NetbookTech

Remember how Toshiba Japan announced an updated dynabook netbook model earlier this week? Well it looks like a similar model is being introduced here in the U.S. this coming Sunday called the Toshiba mini NB250. The features and specs to the mini NB250 are as follows:

• Intel Atom N455 processor
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• 10.1 inch LED backlit display with 1024 x 600 resolution
• Up to 250GB HDD
• 1GB DDR3 RAM
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Built-in microphone
• Celestrial Black finish
• Three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet port, and media card reader
• 8+ hours of power via six-cell battery
• Windows 7 Starter OS
• Measures 10.47 x 7.57 x 1.43 inches

No word on pricing as of yet but we should find out shortly.

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It certainly looks like Toshiba could have a winner on their hands with the new Satellite T200 series lineup of thin-and-light notebooks. Featuring the 11.6 inch T210/T215 and the 13.3 inch T230/T235, the new series come with raised tile keyboards and wider touchpads reminiscent of those found on the NB series of netbook systems. Additionally, the new notebooks feature a dual-tone Fusion Chrome design with three color options for the patterned lid – red, white, and black.

Spec wise, both models feature:

• Built-in webcam
• Hard drive impact sensors
• USB sleep and charge ports
• HDMI port

The T210/T215 will feature an 11.6 inch HD TruBrite LED backlit display, full-sized raised tile keyboard, large touchpad with left/right buttons, 5+ hour battery, and a weight of around 3.3 pounds. Models with a single-core AMD Neo II processor will be priced at $469 while the dual-core version will be priced at $499. 

The T230/T235 will feature a 13.3 inch diagonal HD TruBrite LED backlit display with 16:9 aspect ratio, full-sized tile keyboard, large touchpad with left/right buttons, and support for AMD and Intel processor models. The AMD model will offer 6 hours of power, come with ATI Mobility Radeon 4225 graphics, and be priced around $549. The Intel model will feature the Intel Pentium U5400 processor clocked at 1.2 GHz, offer 9 hours of power, and be priced around $629.  Both models are expected to weigh in at around 3.9 pounds and measure 0.7 x 12.7 x 1.03 inches.

The new series will officially launch this Sunday. Check out a ton of cool pictures of the new T series over at LaptopMag.

Toshiba Japan announces an update to their dynabook UX 10.1 inch netbook series with the addition of the UX/24M model in Japan. Featuring the new Atom N455 processor clocked at 1.66GHz, the UX/24M features the Intel NM10 Express chipset, 1GB of RAM (max of 2GB), a 10.1 inch WSVGA Clear SuperView LED display with 1024 x 600 resolution display, 250GB 5400RPM SATA HDD, 85 key keyboard with 19mm spacing, Ethernet and 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity, 3 USB 2.0 ports, RGB port, and of course a LAN port. Expect the US version to come out shortly

Toshiba Japan has a new thin-and-light notebook lineup out called the Dynabook MX series. Consisting of the MX/36M and MX/34M models, the models feature:

• Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250
• Intel HM55 Express Chipset
• 2GB of RAM (max of 8GB)
• 11.6 inch HD TFT Clear SuperView LED backlit display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• 85 key keyboard
• 320GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi
• 3 USB 2.0 ports, eSATA port, LAN port, RGB port, and HDMI port
• Measures 284 x 202.8 x 17.6 ~ 26.2 mm
• Weighs 1.48 kg

The MX/36M is the high-end model featuring the Intel Core i3-330UM processor clocked at 1.2GHz while the MX/34M replaces the Core i3-330UM processor with an Intel Celeron U3400 processor clocked at 1.06GHz.

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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

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.

PC Magazine has two new netbook reviews out on their website – one for the Toshiba Mini NB305-N410 and one for the new ASUS EeePC 1201N netbook.

The Toshiba Mini NB305 is essentially an update to the extremely popular Mini NB205 – keeping the great features of the NB205 while updating the system to the new Intel Pine Trail platform. The NB305 features the Intel Atom N450 processor, a 10.1 inch LED backlit display, 1GB of RAM, a 250GB SATA HDD, a full-sized keyboard, a spacious multi-touch enabled touchpad, Wi-Fi, and Windows 7 Starter. The best part? The NB205 maintains its incredible battery life while shrinking the battery form factor (aka the protruding battery is no more). Here’s what PC Magazine thought of the NB305:

“The Toshiba mini NB305-N410 netbook carries over many of the qualities that made its predecessor, the mini NB205 so lovable, and it’s still the netbook that gives you the most for the least amount of money.”

The ASUS EeePC 1201N is an entirely different kind of netbook – eschewing battery life in favor of processor and graphics performance. The 1201N dumps the Intel Atom N270 processor in favor of the higher-performing Atom N330 dual-core processor, making the 1201N the first netbook to feature the dual-core processor. Other features include a 12.1 inch LED backlit display, NVIDIA ION graphics, HDMI output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, 2GB of RAM, full-sized chiclet keyboard, integrated webcam and microphone, and Windows 7 Home Premium.  As you might expect, the 1201N has a fairly low battery life of around 4 to 5 hours but if that’s the least of your concerns, then the 1201N is certainly an interesting system to look at. Here’s what PC Magazine thought of the unit:

“The ASUS EeePC 1201N is the fastest netbook money can buy, but its tradeoff is battery life just 4 hours of it.”

Just in case you missed it, Toshiba is now offering Intel’s latest Pine Trail platform with the new Toshiba NB305 series. Keeping most of the great features that made the original NB205 series so awesome, the new NB305 series features the following:

• Intel Atom Processor N450
• Windows 7 Starter OS
• 802.11n Wi-Fi
• Toshiba ReelTime which allows you to find files based on a timeline or “reel”. Instead of asking “where is it?”, you’re now thinking in terms of “when did I use it?”
• Toshiba Media Controller – Share multimedia with other compatible devices at home
• EPEAT Gold Rating
• Built-in webcam
• Toshiba Bulletin Board – customized home page you can drag and drop important data to

There are currently two models available, the NB305-N310 and the NB305-N410, with the primary differences being the hard drive, operating system, size of the battery, and the keyboard.

The NB305-N310 has the following specs:

• Intel Atom Processor N450
• Windows 7 Starter
• 1GB of RAM
• 10.1 inch display
• WSVGA TruBrite Backlit LED (1024 x 600 resolution) display
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
• 250GB 5400RPM HDD
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• 85 key keyboard and touchpad with multi-touch control
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Standard stereo speakers, headphone jack, and microphone
• 5300mAh 6 cell Li-Ion battery
• Up to 11.08 hours of battery life
• 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 2.0 port with Sleep and Charge support
• Memory card reader
• 2.6 lbs

The NB305-N410 has the following specs:

• Intel Atom Processor N450
• Windows XP Home
• 1GB of RAM
• 10.1 inch display
• WSVGA TruBrite Backlit LED (1024 x 600 resolution) display
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
• 250GB 5400RPM HDD
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• 85 key keyboard and touchpad with multi-touch control
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Standard stereo speakers, headphone jack, and microphone
• 5800mAh 6 cell Li-Ion battery
• Up to 11.08 hours of battery life
• 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 2.0 port with Sleep and Charge support
• Memory card reader
• 2.6 lbs

It’s no secret we’re big fans of the Toshiba Mini NB205 series – I mean seriously- what’s not to like about the system? The battery life is awesome (9+ hours), the keyboard’s awesome, and my goodness, that touchpad is gi-normous for a netbook (if you’ve ever played with a Lenovo IdeaPad S10 touchpad then you’ll know what I’m talking about here).  With that said, there’s an awesome deal for the Toshiba Mini NB205-N230 over at Amazon.com. The system is currently available for $329.99 and features the following specs:

• Intel N280 Atom Processor clocked at 1.66GHz
• 1GB of RAM
• 250GB 5400RPM HDD
• 10.1 inch LED backlit 1024 x 600 resolution display
• Windows 7 Starter Edition

It should be noted this system’s keyboard isn’t exactly the same one as the one we reviewed a few months back (the NB205-N310 here) Our reviewed system has the island-styled keyboard while it looks like the NB205-N230 on sale at Amazon has a more traditional netbook-keyboard.

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If you thought $599 was a great price for the Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307, then you’ll certainly love the fact that Amazon has lowered the price again to $549.99. This thin-and-light notebook features:

• 1.3 GHz Intel Pentium ULV SU4100 processor
• 3GB RAM
• 500GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• 13.3 inch LED backlit display
• Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
• Wi-Fi – 802.11 b/g/n
• Measures 12.7 x 1.35 x 8.78 inches and weighs 3.88 pounds

The T135-S1307 has a rated battery of 9+ hours – ah.. don’t you love CULV processors? At $549 – this might just be a steal.

Those of you looking for something beefier than a netbook with a larger display, will definitely want to take a look at this system.

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