The AS1410 offers options more powerful than a netbook but not as powerful as what we think of as a full-fledged notebook. It's got a Celeron instead of an Atom, offers 2GB or 4GB of memory, up to a 250GB hard drive, runs Windows 7 and has both a multitouch trackpad and a full-sized keyboard (despite the laptop's screen size being only 11.6 inches). It'll be available sometime this holiday season, starting at $400, which should make it a solid netbook competitor. Press release below. [Acer]

NEW ACER AS1410 SERIES BRINGS STYLE AND AFFORDABILITY TO ULTRAPORTABLE COMPUTING

11.6-inch notebook lightens the load for mobile users who want to enjoy social networking, video and productivity applications on the go; available for just $399

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 20, 2009 – Bringing affordability to the ultraportable notebook platform, Acer America today announced the new Acer Aspire AS1410 Series. These new notebooks integrate enough power for enjoying digital entertainment in a very sleek, stylish design for just $399.

"With the rising popularity of social networking, consumers are more connected than ever to the online world," said Ray Sawall, senior manager of product marketing for Acer America. "When it comes to selecting a notebook, they're increasingly concerned with size, weight and style. The AS1410 Series is small enough to be carried in a backpack or even a large purse but with enough power for spreadsheets and presentations. Aggressively priced, the AS1410 is an affordable mobile solution for checking Twitter updates, viewing YouTube videos and handling productivity applications on a plane, at school or a coffee house. Those in the market for a netbook should consider this notebook as an option, due to the step up in processing power."

Just one-inch-thin and 3.08 pounds, these systems are sleek and light, but with a full-size keyboard. The full-sized keyboard is comfortable and easy to type on, particularly for taking advantage of productivity applications. The compact size combined with a traditional keyboard comprises a convenient platform for frequent travelers and students. With the needs of mobile users in mind, the AS1410 Series is designed to suit an individual's own personal flair with three elegant color options - Diamond Black, Sapphire Blue and Ruby Red.

Powerful Performance; Petite Package

Although it's the size of a netbook, the Aspire AS1410 Series is truly a mainstream notebook with the performance to suit a variety of users. Featuring an Intel® Celeron® processor and 2GB DDR2 memory (upgradeable to 4GB), the notebooks have plenty of power for document creation, media playback and daily task management.

The systems are also outfitted with the new Windows 7 Home Premium operating system and up to a 250GB hard drive,(1) which is large enough to store a vast library of music, images and spreadsheets. Offering plenty of productive time when away from a power outlet, a 6-cell Lithium Ion battery provides up to a whopping six hours of battery life,(2) enough power to keep the PC charged on a coast to coast flight.

The systems are also primed for visual clarity. The 11.6-inch widescreen HD LED-backlit display is large enough to comfortably view videos, photos, documents and web pages. Featuring LED backlit technology, a 16:9 aspect ratio and Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD, the AS1410 Series delivers realistic HD pictures with crisp detail and smooth video playback.

Integrated speakers and Dolby® Sound Room® audio enhancement deliver lifelike sound for enjoying videos, movie downloads and music. A webcam and digital microphone make it fun and easy to get virtual face time with friends and family via live video streaming and video chat.

Intuitive PC Navigation, Convenient Connectivity

Affording easy, intuitive PC navigation, the new Aspire notebooks have a multi-gesture touchpad. Users can scroll, zoom in and out and quickly flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more by pinching, flicking and swirling their fingers across the touchpad.

Despite the compact form factor, the new notebooks offer a wide array of ports including an integrated multi-in-one media reader to conveniently transfer files from digital devices. An HDMI port allows the systems to support any PC or TV video format via a single cable, while three USB 2.0 ports enable connection to the latest peripherals and digital devices. Advanced Intel 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N Wireless and Gigabit Ethernet LAN enable fast access to email, the web and social networks.

Pricing/Configurations/Availability
The Acer® Aspire AS1410 Series notebooks will be available for U.S. customers at leading retailers this holiday season. A sample configuration as well as specifications and pricing follow.

Acer® Aspire AS1410 Notebook PC - Prices begin at $399.99

* Intel® Celeron® Processor SU2300 (1.2GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* 11.6-Inch HD Widescreen CineCrystal™ LED-Backlit Display (16.9 Aspect Ratio; 1366x768 Resolution)
* Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
* 2GB DDR2 Dual-Channel 667MHz Memory (Upgradeable to 4GB)
* 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive(2)
* Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
* Intel® WiFi Link 1000 802.11 a/b/g/Draft-N
* Integrated Acer Crystal Eye Webcam
* Two Built-In Stereo Speakers and Dolby® Sound Room® Audio Enhancement
* Full-Size Acer FineTip Keyboard
* Multi-Gesture Touchpad Supporting Circular Motion, Scrolling, Pinch-Action Zoom and Page Flip
* Three USB 2.0 Ports
* HDMI Port
* 6-Cell Li-Ion Battery (4400 mAh), up to Six Hours Battery Life
* 3.08 Pounds
* Two-Year International Travelers Limited Warranty

The computer runs Windows XP SP3 on a Celeron 1.3GHz, Intel 852 chipset, 512MB of RAM, and 40GB hard drive, with wireless access, digital video output, three USB ports, and a fan that he stole out of a F-35 STOVL fighter yet. At least, it sounds like one:

[A9VG via Kotaku]

Product Page [HCDI Trading]

Daewoo Lucoms apparently decided to get into the ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) game, shipping its handsomely-styled Solo M1 which has a 7-inch touchscreen, 1.3-megapixel video camera and a DMB TV tuner for those Asians fortunate enough to have access to such signals. It's powered by an Intel Celeron 900 processor.

It looks like the Korean company has attempted to make the small Microsoft Tablet PC a little more versatile by adding a cradle station to its bag of tricks. But if it's anything like its Korean competitor, the Samsung Q1, it's just another pretty face which is awkward to use and doesn't do much of anything very well. We are quite fond of its red trim, however. But red trim and style over substance is not going to get work (or play) done. – Charlie White

Solo M1 the new Made in Korea UMPC [Akihabara News, via Mobility Site]

Just how small can a desktop PC get? In the case of Shuttle mini x100, it's just 2 inches tall. While the company's recommended business configuration contains just an Intel Celeron processor, the home version gives you a choice of either a 1.6GHz or a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor.

You can load it up with 2GB of RAM and a 400GB SATA drive, and it includes a 4-in-1 card reader and ATI x1400 graphics with DVI out. Configured to the hilt, it's 1452.00, or $1825. You gotta love the way you can stand up this PC up on end like a book—it's about the size of a dictionary, so it would probably fit just right into a bookcase. – Charlie White

Product Page [Shuttle, via Bios Magazine]

The top-of-the-line gets a 1.3-megapixel webcam, while the low-end 7100 and 7110 models have Celeron M chips. No pricing or availability info was forthcoming, but you can bet that these cheap notebooks will provide a low-cost alternative to MacBooks with similar screens that cost at least four times more.

Acer extends 17in laptop line [Reg Hardware]