LENOVO ANNOUNCES THINKPAD X100E THIN AND LIGHT NOTEBOOK

Lenovo has finally announced its business minded budget notebook called ThinkPad X100e. The device is powered by an AMD Neo processor.

The ThinkPad X100e has an 11.6 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels. The notebook is available with all the three processors in the AMD Neo line. Lenovo, however, has no intention to offer the laptop with an Intel processor.

The X100e supports a variety of connectivity options including Wi-Fi, 3G and WiMAX wireless. Bluetooth is also offered as an optional feature. There are 3 USB ports, a 4-in-1 card reader and VGA. There is no HDMI. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures. There is also a touchpoint pointing stick. Lenovo offers Windows 7 Pro/Home Premium or Windows XP Pro with the notebook. The base version starts at $449.

DELL UNVEILS ITS VOSTRO V13 THIN AND LIGHT NOTEBOOK

The Dell Vostro V13 is a thin and light notebook aimed at businesses. It has a 13.3 inch antigloss display and a professional-looking design.

The Vostro V13 has an aluminum chassis. The notebook weighs around 3.5 pounds. And at just 0.65 inches, the Vostro V13 is thinner than most netbooks. It is expected to have an Intel Core 2 CULV processor and 4GB of RAM. The connectivity options are Ethernet, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth. Other features include an integrated card reader. Dell claims that the battery will last for up to 4.75 hours.

The base version with Ubuntu Linux carries a price tag of $450. If you want Windows 7, you will have to shell out $600.

POINT OF VIEW LAUNCHES MOBII SLIM THIN AND LIGHT NOTEBOOK

Point of View is known for the graphics cards and other components they make. But of late the company has forayed into the mini-laptop market with a few good netbooks including a 10 inch model with Nvidia ION. Now they are entering the thin and light segment with an 11.6 inch notebook.

The Point of View Mibii Slim ULV has an 11.6 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels. It is powered by a dual core 1.2 GHz Intel Celeron CULV processor with integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics. Other features include up to 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and 1.3 mega pixel webcam. The 4-cell battery is rated at 4400mAh. The machine runs Windows 7 Home Premium.

Point of View Mobii ULV measures just 1.1 inch in thickness and weighs 3.3 pounds. It is now available in Germany for about 599 Euros or $875.

PACKARD BELL ANNOUNCES VALENTINO ROSSI DESIGNER NOTEBOOK

Packard Bell has unveiled a Valentino Rossi edition of its dot notebook. Rossi is an Italian motorcycle racer with a huge fan following around the world. The notebook looks pretty slick and its design may appeal to both guys and gals.

No word on specs available at the moment. But the images indicate that the notebook could be a designer version of the Packard Bell Dot M/U which is actually a rebranded version of the Acer Aspire 1410. If that is indeed so, then you can expect to get an Intel CULV processor, GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics and an 11.6 inch display. You will also get a reasonable amount of storage space and memory.

DELL ANNOUNCES STUDIO 17 TOUCH NOTEBOOK

Dell has announced a Studio 17 Touch laptop with multi-touch capabilities. The 17.3 inch notebook is packed with features and comes pre-loaded with Windows 7 operating system.

The Studio 17 Touch can be configured with a variety of processors ranging from the Intel Pentium Dual Core T4300 2.1GHz processor to the Intel Core i7 Quad Core processor.

Up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM can be installed. The 7200 rpm hard drive comes with 1TB of storage capacity. If you tend to play a lot of games you can configure the notebook with a discrete GPU. For those of you who aren’t really into gaming, the integrated Intel GMA X4500 MHD should be more than enough. The LED backlit display comes with 1600 x 900 pixels native resolution.

There are 4 USB 2.0ports, WiFi b/g/n, FireWire, Bluetooth, HDMI and VGA ports. Optional features include Blu-ray. The notebook weighs 7.08 lbs with the 6-cell battery. Prices start at $899.

DELL UNVEILS PRECISION M6500 NOTEBOOK

Dell has unveiled its newest business notebook – the 17 inch M6500. It is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor. Up to 16GB of RAM and three hard drives (RAID 0/1/5) can be installed.

The Dell Precision M6500 is fairly customizable. Users can choose from several workstation graphics cards such as ATI FirePro M7740 and Nvidia Quadro FX 2800M/3800M.
The 17 inch RGB LED backlit display features 1920 x 1200 pixels resolution. The regular M6500 has a chassis built of anodized aluminum. It costs around $2,749 and is expected to start shipping from December 22. The top-end M6500 Covet edition has an orange aluminum chassis. It will cost around $4,219.

iBUYPOWER LAUNCHES CORE i7 POWERED NOTEBOOK

IBuyPower has launched a 17.3 inch desktop replacement laptop with some decent specs. The machine dubbed Batallion 101W870CU is powered by a Core i7 processor.

The Batallion 101W870CU can be configured with any of the available Core i7 processors ranging from the 1.6GHz 720QM to the 2.0GHz 920QM Extreme edition. Up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM can be installed. The twin 500GB hard disk drives provide up to 1TB of storage. Alternatively you can opt for 320 GB Intel X25-M MLC SSDs (twin 160GB drives). Graphics is handled by a 1GB NVIDIA Mobility GTX280 discrete GPU.

There are 4 USB 2.0ports. Other notable features include eSATA, Bluetooth, Blu-ray (optional) and fingerprint reader. The 17.3 inch comes with the full HD (1920x1080) resolution. Prices start at $2,114.

MSI LAUNCHES 12.1 INCH NOTEBOOK WITH AMD ATHLON

MSI has launched a 12.1 inch notebook called MSI L2100-036US. The notebook has better specifications than a conventional netbook and comes with an affordable price point.

The new MSI L2100-036US runs on a 1.6GHz AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 processor with 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard disk drive. The graphics option is an ATI Radeon X1250 discrete GPU.

The 12.1 inch display features 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. There is an HDMI port for transferring video to an external monitor. Other features include WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 3 USB 2.0 ports, audio in/out, a multi-card reader and VGA. The machine weighs 3.2lbs. It currently sells for $459.99 with Windows 7.

ASUS UL20A NOTEBOOK REVIEW

With its 12.1 inch display, the Asus UL20A isn’t much different from a typical netbook, but the machine offers the functionality of a full sized notebook.

The UL20A is thin and light. It also gets good battery life when compared to many laptops larger in size. Performance is snappy. There are no discrete GPUs, but the machine is still capable of decoding HD movies. And the larger display features a higher resolution than that is found in laptops of similar size.

The UL20A is the cheapest laptop in the Asus UL line of notebooks. It is also the smallest. Unlike the 13 inch UL30A, the UL20A doesn’t have Bluetooth or HDMI. On the plus side this machine is cheaper than its bigger sibling by almost $200.


UL20A specifications:
Processor: Dual-core 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor
Graphics: integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD
Memory: 2GB of RAM
Storage: 250GB hard drive
Display: 12.1 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels
Other notable features include WiFi 802.11b/g/n

Performance
The UL20A is powered by a dual-core CULV processor. CULV processors are known for being power efficient. They also deliver better performance than the Intel Atom processors found in most netbooks. Performance is snappy. Boot times are good, and applications load almost instantly. The UL20A has enough power inside its chassis to be your primary PC. There are no discrete graphics cards, so you can’t play high-end games on this PC.

Conclusion
The UL20A is worth considering if you are looking for an ultraportable laptop priced in the upper range of a typical netbook. The notebook is now available from Amazon for $581. And there is currently a promotion wherein buyers will get Amazon gift certificates worth $75 with the purchase of UL20A.

VIEWSONIC LAUNCHES VIEWBOOK 120 12 INCH CULV NOTEBOOK

Viewsonic has added a 12.1 inch thin and light laptop to its line of portable computers. This is the first Viewsonic laptop with a 12 inch display and an Intel CULV processor. Viewsonic has been busy churning out 10 inch netbooks for a while.

The ViewBook 120 is powered by a dual core 1.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU2300 processor with 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive spinning at 5400 rpm. It runs on the Windows 7 Home Premium. The notebook has the usual array of ports and jacks including an ExpressCard slot. The 12 inch display has 1280x800 pixels. Sources claim that it could run about $600.

GIGABYTE UNVEILS NOTEBOOK WITH EXTERNAL GRAPHICS

Gigabyte has unveiled a notebook that allows the option of using an external graphics card through a docking station. The new M1305 notebook has a 13.3 inch display with 1366x768 pixels. It runs on Windows 7 and can be configured with Intel Core 2 Duo, Pentium or Celeron ULV processors. The notebook has an integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD. But if you want better graphics performance you can use the Nvidia GeForce GT 220 GPU through the docking station.

Up to 4GB of RAM can be installed. The hard disk is available in 320 or 500GB capacities. Other notable features include eSATA/USB combo port. There is also an HDMI port for transferring video to an external monitor. The machine weighs 4 pounds with the six-cell 3800mAh battery. Gigabyte claims that it will offer up to 6.5 hours of runtime.

No information on pricing or availability has been announced as yet.

ACER UNVEILS ASPIRE 8940 18.4 INCH NOTEBOOK

Acer has unveiled its Aspire 8940 notebook with an 18.4 inch display. It is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor. The machine is equipped with a full 1080p screen resolution. Detailed specifications of the model are as follows:

Processor: Intel Core i7 Processor 720QM (1.60GHz, 6MB L3 Cache, 1333MHz FSB)
Display: 18.4" Full HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit Display with 1920x1080 pixels
Memory: 4GB DDR3 Dual-Channel 1066MHz Memory
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M with 1GB dedicated DDR3 VRAM
Storage: 500GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

Other notable features include Blu-ray reader/DVD SuperMulti Double-Layer Drive, digital media card reader, WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g Draft N and integrated webcam. There are 5 USB 2.0 ports, 1 HDMI port and 1 eSATA port. There is a Dolby Home Theatre and Acer CineSurround Sound System with 5 built-in speakers to enhance the multimedia experience.

The Aspire 8940 will run on the Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system. It is expected to be available this holiday season for around $1349.99.

FSP NB S90 UNIVERSAL NOTEBOOK ADAPTER REVIEW

Universal power adapters are more affordable than OEM replacements. They are also compatible with a wide range of notebooks. In this article we will see how the FSP NB S90 Universal Notebook Adapter performs.

FSP NB S90 Specifications:

* Input Voltage: 100V AC to 240V AC, 50 ~ 60Hz frequency
* Output Voltage: 15~17V OR 18~21V
* Peak Power Output: 90W
* Operating Efficiency: 85%+
The adapter meets CEC Energy Standard and Energy Star Standards. It comes with a 3 year parts/labor warranty and retails for $59.99

Build and Design
In looks the FCP NB S90 isn’t much different from average AC adapters. It has a black matte plastic body and comes with a black cord. A useful design element is the inline control that allows you to regulate output voltage of the power supply. Build quality is excellent and the cords connecting to the adapter are long enough to reach most power outlets around you.

Ease of Use
The FSP NB S90 power adapter is very easy to use with adjustable voltage settings. You are allowed two voltage ranges – 15-17V or 18-21V. Look at the rated voltage of the original power adapter to determine the range you should use. You can then easily select a particular voltage range using only your fingertips. And once set you can’t change it accidentally.

Performance
Performance is excellent in terms of rated capacity and compatibility. The adapter is compatible with a wide range of notebooks and netbooks.

Heat and Noise
Heat and noise levels are normal. During normal usage the adapter is warm to the touch. Under heavy load it does get hot, but the same thing happens with every standard adapter.

Pros:
Easy to set up
Good build quality
Universally compatible

Cons:
Nothing really

SONY ANNOUNCES VAIO CW NOTEBOOK

Sony has unveiled their newest notebook – the VAIO CW. It is available in five colors – red, pink, white, black and indigo.

Specifications
Display: 14-inch screen (16:9, 1366x768)
Operating system: Windows 7 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo processors up to 2.80GHz (T9600)
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 210M 256MB or GT 230M 512MB
Memory: Up to 8GB RAM
Storage: Up to 500GB hard drive space

Other features include a Blu-ray disc drive. The standard battery is expected to give 4 hours of up time. With an extended battery, you should be able to get up to six hours. The machine weighs 5.3 lbs with the battery.

Pricing and Availability
The VAIO CW should be available around the launch date of Windows 7. Prices start at $799.

ASUS INTRODUCES CORE i7 POWERED M60J NOTEBOOK

Asus has introduced yet another notebook powered by Intel’s new Core i7 processor. Dubbed M60J, it is equipped with a 16 inch display and NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M GPU with 1GB of video memory.

The Asus M60J can be configured with either an Intel Core i7 720QM 1.6GHz or 820QM 1.73GHz Processor. The dual hard drives provide up to 1 TB of storage. Up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM can be installed. The 16 inch display features 1366x768 pixels.
The notebook also features the AI TouchMedia feature which is a one-touch multimedia center. Other notable features include WiFi 802.11n, 2 megapixel web camera, a fingerprint reader, an ExpressCard slot, an eSATA port, 4 USB ports, HDMI, VGA outputs and 4-in-1 media card reader. The machine weighs 3.3kg with the 6-cell battery.

Pricing and Availability
There is no information regarding pricing or availability.

FUJITSU UNVEILS CULV NOTEBOOK

Fujitsu has unveiled an 11.6 inch Intel CULV-powered laptop. Dubbed FMV LOOX C, the device is due to be released in Japan on October 22nd. Two models will be available but both of them will have 11.6 inch displays featuring 1366x768 pixels.

Other specifications that are common to both notebooks include 2GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics and Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

While the first model FMV LOOX C/E50 will have a 1.2GHz Intel Celeron SU2300 processor, the other model, FMV LOOX C/E70, will have a slightly better 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor. The C/E50 is expected to provide up to 6 hours of battery life and will cost around $900. The C/E70 will cost about $1100 and may offer up to 9.2 hour battery life.

The machines are available in three colors – red, black and blue. Other common features include 3 USB ports, VGA outputs, 802.11n WiFi, Ethernet, and mic/headphone jacks.

SAGER UNVEILS 15-INCH GAMING NOTEBOOK

Sager has unveiled its 15-inch gaming notebook which could be a direct competitor to the Alienware M15x. The NP8690 is equipped with a mobile Intel Core i7 processor and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M graphics card. Its specifications are as follows:

Processor: Intel Core i7 (1.6 - 2.0GHz)
Display: 15.6 inch W/LED backlit display with 1600x900 or 1920x1080 pixels
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M w/ 1GB GDDR3
RAM: Up to 8GB DDR3-1333

Port Selection
There are 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 HDMI output port, 1 DVI-I output port, 1 eSATA Port (VISTA only), FireWire, Headphone Jack, Microphone Jack, RJ-45 LAN (10/100/1000Mbps) and RJ-11 Modem. The machine weighs 7.38 lbs with battery.

Pricing & Availability
The Sager NP8690 is now available for pre-order. The notebook will start shipping in October. Prices start at $1,789.

TOSHIBA ANNOUNCES ITS QOSMIS X500 GAMING NOTEBOOK

Toshiba has announced its Qosmis X500 gaming notebook. It is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor.
The Qosmis X500 has a large 18.4 inch full HD 1920x1080 TruBright display. The Core i7 2.80GHz Quad core processor is fast enough to deliver a stellar performance. It can play any game and decode HD media with minimal efforts. The graphics option is a Nvidia GeForce GTX 250MNV discrete GPU with 1GB memory.

Up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM can be installed on this laptop. The storage options are twin 500GB hard drives. Other features include Blu-ray player, Wi-Fi b/g/n, an HDMI port, three USB 2.0 ports, eSATA, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and Harmon Kardon stereo speakers.

DELL UPDATES ITS STUDIO 17 NOTEBOOK

Dell has updated its Studio 17 with the Core i7 processor. This version starts at $1,099.

The new Studio 17 has a JBL-branded 2.1 audio solution with SRS Premium Sound. It will have two 1.5 watt speakers in the palmrest and a 6-watt subwoofer in the base. The 17.3 inch HD display comes with 16:9 aspect ratio. The new Studio 17 supports dual hard drives. It is also the first among Studio notebooks to have a 1GB graphic solution. Other features include built-in webcam and slot loading CD/DVD writer. The keyboard is full-sized and comes with a separate keypad.

The machine is still lighter and thinner with its 9-cell battery than its predecessor.

Specifications
Processor: Intel Core i7 720QM 1.6GHz (1333 FSB/6MB L3 Cache)
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
Graphics: 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
Memory: 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
Storage: 250GB 7200RPM Hard Drive

HAIER ANNOUNCES JIAN i7 NOTEBOOK

Haier has released a CULV (Consumer Ultra Low Voltage) Jian i7 notebook for the Chinese market. The device measures just 3.2cm in thickness and weighs 3lbs.

The Jian i7 is powered by Intel’s Core 2 Duo ultra low voltage SU7300 1.30GHz processor with 2GB of DDR3 RAM. It is equipped with a 13.4 inch LED display. The hard disk capacity is 320GB and the graphics option is Intel GMA X4500MHD integrated GPU. There is an HDMI port for transferring video to an external monitor. There are 3 USB 2.0 ports, Wi-Fi, Webcam, an e-SATA port and an SD card reader. Other features include touch sensitive media keys, stereo speakers, a cylindrical sink axle and textured trackpad. There is also the option of 3G card for high speed internet access.

Pricing and Availability
The notebook is priced at around $879. No information regarding availability has been announced as yet.