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)