NetbookTech

Missed this one last week. Verizon Wireless announced a new netbook mobile broadband bundle in the form of the Samsung N150. The 10.1 inch netbook is available for a mere $49.99 after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement for a Verizon Wireless mobile broadband plan.

The N150 has the following specs:

• Intel Atom N450 1.66GHz processor
• Windows 7 Starter
• Built-in 3G connectivity
• Global-ready with a pre-installed SIM card for access in more than 200 countries
• Built-in chargeable USB port
• 93 percent full-size keyboard
• 1GB of RAM
• 10.1 inch LCD WSVGA LED backlit display
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• Built-in webcam
• Built-in speakers
• 160GB 5400RPM HDD
• VGA port
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Ethernet connectivity
• 6 cell battery for up to 7 hours of power

You’ll need to choose from one of the following Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband plans:

• $39.99 monthly access for 250 MB monthly allowance and $0.10/MB overage
• $59.99 monthly access for 5 GB monthly allowance and $0.05/MB overage
• Prepaid Mobile Broadband plans are also available:
  • $15 for 75 MB (one day of use)
  • $30 for 250 MB (one week of use)
  • $50 for 500 MB (one month of use)

To make use of the Global GSM support, you’ll need to opt for one of the following GlobalAccess plans:

• GlobalAccess Monthly Plan – starts at $129.99 for monthly access (5 GB allowance for the United States and Canada, $0.05/MB overage) with 100 MB allowance in select destinations ($0.005/KB after allowance). Customers who require higher usage when traveling abroad can opt for the $219.99 monthly access plan which offers 200 MB allowance with the same rates for overage as the $129.99 plan.
• GlobalAccess Pay Per Use for occasional use must be purchased with a $59.99 Mobile Broadband service plan in the United States. The Pay Per Use rate is $0.002/KB in Canada, $0.005/KB in Mexico, and $0.02/KB in more than 200 other destinations.

[Check it out]

Samsung launched the new N150-11 netbook this past Sunday at Best Buy retail locations around the country as well as online at BestBuy.com. The N150-11 features an Intel Atom N450 processor, 10.1 inch LED backlit WSVGA display, a 9 hour Lithium-Ion battery, and Windows 7 Starter OS. Other notable specs include:

• 1GB RAM
• 250GB HDD
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• 3W stereo speakers (1.5W x 2)
• Built-in 0.3 megapixel webcam
• 3 USB 2.0 ports (1 rechargeable)
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
• DLNA support
• Island style keyboard
• Windows 7 Starter OS
• Measures 10.5 x 7.4 x 0.97 inches and weighs 2.73 lbs

You can purchase the N150-11 now over at BestBuy for $349.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday folks.. why not buy your mom a new netbook or thin-and-light notebook? (OK.. that seriously depends on your mom’s technical competency of course.. but just a thought!) OR.. get some accessories for your new system perhaps?

Here are some interesting deals currently available heading into the weekend:

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Buy.com

Logitech Alto Connect Laptop Stand:

Have a new system and need some way to prop it up at a good typing height? How about the Logitech Alto Connect Laptop Stand? I use it at work and absolutely love the stand. Comes with a built-in 4 port USB hub too. Buy.com has it for a mere $25.49 here.

Aluratek USB 2.0 External Slim Multi-format 8x DVD writer:

Need an optical drive for that new netbook of yours? Buy.com has the Aluratek USB 2.0 DVD burner for a mere $48.54 here.

Toshiba Satellite T115D-S1125:

Looking for a thin-and-light? Check out this deal for the Toshiba Satellite T115D priced at Buy.com at a low $472.99. Specs include AMD Athlon Neo X2 L325 processor clocked at 1.5GHz, 2GB of RAM, 320GB HDD, Wi-Fi, Built-in webcam, Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit edition. Oh yeah shipping is free too!

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Newegg.com

Corsair Nova Series 128GB SATA II SSD:

Need a storage performance boost? Check out Newegg’s deal for the Corsair Nova Series 128GB SATA II solid state drive for $339. It’s in a 2.5 inch notebook form factor, has a MTBF of 1,000,000 hours, and supports TRIM.

ASUS Eee PC 1201T-MU10-BK:

Need more oomph than a netbook and a larger display to boot? Check out Newegg’s deal for the ASUS Eee PC 1201T-MU10-BK. This system features the AMD Athlon Neo processor MV-40 clocked at 1.6GHz, a 12.1 inch 1366 x 768 resolution display, ATI Radeon HD3200 graphics, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB HDD, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

HP Mini 210-1010NR:

Newegg.com has the HP Mini 210-1010NR for a low price of $289.99. Specs include the Atom N450, 10.1 inch WSVGA display, Intel GMA 3150 graphics, 1GB of RAM, 160GB SATA HDD, a 93 % keyboard, and a 3 cell battery.

Samsung N150:

There’s also the Samsung N150 available now at Newegg for $298.99. Specs include the Atom N450, 10.1 inch WSVGA display, Intel GMA 3150 graphics, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, built-in 0.3 MP webcam, Wi-Fi, and a 6 cell battery for around 7 hours of power.

ASUS Eee PC 1001P:

The ASUS Eee PC 1001P is on sale for $294.99 at Newegg. Specs include Atom N450, 10.1 inch WSVGA display, 1G of RAM, 160GB HDD, built-in 0.3 MP webcam, and an 11+ hour battery (nice!).

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mwave.com

MSI U135-210US

mwave has the MSI U135-210US 10 inch  netbook for a low price of $279.99 here on their site. Specs are what you’d expect from these netbooks – Atom N450, 1GB of RAM, Windows 7 Starter, 10 inch display, Intel NM10 chipset, Intel GMA 3150 graphics, HD audio, speakers, 4 in 1 media card reader, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3 USB 2.0 ports, and a 3 cell battery.

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Dell.com

Dell’s selling their baseline Inspiron Mini 10 for a low price of $279.00. Specs include the Atom Z520, Windows 7 Starter, 10.1 inch display, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, Intel GMA 500 graphics, and a 3 cell battery.

If you want an Atom 450 Dell, then you’ll want to check out the Inspiron Mini 10 (1012) system which runs $20 dollars more and comes with the Intel NM10 Express Chipset and a larger 6 cell battery.

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HP.com

HP Mini 210:

HP has the baseline Mini 210 for a low price of $279.99. Specs for this system include Atom N450, 1GB of RAM, 160GB 5400RPM HDD, 10.1 inch display, HD mini webcam, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, 3 cell battery, and Windows XP Home.

HP Mini 210 HD:

You could also opt for the slightly higher end HP Mini 210 HD for a baseline price of $329.99. Specs include the Atom N450, Windows XP Home, 1GB of RAM, Intel GMA 3150 graphics, 160GB HDD, 10.1 inch 1366 x 768 resolution display, webcam, Wi-Fi, and a 3 cell battery.

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Amazon.com

And finally, just b/c I’m curious – there’s the top 5 “most wanted” netbooks over at Amazon.com. Without further ado, they are:

• ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005PE-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook (Up to 14 Hours of Battery Life)
• Toshiba Mini NB305-N410BL 10.1-Inch Royal Blue Netbook – 11 Hours of Battery Life
• ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005PE-PU17-BU 10.1-Inch Blue Netbook (Up to 14 Hours of Battery Life)
• ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005PE-PU17-BU 10.1-Inch Blue Netbook (Up to 14 Hours of Battery Life)
• ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005PE-MU17-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook (Up to 11 Hours of Battery Life)

OK that’s it for now.. but we’ll keep looking for ya.

It’s been awhile since I published a roundup of netbook reviews from around the web – sorry I’ve been bogged down with work from my day job!. So without further ado, here’s a quick roundup of netbook reviews that you might find interesting.

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The Washington Post (OK really PC World) reviews the ASUS Eee PC 1001P-MU17 netbook here on their website. The 1001P-MU17 features the following:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 10.1 inch LED backlit display
• 92 percent keyboard
• Multi-touch enabled keyboard
• 160GB HDD
• 1GB of RAM
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• 11+ hour battery life

Here’s what they thought of the 1001P:

“The Asus EeePC 1001-MU17 is a solid effort from the company that started the netbook craze. It has a very nice keyboard and exceptionally well-adjusted touchpad–factors often overlooked in the netbook purchasing equation. While not ostentatious, it’s still sedately handsome, and if you regularly need quick access to the Web, the Express Gate can be handy indeed.”

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CNET’s Crave took the new Intel Convertible Classmate PC for a spin here on their website (photo above from CNET). Similar to last year’s version of the Classmate PC, the latest version adds a rubberized outer shell, a spill-resistant keyboard and screen, and a sturdier chassis with shock-absorbing corners and a shock-detecting hard drive. After-all, kids are going to be rough with their toys right? Specs include:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 160GB HDD
• 1366 x 768 resolution 10.1 inch display (nice to see a higher resolution here)
• VGA, two USB ports, two headphone jacks, microphone jack, and SD card slot

Here’s a snippet from the hands-on:

“Overall, the new Classmate is a great idea, with tools that seem like they’ll help the implementation of an "educational laptop" in school systems ready to adopt them. The only question is, at $499, would a school possibly choose an iPad instead?”

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Washington Post has yet another netbook review (courtesy of PC World really) – this time of the Samsung NB30 netbook. The rugged NB30 features:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display
• 160GB HDD
• 1 GB of RAM
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, VGA port, headphone jack
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Windows 7 Starter
• 6.5+ hours of battery life

Rugged features include:

• Hard drive freefall sensor automatically parks the hard drive heads if it senses the netbook dropping
• Scratch-resistant texturized matte black finish
• Water-tight seal prevents damages from contact with up to 50cc of spilled water if removed within 10 seconds

Here’s what they thought of the NB30:

“The NB30 is priced a smidge higher than the competition, but those extra dollars fetch a few features that may help this otherwise run-of-the-mill netbook avoid an untimely death.”

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Finally, Bloomberg Businessweek takes a look at the Sony VAIO X thin-and-light notebook/netbook. This pricey system (how pricey? how about a starting price of $1299.99?) features an 11.1 inch display, Atom processor, and an incredible light weight of 1.6 lbs.

Full on specs for the $1299.99 model include:

• Intel Atom Z550 processor clocked at 2GHz
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• 11.1 inch LED backlit LCD display
• 2GB of RAM
• 64GB SSD
• GPS
• Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband support
• Bluetooth
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Ethernet
• Intel GMA 500 graphics
• Standard and extended batteries for up to 14 hours of power

There’s also a VAIO Signature Collection X series with a starting price of $1499.99 which features a 128GB SSD drive.

Here’s what Businessweek thought of the system:

“A handy business tool for on-the-go professionals”

A Samsung product roadmap has apparently leaked onto the Internet and based off of that information, it appears the company plans on producing its own ARM-based processors for the netbook market including quad-core processors which they hope will bridge the performance gap between netbooks and notebooks.

Here’s the breakdown of upcoming processors from Samsung:

• Orion processor – a 800MHz dual-core processor based on the ARM Cortex A9 series due out at the start of next year
• Pegasus processor – a 1GHz single-core follow-up version
• Hercules processor – a dual-core version of the Pegasus processor also clocked at 1GHz – expected at the beginning of 2010
• Draco processor – dual core 1.2 GHz processor expected towards the end of 2012 or the beginning of 2013
• Mercury ULV processor – single core processor based on ARM Cortex A5 and clocked at 600MHz
• Venus ULV processor – dual-core processor based on ARM Cortex A5 and clocked at 600MHz
• Aquila processor – quad core processor based on ARM Cortex A9 processor clocked at 1.2 GHz due out in 2012 or 2013

While it’s great to see Samsung working on processor alternatives based on the ARM core, the launch dates are unfortunately still too far out. So much can change from now until 2012, let alone 2011.

[Check it out via Neoseeker]

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HP Shopping

Looking for a fashionable netbook for that special someone in your life? HP has the HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition available for a starting price of $599.99. At this price, you’ll get the following:

• Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit OS
• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 10.1 inch WSVGA LED backlit anti-glare widescreen display
• HP Mini Webcam
• 802.11 Wi-Fi
• 3 cell lithium-ion battery
• Microsoft Works 9.0

Want something with a bit more pep than an Atom-powered netbook? Check out the HP Pavilion dm3z series available now with a starting price of $529.99. This 13.3 inch thin-and-light features:

• AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 processor
• ATI Radeon HD3200 graphics
• 2GB RAM
• 250GB 7200RPM HDD with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• 13.3 inch HD LED HP BrightView widescreen display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• Built-in webcam
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• 6 cell polymer battery
• Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
• Microsoft Works 9.0

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Dell.com

Dell is currently running their Earth Day deals with the Inspiron Mini 10 netbook available for $329. The netbook ships in renewable bamboo packaging and features:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• Windows 7 Starter
• 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• Intel NM10 Express Chipset
• HD audio 2.0
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• 56WHr 6 cell Lithium-Ion battery

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Geeks.com

Computer Geeks has the refurbished Samsung NP-N210 Atom N450-based netbook available now for a low price of $274.99. Specs to the N210 include:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• Intel NM10 Express Chipset
• 1GB RAM
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• Intel GMA3150 graphics
• SRS 3D Surround Sound
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
• 3 in 1 media card reader
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• 10.1 inch LED backlit LCD display
• 6 cell lithium ion battery
• 6 cell lithium-ion battery

Next up is the refurbished Gateway EC1440u 11.6 inch netbook available at Geeks.com for a low price of $359.99. Specs are as follows:

• Intel Celeron M ULV 743 1.3 GHz processor
• Intel GS45 Express Chipset
• 2GB RAM
• 250GB 5400RPM HDD
• Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics
• Dolby Sound Room
• 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• Multi-in-one card reader
• 11.6 inch LED backlit display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• 6 cell lithium ion battery
• 6 cell lithium ion battery

Not quite a thin-and-light but close enough in our eyes is the refurbished Toshiba U505-S2002 notebook available now at Geeks.com for a low price of $589.99. Specs include:

• Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OS
• 6 cell battery
• Intel Pentium dual-core T4400 processor clocked at 2.2 GHz
• 4GB RAM
• 500GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• DVD burner
• Intel GMA 4500M graphics
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Ethernet and 802.11 b/g/n Wi-FI
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• 13.3 inch widescreen display with 1280 x 800 resolution
• 6 cell lithium ion battery

Missed this one last week – Samsung added three new colors to their N150 netbook product lineup including “Bermuda Blue”, “Caribbean Yellow”, and “Flamingo Pink”.

According to Samsung, “The three new colors offer a glossy finish on the netbook lid with a white matte keyboard and corresponding color stripe along the exterior of the netbook.” You’ll still be able to find the N150 in black, blue, and red.

The N150 specs are as follows:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 1GB DDR2 RAM
• 10.1 inch WSVGA LED backlit display
• Intel GMA3150 graphics
• 1.5 watts x 2 speakers
• 3 in 1 media card reader
• 3 USB 2.0 ports (1 charging USB port)
• Built-in webcam
• Built-in microphone
• 160GB 5400RPM HDD
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
• Weight of 2.7 lbs

[Check it out]

DNAIndia.com reports that both Samsung and Lenovo are readying new netbooks based on the VIA VX900 media system processor for a June timeframe launch.

If you’re not familiar with the VX900 MSP, head over to the product page over at VIA’s website. Here are some of the main features of the MSP:

• Hardware acceleration for MPEG-4/AVC, H.264, MPEG-2, VC-1, WMV-HD, AVS and Blu-ray – aka smooth 1080p playback without load on the CPU
• Support for Display Port, HDMI, DVI, and VGA connectors
• VIA Chrome9 HCM 3D integrated graphics core for full DX9 support and 128 bit 2D engine
• HD audio support
• DDR3 memory support
• Supports low-power device interfaces of SDIO, UART and SPI, LPC as well as up to 8 USB 2.0 ports.

On a side note, the premise of the DNAIndia article is how smaller chip manufacturers are coming up with faster alternatives to Intel’s Atom processor in the netbook market. To that end, the article cites AMD’s Congo processor advances and of course the above VIA processor. Problem is – the article completely ignores Intel’s own class of CULV processors which compete nicely with these third party processors. With the introduction of the Core i3 processor, one should expect even more powerful (and more expensive) thin-and-lights this year.

All this translates to plenty of options for the consumer – both in the netbook arena and in the thin-and-light arena.

[Check it out via Liliputing, Ubergizmo, Gizmos and Gadgets]

BusinessWeek publishes a review of the third generation IdeaPad S10 series netbook – the S10-3 here on their website. The S10-3 features an Intel Atom N450 processor, Windows 7 Starter OS, a 10.1 inch LED backlit display, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optional 3G, Dolby Headphone, built-in speakers, and a weight of 2.75 lbs. Here’s what the publication thought of the system:

“Though it’s pricier, slightly less well-configured, and slower out of the box than much of its competition, the S10-3 is more than the sum of its parts. Type and point with one before you grab something else just to save 50 bucks.”

Meanwhile, the folks at PC World have published two new netbook reviews – one for the Samsung N210 and one for the Toshiba mini NB305-N310.

The N210, a netbook exclusive to Best Buy, features your now typical Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM, 250GB HDD, Windows 7 Starter OS, 10.1 inch matte display, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and built-in webcam/microphone. Here’s what PC World thought of the system:

“The Samsung N210’s matte screen is easy to see in various lighting conditions, but the colors are a little washed out.”

The Toshiba mini NB305 is essentially a Pinetrail upgrade of the popular Toshiba mini NB205 netbook. You’ll get the Atom N450 processor, Intel 3150 graphics, 160GB HDD (a bit small these days), 1GB of RAM, built-in webcam, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and optional Bluetooth. Here’s what PC World thought of the system:

“The Toshiba Mini NB305-N310 is a professional-looking netbook with a comfortable keyboard and a huge touchpad, but it’s not great for watching Web videos on.”

Two more reviews of the Samsung N210 are hitting the web this week – one comes courtesy of the folks over at PC Magazine who had this to say:

“Nothing in particular makes the Samsung N210 stand out in a netbook line-up, but it’s a fundamentally sound netbook at a low price.”

Another review comes courtesy of CNET and here’s what they have to say:

“Though it has some useful software tools, there’s nothing special about the Samsung N210’s components or performance. At S$849, it’s much more expensive than comparable Netbooks.”

Sounds like a middle of the road netbook to us.

Samsung brings the Intel Pinetrail platform to the Go product lineup with the new Samsung Go N315 netbook. The Go N315 features a 10.1 inch wide LED backlit LCD display, pebble-style keyboard, 4 cell battery, 3 in 1 memory card reader and the New York Times Reader 2.0 pre-installed.

Full specs include:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 1GB of RAM
• 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution LED backlit display
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• HD audio
• SRS 3D sound effect
• 3 watt stereo speakers
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• 10/100 Ethernet
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• VGA port
• Headphone, Microphone ports
• Built-in microphone
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• 4 cell battery
• Measures 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches and weighs 2.71 pounds

Unfortunately the price of the new Samsung Go N315 is a bit steep – coming in at a suggested price of $429.99. Considering the smallish 4 cell battery, the price is somewhat steep for what you get.

[Check it out]