Dell Adds Red and Pink Color Options to Its Inspiron Mini 9

Earlier this year, when the netbook frenzy was just beginning to catch on with almost every major computer systems maker, Round Rock, Texas-based Dell also offered fans a glimpse into what they should expect in terms of a Dell netbook. That is when the very first pictures of the company's Inspiron Mini 9 surfaced, announcing that yet another company from the world's top 5 largest PC makers was about to join the fast growing market of small-sized, ultra portable computer systems.

Since then, the new Inspiron Mini 9 has made its debut on the market, providing users with basically the same specifications list as almost every other netbook available. However, there was something missing at launch, as the PC maker failed to provide different color options for its first netbook system. Speaking strictly from a marketing perspective, this was a bit strange, especially given that Dell was known for the multi-color options available across its main portable systems lineup.

Fortunately, Dell has had a change of heart in the meantime, and has now decided to provide more color options for its small-sized Inspiron Mini 9 netbook system. There is, however, a small catch involved, as the just introduced options are currently available only for users in Japan. Apparently, the company decided to first test the Asian market with two new color options, before giving the go-ahead for the entire world.

Aside from a pink and a red color option, Dell has also made available an Inspiron Mini 9 Platinum Package, which is said to feature a higher Flash-based Solid State Drive offering users 32GB of storage space. Obviously, there's a small premium you have to pay for this "Platinum Package," which translates in that the price for the Dell netbook will go up to approximately approximately $565.

Unfortunately, no details as to when the rest of the world will be able to take advantage of the new colors options have been made available so far.

(news.softpedia.com)

ASUS Plans Stylish Notebooks for 2009

As portable computer systems are believed to account for the majority of PC shipments in the upcoming year, leading PC vendors are expected to change their product policy and focus on delivering better and lower priced notebooks to fight off competition.

However, due to the current grim predictions for the economy, notebook vendors expect the average selling price (ASP) of notebooks to drop by more than 10% in 2009. This doesn't seem to be the case with Taiwanese netbook and notebook maker, ASUSTek, which plans to bring more style to its portable PC lineup, in what can be deemed an attempt to prevent the ASP from going over 10% down.

According to ASUSTek's CEO, Mr. Jerry Shen, ASUS will try to deliver more notebooks that are tailored to the requirements of consumers, in both design and product features. This strategy will see ASUS shift focus from a pricing strategy to one that will provide users with ASUS laptops that are more stylish, thinner and slimmer than those coming from the competition. Such products are expected to be showcased as soon as the next CeBIT show, in 2009.

Mr. Shen also explained that ASUSTek was seeing increased sales on the US market, a segment that, until recently, had not proved to be too profitable for the company. The US market will turn out to be a lucrative segment for the Taiwanese manufacturer, helping it maintain a steady market growth, despite the low economy estimations.

In related news, ASUSTek has announced that it will be pushing back its notebook outsourcing plans to the second quarter of 2009, despite previous statements. The company plans to outsource the production of 30% of notebooks to independent OEMs, while the other 70% is to be handled by the company's subsidiary, Pegatron Technology. ASUS also plans to outsource its Eee PC production line to Foxconn Electronics, which currently produces ASUS' X-series notebooks, with monthly shipments of 40,000-50,000 units estimated to start in January or February 2009.

(news.softpedia.com)

Acer Aspire One Netbook Packs All-Black Design

Having recorded some of the most impressive sales figures in the industry with its Aspire One netbook system, Acer has decided to give all those Christmas shoppers a treat with a special edition netbook that is based on the company's successful 8.9-inch model. Simply dubbed Aspire One A110X, the new Acer netbook comes with an ultra-black design that basically delivers the same specifications list as the model it is based on.

The special edition ultra-black Aspire One A110X has only been released in Germany so far. Apparently, going for the all "ultra-black" Aspire One will have you spending around $509, although you are likely to find a similar performance level on a similar model that goes for $399 on Amazon.com.

However, the lower-priced version won't give you that ultra-sleek, all-black Aspire One feeling, which will literally make you stand out from the crowd. With all that, this does not change the fact that you will basically get an 8.9-inch, 1.6GHz Atom-powered netbook that is equipped with 1GB RAM and a 16GB solid-state drive, much like some of the other 8.9-inch netbooks on the market.

We have already become accustomed with ASUS releasing different Eee PC models, such as those that have recently invaded the market and taken all the headlines in the process. Apparently, the consumer market is believed to be in need of several netbook systems that only differ ever so little in terms of performance and specifications.

Still, we do have to admit that netbooks have seriously impacted the portable PC market, especially this year, when Intel introduced its netbook-designed Atom processor. This fast growing segment of the market is expected to see even more products like this being released, especially since Intel is to upgrade its Atom CPU lineup, while competitors like VIA and AMD are also said to power some of the upcoming low-power, low-cost PCs.

Acer hopes to take about 40% to 50% netbook market share in 2009, while ASUS is preparing to unveil its touchscreen and Windows 7-powered Eee PC.

(news.softpedia.com)

Price for ASUS Eee PC 900A Drops to $280

As we have been reporting over the past couple of months, Taiwanese manufacturer ASUS has set some high expectations for its Eee PC netbook lineup. The company plans to ship approximately 5 million units by the end of the year, which means that it will certainly need to take positive action to keep shipments on track, especially since Acer's Aspire One is expected to reach 6 million units this year alone.

On that note, it now appears that ASUS has managed to lower the price tag on one of its many 8.9-inch Eee PC models, bringing it closer to what users actually expect to pay for a netbook.

The ASUS Eee PC 900A, which was just recently launched, has now dropped to the nifty price tag of $280, a considerable $20 short of $300. The offer is currently available at Best Buy, so this could be the right time for you to finally get your own Eee PC netbook. Obviously, the specifications aren't exactly the greatest, even by netbook standards, but then again, such a small-sized, low-power and even low-cost PC should, and does, provide only the basics in computing performance.

As with almost any Eee PC netbook model available on the market, the 900A comes built on the same Intel Atom processor, running at 1.6GHz, which, combined with the 1GB of DDR2 memory and the 4GB solid state drive, can offer users a true netbook experience.

As expected, there's no Windows XP operating system there, but the pre-installed Linux should deliver just the necessary functionalities. The 900A also boasts a built-in memory card reader, three USB 2.0 ports, wireless Internet connectivity, and most likely a 3-cell battery.

The Eee PC 900A isn't the only netbook to have seen its share of price cuts, as both the Aspire One and MSI Wind netboook had their price tag adjusted to better meet users' requirements.

(news.softpedia.com)

7-Inch and 8.9-Inch Eee PCs Still on for 2009, Says ASUS

For all of you Eee PC fans out there who have been so bummed out by the news of ASUS planning to phase out its 7-inch and 9-inch netbook systems in the year to come, we have an update to the story. As it turns out, these small-sized portable computer systems will not only continue to sell, but will also bring out a refresh of their specifications, at least in the UK, that is.

According to a recent article published on ZDNet UK, a spokesperson for the Taiwanese manufacturer said that the company would continue to produce the 7-inch and 8.9-inch versions of its Eee PC netbook, and that these netbooks were even due for a "refreshment on the specifications." This could suggest that ASUS is actually planning to further expand its portfolio of 7-inch and 8.9-inch netbook systems, which are to be made available sometime in the upcoming months.

However, people could still ponder over what the company's CEO, Mr. Jerry Shen, intended to say when, quoted by Digitimes last week, he expressed that the afore-mentioned Eee PC models were expected to phase out the market, thus allowing the Taiwanese manufacturer to focus more on the development of its 10-inch models. According to the ASUS spokesperson, quoted by ZDNet, Mr. Shen's statements may have been misquoted, as the plan is to maintain the production of both 7-inch and 9-inch Eee PCs, in 2009.

So, for all of you Eee PC users out there who have found the 7- and 9-inch models just the thing to meet your requirements, the Taiwanese manufacturer will continue to produce these models. Additionally, Mr. Shen's statements regarding the upcoming touchscreen and Windows 7-powered Eee PC models appear to be well-grounded, so we at least have that. On the same note, it is likely that new models of Eee PC netbooks be unveiled at next year's CES show, or later on, at CeBIT.

(news.softpedia.com)

ASUS Unveils 14.1-Inch Laptop for Corporate Users

The netbook business is doing really well, and ASUS is certainly one of the companies most aware of the market potential. However, although boasting several Eee PC models and even more rumored to come along the way, ASUS is also among the leading manufacturers of fully-fledged notebook systems, with some ambitious expectations of surpassing big players such as Lenovo or Dell.

This is probably one of the reasons why it continues to update its notebook offering with new models, coming to take advantage of the latest in portable computing technology. The most recent release, the B80A notebook, is said to have been designed for corporate users, as part of the company's line of business laptops.

The notebook itself is a 14.1-inch Core 2 Duo-powered system that is built using Intel's GM45 Express chipset, and delivers several necessary features in a form factor that weighs 2.46kg (equipped with 6-cell battery). The system can be configured with several Intel processors, including T9400/T5850/ P8600/P7350. It can deliver up to 4GB of DDR2 800MHz memory, and equipped with a high-capacity 320GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive, or a fast 250GB 7200RPM drive. Other features include a built-in 1.3MP webcamera, a DVD Super Multi optical drive, integrated Bluetooth and wireless 802.11n connectivity.

Other features, which are likely to meet the requirements of business users, include a built-in fingerprint reader and TPM-level security, and a HDMI interface. The keyboard is spill-proof (can support up to 50cc of liquid) and has built-in LED lighting, enabling users to continue to work with ease even when in badly illuminated environments. Details regarding the notebook's battery life or other options have been resumed to a mention of the 6-cell battery.

Unfortunately, the Taiwanese manufacturer has left out the details regarding the notebook's pricing and availability, so there's no telling if it will become available on stores shelves before the end of the year.

(news.softpedia.com)

Toshiba Combines Intel and NVIDIA Technologies in New Gaming Laptop

If you are both a gaming enthusiast and a fan of Toshiba's portable computer systems, then the company's latest addition to its Qosmio range of notebooks might just be everything you have been looking for. The new Qosmio X305-Q708 gaming laptop has been specifically built to take advantage of the latest technologies from Intel and NVIDIA, and to deliver a high-performance level in a 17-inch form factor portable computer system.

“At Toshiba, we relentlessly pursue innovative solutions as a means to supply our consumers with the best possible technology,” said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. “The Qosmio X305-Q708 is a serious gaming machine, and an example of that pursuit.”

The new portable system from Toshiba is built with high-performance in mind, with features that are required by gaming enthusiasts who also need to take their favorite gaming applications wherever they go. It boasts support for Intel's Core 2 Quad processors designed with the latest 45nm process technology, and incorporates two NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS GPUs in SLI connection, delivering a total of 1GB of DDR3 graphics memory.

There are few other things also worth mentioning about the new Qosimo X305 laptop from Toshiba. For starters, it comes equipped with 4GB of DDR3 RAM memory, clocked at 1066MHz, two storage solutions, with one 128GB SSD for faster access and a high-capacity 320GB SATA HDD. You will also get a DVD optical drive, wireless 802.11 b/g/n LAN connectivity with Bluetooth option, a full-size keyboard and a built-in 1.3MP Webcam with Toshiba Face Recognition software.

Given the above-mentioned specifications, the notebook's MRSP of $4,199 is rather justified, but even so, it's likely that only a limited number of user will take interest in acquiring this state-of-the art portable system.

(news.softpedia.com)

Toshiba Delivers 1.13-Inch Thin Tecra R10 Laptop

Just when we thought Toshiba was done announcing the latest additions to its portable computer systems lineup, the company takes us by surprise once more, and intros yet another new laptop as part of its Tecra series. The Tecra R10 from Toshiba is built to provide a unique design in a 14.1-inch form factor. In addition, the new laptop comes at an impressive weight of 4.4 pounds, and is just 1.13-inches thin. The R10 is built to combine a blend of features and performance with extreme mobility for users looking for a high-quality portable computer system.

“Designed, engineered and manufactured by Toshiba, the Tecra R10 provides high quality, enhanced reliability and premium mobility features for professionals who need a thin-and-light laptop PC with a larger display,” said Carl Pinto, vice president, product development and marketing, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. “The use of miniaturization and power management efficiency make the Tecra R10 one of the most energy-efficient thin-and-light laptops available on the market today.”

As you will see from the available specifications, despite its small and light form factor, the R10 can easily meet all the requirements of today's business users. Combining Intel's latest-generation mobile platform, Centrino 2, with NVIDIA's Quadro NVS graphics card, which packs 128MB of graphics memory, the R10 should deliver the performance required by the afore-mentioned users. In addition, the R10 will also feature 3GB of DDR2 system memory and a maximum storage space of 160GB on a 7200RPM hard drive.

Other features include an integrated optical drive, webcam and microphone, fingerprint reader, and even a high-speed eSATA port for connecting a higher capacity external storage solution. The notebook is equipped with a 5100mAh Li-Ion battery, which should deliver up to 5.48 hours of battery life, according to Toshiba. Price-wise, you are looking at a system that starts at an MSRP of US$1,549.

(news.softpedia.com)

ASUS Plans to Surpass Dell and Lenovo

The launch of the stylish Eee PC S101 has also brought to light some new optimistic predictions on the part of the company's CEO, Jerry Shen. Apparently, ASUS is expecting to ship 50,000 units of the new high-end netbook, the Eee PC S101, and this figure should be achieved by the end of this month alone. In addition, according to company sources, the Taiwanese netbook maker also expects shipments to increase once the new model is launched in both Europe and Japan, later on this month.

The stylish 10-inch S101 netbook is expected to count for an average of 10% of ASUSTek's monthly Eee PC shipments by the end of the year, and to make up for approximately US$35 million of the company's revenues. ASUS' President, Jerry Shen, revealed that worldwide PC shipments for the first three quarters of the year reached 3.4 million units, adding that the company would ship 700,000 Eee PCs this month alone. Regarding the S101 shipments, the company expects to ship 200,000 – 300,000 units more of the new Eee PC before the end of the year.

The Taiwanese manufacturer is also expected to launch two new models of the Eee PC netbook, which should become available by the end of the year. The upcoming additions will be positioned between the S101 and the company's 1000-series, coming with prices ranging from around US$551 to US$582. Also, the company's president said that ASUS had no plans for releasing Eee PCs with panel sizes over the 11-inch mark.

It is clear that ASUS is optimistic regarding the results of the fourth quarter, which is why it has increased its shipments goal to 6.2 million units for notebooks, and to 11 million units including notebooks and Eee PCs. In addition, Jerry Shen also said that the company planned to surpass Dell on the Chinese market and Lenovo on a worldwide scale during 2009.

(news.softpedia.com)

ASUS G71 Gaming Laptop Surfaces

Asustek started shipping the latest version of its G71 gaming laptop. The new mobile machine is powered by Intel's 2.53 GHz QX9300 quad-core processor and features 4GB of DDR3-166 RAM. The ASUS 17-inch G71 gaming machine comes with a PM45 motherboard and a GeForce 9700M GT card with 512MB of dedicated memory. For storage, it features two 500GB hard drives, adding up 1TB of space to its specifications list.

But that is not all about this laptop. It also includes Altec Lansing speakers, WiMAX and WiFi, a 2 megapixel camera and optional Bluetooth. To make the gaming experience more pleasant, the company included the Direct Console 2.0 all-in-one gaming control interface on the G71, allowing users to configure the processor speed settings to fit their needs. The new laptop is available with Windows Vista Ultimate pre-installed.

The G71 gaming laptop will also feature Blu-ray optical drive and Intel integrated high definition audio controller. Its LED status indicators show information on power, battery, storage devices access, wireless and Bluetooth status, as well as the traditional capital, scroll and number lock indicators. The machine features microphone and headphones jacks, VGA port, HDMI, eSATA, IEEE 1394 port, four USB ports and LAN.

Asustek's new product will come with numeric keyboard and Instant launch keys. The company also bundles a series of software packs meant to enhance the gaming experience even more, and the G71 laptop is shipped with a series of accessories, some of which are optional. The well known ASUS utilities like Power4Gear eXtreme, Live Update, NB Probe, Express Gate, SmartLogon or Asus Data Security Management(ADSM) are also coming with the machine.

The company is offering a two-year warranty for the laptop and online support. The new G71 gaming machine is already available for purchase in Europe at a retail price of €2,200 (around $3,000).

(news.softpedia.com)

Packard Bell Unveils 'iPower GX' Gaming Notebook

Here's a company we haven't heard much of recently. Packard Bell has decided to officially unveil a new portable computer system specifically designed to meet the requirements of today's high-end gaming users. Dubbed iPower GX, the new laptop has been built using the latest in hardware technologies, ranging from Intel's Core 2 Quad CPUs to NVIDIA's high-end GeForce 9 mobile graphics chips.

"At Packard Bell we refuse the conventional wisdom that says that gaming notebooks are a niche product," says Emmanuel Fromont, Sales & Marketing vice president, Packard Bell. "Pundits said the same thing about gaming desktops, and the ipower desktop proved them wrong. With the iPower GX we put extraordinary power and elite design into the hands of gaming enthusiasts. The market won’t be the same again."

As mentioned above, the new iPower GX gaming laptop has been designed, from the ground up, to take advantage of the recently announced Intel Core 2 Quad Q9100 processor combined with NVIDIA's GeForce 9800M GTS with 1GB of dedicated GDDR3 VRAM to deliver an amazing performance and an impressive gaming experience.

The portable system boasts a 17-inch display with Diamond View coating and full-HD performance to allow users to fully appreciate the quality of a Blu-ray disc, at the highest resolution. In addition, the iPower GX delivers up to 4GB of system memory and 640GB of storage space, enabled by two 320GB hard drives. Other features include a 1.3 MP webcam, gigabit LAN, Wi-Fi (N) networking, 3 USB ports, 1 FireWire port, a 5-in-1 card reader and optional Bluetooth.

Packard Bell's latest portable gaming rig also offers multimedia controls that are conveniently placed above the keyboard, while security features include a built-in fingerprint module. The notebook also comes with a 9-cell battery option to provide an extensive gaming experience.

Price-wise, Packard Bell announced that the iPower GX gaming notebook will be available in Europe starting October for an estimated price of €1,499.

(news.softpedia.com)

Specifications of Toshiba's NB100 Netbook Revealed

Toshiba has officially unveiled its latest portable computer system that has been designed to compete with all the other netbooks currently available on the market. Simply dubbed NB100, the new netbook is the company's first such device and, just like Dell's Inspiron Mini 910, it will be offered with Linux-based Ubuntu 8.04 operating system.

Although details about the new system have been hard to find on the Internet, the company has been expected to release its own netbook for quite some time now. However, as it turns out, Toshiba has finally decided to take the wraps off the netbook – and it will be offered in an 8.9-inch form factor.

A closer look at the netbook's specifications list will reveal that Toshiba also went for Intel's highly successful Atom N270 processor, which runs at a cool 1.6GHz. In addition, the NB100 will come with 512MB of memory, but there will also be a higher option, for 1GB. As far as storage is concerned, the NB100 will provide its users with a maximum of 120GB.

The 8.9-inch display outputs a resolution of 1024 by 600, and has a built-in 0.3 MP webcam, as you might expect from such an Internet-oriented device. As far as connectivity goes, Toshiba's first netbook features wireless 802.11 b/g and wired Ethernet, as well as USB and VGA ports.

Toshiba has announced that the NB100 will deliver almost four hours of battery life, although details such as the battery capacity have not been disclosed. Nevertheless, one could assume there's probably going to be 3-cell and 6-cell options, as is the case with most of today's netbooks.

The NB100 will come in three different color options, including “Cosmic Black,” “Champagne Gold” and “Bright Silver.” Toshiba will also make available a Windows XP OS option, for those users that prefer Windows over Linux. Unfortunately, for the time being, no details regarding pricing have been provided by the company.

(news.softpedia.com)

Samsung Rolls Out R610 Laptop with Blu-Ray

Samsung, one of the most prominent manufacturers of consumer electronics and also one of Sony's biggest competitors, has recently announced a new product that has been designed to deliver the quality of a Blu-ray player in a portable package. Simply dubbed R610, the new notebook from Samsung has been launched shortly after Sony announced a couple of new Vaio notebooks that also feature support for Blu-ray optical drive.

It would seem that these two manufacturers are preparing to meet an increasing demand of Blu-ray equipped portable systems, which would certainly explain the most recent releases of notebooks. However, while Sony decided to go for a 14.1-inch and 15.4-inch form factor for its VAIO CS and NS notebooks, Samsung went for the 16-inch version, which will offer users all the benefits of having a built-in Blu-ray optical drive in a portable computer system.

The 16-inch display of the R610 has a 16:9 ratio, and should prove as an ideal choice for watching Blu-Ray quality movies, wherever your business may take you. In addition, Samsung has also featured this notebook with the graphics power of an NVIDIA GeForce 9200M graphics card, which should provide the user with a high quality video experience at full 1080p viewing.

Aside from the notebook's graphics specifications, it is also equipped with two 2 watt stereo speakers and Enhanced Digital Sound, which should deliver a decent HD audio experience, although, for high-quality sound, it's best if you make use of the notebook's 7.1-channel support. In addition, you will also benefit from the computing power of an Intel Core 2 processor, support for Bluetooth 2.1, a 3-in-1 card reader, 1.3 MP webcam and four USB ports. There's also a HDMI/VGA port that should come in handy for those users that have HDTV.

Price-wise, the R610 from Samsung is expected to become available in stores later in October for a price tag of £799.

(news.softpedia.com)

Sony Unveils New Blu-Ray Notebooks

Shortly after going public with the fact that the TZ series of notebooks has been shipped with some factory issues, Sony has introduced today two new notebook series that will benefit from the latest Blu-Ray Disc technology. The newly announced notebooks are part of the company's NS and CS series, and have been designed to provide an impressive high-definition quality.

“With these new units, Sony is now offering consumers a host of multi-media PC options to choose from," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. "And with a starting price of around $1,000 for the NS model, we're expecting a new audience to experience HD entertainment on their computers.”

The new NS notebook can be equipped with a Blu-Ray Disc-ROM drive, which comes as an option to the basic configuration. This model has been featured with a 15.4-inch widescreen display and uses Sony's own XBRITE-ECO LCD technology to deliver a high-quality video experience. The NS notebook has been designed as a portable multimedia system, and is ideal for listening to music, watching movies and surfing the Internet.

Equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 processor, it can support a maximum of 4GB of DDR2 memory. The notebook weighs approximately 6.4lbs with standard battery, and comes with a Microsoft Windows Vista Home OS. It will be available for prices ranging from $650 for the basic model, and $1,000 for the Blu-Ray-equipped versions.

The new Vaio CS notebook will be offered in several color options, including sangria, cosmopolitan, dove and black. The system is built as a 14.1-inch notebook and is equipped with the same XBRITE-ECO LCD technology as the NS model. It features a unique keyboard design and a LED light feature that becomes active when you play music, thanks to the 12-tone music analyzer.

Unlike the NS model, this notebook is based on Intel's latest Centrino 2 technology, and comes with a starting price tag of about $920, while the BD model will start at approximately $1,070. Both new models will be available in stores and select retailers later this year.

(news.softpedia.com)

10-Inch Mini-Note from HP Looks Hot

It appears that HP's collaboration with worldwide famous designer Vivienne Tam will extend to even more portable computer systems coming from the leading manufacturer of notebooks. That's right, HP is expected to introduce even more of those red-colored, peony flowers-adorned notebooks we told you about yesterday. Also then, the company showcased an ultraportable system, during a genuine fashion presentation. The interesting thing about the new system is that it resembles the company's Mini-Note 2133 almost down to a point, but packs an impressive number of major design changes.

LaptopMag was lucky enough to be present at the fashion show, and had a chance to take a look at the new sub-notebook from HP. As you can see from the included product pictures, HP’s latest offering features the same exterior design, with the glossy red coloring with peony flowers, that we saw as of yesterday. However, at this point, it is yet unclear whether this is, in fact, the only Vivienne Tam-designed notebook HP is expected to roll out. All we know is that, given its size and overall design, the small ultra-portable computer system is certain to get the attention of all female users out there.

Despite the fact that no technical details on the netbook's internal configuration are available, LaptopMag reports that the small-sized portable computer system features a 10-inch display, unlike the 8.9-inch on the original Mini-Note 2133. The displayed model also had the same 92 percent keyboard featured on HP's first netbook system, as well as the same touchpad with the mouse buttons placed on the right and left side of the pad.

The netbook also offers a built-in webcamera, mounted on top of the 10-inch display, while two speakers sit below it. No word yet on the official price tag and release date, but speculation has it that HP will release the new ultra-portable mini-note before this year's holidays. And it is then that we will also find out whether it is equipped with the same VIA-supporting configuration, as well as if the company turned to Intel for its netbook computing power.

(news.softpedia.com)

HP Turns to Fashion with Special Edition Notebook

Fashion appears to be ever more present in the world of computer systems, as more and more systems vendors are releasing their own “fashionable” products. Design is one of the most significant aspects today's computer systems must take heed of, which is why HP has recently announced its decision to team up with world-renowned designer Vivienne Tam to work on the development of a special edition notebook targeted at fashionistas around the world.

The new design was unveiled at Tam's fashion show, during New York's Fashion Week at Bryant Park, and marks the first time a computer company has partnered with an internationally famous designer in order to create a new portable computer system. It is HP's intention that the newly designed notebook becomes the new must-have digital “clutch” on every catwalk out there.

“When I was approached by HP to create a special edition notebook, I could see the design in my head instantly,” said Tam. “The notebook is a true reflection of the needs of a modern woman who cares about fashion but is also passionate about her technology. I wanted to create a notebook that would appeal to women of all ages, ethnicities and income levels across the globe.”

Once you get to feast your eyes on HP's new laptop design, you will immediately recognize its distinguishable features that set it miles apart from any other notebook currently available on the market. Featuring an intense red coloring with peony flowers, the new notebook from HP combines a unique blend of Asian and Western elements, antiquity and modern style with the latest in computing technology.

Nevertheless, the company hasn't provided any details regarding the notebook's tech specs. The same goes for pricing and availability, which will presumably be revealed by HP sometime in the near future. At the same time, the company has announced the launch of a fully integrated virtual experience to help fashion-conscious users find inspiration online.

(news.softpedia.com)

Fujitsu Asia Rolls Out New L1010 Notebook

In the upcoming months, we are bound to see a couple of new Centrino 2 notebooks out there, all of them ready to provide users with some of the latest technologies in portable computer systems. One such example is the new L1010, which has been recently introduced by Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific. The new notebook is part of the company's L series, targeted at all young users with high requirements, and who will not settle just for the basic notebook system.

“We take pride in understanding what our customers want. With the Fujitsu L1010, Generation Y-ers can now express themselves freely with the 5 exciting colors available. In addition, Fujitsu has thoughtfully designed special color schemes and combinations for the L1010, as well as offer special wallpaper designs to uniquely meet the desires of today’s mobile youth by being external expressions of their individual personalities. It’s all about fashion that fits you,” said Ms Myrchelle Ng, Director of Marketing Communications.

This being said, you are probably wondering what to expect from the new product. Well, as mentioned above, this is a Centrino 2-enabled notebook, which means that you will be able to get it with either a PM45 or a GM45 chipset. Also, it will have the wireless support of a Intel WiFi Link 5300AGN for optimum connectivity. Equipped with a 14.1-inch WXGA LCD widescreen, the notebook is powered by an NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS with 256MB of VRAM, so we could say it's a gaming-capable notebook.

The Fujitsu L1010 also includes security features such as BIOS Lock, Hard Disk Lock and Anti-Theft Lock slot, designed to protect your private data stored on the notebook. There's also an ECO button, which will provide the user with a power-saving utility that can be used to extend the battery life. The L1010 will be available in a combination of white and pink gold, black, turquoise blue, pink and purple.

The systems vendor is yet to reveal the notebook's entire tech specs, availability and price tag, but these details should become available very soon.

(news.softpedia.com)

Dell's Inspiron Mini 9 Specs, Price and Pictures Revealed

After tens, if not hundreds of articles that have been written about it, Dell's first netbook system has finally made its debut. Despite yesterday's rumors that the Inspiron Mini would be officially unveiled this Friday, the Round Rock-based company has decided to announce the small-sized portable computer one day earlier. There's no official press release available at this time, but a microsite dedicated to the product has been set up, confirming that an already crowded netbook market has just welcomed another player, Dell.

The specific details that the netbook would bring have been subject to many speculations, starting from tech specs to its street value. One of the most circulated rumors indicated that the Inspiron Mini 9 (the official name) would be offered with a price tag starting at a more than affordable $299. Unfortunately, as it turns out, none of the upcoming models is featured with this pricing, but there is one model that will cost as little as $349, which is as close as it gets to what the rumors were saying.

This Inspiron Mini 9 runs on a Linux-based Ubuntu 8.04 operating system, and comes with 512MB of DDR2 memory, 4GB of storage, Intel Atom N270 processor and a 4-cell battery. This version has no web camera and no WWAN either but, given its price, it certainly makes for one of the cheapest netbooks on the market, while also providing users with the very basics in computing.

The Windows-powered version starts at just $449 and, unlike the Linux model, it is equipped with 1GB of DDR2 memory running at 533MHz. It offers 8GB of storage, built-in Bluetooth 2.1, integrated 1.3MP webcam, and is powered by the same Intel Atom processor like most of the other netbooks on the market. The Windows-enabled model also bundles Adobe's Acrobat Reader 8.1, a 30-day Trial for McAfee SecurityCenter and Microsoft Works 9, with no included MS Word. Just like the Linux Inspiron Mini, the Windows-enabled version also features a 4-cell battery.

Both models are equipped with an 8.9-inch display (1024x600 resolution), confirming previous rumors, according to which the first netbook system from Dell would be designed to compete with other 9-inch netbooks from ASUS, MSI or Acer.

These netbooks should become available later this month, but that is yet to be confirmed by the Round Rock-based company.

(news.softpedia.com)

Sony Reports VAIO TZ Heating Issues

A considerably large number of articles has been recently written on heating issues with some portable computer systems developed by major systems manufacturers. Most of the reported issues were due to some faulty graphics chips provided by NVIDIA, and affected products from HP and Dell, with several reports indicating that even some of the Apple MacBook Pro owners had to deal with such problems. However, NVIDIA's faulty chips were not the reason for the heating issues reported by concerned Lenovo ThinkPad X61 users, as we informed you last week.

Now, recent reports indicate that Sony too may have some notebooks that have been shipped with issues, which, in turn, could lead to overheating. The company has announced today that some of its VAIO TZ models, sold between May 2007 and July 2008, are prone to overheating. In the same announcement, Sony revealed that it had received 15 complaints of overheating, with one customer even reporting a minor burn.

The reported issues have something to do with a wiring problem that can cause a short-circuit and overheating. So far, the following VAIO models - VGN-TZ100 series, VGN-TZ200 series, VGN-TZ300 series and VGN-TZ2000 series - are said to be affected. The company has announced that not all models are vulnerable to the potential issue, while recommending that users visit a dedicated web page in order to find out if their VAIO notebook is subject to the reported heating issues.

Sony has stated that it will support the diagnostics and repairing (if necessary) of any affected models, free of charge. “At no charge, Sony will provide an inspection and, if necessary, on-site repair at your home or office.” Besides the dedicated website, the company has also made available a customer hotline, where users can call and learn whether their notebooks also suffer from the potential issue.

The company has also stressed that only the TZ-series products present the reported heating issue, and that other VAIO users shouldn't be concerned about this problem.

(news.softpedia.com)

Averatec's Buddy HS-103 Goes on Sale in Korea

As we previously noted in several of our articles, the netbook market must be one of the most dynamic segments of the hardware industry. This year alone, several manufacturers have come out with their own netbook models, all of which had but one main competitor, the ASUS Eee PC. That's chiefly because ASUS is responsible for having laid the basis for this continuously expanding market segment. One of these manufacturers is also Averatec, with its Buddy HS-103 netbook.

As you might have expected, this netbook is also powered by the Intel Atom processor that is featured on almost every other netbook currently available on the market. The processor core is set at 1.6GHz, while Buddy HS-103 will also provide its users with a maximum of 2GB of DDR2 533 (1GB installed) system memory. It boasts a 10.2-inch LCD capable of outputting a maximum resolution of 1024 by 600 pixels. Other features include an 80GB HDD, built-in 1 3MP web camera, WiFi and a total weight of 1.4 kg, battery included.

Given the overall specifications and design features, it's likely that Buddy HS-103 will also make a solid competitor for other 10-inch netbooks from major manufacturers such as ASUS, MSI and Lenovo. No word yet on whether it will run a Linux-based operating system, but this Averatec netbook will certainly come with a Windows XP OS, as most of its competitors do.

However, if you are interested in acquiring one of these systems, you will probably need to move or travel to Korea, because it is here that the netbook has reportedly started to ship, according to a recent article on Akihabara News. Unfortunately, no details regarding pricing have been made available.

Averatec's range of computer systems also includes an All-in-One desktop computer that is highly similar to Apple's iMac. It basically provides the power of an Intel Core 2 Duo processor built in a 22-inch widescreen LCD.

(news.softpedia.com)

Dell's Inspiron 910, No-Show in August

Today is the 1st of September, which actually means that all those rumors of an August release for Dell's highly anticipated mini-notebook have been nothing more than just that – rumors. Either that, or Dell is having certain problems with achieving the $299 price tag, which is yet another rumor that has been making the rounds this past month.

Ever since Michael Dell was first seen carrying one of these things earlier this year, rumors on the possible release date of Dell's Inspiron 910 just kept getting stronger. It was generally believed that the Round Rock-based company would enter the netbook market in August, by announcing its first sub-notebook computer system. August 22 was just one of the many dates thought as a possible release day for the Mini Inspiron. Unfortunately, all the fans were somehow let down with the Inspiron 910 being a no-show.

Dell’s netbook was touted as a real Eee PC competitor, especially since it presumably provided the very basics in portable computing technology for a significantly lower price tag, compared with any other netbook currently available on the market. The Inspiron 910 is expected to come equipped with a Linux-based Ubuntu operating system in an 8.9-inch form factor.

As with most other current netbooks, the Inspiron 910 will be powered by an Intel Atom processor, running at 1.6GHz. It will provide 1GB of RAM, and up to 12GB of storage space on an SSD. According to several rumors, the small Inspiron is even said to provide 3GB capabilities in some offers.

This being said, one thing is for certain and that is that Dell is yet to officially announce its netbook system. Nevertheless, despite the fact that August is over and no release took place, the general opinion still has it that the Inspiron 910 is close to an official launch. Word in the industry has it that September 9 is the most probable release date, which means that we’re a little over a week away from it. All there’s left for us to do is wait.

(news.softpedia.com)

Fujitsu Siemens' LIFEBOOK Series Upgraded to Centrino 2

It's been over one month since Intel finally unveiled its latest generation notebook platform, the Centrino 2. Since then, several manufactures have announced their own Centrino 2 notebooks, some of which have already been benchmarked and tested. However, more notebooks based on the new platform are still to emerge, with Fujitsu-Siemens' latest release confirming just that.

The company has announced today that it has redesigned its exclusive business notebooks part of the LIFEBOOK E and S series. The new LIFEBOOK E8420, S7220 and S6420 are equipped with Intel's latest mobile platform, and offer improved performance levels in three different designs. Additionally, the company has also announced that it will add to all three models several other features, including optional high-speed UMTS/HSUPA, TPM module or integrated fingerprint sensor.

Other features include a stable magnesium cover, a spill-proof keyboard, and a ShockSensor to protect the hard disk from physical damage. The new LIFEBOOK series of laptops also features an EcoButton, which, when pressed, automatically powers down the notebook functions that the user does not require at a given moment, thus extending battery lifespan.

The LIFEBOOK E8420 is a 15.4-inch notebook that can be equipped with an optional NVIDIA graphics card to turn it into a high-performance portable computer system, designed for power users who are looking for a complete desktop replacement platform. This model can also be featured with a second 320GB hard disk, while the vast range of connection interfaces offers support for a large number of external devices.

The other two S-series LIFEBOOK notebooks have been designed for users looking for a highly portable computer system, packed with a relatively large number of features. The S6420 model sports a 13.3-inch display and weighs 1.7kg. The LIFEBOOK S7220 is equipped with a 14.1-inch display and weighs 2.2kg. It can support a second battery, thus allowing users to work on it for an entire day.

Regarding pricing, the LIFEBOOK S6420 and S7220 start at 1,990 and 1,669 Euros, respectively. The 15.4-inch model has a starting price tag set at 1,799 Euros plus VAT.

(news.softpedia.com)