Aspire One 10-Inch Available for Pre-Order at Just $349

The buzz generated around Acer's latest Aspire One netbook is certainly impressive, as the PC vendor managed to provide users with a product that features just the right elements to allow it to become one of the best systems in its class. Despite the fact that it has been developed on the same platform as most of its other competitors, the 10-inch netbook appears to be catching the attention of a significant number of users.

On that note, it looks like those interested in acquiring one of these systems, as soon as they are made available, can now do so by registering for a pre-order on online retailer J&R.

The netbook has just been listed as available for pre-order, with a price tag of just $349. For that amount of money customers will be handed a system that runs on an Atom N270 1.6GHz processor, combined with 1GB of RAM memory. A high-capacity 160GB hard drive is available, as the netbook's storage, while the integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950, from Intel, is ready to provide a decent visual experience on the 10.1-inch Acer CrystalBrite display.

Packed with a 6-cell battery and a Windows XP SP3 operating system, the new netbook from Acer is said to be capable of providing the user with a noteworthy 5-hours of battery life. Weighing just 2.95 pounds, the netbook can provide quick access to the Internet, through the built-in Acer InvLink 802.11 b/g wireless technology. Additional features include 3 USB 2.0 ports, built-in speakers, integrated webcam, multi card-reader and a 10/100 Ethernet LAN port.

Acer is expected to provide several configuration options for its latest 10-inch Aspire One netbook, including a choice for built-in WiMAX and 3G wireless technology, SSD or Linux-based OS and even a higher-performance model, slated for March availability. This 10-inch Aspire One netbook will be featured with Intel's next-generation Atom N280 netbook processor.

(news.softpedia.com)

AMD and Ferrari Come Together in New Acer Laptop

Acer, the world's third largest manufacturer of computer systems, has just announced a new portable device, designed to be part of the company's already famous Ferrari lineup. The new laptop has been built on an AMD platform, featuring support for the chip maker's Turion X2 ultra-dual core processors. Providing a number of unique features, the Ferrari 1200 laptop comes in an ultra-portable package as it features a 12.1-inch screen size, close to that of the company's recently introduced 10-inch Aspire One netbook.

The new Ferrari 1200 comes just days after the PC vendor launched its highly anticipated 10-inch netbook, and it boasts a 12.1-inch wide-aspect display featuring Acer's CrystalBrite LCD technology, with white LED backlight, designed for an enhanced viewing experience. In addition, on the exterior, the notebook has been featured with a carbon-fibre cover, a material that you are more likely to find in car designs rather than in the computer business. However, according to Acer, this material allows for a better build quality, as it is lighter yet stronger than magnesium alloy.

On the inside, the Ferrari 1200 has been featured with AMD's M780G chipset, providing users with an enhanced graphics support, without compromising on power consumption. The laptop can be equipped with one of AMD's Turion X2 Ultra dual-core mobile processors and can support a maximum of 4GB of dual-channel DDR2 memory, a feature that will likely enable a high level of performance. According to the PC vendor, the new Ferrari laptop is a good choice for both gaming and multimedia enthusiasts.

Additional features include the Acer integrated Bio-Protection fingerprint solution, which will allow users to easily secure their data on the laptop and also enable a fast access to applications, through a simple finger-swipe. On the connectivity side, the notebook has been featured with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, accompanied by Acer's InvLink Wi-Fi application.

Acer is yet to provide pricing and availability details for the Ferrari 1200.

(news.softpedia.com)

India's $10 Laptop Comes on February 3

Back in mid-2008, the media was ablaze at the news that somewhere in India people were developing a portable computer system designed for educational purposes, which would carry out a price tag of only $10. The project was immediately put under scrutiny, especially given the astonishing low price of said laptop. However, the information was later corrected with the price point being raised to a more resonable $100.
On that note, news reports from India appear to confirm that the aforementioned system is going to debut sometime next month, with the price tag being set at just Rs500.

Currently there are few details on the respective lappy, but according to the online edition of “The Times of India” the Rs500 laptop will be on display in Tirupati on February 3, in time for the launch of the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology. The system, which is said to be a response to the $100 laptop promoted by MIT's Nicholas Negroponte, is expected to come with 2GB of RAM memory. Unfortunately, there are few technical details to go on for the time being, though we should know more by the end of next week.

“A lot of testing is being done to ensure the technology works properly. The computer can be an ideal gift for children,” said higher education secretary RP Aggarwal. “At this stage, the price is working out to be $20 but with mass production it is bound to come down.”

Given the skepticism around the project, the effort is applaudable. A low-cost computer system that could be used for educational purposes could potentially change the computer system market, consequently allowing pupils in the lower-developed countries to benefit from the advancements in the computer technology field. The system could have a competitor in the form of the upcoming XO 2 laptop, designed by the One Laptop Per Child project.

(news.softpedia.com)

Sony to Update Vaio G Series Laptops with New G3 Series

Sony is expected to officially announce an updated version of its G-series notebook, with the introduction of the upcoming G3 series. According to available details, the said laptop is going to provide users with an alternative to the company's current Z-series and TT-series, as it will boast a 12.1-inch display. This will place it, in terms of screen size, right between Sony's small Vaio TT-series laptop and the Vaio Z-series.

The new Vaio G3 is supposed to boast an Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 1.2GHz processor, provide a 12.1-inch XGA screen, 2GB of RAM, and a 120GB HDD. Additionally, the system is featured with an integrated wireless 802.11 b/g/n module. These are the reported specifications for the first G3 model, as the Japanese company is said to be planning the release of several configurations.

Other Vaio G3-series notebooks will boast a 1.4GHz GPU (SU9400), 1 or 2GB of RAM memory, and a 120 or a 160GB hard disk drive. The said configuration is likely to provide an option for a 64GB Solid State Drive, which will boost the system's performance as well as its price tag.

The 12.1-inch display is due to be capable of providing users with a resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels and LED backlighting, offering a truly impressive visual experience. On the graphics side, the notebook is equipped with Intel's GMA X4500HD, which should cope with some HD movie rendering, Internet browsing, and even some low-spec gaming applications. As with other Vaio notebooks, the G3-series will potentially provide support for a built-in Memory Stick and SD memory slots, as well as biometric fingerprint scanners.

As it has been officially introduced, the notebook still lacks some important details, including pricing and availability. At this time, it is unclear if Sony will be releasing the notebook outside Japan.

(news.softpedia.com)

First 10-Inch Aspire One to Begin Selling in February

On Friday last week, Acer, the world's third largest PC vendor, officially introduced its highly-anticipated Aspire One netbook with a 10-inch display. With the announcement, the company has basically debuted its first 10-inch, low-cost, low-power netbook system, providing users with a better screen resolution and a somewhat familiar configuration,

based on Intel's highly-successful Atom processor. On that note, a few more details regarding the netbook's pricing and availability have just been made available.

The company is apparently going to provide its customers with three different versions of the netbook, at least in France, where they are expected to become available. As expected, the first configuration to be offered will be based on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor and will come with 1GB of memory, a 160GB hard-drive and 3-cell battery. This model, dubbed Aspire One D150-0B, will go on sale in February, while in March Acer plans to unveil the D150-1B and the D150-2BG, the last of which will be featured with an improved ATOM CPU and integrated mobile broadband.

The main difference between the D150-1B and the D150-0B models is that the former will be powered by a 6-cell battery, capable of providing a specified battery life of 7 hours, according to Acer. Aside from that, both models will boast a 10-inch 1024 by 600 LED backlit display with support for WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0, with a retail price tag of around €349 ($450).

The last of the three, dubbed Aspire One D15-2BG, will be featured with an improved Intel Atom N280 processor, running at 1.66GHz, and will include a built-in 3G quadband UMTS/HSDPA mobile broadband, in addition to a 6-cell battery. This system is said to weigh just 1.33kg, while the price tag is set at €449 ($575).

(news.softpedia.com)