NetbookTech

Waiting for the new Lenovo IdeaPad S12? Well guess what? Several models of the new netbook are now available for pre-order over at the Lenovo website. Unfortunately this does not include the NVIDIA ION powered S12 which is supposedly delayed till around the Fall timeframe. The models currently available include an Atom powered S12 with Intel integrated graphics, and a VIA Nano-powered S12 with VIA Chrome9 HC3 graphics. The full details of the new S12 models include:

Lenovo IdeaPad S12-295954U and S12-295955U  for $499.00

• Intel ATOM N270 processor
• Windows XP Home Edition
• Intel GMA 950
• 1GB RAM
• 12.1 ” WXGA TFT 1280×800
• Touchpad
• 160GB 5400RPM HDD
• 6 cell lithium ion battery
• Broadcom 11b/g Wi-Fi wireless

Lenovo IdeaPad S12-295956U for $449.00

• VIA Nano ULV 2250 ( 1.30GHz 800MHz 1MB )
• Windows XP Home Edition
• VIA Integrated graphics – Chrome9 HC3
• 1GB RAM
• 12.1 ” WXGA TFT 1280×800
• Touchpad
• 160GB 5400RPM HDD
• 6 Cell Lithium-Ion
• Broadcom 11b/g Wi-Fi wireless

[Check it out via SlashGear]

The latter half of 2009 as well as 2010 should be an exciting year for the netbook industry. We’ve got NVIDIA ION powered netbooks on the horizon, 11.6 inch/12 inch netbooks starting to come out in full force, AMD-based netbook/mini-notebooks hitting the market, Snapdragon-based netbooks/smartbooks promised, and now, NVIDIA Tegra-based models being demoed! Yes that’s right – the folks at NetbookNews have published a YouTube preview video of the Mobinnova élan netbook powered by the NVIDIA Tegra SoC and running Windows CE.

Features of the Mobinnova élan include:

• Windows CE-powered
• NVIDIA Tegra processor
• Battery hides all the ports in the back
• HDMI port
• 720p via output via HDMI
• SD/MS card reader
• 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 resolution glossy display
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Small keyboard
• Touch-pad – with soft touch buttons

According to NetbookNews, the Mobinnova élan is expected sometime during the fourth quarter of this year. Definitely check out the video clip – there’s even a short primer to the NVIDIA Tegra module.

[Check it out via BGR]

Missed this one last week. HP announced their latest flagship Mini PC/netbook for mobile professionals – the HP Mini 5101. The first system to feature both a magnesium alloy lower half of the case and a lightweight anodized aluminum display enclosure with a black, brushed finish on the top half, the Mini 5101 sets a new standard for the bill of materials used in a netbook. Specs and features include:

• Spill-resistant 95 percent keyboard
• HP DuraKeys clear coating over the keys makes them 50 times more resistant to visible wear than keyboards without it
• Intel Atom Processor N280 clocked at 1.66GHz
• Max of 2GB RAM
• 10.1 inch LED display in WSVGA or HD resolutions
• Intel GMA 950
• Up to 320GB 7200RPM HDD or optional 80GB/128GB Solid State Drive
• Wi-Fi
• Optional Bluetooth 2.0
• 2 megapixel webcam
• Optional integrated Gobi-powered HP Mobile Broadband module
• 4 cell or 6 cell battery with 6 cell delivering up to 8 hours of power
• Starting weight of 2.6 lbs
• HP 3D DriveGuard delivers 3 axis digital accelerometer chip which tells the hard drive to shut down if there is sudden movement or shock
• HP Panel Protection System includes scratch-resistant acrylic LCD cover and magnesium hinge bracket
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• VGA port
• Headphone/line out port
• Microphone in port
• 1 SD slot
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Measures 10.30 x 7.09 x 0.91 inches

The HP Mini 5101 will have a starting price of $449 and is expected to be available in late July.

[Check it out]

[Check out the product overview]

And speaking of Lenovo, LaptopMag is reporting that the ION-powered IdeaPad S12 is now delayed until later this fall. The system was originally announced back in late May when Lenovo stated that systems would be available “later this summer.” Guess later really meant much later. Theory has it that Lenovo wants to time the S12 launch closer to the launch of Windows 7. In the meantime, you might see the Samsung N510 out sooner!

[Check it out]

Looks like Lenovo’s not the only vendor planning to launch an ION powered netbook. Netbook Choice is reporting that Samsung is planning to launch a new netbook called the Samsung N510 (model NP-N510-KA02UK) pairing the Intel Atom N280 processor with the NVIDIA ION platform (which is basically the NVIDIA 9400M GPU). Other reported specs include:

• 11.6 inch LED backlit display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• Intel Atom N280 clocked at 1.66GHz
• 160GB SATA HDD
• 1GB RAM
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Ethernet
• Webcam
• 3 in 1 media card reader
• 6 cell Lithium Ion battery

No word on the exact launch date of the N510 but expect it sometime this summer. These ION powered netbooks certainly make the 11.6 inch/12 inch market interesting – especially if they deliver on the promise of 1080p HD video playback!

[Check it out via CNET’s News.com]

[Also read LaptopMag]

As mentioned yesterday, the new Gateway LT3103u 11.6 inch netbook is now readily available over at Best Buy. Yes.. I couldn’t help myself so I decided to pick up the new netbook system yesterday at the list price of $399.99 (I actually got it for less since I had some RewardZone coupons on hand). The LT3103u is Gateway’s first 11.6 inch netbook – as well as the first one to offer up the AMD Athlon 64 L110 processor and ATI Radeon X1270 graphics. 

While I’m still putting the netbook through its paces, I thought I’d at least share some of the unboxing pics of the LT3103u.

Packaging:

The Gateway LT3103u:

Here’s the top-front of the netbook (with the top plastic still attached):

Here’s the bottom of the netbook:

The right side:

The left side:

The battery attached:

The netbook opened:

Early Impressions:

Form Factor:

The LT3103u certainly has more heft to it than the majority of netbook systems out there. It’s not a fatty by any means but you’ll notice the 3+ pound weight especially if you’ve been using a system that weighs a mere 2+ pounds.

The battery juts out and downward a bit from the back – lifting the netbook up at the rear and providing a more comfortable typing experience. A good portion of the weight comes from this large battery which unfortunately only provides a supposed 4-5 hour battery life. (yet to be confirmed).

About the only real complaint that I have with the form factor is opening the netbook itself. There’s a small lip that hangs over the center of the netbook cover which you use to lift up the cover. This lip is a bit small to grip onto – especially for big fingers.

Oh yes.. the top cover is a fingerprint magnet.

Otherwise the netbook is quite sexy!

Keyboard:

I’m loving this keyboard folks! The Samsung NC10 was my previous favorite but the LT3103u  takes the cake thus far (although the new Toshiba will probably compete favorably here also) simply because the form factor as a whole is larger. 

Trackpad:

The LT3103u  has a multi-gesture trackpad although I haven’t had time to test it out yet. The pad itself is roomy and the mouse buttons are well constructed.

Display:

I absolutely love this display.. and here are the main reasons:

• 11.6 inches!
• 1366 x 768 resolution
• Bright!

Did I say 1366 x 768? Yes.. I’m done with that 1024 x 600 resolution display!!!

Performance:

I really can’t say much in this department as of yet since I’ve yet to run actual benchmarks. The LT3103u comes with Windows Vista Home Basic which isn’t my first choice for an OS but luckily Gateway bucks the netbook trend by bundling the LT3103u with 2GB of RAM. The system “feels” somewhat comparable to other “Atom” based netbooks I’ve played with but again – I won’t really know until I’ve executed the software benchmarks. It is important to note that this system runs a single core Athlon 64 processor. No dual core goodness or even hyper-threading goodness here.

And finally.. we are talking about a 64 bit processor here..

Yes.. since the LT3103u does come bundled with an AMD Athlon 64 I decided to try Windows 7 RC x64 on this netbook and yes.. it installed just fine. I had to install the wireless networking drivers and then update the graphics drivers but other than that – things went without a hitch. I’ll probably downgrade back to Windows 7 RC 32 bit shortly for testing purposes but then revert to 64 bit Windows 7 for the remainder of my time with the LT3103u.

Overall.. the Gateway LT3103u is very promising although I’m not exactly keen on the 4-5 hour battery life of the netbook. I also wish Gateway packaged the new AMD Athlon Neo processor instead of the single-core Athlon 64 L110 .. but oh well.. I’m sure component pricing had something to do with that one and when you consider you get an awful lot for $399.99, the LT3103u doesn’t look like too bad of a deal. Stay tuned for a full in-depth review.

If you’ve got an urge to splurge then you might be interested in Sony’s new limited edition VAIO Signature Collection P Series system – the VGN-P699E/Q Lifestyle PC. Priced at $1999.99 with only 1000 units available, the Limited Edition P Series features:

• 1.86GHz Intel Processor
• Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit
• 8 inch XBRITE-ECO LED backlit LCD display with 1600 x 768 resolution
• 2GB RAM
• 256GB Solid State Drive
• Built-in Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband
• GPS
• Built-in MOTION EYE camera and microphone
• QWERTY keyboard
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
• Weighs 1.4 lbs
• 4 hour standard capacity lithium ion battery

So.. if you’ve got two grand to spare, then feel free to pre-order the Signature Collection P Series netbook.. err.. Lifestyle PC over at SonyStyle. The system will be available starting around July 17th, 2009.

[Check it out]

Looks like Best Buy’s collection of netbook systems is rapidly expanding. Two of the latest netbook models are now available for purchase at Best Buy – the 10.1 inch Toshiba mini NB205 and the new 11.6 inch Gateway LT3103u. (and yes – I picked up one of the 11.6 inch Gateway systems today – stay tuned for unboxing pics!).

The Toshiba mini NB205 is available in four colors (posh pink, royal blue, sable brown, and frost white) at a price of $399.99. Specs of the mini NB205 are fairly similar to other Atom-based netbooks:

• Intel Atom N280 clocked at 1.66GHz
• 1GB RAM
• 10.1 inch WSVGA LED backlit display
• 160GB SATA HDD
• Intel GMA 950
• Webcam
• Media card reader with support for SD, SDHC, and MMC
• Wi-Fi, Ethernet
• Up to 9+ hour battery life
• Windows XP Home Edition

As a reminder – the key notable features of the mini NB205 are the full sized keyboard and the crazy 9+ hour battery life. Sure, it’s a bit heavier but that’s exactly why you’re getting the 9+ hour battery life.

As for the Gateway LT3103u, this system is the first 11.6 inch netbook to feature an AMD Athlon 64 L110 processor as well as ATI Radeon X1270 graphics. Here are the specs:

• AMD Athlon 64 L110 clocked at 1.2 GHz
• 2GB RAM
• 11.6 inch HD LED backlit display
• 250GB SATA HDD
• ATI Radeon X1270 graphics
• HD audio
• 0.3 megapixel webcam
• Media card reader with support for SD, MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, and xD Picture
• Wi-Fi, Ethernet
• 5 hour battery life
• Windows Vista Home Basic

Best Buy is currently offering the Gateway LT3103u for the MSRP of $399.99. Stay tuned for more details of the netbook.

Akihabara News reports that the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA and 1101HA Seashell netbooks will be available in the Japanese market starting in July. The 1008HA is already available here in the U.S. but the 1101HA which features an 11.6 inch display will also be coming to the U.S. in July.

Of the two netbooks, the 1101HA is arguably the more exciting one considering it features the larger 11.6 inch LED backlit display with a resolution of 1366 x 768. Here are the specs to the 1101HA:

• Intel Atom Z520 processor
• 1GB DDR2 RAM
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• 11.6 inch LED Backlight WXGA (1366 x 768) resolution with Color-Shine
• 160GB HDD
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• Stereo speaker
• Digital Array Microphone
• VGA Port, 3 USB 2.0 ports, Headphone/microphone
• Card reader w/ support for MMC/SD cards
• 9.5 hours of battery life with the 6 cell 48Wh Li-ion battery
• 11 hours of battery life with the 6 cell 63Wh Li-ion battery
• Measures 286 x 196 x 21.8mm and weighs 1.38Kg with 6 cell battery

Although the 1101HA isn’t quite available in the U.S. the UK folks at Electricpig did get a hold of one and you can see their unboxing pictures here (courtesy of Liliputing)

[Check it out]

[Check out the ASUS Eee PC 1101HA product page]

Thinking about an Intel Atom and NVIDIA ION based netbook? How about an Athlon 64 and ATI Radeon based netbook instead? Gateway ups the ante with 11.6 inch netbooks by introducing the new LT3100 – featuring an 11.6 inch HD display, the AMD Athlon 64 L110 single core processor, and the ATI Radeon X1270 graphics.

Other features and specs include:

• 11.6 inch LED backlit 1366 x 768 resolution display
• AMD Athlon 64 Single Core Processor L110 clocked at 1.2 GHz
• 2GB RAM
• Integrated ATI Radeon X1270 graphics
• 250GB SATA 5400RPM HDD
• Multi-in-1 media card reader
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Webcam
• Two built-in speakers
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• 6 cell Li-Ion battery
• Measures 11.26 x 7.99 x 1.03 inches
• Windows Vista Basic
• Multi-Gesture Touchpad
• Built-in digital microphone
• Up to five hours of battery life
• Weighs 3.14 pounds

The Gateway LT3100 is available in both NightSky Black and in Cherry Red with a starting price is $399.99.