NetbookTech

I was randomly perusing through the ViewSonic website this morning and I came across a thin-and-light system I had never heard of before – the ViewSonic ViewBook Pro. After reading the features and specs, the ViewBook Pro is certainly an interesting system to behold.

Externally, the notebook utilizes an aluminum magnesium alloy enclosure allowing it to be sturdy yet lightweight. How lightweight you might ask? How about 3.6 lbs? Better yet – that 3.6 pound weight includes both the main battery AND a built-in DVD Super Multi drive module. Yes, you heard me correct – a built-in DVD drive for a thin-and-light notebook.

However, should you not need that built-in DVD drive, you could always swap it out in favor of a secondary battery bringing total battery life from 8 hours (for the main battery) to 12 hours (main + secondary battery).

Other notable features and specs for the ViewBook Pro (model VNB131) include:

• Intel Core 2 Duo ULV SU7300 1.3GHz processor
• Intel GS45 + ICH9M-SFF enhanced chipset
• “Floating island’ full-sized keyboard
• 13.3 inch LED backlit 1280 x 800 resolution display with 16:10 aspect ratio
• One So-DIM memory slot; 2GB RAM installed
• 320GB 2.5 inch SATA 5400RPM HDD
• Built-in 8x DVD Super Multi Drive module
• Intel GS45 graphics processor
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• VGA, HDMI output
• Built-in 1W x 2 stereo speakers
• Built-in microphone
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Ethernet
• keyboard includes 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys
• Multi-finger touchpad supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
• 4400mAh 6-cell Li-Ion battery, up to 8 hours
• 7 in 1 card reader
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• 3.5 mm audio line out and line in
• ExpressCard/34 slot
• Measure 12.67 x 1 x 9.4 inches
• Weighs 3.6 lbs with the DVD super multi drive and battery pack

So how much for all this goodness? Well Amazon currently has the ViewBook Pro VNB131 for $889.99 (the list price is supposedly $949). Not too shabby though more expensive than comparable ASUS UL30 series thin-and-lights. Then again – you do get a slightly higher resolution display, an ExpressCard/34 slot, and a built-in DVD drive.

We only wish it featured the newer Core i3 processor inside..

[Check it out]

ViewSonic enters the netbook market today with the introduction of the new VieBook netbook here at CES 2009. The new netbook has similar specs to practically every other netbook out there. Here’s a rundown on specs.

• 10.2 inch display
• Intel Atom processor running at 1.6GHz
• 1GB of RAM
• 160GB HDD
• 10/100 Ethernet
• 802.11 b/g WiFi
• Bluetooth
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 4 in 1 card reader
• Windows XP Home Edition OS
• Three battery life

The VieBook will have an MSRP of $429 and is expected in February of this year. Stay tuned for live shots but in the meantime, enjoy these press release stills.