NetbookTech

We’re doing a bit of catch-up news here so I apologize if this is old news for you.

A few weeks back, Acer became the first vendor to announce a netbook featuring the upcoming next-generation NVIDIA ION platform (known to most as the ION 2). Known as the Aspire One 532G, the new 10.1 inch system measures only 1 inch thin, weighs a mere 1kg, and has up to 10 hours of battery life.

With the ION 2 GPU, the 532G supports 720p HD playback locally on the system and 1080p HD playback via an externally connected high-definition display. More importantly, the next-generation GPU supports NVIDIA’s Optimus Technology which automatically and intelligently switches between the discrete graphics and integrated graphics. This allows you to get 3D graphics horsepower when you need it and conserve power consumption when you don’t need it.

All this sounds but will the new ION platform deliver better 3D graphics performance than the first-generation ION platform? According to early test results from Netbook News, this might not be the case.

The site managed to get some time with the new 532G netbook and found the system scored 3049 with 3D Mark 2003. While this is a notable increase over integrated graphics performance, it’s actually lower than what the Samsung N510 scored with the first generation ION platform (the N510 scored a 3513).

Of course these are all preliminary results at this time. The drivers are not fully-baked at this time and this is still pre-release hardware. However, it might be prudent to lower graphics performance expectations of the ION 2 platform.

More importantly, we see the ION 2 as a way for NVIDIA to improve the battery life of ION-powered netbook systems – something that’s been a sore spot for first generation ION-powered netbooks. 

As for the Aspire One 532G, the netbook will be available in three colors (Sapphire Blue, Ruby Red and Pearl Silver), and should be shipping by the end of the first quarter.

Acer’s looking to make their products ever greener with their latest additions to the Timeline product line, the Aspire 3811TZ and Aspire 3811TZG. The new notebooks are made with materials free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). These chemicals can generate toxic substances such as dioxins and furans at the product’s end-of-life when the customer disposes of the notebooks.

Other “green” features of these new Timeline notebooks include:

• Energy Star 5.0 certification
• Modularized design ideal for recycling. Only replace what needs to be replaced reducing waste

No details on specs but one would assume the 3811TZ and 3811TZG are similar to the current 3810 Timeline. Specs to the 3810 include:

• Core 2 Duo SU7300
• Intel GS45 Express Chipset
• Up to 4GB RAM
• Up to 500GB HDD
• 5 in 1 media card reader
• 13.3 inch 1366 x 768 resolution display
• HDMI output
• Gigabit LAN and Wi-Fi

Introduction

So when is a netbook not a netbook?

When it comes to the Acer Aspire 1410, it’s not an easy question to answer at all.

The system looks like a netbook, feels like a netbook, and it’s even priced like a netbook. Yet at the end of the day, by Intel’s definitions, the 1410 is in fact not a netbook but an “ultra thin notebook” (also commonly known in the industry as a “thin-and-light notebook”).

The Aspire 1410 takes the look and feel of an 11.6 inch netbook and combines it with the power and energy-efficiency of Intel Consumer Ultra-Low Voltage processors – in this case the Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 processor.

At a higher level, the Aspire 1410 is best seen as a bridge between high-end netbook systems and high-end thin-and-light systems with more powerful dual-core processors and even larger form factors.

Read the rest of this entry »

Computer Geeks is currently running an end of the year liquidation sale and they’re offering refurbished Acer Aspire One AO751h-1940 netbooks for a low price of $259.99. The specs to the AO751h are as follows:

• Intel Atom Z520 processor clocked at 1.33GHz (yeah it’s a lil slow)
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• Intel GMA 500 graphics
• Built-in speakers
• 10100 Ethernet
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Media card reader
• 11.6 inch CrystalBrite LED backlit LCD display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• Three USB 2.0 ports, VGA port, microphone and headphone jack

[Check out the deal]

Thanks to the FCC, we now know Acer is planning to release a new convertible thin-and-light notebook under the Acer, Gateway, and Packard Bell brand. Known currently as the Acer 1420P or the Gateway EC18T, the convertible notebook features:

• 11.6 inch display
• Intel CULV Core 2 Duo SU2300 processor clocked at 1.2 GHz
• Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics
• 500GB HDD
• Support for up to 8GB of RAM
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• HDMI and VGA output
• Audio in/out

It’s not clear at this time whether the touch-screen display is multi-touch enabled or not. If the price is right and the 8+ hour battery life holds true, Acer could have a winner here with the 1420P.

Check out many more pictures here and here at the FCC.

[Via SlashGear]

Acer brings the Ferrari brand to the thin-and-light notebook market with today’s introduction of the new 11.6 inch Ferrari One notebook.

One the inside, you’ll find components such as a low-power AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor, ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics, support for up to 4GB of RAM, a 250GB HDD, and Windows 7 Home Premium.

On the outside, you’ll find Formula 1 look and feel all over thanks to the red cover with yellow prancing horse emblem, the checkered palm rest, and the metallic LED-lit power button.

Other notable specs for the Ferrari One (FO200-1799) notebook include:

• AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor L310 clocked at 1.2 GHz with 1MB L2 cache and 800MHz FSB)
• 11.6 inch HD widescreen CineCrystal LED backlit display
• MAD M780G chipset
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD3200 graphics
• 4GB DDR2 RAM
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• Multi-in-1 digital media card reader
• Acer InviLink 802.11 a/b/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi
• Built-in Acer Crystal Eye webcam
• Two built-in stereo speakers
• 3rd generation Dolby Home Theater audio enhancement
• Full-size Acer FineTip Keyboard
• 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 VGA port
• 6 cell Li-Ion battery (5600mAh) with up to 5 hours of power
• Measures 11.2 x 8.03 x 0.9~1.2 inches
• Weighs 3.31 lbs

With a starting price of $599, the Ferrari One breaks the tradition of expensive, high-end Ferrari notebook systems. You’ll be able to get the Ferrari One now at authorized resellers and major retailers nationwide.

DigiTimes reports Acer plans on releasing a Google Chrome OS-powered netbook during the second half of 2010 – presumably once Google has delivered a release candidate of the new OS.

Chairman JT Wang has apparently expressed great confidence that Acer will be the first vendor to deliver a Chrome-based netbook in the market. The real question is, does it really matter that they’re first movers in this market? Just look at recent Acer history with their dual-booting Windows/Android netbook to see why being a first-mover isn’t necessarily a good thing.

[Check it out]

One more day for this deal folks – the Acer Aspire One AOD250-1165 Sapphire Blue 10.1 inch netbook is available for $199.99 at Office Depot. This is an in-store deal only so if you want it – go find yourself an Office Depot and pray it’s in stock!

The AOD250 in question is a pretty standard netbook with your usual N270 Atom processor 1GB of RAM, 10.1 inch display, Windows XP Home, 160GB HDD, Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, 3 USB 2.0 ports, Intel integrated graphics (950), and memory card reader of course.

You can check out the deal online but again – it’s an in-store deal only.

RadioShack has extended their Black Friday deals by one more day (Saturday) which means you have one more day to buy the Acer Aspire AO751h-1279 11.6 inch netbook for $249.99. The system features an Intel Atom Z520 processor, 2GB of RAM, 250GB HDD, Windows Vista OS, 11.6 inch WXGA display with 16:9 aspect ratio, integrated Intel GMA 500 graphics, Ethernet, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Acer CrystalEye webcam, 3 cell battery, and 3 USB 2.0 ports. You’ll have to find the netbook in stores though – this system is sold out online right now.

BTW – if you get this netbook, you’ll be able to get a Netbook accessory bundle from RadioShack for $29.99. This bundle includes a 4 port USB hub, mobile mouse, earbuds with a built-in microphone, and a cooling pad.

[Check it out]

CompUSA’s Pink Friday Deals are now up on their website here . Why is it called Pink Friday as opposed to Black Friday you say? Well CompUSA will be donating portions of every purchase to Susan G. Komen for the cure – a great cause for sure!

For you netbook lovers out there, CompUSA is offering a pink colored Acer 10.1 inch netbook for $199.99. This netbook features:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 10.1 inch WSVGA CrystalBrite LED backlit display
• Media card reader
• 160 GB HDD
• Weight of 2.4 lbs

Another interesting deal for netbook and thin-and-light users out there is the Intel 160GB SATA 2.5 inch Solid State Drive for $499.99

[Check it out ]