ASUS’ latest netbook has been revealed, the N10, and just like the S101 launched earlier this month it won’t be carrying the Eee brand. It’s a step in the luxury direction for the company’s netbooks, competing more with HP’s Mini-Note 2133, with a classier casing, 10.2-inch display running at 1024 x 768 and speakers courtesy of Altec Lansing.
Other specifications are generally unknown, though it’s likely that the N10 will use an Atom CPU; it could even take advantage of the upcoming dual-core Atom 330, which is apparently back on track for launch in September. ASUS have already pledged to launch dual-core netbooks by the end of the year. However the N10 does have a HDMI port, three USB 2.0 ports, VGA, what looks to be an ExpressCard slot and an SDHC slot.
Connectivity, going by the switches and LEDs, will include Bluetooth and WiFi; there’s also a built-in webcam and fingerprint reader. DigiTimes are predicting the N10 will retail between $446 to $595, which seems on the low side compared to the Eee PC 1000-series.
Acer has announced an ultra-mobile PC which it calls a ‘netbook’ rather than a laptop in an attempt to revive flagging sales in the computer market.
The Aspire One is a low cost computer designed to compete with the Asus Eee PC and the OLPC.
The sub-1Kg device runs Linux, and offers Wi-Fi and an 8GB solid state drive. It will be in the shops by 10 July.
Aspire One is designed to open a new front in the computer industry with a low-spec laptop aimed at internet users who do not generate their own content but view internet sites from home or on the move.
“These devices are more for consuming content than creating it,” said Graham Palmer, UK general manager at Intel. “If you are into photo and video editing then these devices are not for you.”
The Aspire One will launch with Linux but will also be available using 3G or WiMax as separate models by the end of the year.
3G versions are expected to be sold by mobile operators while the WiMax versions will be available once the spectrum is available later this year.
Acer is planning versions of the Aspire One using Linux and the solid state hard drive to be available for £199, with a version running Windows XP and using an 80GB platter hard drive going on sale for £249 later in the year.
The company said that PC sales are flat and, while laptop sales are growing, this could not continue for ever.
While it is anticipated that laptops will become the main computer in most households, ‘netbooks’ will act as usable mobile devices.
“The handheld market is now bigger than the laptop market,” said David Drummond, managing director of Acer UK.
“It will be bigger than the entire PC market by 2011, growing most rapidly in the EU and the US.”
Drummond claimed that Acer has already sold its entire first quarter’s production to its retail and channel partners, and would ramp up production if it could get more Intel Atom processors to power the device.
Link:itweek.co.uk
IdeaPad S10 Combines Tiny Technology, High Fashion and Extreme Portability
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lenovo today announced it is entering the “netbook” PC market with the new IdeaPad S10 netbook PC. Lenovo designed the super-slim, super-small IdeaPad S10 to complement a customer’s primary PC or as a first-time, introductory PC purchase. The IdeaPad S10 allows users to perform simple activities such as dive the Internet, check and write emails, listen to music and run basic applications. Lenovo also plans to introduce netbook models designed specifically for students and educators. Approximately one-inch thin with models weighing just over two pounds, the IdeaPad S10 netbook typifies thin and light design.
“IdeaPad netbooks are the latest in a string of recently announced Lenovo products, designed specifically for consumers worldwide and developed through our heritage of technological innovation and exceptional engineering,” said Liu Jun, senior vice president, Consumer Business Group, Lenovo. “As rapidly as the technology changes, today’s consumers are looking for mobile products that feature the best of basic computing functions in an extremely compact and affordable form, and Lenovo designed the IdeaPad netbooks for that purpose.”
Consumer demand for netbooks is growing rapidly around the world. IDC forecasts worldwide shipments of ultra-low cost notebooks rising from just 430,000 units in 2007 to 9.2 million in 20121. Additionally, analysts are predicting that one of the fastest growing areas for netbooks is the education market.
A Palette Full of Style, Color and Convenience
The 10.2-inch screen IdeaPad S10 netbook comes in flavors of classic white and bold black as well as a glossy ruby red. For a comfortable, more natural computing experience, Lenovo designed the keyboard to be 85 percent of the size of a full-function notebook PC’s keyboard, and an energy-efficient LED backlit display helps provide longer battery life than traditional displays.
For easy connection to the Internet, the IdeaPad S10 netbook includes WiFi and also has an Express Card slot so users can enable the IdeaPad S10 for optional high speed mobile broadband2 connectivity. To optimize the social networking experience, the IdeaPad S10 comes with tools such as a built-in web camera for video messaging, and its two USB ports and a 4-in-1 multicard reader make connecting other devices and transferring photos, music and videos simple. The IdeaPad S10 netbook comes equipped with Microsoft Windows XP.
Using the Intel® Atom™ processor, the IdeaPad S10 netbook provides basic notebook functionality as a user’s secondary PC. Lenovo offers the IdeaPad S10 in two configurations, with one having 512 MB of memory and an 80 GB hard drive and the second configuration having 1 GB of memory and a 160 GB hard drive. The processing performance and storage make the IdeaPad S10 ideal for accommodating a variety of data, from a user’s digital music inventory to a student’s homework assignments and more. Lenovo engineered the IdeaPad S10 netbook to reduce the heat emitted on key contact areas such as the bottom of the PC, the palm rest and the keyboard. Additionally, Lenovo’s OneKey™ Rescue System3 helps users recover data at the touch of a button should a system error or virus occur.
Pricing and Availability4
The IdeaPad S10 netbook PC will be available beginning in early October, and prices start at $399. The IdeaPad S10 netbook will be available through leading retailers, Lenovo business partners and www.lenovo.com. Full Lenovo IdeaPad S10 Spec
Lenovo IdeaPad S10 (Black)
CPU
Intel ATOM Processor N270 Single Core ( 1.60GHz 533MHz 512KB )
Exactly a month back, Intel shared with its partners and the media more information of the Silverthorne codenamed processors – Intel’s first purpose-built processor designed solely for ultra mobile computing solutions. On 2nd of March, the company finally christened it as the Intel Atom processor. If you’re wondering of its market potential, while niche at the moment, it has a very huge untapped potential in both emerging and mature markets thanks to the kind of devices that the Intel Atom will power. We’ll give you a quick rundown with the state of things and why the Atom will be big (pun intended).
For several years, Intel has been capitalizing on their more power-optimized notebook-class processors to be used in smaller and lighter computing solutions (just as how desktop processor designs were scaled to the mobile space in the distant past of the pre-Centrino days). Think of the thin and light notebook solutions and the UMPC solutions to-date; while the notebooks have fared reasonably well in their form factor, the size, build and compute power of a UMPC has been far from practical. Part of the reason lies with the clunky Windows interface and the lack of a leaner Windows operating system that can operate smooth enough with the given UMPC hardware specifications. The other major stumbling block is the hardware powering the UMPC themselves which limit them to their existing chunky size. What they lack is processor that has similar computing capability as the current ultra low voltage processors, but with far lower thermal output and power requirements. The all-new Atom processor is targeted squarely at this segment as this single-core, 512KB L2, HT-enabled, 47-million transistor equipped processor is designed for sub-2W operation.
The die shot of the Intel Atom core processor.
As mentioned earlier, Silverthorne was the initial codename for the Atom processor but sometime later, Intel also mentioned of Diamondville. This is just a variant of Silverthorne, so both of these core code names belong to the Intel Atom processor family. How they differ is basically the segmentation of products they cater to. Silverthorne processors are really optimized for the lowest power possible (as low as 0.5 watts consumption) and are meant for devices like mobile Internet devices (MID) and other in-your-pocket devices. Diamondville however is more cost optimized and is suitable for UMPC and other low-cost, low-profile notebooks. With their native x86 ISA derived from the Merom architecture, the Atom processors hold the advantage of immediate software compatibility of the mass market as opposed to ARM-based processors and the likes. However the Atom (even considering the Silverthorne variant), is not quite yet the ARM application processor competitor in terms of size and power considerations for the handheld market, but it will eventually get to that stage sometime next year.
Another Centrino Ecosystem for MIDs
In addition to announcing the Atom processors, Intel is also embracing another Centrino brand category solely for pocketable mobile devices such as the MID and to push Intel’s branding/architecture into this space. Formerly known as the Menlow platform, it is now the Intel Centrino Atom Processor technology. Chipset details are still sketchy, but we heard that Intel will not willfully enforce its own networking module in this platform and will allow third-party vendors to supply them too. The main reason was to allow OEMs and ODMs to tailor their mobility solutions to cater to varying needs and to hopefully drive up the adoption of the Centrino Atom platform with a little more leniency. Of course, once Intel gains a strong foothold, we can’t say if they would still adopt this stance.
While other products like UMPC and compact notebooks may choose to adopt the Intel Atom processors and the Menlow platform, they are quite unlikely to bear the Centrino Atom branding as it was specifically targeted for the MID-class devices.
Link:http://www.hardwarezone.com.au/reviews/view.php?cid=2&id=2503
This Eee PC™ 901 offers even more options to users for unique user experiences. With its shockproof Solid State Drive (SSD) design, users will be able to enjoy stable and reliable computing on-the-go; while up to 8 hours of battery life, high speed 802.11n connectivity and exclusive 20GB Eee Storage make it the ideal travelling companion for outdoor activities. What’s more, the Eee PC 901™ now comes in 6 different designs to fit your unique personality.
Shock Proof SSD* Design for Reliable Computing
The built-in Solid State Drive* (SSD) technology provides shockproof computing, less power consumption, fast boot up and less heat – making the Eee PC 901™ ideal for reliable outdoor usage.
Up to 8 hours** of Battery Life
• ASUS exclusive Super Hybrid Engine for longer battery lifespans of up to 8** hours
• Super Hybrid Engine offers a choice of performance and power consumption modes for easy adjustments according to various needs.
Exclusive 20GB Eee Storage
• 20GB file-encrypted Eee Storage with 5GB worth of downloads per day for easy accessibility from both Windows and Linux platforms.
• Choice of either Windows or GNU Linux OS for convenient computing and an easy, excellent and exciting user experience.
High Speed Connectivity Anywhere with Wi-Fi 802.11n
• Easily functions in any connected environment with fast and complete connectivity (WiFi 802.11n).
• Built-in Bluetooth for easy data transfers between devices.
• Full range of applications to enhance communication and computing experiences
• Eee Connect for an easy way to connect two or more users through a remote desktop feature for easy troubleshooting.
Unique Design to Fit Your Individual Personality
• Eee PC™ 901 comes in six custom styles created with cutting-edge Infusion casing technology.
• Infusion surface with inlaid motifs provides a new level of resilience – providing scratch resistance and a beautiful style that will not fade with time.
• Users can choose from Sakura, Sweet Pea, Urban Metropolis, White Peony, Pearl White and Fine Ebony.
Link:eeepc.asus.com
Time was when a sub-notebook meant an ultra-expensive notebook that weighed less than a kilo but was otherwise togged out with the latest technology. Even today there are machines that are perhaps better dubbed ultra-portables such as the MacBook Air or Lenovo ThinkPad X300 that confirm to the above spec. However, last year, ASUS reinvented the category with its Eee PC, a sub-notebook that comes with a suitable minuscule price that’s comparable to that of a mid-level smartphone and offers a richer application set though, of course, it doesn’t make calls. Today there’s a slew of products out there priced between Rs 14,000 to 18,000 that follow pretty much the Eee’s specifications except that some have a hard disk on board in place of the Eee’s SSD.
What’s missing from this picture, at least in India, is the ecosystem needed to nurture such products. For instance, despite oodles of hype about unwiring Bangalore (or Pune for that matter), Wi-Fi connectivity is far from ubiquitous. In fact, it’s next to impossible to find a free access point. If products like this are to succeed in offering a truly mobile experience, getting a Wi-Fi connection should be no more difficult than getting a cell signal on your phone.
Then there’s the lack of an optical drive. Most folks use DVDs or CDs to load software onto their machines and the lack of this is a minus. Perhaps offering a competitively priced external DVD drive would help here.
One thing that the makers of these sub-notebooks seemed to have missed out on is the prospect of selling stylized variants of these products—in various colors and textures and so forth. Adding a little panache to these little gadgets would help sell them to the youth.
Another potential market is the education sector. A sub-notebook loaded with the relevant software would be arguably better than a conventional notebook that costs more and is not as easily toted around. Plus the device’s closed architecture would be a plus here blocking students from loading games and other non-educational software.
While I don’t see too many people going in for these devices as their sole computer, a sub-notebook would be a handy portable option for those who have already invested in desktops but would like to do light-weight computing on the move. This PC-Plus model would help those who want a top notch PC capable of playing the latest games or running heavy duty apps like PhotoShop or AutoCAD have a secondary machine for e-mail and Web browsing when they are not at their desks.
One way or another, this category’s here to stay and the suffers will be high-end smartphones that attempt to position themselves as computers. Sub-notebooks will eat this category for lunch.
Link:expresscomputeronline.com
