good to see a 1.2GHz VIA Nano CPU listed in the specs.[Via UMPC Portal]
