LENOVO INTRODUCES IDEAPAD S10-3 AND S10-3T NETBOOKS

Lenovo has released two consumer-oriented 10 inch netbooks. One of the devices called IdeaPad S10-3 can be configured with either an Intel Atom N450 or N470 processor. The machine sports a different design from its predecessor the S10-2.

The other model, the IdeaPad S10-3t, has a 10 inch multi-touch touch-screen (capacitative) display. The display can be rotated in either direction. It can also be folded down over the keyboard for using the device in the tablet mode. Clearly, Lenovo wants this machine to compete with the 9 inch Asus Eee PC T91MT and 10 inch Gigabyte TouchNote T1028X.

Both netbooks feature the Lenovo QuickStart 2.0 instant-on software which allows a user to access the web within seconds after switching the PC on.

Pricing
The Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3 starts at $349.99. The S10-3t has a starting price of $499.99. A higher-end configuration will set you back $599.

PINE TRAIL POWERED GATEWAY NETBOOKS AVAILABLE IN CANADA

Two Pine Trail Atom powered Gateway netbooks are now available in Canada. One of the two machines, the Gateway LT2102H, is priced at $299.99 CAD. This model is equipped with a 10.1 inch display with 1024 x 600 pixels. It has an Atom N450 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and GMA 3150 graphics. It runs Windows 7 Starter. The 3-cell battery rated at 2200mAh is expected to provide up to 4 hours of up time.

Another netbook in the same series – the Gateway LT2107H – is also available for $349.99 CAD. This model has more or less the same specs, but it has a larger 250GB hard disk drive and a 6-cell 4400mAh battery. Gateway claims that the battery will last for around 8 hours. Both models appear to be rebranded versions of the newly announced Acer Aspire One 532h.

AMD POWERED MSI NETBOOKS HIT FCC

AMD still has no dedicated processors for use in small laptops. But netbooks featuring AMD’s Neo processors – the Asus 1201T, for example - have started appearing. And now two MSI netbooks spotting AMD processors are all set to land in the US. Apparently two MSI netbooks – the MS-1241 and MS-1243 have hit the FCC.

Sources claim that these models could very well be the Wind U230 and the Wind U210 but that is kind of surprising because the Wind U210 is already available in the US. The specs manual mentions the AMD Yukon L335 processor, integrated graphics, 3.5G support, VGA, HDMI, 1.3MP webcam, WiFi and Bluetooth. Optional features include a TV tuner.

MICROSOFT RELAUNCHES TOOL FOR INSTALLING WINDOWS 7 ON NETBOOKS

Microsoft has launched another tool for installing Windows 7 on netbooks lacking an optical drive. Microsoft sells its operating systems on optical drives. But a large number of netbooks in the market lack an optical drive. So how can netbook users upgrade their computer to Windows 7?

Buying a USB DVD drive is definitely a good solution but last month Microsoft launched a better solution in the form of a utility with which you can download and install Windows 7 on a netbook using a USB flash drive. This tool was based on an open source code. But then Microsoft’s decision to impose new licensing restrictions on software using an open source code led to the violation of a GPL licence. Microsoft was eventually forced to remove the utility. They have reintroduced it after a bit of retooling. The new tool, however, is clunkier than the previous one. It requires you to download several different files including the installer, .NET framework, Bootsect.exe and IMAPI.

The previous tool had these files bundled together so they could be launched by a single command. By separating out these applications, Microsoft has reclaimed its rights to apply a more restrictive license to these programs while at the same time releasing the USB installer tool as open source software.

The new tool is available for download from the Microsoft Store

AOJIE RELEASES DIRT CHEAP CHINESE NETBOOKS

Netbook prices are falling in all parts of the world, but in China they are getting dirt-cheap. Two netbook models from Chinese PC maker AOJIE now sells for $146 and $160. Agreed, some other mini-laptops are also available at or below these prices, but they tend to sport a 7 inch display and an ARM processor. The AOJIE models, however, are comparable to mainstream netbooks in many aspects.

The AOJIE X100V and X100A both have 10 inch displays. The cheaper X100V has a 1.6 GHz VIA C7-M processor. The other model priced at $160 sports a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 processor. Both netbooks run Windows XP. Other notable features include WiFi b/g/n, 1.3 MP webcam, and a 3-cell 220mAh battery. There are 2 USB ports. On the flip side, they only have 512MB of RAM and a 4GB SSD for storage.

LENOVO IS PLANNING NOT ONE BUT THREE NETBOOKS

We have already heard about the ThinkPad X100e, Lenovo’s first ThinkPad-branded netbook. Now an FCC filing by Realtek indicates that Lenovo may be launching three, and not one, netbooks named ThinkPad X100e, ThinkPad Mini 11, and ThinkPad Mini10. No further details are available, but the Mini 10 is likely to have 10 inch display and the Mini 11 an 11.1 or 11.6 inch display.

Earlier reports suggest that the ThinkPad X100e will have an 11.6 inch display. It will be powered by an AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 processor and will run Windows 7. Prices may start at $449.

The Thinkpad notebooks are aimed at businesses and feature a professional design. The company also has a consumer-oriented IdeaPad S-series notebooks. But Lenovo is yet to release a netbook which is a small laptop with entry-level specifications and an affordable price tag.

PINE TRAIL NETBOOKS TO OFFICIALLY LAUNCH ON JANUARY 11

According to a report in Digitimes, netbooks running Intel’s Pine Trail Atom N450 processors will officially launch on January 11, 2010. Intel, reportedly, has an agreement with notebook makers not to release products based on Pine Trail chips before January 10.

Many laptop makers including Asus, Acer, Lenovo and MSI who were planning to launch their Pine Trail netbooks in 2009 have postponed the release to a date later than January 10.

The Pine Trail netbooks can run Windows 7, Windows XP or Moblin Linux. While Windows 7 is the most popular among the three options, it is also the costliest. Besides the Atom N450, Intel will launch an upgraded version of its Atom N470 CPU in March 2010.

AMD MAKING CHIPS FOR NETBOOKS AND LOW-COST NOTEBOOKS

AMD processors are known for delivering high performance, but they aren’t necessarily energy efficient. While they are ideal for powering huge desktop replacement laptops, they just can’t be used in netbooks and ultraportables which are expected to give excellent battery life. Needless to say AMD processors are seldom used in low cost notebooks and netbooks. But now 11 and 12 inch laptops with Intel CULV processors are getting popular and AMD has realized that it just can’t ignore this territory.

The company soon plans to release its next generation of chips aimed at thin and light computers. The new chips are part of AMD’s third-generation Nile platform. They are expected to start shipping in 2010 and 2011. AMD claims that the new chips could give 7 or more hours of battery life in ultraportables. AMD is also making new Bobcat chips for netbooks and ultrathin notebooks.

NETBOOKS FAIL MORE OFTEN THAN OTHER COMPUTERS

Netbooks have gained considerable popularity in recent years. They are cheap and ultraportable due to their small size. And most netbooks have enough power to handle every day jobs. On the flip side, netbooks fail more often than other notebooks.

SquareTrade, a company providing warranties for laptops, has published a study based on the data it collected over one year. The study reveals that almost one-third of all laptop owners reported a failure to SquareTrade within the first 3 years of purchasing the machine. The study also indicates that netbooks have a 20% higher rate of failure than other notebooks in the first year due to problems associated with hardware. While Asus and Toshiba netbooks encountered the fewest problems, HP had the most.

The study, however, is not a comprehensive one as data has been tracked for only one year. Another factor that needs to be mentioned is that SquareTrade uses a very general definition of a netbook. The company considers every computer that costs less than $400 to be a netbook. While netbooks are generally cheap, many good netbooks cost around $500. On the other hand, there are plenty of notebooks with larger displays that cost less than $400.

NVIDIA TO GIVE AWAY ION-POWERED NETBOOKS

Nvidia certainly wants to show off the capabilities of its ION graphics. The graphics chip maker is running a contest in which participants can win an HP Mini 311 laptop, an HDMI cable, HP external Blu-Ray drive, a laptop case and a truckload of software including some high end games. The contest is open through November 22nd.

The HP Mini 311 is famous for being the first netbook to feature Nvidia’s ION graphics. It has an 11.6 inch display, 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 3GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. The device runs on the Windows 7 Home Premium. Other features include WiFi and Bluetooth.

Winners will also get 3 Blu-Ray movies and a $50 credit to rent or download movies from CinemaNow. Nvidia said that it will give away 12 of these packages. Contest details can be found at the NVIDIA website.

BLOCKBUSTER STORES IN THE US TO SELL ARCHOS 10 NETBOOKS

You can now buy Archos 10 netbooks from one of the select 1000 Blockbuster stores. The retail chain has entered into a partnership with Archos for selling notebooks through its stores. Blockbuster is a store you visit for buying or renting a movie, but ironically the netbook they are selling doesn’t have a built-in optical drive.

So what is the business sense behind this move? Well, Archos netbooks may not have optical drives, but users can still access Blockbuster’s online rental, retail and download services through them. The Archos 10 netbook can be bought through Blockbuster stores for $299.99.

DELL TO OFFER WINDOWS AND LINUX ON ITS NETBOOKS SIMULTANEOUSLY

Dell has always allowed buyers to customize their netbooks with Linux. But the company never really bothered to launch the netbooks with Linux. With its last few product launches Dell offered Windows XP/Vista at the time of launch. The Linux option was offered only later. But now it looks the situation is changing. The just-launched Inspiron Mini 10v is available with both Windows and Ubuntu Linux. Sources reveal that Dell intends to do this with all future netbook launches.

Users who buy their netbook with Linux don’t have to pay the Windows Licensing fee. That should bring the base price down, right? Unfortunately it doesn’t seem so. The base price for the Inspiron Mini 10v is $299 whether you configure it with Windows or Linux.

KINGSTON LAUNCHES RAM FOR NETBOOKS

Kingston Technology has launched a new line of computer memory chips specifically designed for netbooks. The new HyperX SO-DIMM line of memory chips offers faster latency timing and supports netbooks with 533MHz bus speeds. A 2GB of SO-DIMM can be purchased for just $35.

The new HyperX memory chips offer 2GB of DDR2 on a single SO-DIMM. These chips are aimed at netbooks powered by Intel Atom processors. Kingston said that the HyperX memory chips will work with netbooks made by Asus, MSI and Gigabyte among others. The company will start shipping the RAM immediately.

ACER TO LAUNCH GATEWAY LT20 AND GATEWAY LT30 NETBOOKS

Acer unveiled three netbooks at a recent press meet in New Jersey. The machines are dubbed Gateway LT20, Gateway LT30 and new Acer Aspire One.

The Gateway LT20 and the Gateway LT30 will probably differ only in screen sizes. While the LT20 has a 10.1 inch display, the LT30 will sport a 11.6 inch display. Both netbooks will have Bluetooth, WiFi, optional 3G and multitouch touchpad.

The new Acer Aspire One is equipped with an 11.6 inch display with 1366x768 pixels. It measures less than 1 inch in thickness and sports a larger keyboard. Sources claim that this device will run on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor with 1GB of RAM and 160GB hard drive. It is expected to start shipping by the end of April.

ACER TO LAUNCH 3D NOTEBOOK AND NEXT GENERATION NETBOOKS

Acer is planning to launch a 15.6 inch 3D notebook by the end of October 2009. It comes with built-in software which is capable of converting regular 2D movies into 3D. The notebook will also offer direct support to 3D movies. Acer jointly built it with Wistron.

Right now, the support for 3D is limited and users are required to wear stereoscopic glasses, but Acer is working on developing a model that doesn’t need glasses.

The notebook will come pre-installed with Windows 7. Acer is also working on developing its third-generation netbooks, which will more or less be like smartbooks with good network connectivity options.

SAMSUNG INTRODUCES 2 NEW N-SERIES NETBOOKS

Samsung has announced two new additions to its N series of netbooks – the N130 and N140. These netbooks have similar specifications and looks.

The N130 and N140 are powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor and 945GSE chipset. The hard disk capacity is 160GB. Up to 1 GB of RAM can be installed. The 10.1 inch matte displays have a resolution of 1024x600. Other features include Wi-Fi, webcam, 3-in-1 card reader and 3 USB 2.0 ports.

The N140 offers additional features like Bluetooth 2.1, stereo 1.5 W speakers with SRS audio. Both models have 6 cell batteries. While the N130 is expected to give 7.5 hours of uptime, the higher capacity battery on N140 will make it last for up to 11 hours. Both models are available in black and white. They have already started shipping in the UK.

SONY ENTERS THE WORLD OF NETBOOKS WITH ITS VAIO W SERIES

First Impression
Sony gadgets have always been famous for being stylish and sturdy. They are high on both promise and delivery. The same goes for this line of netbooks.

Sony VAIO W series is powered by the latest Atom N280 at 1.66GHz. It uses the Windows XP OS. The entry model has a 10.1 inch LED screen with a 1366x768 resolution.

The netbook does look a bit bulky but weighs just 1.2 kg. Build quality is good. It looks and feels solid. The large trackpad is nice and easy to use. The VAIO W has the same kind of keyboard found on VAIO P. The keys are large and comfortable to use.

The basic configuration uses a standard 3 cell battery. But you can opt for 6-cell, if you want to. The netbook is available in three colors – white, pinks and brown. Sony will be selling the netbooks for $625.

System Specifications
Processor: Atom N280 processor at 1.66 Ghz
Memory: 1 GB of RAM all running on a Intel 945GSE Express chip set
HDD: 160 GB hard drive
Display: 10.1 inch display
Ports and slots: Card reader, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a webcam.
Estimated battery life: 3.5 hours

INTEL TO DISCONTINUE Z-SERIES ATOM PROCESSORS FOR NETBOOKS

According to media reports, Intel has stopped accepting orders for its Z-series Atom processors. Originally meant for use in the Mobile Internet Devices (MID), the Z-series processors are now commonly used in netbooks like Eee PC T91, Sony VAIO P and Dell Mini 12.

Intel plans to completely stop the supply of Z-series chips to netbook manufacturers by the end of this year. The chipmaker will still fulfill orders already placed by Acer, Asustek and MSI. Meanwhile, Intel’s new generation of Atom chips are scheduled for release later this year. These new chips are part of the Pine Trail platform.

SONY LAUNCHES AFFORDABLE VAIO W NETBOOKS

Sony has launched its new line of netbooks – the VAIO W Series. The best thing about this series is its price which starts at $499.

Notable features of the VAIO W series include a comfortable keyboard and touchpad. It comes in three colors – sugar white, berry pink and cocoa brown. Much like the previous netbooks, the W series is ideal for surfing the net. It is portable so you can carry it around without much trouble.

The W series comes with a backlit 10.1 inch widescreen display with high resolution. The keyboard and touchpad are larger than those normally found on a 10 inch netbook.
Another really cool feature is the Media Plus Multimedia Streaming software. With this software you can wirelessly send video, music and pictures from the VAIO W to other compatible devices like your primary PC or PLAYSTATION3 and vice-versa.

The VAIO W series come with two USB ports, built-in Bluetooth, a built-in webcam and microphone. The hard drive capacity is 160 GB. The series uses the Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Operating System.

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