NetbookTech

Just wanted to mention that the new Sony VAIO W Series Billabong mini netbook is now in stock and available for sale over at SonyStyle.com for $499.99.  The Billabong mini netbook takes the standard VAIO W netbook and adds splashes of “beachside colors” to it ranging from ocean blue to tropical green hues.

Features and specs to the system are as follows:

• Intel Atom Processor clocked at 1.83GHz
• Windows 7 Starter Edition
• 10.1 inch LED backlit LCD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768
• 1GB of RAM
• 250GB HDD
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and Ethernet connectivity
• Built-in MOTION EYE camera and microphone with face-tracking technology
• Media card reader
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics

[Check it out]

Oh boy.. could the Acer Aspire TimelineX AS3820T be the next thin-and-light notebook to drool over? The new Core i3-based 13.3 inch notebook is now available for purchase over at Amazon.com for a cool $729.99. That’s a pretty good price when you consider Core 2 Duo SU7300-based Acer UL30 series notebooks are ranging in price from $599 to around $700 dollars on Amazon.com.

Not familiar with the Acer AS3820T? Here’s what you need to know about the system (actually it’s the model AS3820T-5246).

• Intel Core i3-350M processor clocked at 2.26GHz
• 13.3 inch HD widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit display
• 320GB 5400RPM HDD
• 4GB of DDR3 RAM
• Intel HD graphics with 128MB dedicated RAM
• 8x SuperMulti-DVD+/-R/RW drive
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Built-in stereo speakers with third-gen Dolby Home Theater technology
• Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11 b/g/n, and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
• Multi-gesture touchpad
• Multi-in-1 digital media card reader with support for SD, MMC, MS, MS PRO, and xD-Picture Card
• 4 USB ports
• HDMI output
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OS
• 6 cell 8 hour battery
• Weight of 3.97 pounds

Hmm.. so let me get this straight. We have a Core i3 processor-based thin-and-light notebook weighing under 4 pounds with an 8 hour battery and priced at $729.99 at Amazon.com . Sounds pretty darn good if you ask me!!

Gateway’s outed a new lineup of netbooks on their website called the Gateway LT23 Series. With suggested retail prices ranging from $329.99 to $349.99, the new series feature updated stylish designs, the Intel Atom N450 processor, 8+ hours of power, and a 10.1 inch WSVGA LED-backlit display.

Complete specs for the LT23 include the following:

• Windows 7 Starter OS
• Atom N450 processor clocked at 1.66GHz
• 1GB RAM
• 160-250GB SATA HDD
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• Intel NM10 Express Chipset
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
• 6 cell 4400 mAh Lithium-Ion battery
• 10.1 inch WSVGA High Brightness LED backlit display
• 3 USB 2.0 ports, VGA port
• Multi-gesture touchpad
• Multi-in-1 media card reader with support for MS, MS PRO, MMC, SD, xD-Picture Card
• HD audio
• Built-in speakers
• Built-in microphone, Headphone/Speaker/Line-out jack
• Built-in 1280 x 1024 webcam
• Measures 0.94 x 10.17 x 7.24  inches and weighs 2.76 pounds

The LT23 is available in Champaign Canvas, Pearl Canvas, and Black Canvas. The $329.99 model comes with a 160GB drive while the $349.99 comes with the 250GB HDD.

[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.

Looking to make computing technology more affordable for schools all around the world, HP announces the new Mini 100e Education Edition netbook. Complete with hardware and software tools, the Mini 100e closes “the digital divide by offering students and teachers an interactive learning experience at an affordable price.”

On the spec front, the HP Mini 100e comes with

• Choice of Windows 7 Starter, Windows XP Home, or SUSE Linux Enterprise 11
• Intel Atom processor up to 1.66GHz
• Intel NM10 Express Chipset
• Up to 2GB of DDR3 SDRAM with a single SODIMM slot
• 160GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
• Optional External USB 2.0 CD/DVD-R/RW drive
• 10.1 inch LED backlit WSVGA (1024 x 600) resolution display
• Intel GMA HD graphics
• HD audio
• Mono speaker, built-in microphone, stereo microphone in-jack, stereo headphone/line out jack, built-in VGA webcam
• Optional 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Ethernet connectivity
• 2 USB 2.0 ports, VGA port, power connector, Ethernet connector, modem
• SD slot supports SD and MMC cards
• Spill-resistant full-size keyboard
• Measures 1.57 x 10.87 x 9.87 inches and weighs a mere 3.19 lbs
• 3 cell or 6 cell lithium-ion battery

The Mini 100e has a clamshell design with a built-in carrying handle making it easy for students to carry around the system. Tack in a spill-resistant keyboard and strong metal alloy hinges with steel pin axies and you have the makings for one durable netbook for student use.

The HP Mini 100e will be available worldwide in July with pricing set on a per deal basis and not expected to exceed $300 dollar per unit.

[Check out the press release]

[Check out the data sheet]

Geez.. is it back-to-school season already? Targus Canada announced the availability of several new netbook cases/sleeves “just in time” for the back-to-school season (um.. note to Targus – the school season just finished so you’re a lil early). Four new lines are being introduced including the A7, Unlimited, Crave, and Zamba lines. Here’s what you need to know about each lineup.

Targus A7 netbook slipcase:

• Available in black or brown
• Fits 10 inch netbooks and provides protection whether used alone or within another case.
• Expected street price of $29.99

Targus A7 netbook messenger:

• Available in black, brown, or green
• Front accessory pocket
• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Durable buckle closures
• Expected street price of $49.99

Unofficial 10.2 inch netbook slipcase:

• Available in black or brown
• 360 degree netbook protection with fully adjustable shoulder strap
• Expected street price of $24.99

Crave 10.2 inch netbook slipcase:

• Available in black with light grey interior or grey with burgundy interior
• Front zippered compartment to store accessories
• Expected street price of $34.99

Zamba 10.2 inch netbook sleeve:

• Shock-absorbing quilted exterior
• Easy-to-grip material
• soft non-scratch lining
• Reversed zipper for water resistance
• Available in blue, purple, yellow, green, red, and orange
• Expected price of $19.99

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.

[Check it out]

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.

ARCHOS has a new sleek and thin 13.3 inch netbook out called aptly the ARCHOS 13₃. Resembling MSI X-series thin-and-lights, the 13₃ features include the following:

• Intel Atom D510 dual-core processor
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• 1GB of DDR2 RAM
• 13.3 inch WXGA 16:9 aspect ratio display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• 160GB SATA HDD
• Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR connectivity
• Intel HD audio
• 2 Built-in stereo speakers
• Built-in microphone
• 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 VGA port, 1 mic inputs, 1 audio output
• Media card reader with support for MMC, SD/SDHC
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 6 cell battery
• Measures 13.1 x 9.1 x 1.06 inches and weighs 1.6 kg

The folks at Slippery Brick and liliputing report the ARCHOS 13₃ is currently available in France for €399.98 (or $485).

[Check it out via Slippery Brick and liliputing]

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