Archive for the ‘Hardware’ Category

Dell introduces Vostro V13 thin-and-light business notebook

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Vostro V13 Notebook

Dell brings the thin-and-light notebook to the business market with the introduction of the new 13.3 inch Vostro V13. With a starting price of $449, the V13 measures as thin as 0.65 inches, features an ultra-low-voltage Intel processor, and is encased in brushed aluminum with reinforced zinc hinges. (more…)

Kohjinsha Japan SK3KX06GA convertible netbook

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

KOHJINSHA_SK_SERIES_1

This boring looking netbook comes courtesy of Kohjinsha Japan and is known as the SK3KX06GA. The highlight of the system is the 7 inch touch-screen display (yeah it looks like a convertible netbook based on the picture above). Specs are otherwise the usual stuff – an Atom processor (model Z520), the Intel US15W chipset, 1GB of RAM, 60GB (puny eh?) HDD, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, built-in GPS, and a 1Seg TV tuner. It’s a shame that the SK3KX06GA comes with a mere 7 inch display.

[Check it out]

Onkyo Sotec NX707A

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

I know what you’re thinking – this looks like the same netbook that you just saw in the previous posting.

Nope.

This is, in fact, an Onkyo Sotec NX707A netbook. Unfortunately, it’s still a fairly boring system despite the fact it’s another convertible netbook to come out of Japan. The NX707A features:

  • Windows 7 Starter Edition
  • Intel Atom Z520 clocked at 1.33 GHz
  • 1GB RAM
  • 80 GB 4200 RPM HDD
  • Realtek ALC262 audio
  • 1024 x 600 resolution display
  • GPS
  • 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR

*yawn*

[Check it out via Akihabara News]

Acer introduces Ferrari One thin-and-light notebook

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Ferrari_One.back_cover

Acer brings the Ferrari brand to the thin-and-light notebook market with today’s introduction of the new 11.6 inch Ferrari One notebook. (more…)

Lenovo IdeaPad S12 reviews from PC Magazine and LaptopMag

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Lenovo S12

If you’re considering the new Lenovo IdeaPad S12 netbook with the NVIDIA ION platform, you’ll want to check out the new reviews of the system by PC Magazine and LaptopMag. Both publications came to similar conclusions about the S12 with ION:

  • Good video and graphics performance for a netbook
  • Poor battery performance
  • Expensive for a netbook

Interestingly enough, PC Magazine also found the IdeaPad S12 with ION performed a bit worse than the S12 without the ION platform. As an extreme example, SYSMark 2007 dropped a whopping 25 percent between models.

In any event, here’s the bottom line from PC Magazine for the system:

The Lenovo IdeaPad S12 (Ion), Lenovo’s Ion netbook, finally ships with full support for 1080p, though battery life and speed take a hit.

And here’s the conclusion from LaptopMag:

There’s certainly a lot to like about the Lenovo IdeaPad S12-29595GU, including Ion graphics, a relatively large keyboard, ample RAM, OneKey backup, and lots of storage. However, the $649 asking price for this netbook on steroids is considerably higher than the similarly configured $574 HP Mini 311, which offers an hour of additional battery life. The HP Mini 311 offers the most bang for the buck, but the S12 with Ion is worth a look if you want a better keyboard/touchpad combo and instant-on functionality.

A spacious keyboard, larger display, and better graphics just doesn’t seem compelling enough to warrant spending over $600 dollars for this system

Netbook Deal of the Day: HP offering ION-based Mini 311 at starting price of $399.99

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

hp mini 311

HP is currently running on a sale on the HP Mini 311 netbook with the system available at a starting price of $399.99. At that price, the system features the following configuration:

  • Black swirl color
  • Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3
  • Intel Atom N270 processor clocked at 1.6GHz
  • 1GB RAM
  • 160GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
  • NVIDIA ION graphics
  • 5 in 1 digital media slot
  • 11.6 inch HD LED BrightView widescreen display with 1366 x 768 resolution
  • HP Mini webcam
  • Wireless-G card
  • HP Matching Color Keyboard
  • 6 cell Lithium Ion battery
  • Microsoft Works 9.0

If you’re interested in the Mini 311, especially for the ION platform, then you’d better hurry – this deal is available only until December 14th.

Check it out

Aspire One 532h is Acer’s First Intel Atom N450-Powered Netbook

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

We just got wind of some new information about Acer’s first Intel Atom N450 netbook, the Aspire One 532h. This 10.1″ computing machine has 1280×720 resolution, is powered by an Intel Atom N450 processor and Intel GMA3150 chipset (an upgraded version of the current Intel GMA950), and comes with 1 GB of RAM and either a 160 GB or 250 GB hard drive.

Other specs include Wi-Fi, a memory card reader, optional Bluetooh, three USB 2.0 ports, a D-sub connector, a webcam, and Windows 7 Starter Edition. There’s an option for either a 3-cell or 6-cell battery as well.

The base price for the Aspire One 532h netbook is €299 (or ~$441 USD), slightly more expensive than its predecessor, the Aspire One 531h, but as there’s nothing exceptional about Acer’s newest Intel Atom N450 netbook, if you have a netbook already, you need not worry too much about upgrading.

Via SemiAccurate.


The Shack Selling the Archos 5 Internet Tablet 8GB for $249.99

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Last time we heard something about the Archos 5 MID, someone had done a hack to gain access to the Android Market to get Google Apps like GMail, Talk, Maps, and more. And now pocketables has found it at RadioShack, it’s been sold for $249.99.

TheShackArchos5

Apparently, the Archos 5 is an exclusive at The Shack for now, and they are offering it as “a media and GPS solution.” According to their website, you can “access the Internet, media and TV with the customizable Archos 5 Internet tablet. It has a modifiable interface that you can personalize with applications that reflect your taste and needs. And, it will help you get around with a built-in GPS device with maps of cities in 3D.”

You can watch digital TV, record programs and make scheduled recordings, just like a personal DVR, which some people call PVRs actually. There’s also a way to get recorded shows on larger TVs via an HDMI connection. And of course you can also use it to surf the Web with WiFi or 3.5G technology.

HP’s MS214 All-In-One PC Delivers

Monday, December 14th, 2009

This HP 18.5 inch all-in-one PC packs quite a punch for a compact computer. The PC offers more than the standard all-in-ones currently in the market.

For starters, it is one of the few all-in-one PC’s that have opted to use a 1.5GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 CPU rather than the Intel Atom processor. Another improvement is the computer’s super-sized memory and storage capacity. The MS214 comes equipped with 2 gigabytes of DDR2, twice the average amount. The PC’s storage capacity is just as high, with 300 GB of storage.

The HP MS214 also includes integrated wireless-n and gigabit LAN connectivity. Both of these greatly facilitate the transferring of files. Lastly, the PC is complete with the addition of a DVD burner.

The only pitfalls of this all-in-one PC are that it doesn’t offer any kind of touch screen capabilities and has a meager six USB ports, two of which will likely be hogged by a keyboard and mouse. Overall, HP’s all-in-one PC offers a lot of bang for $600 bucks.

Via WashingtonPost

Image Via AutoDigital


Dell Inspiron 11z Netbook Masquerades As A Laptop

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

The Dell Inspiron 11z isn’t being called the next Mini netbook, but rather a laptop. However, I’m not totally convinced.

Sure, its 11.6-inch widescreen is a little big for netbooks, but the ASUS Eee PC 1101HA and Acer Aspire One A0751h already have screens at that size. And sure, it runs a 1.2 GHz Intel CULV Celeron processor instead of the Atom. But that’s where the differences stop.

The Inspiron 11z has a 1366 x 768 resolution screen and sells for around $400 with a 3-cell battery. It has an HDMI port, something the aforementioned netbooks lack, as well as 3 USB ports, Ethernet, and a media card reader you’d see on most netbooks.

The keyboard looks quite usable, measuring in at 92% of full size. You’ll also find 2 GB of RAM in the 11z, which is a tad higher than the netbook standard and will boost performance noticeably.

Via PCMag.