NetbookTech

ASUS is reportedly readying a response to the upcoming launch of the Apple iPad with its own April launch of the Eee PC T101MT convertible 10.1 inch netbook at a competitive price of $499.

The T101MT will feature a 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution capacitive resistive multi-touch enabled touch-screen display, an Intel Atom N450 processor clocked at 1.66GHz, Intel GMA 3150 integrated graphics, 2GB of RAM, a 320GB HDD, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a built-in 0.3 megapixel webcam. Port wise, expect a VGA, microphone/headphone jack, 3 USB ports, and a built-in media card reader.

There will probably be at least two versions of the T101MT – a low-end model running Windows 7 Starter (and presumably running off of 1GB of RAM), and a high-end model running Windows 7 Home Premium (probably with 2GB of RAM). Expect the $499 model to be running Windows 7 Starter.

And of course, should you need OS X, you could always attempt to install a hacked version of the OS on the system. Presto.. wanna iPad (well ok maybe not..)

[Check it out]

While we’re on the topic of convertible netbooks, it should be noted that Gigabyte is readying a new series featuring the latest Atom Pinetrail platform called the Gigabyte T1000 series. Specs of the series include:

• Intel Atom N450 clocked at 1.66GHz or Atom N470 clocked at 1.86GHz
• Windows 7 OS
• Intel NM10 chipset
• 10.1 inch 1366 x 768 resolution display
• 250GB HDD
• 2 USB ports, eSATA/USB combo port
• 4 in 1 card reader
• ExpressCard slot
• Built-in speakers
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Built-in HSDPA antenna
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Ethernet
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi

The T1000 features two models – the T1000X and the T1000P. The T1000X comes with a single-touch display and a 4 cell 4500mAh lithium-ion battery while the T1000P comes with a multi-touch enabled display, and a 6 cell 7650mAh battery.

Via Netbooked.net

Lenovo announced two new netbooks today – the IdeaPad S10-3t and S10-3 (above) – both of which feature Intel’s new Pine Trail platform. The S10-3t also happens to be the industry’s first multitouch capacitive convertible netbook tablet built with Lenovo’s NaturalTouch responsive fingertip touch-screen technology as opposed to pressure touch technology resulting in an “optimal netbook user touch experience.”

The IdeaPad S10-3t has a 10.1 inch display which can swivel 180 degrees and folded over, transforming the netbook into a multi-touch enabled tablet system.

Both the S10-3t and the S10-3 come with the newly announced Intel Atom N470 processor (which is clocked at 1.86Ghz vs the 1.66GHz clock speed of the previously announced N450 processor of the Pine Trail platform), 320GB HDD, built-in stereo speakers, Dolby headphone audio, and Quick Start 2.0 instant-on functionality which provides users a quick means to access applications and the web in a few seconds without needing to boot-up Windows. Also notice the S10-3 has a new island-style keyboard which I love!

As for pricing and availability, the S10-3t will start at $499.99 while the S10-3 starts at $349.99. Both netbooks will be available starting this month.

Here are additional pics of the S10-3:

and pictures of the S10-3t convertible tablet netbook

I know what you’re thinking – this looks like the same netbook that you just saw in the previous posting.

Nope.

This is, in fact, an Onkyo Sotec NX707A netbook. Unfortunately, it’s still a fairly boring system despite the fact it’s another convertible netbook to come out of Japan. The NX707A features:

• Windows 7 Starter Edition
• Intel Atom Z520 clocked at 1.33 GHz
• 1GB RAM
• 80 GB 4200 RPM HDD
• Realtek ALC262 audio
• 1024 x 600 resolution display
• GPS
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR

*yawn*

[Check it out via Akihabara News]

This boring looking netbook comes courtesy of Kohjinsha Japan and is known as the SK3KX06GA. The highlight of the system is the 7 inch touch-screen display (yeah it looks like a convertible netbook based on the picture above). Specs are otherwise the usual stuff – an Atom processor (model Z520), the Intel US15W chipset, 1GB of RAM, 60GB (puny eh?) HDD, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, built-in GPS, and a 1Seg TV tuner. It’s a shame that the SK3KX06GA comes with a mere 7 inch display.

[Check it out]

ASUS is apparently readying a follow-up to the 8.9 inch Eee PC T91 touch-screen convertible netbook just in time for the launch of Windows 7. Known as the Eee PC T91MT, the new convertible netbook will feature a multi-touch enabled 8.9 inch display compatible with Windows 7 as well as a new 32 GB Solid State Drive.

Depending on the sales of the T91MT, ASUS may decide to bring up, stay the course, or delay the release of the 10 inch Eee PC T10 convertible netbook. Our guess – don’t expect the 10 inch netbook anytime soon. Market reception for touch-screen netbooks have been luke-warm at best. Hopefully the launch of Windows 7 will change all of that.

[Check it out]

UK Tech News Site, Electricpig, reports that the ASUS Eee PC T91 convertible netbook will be hitting the UK shores in either late May or early June for a price of around £449. We saw the T91 back in January at CES 2009 with specs such as:

• Intel Atom Processor Z520
• Windows XP Home Edition
• 8.9 inch touch-panel display
• Optional GPS and TV tuner
• Measurement of 225 x 164 x 25.2 ~ 28.4 mm

No word if the specs changed at all between then and now.. but stay tuned.

[Check it out via TechDigest]