NetbookTech

It appears the Lenovo IdeaPad S9 netbook is finally hitting the U.S. shores – thanks to the folks over at CompGeeks (geeks.com). The S9 is essentially the younger brother of the IdeaPad S10 – featuring as you’ve probably guessed by now, a smaller display at 8.9 inches. However, there are other significant changes in the S9 when compared to the larger S10 netbook.

The netbook uses the same Intel Atom processor running at 1.6GHz. It comes with the same base of 512MB of RAM but instead of a large capacity notebook hard drive, the S9 favors a smaller 4GB SSD (SLC kind). The system also forgoes Windows XP for Linpus Linux Lite. Other features on the system include:

• Intel GMA 950 graphics
• 4 in 1 media card reader
• 10/100 Ethernet
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• 0.3 megapixel webcam
• 8.9 inch WSVGA display
• 80 key keyboard with two button touchpad
• ExpressCard/34 slot
• Measures 0.9~1.1 x 9.8 x 7.2 inches and weighs 2.43 lbs

Thanks to Liliputing for catching the other interesting observation. The S9 is essentially the same form factor as the S10 except with a smaller display. Make sense – when you look at many 8.9 inch netbooks, they are essentially using a form factor that could easily house a 10 inch display – they just choose not to. Makes sense from an economic standpoint to have one common housing.

So now, the real question is – is the S9 worth it? Geeks.com has it for $344.99 – which is just a few dollars below the base price for the S10 which has a larger display and larger storage. If the form factors are the same, is it really worth it for you to opt for a smaller display? 

Oh yeah – Buy.com is also selling the S9 – except at $359.46. The funny thing is – it’s actually acting as a proxy to guess who? Geeks.com. You’re better off buying it directly from Geeks.com while you still can.

[Via jkOnTheRun, Liliputing]