Gizmodo: Notebook

Mysterious MacBook Event Teaser Image is 13.3-inch Model, Says Deduction

Mark Wilson — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:41:00 EDT

Out of respect for the great performer Steve Jobs, I prefer to save all surprises for the keynote. But those smarty pantses over at bbGadgets may have unlocked the secret behind Apple's Oct 14th MacBook event teaser. Assuming that the Apple logo is a 1.5" standard, they measured the laptop to have a 13.3" diagonal length. That's the same size as the current generation MacBook, which would seem to support all of those metal MacBook rumors. [bbGadgets]

New Pics Surface of Anonymous Apple Laptop

Elaine Chow — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:29:27 EDT

Taiwanese blog Apple.Pro has put out a couple more pictures that could be related to the upcoming Macbook Pro. We're not sure if they're real or not, but there are enough photos out there to at least mostly rule out Photoshop. While the new pictures resemble case images we saw earlier, it looks to be designed for a smaller laptop and lacks their speaker grills.

The keyboard seems to be identical to the MacBook Air, but with a larger trackpad. The left side houses all the ports (much like the earlier photo), while the right side has a slot for the optical drive. Apple.Pro is responsible for previous case images as well, but only time will tell how accurate their tips are. [Apple Pro via Mac Rumors]

Acer 14-inch, 16-inch Aspires Are Built for WiMAX

Elaine Chow — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:01:00 EDT

Now that the Baltimore's XOHM network is up and running, companies are scrambling to release WiMAX-enabled notebooks to capitalize on faster-than-EVDO internet. One of the first out the door is Acer, with two new WiMAX sporting Aspires. The Aspire 4930 comes with a 14.1-inch 1280x800 resolution CrystalBrite screen, 3GB RAM, a 320GB hard drive, a webcam, and retails for $900. The 6930 is all that (including the $900 price point), but with a 16-inch screen instead. Both use Intel's Centrino 2-based WiMAX/Wi-Fi modules. Happy on-the-go downloading!

Acer Leads the Industry with the Introduction of the

First Wireless 4G WiMAX-Enabled Notebooks for the U.S. Market

Aspire 4930-6862 and Aspire 6930-6771 unveiled at

first U.S. WiMAX network launch in Baltimore

SAN JOSE, Calif. and BALTIMORE, October 8, 2008 – Acer America, part of the world’s third largest PC company (source: Gartner data, 2Q 2008), today unveiled its first WiMAX-enabled notebooks – Aspire 4930-6862 and Aspire 6930-6771 – in support of the nation’s first U.S. WiMAX wireless broadband network launched by XOHM in Baltimore. Demonstrating the company’s focus on delivering innovative technology solutions, the Aspire 4930-6862 and Aspire 6930-6771 are WiMAX-enabled Intel® Centrino 2-based notebooks with the first-ever combined WiMAX/Wi-Fi module, previously codenamed “Echo Peak,” part of the Intel WiMAX/Wi-Fi Link 5050 Series.

WiMAX is a flexible wireless broadband technology that has the ability to deliver rich data experiences for mobile users. With the potential to help bridge the digital divide, WiMAX has the capacity to unwire entire cities, including the most remote and poor communities across the globe. In the U.S., WiMAX offers a third broadband alternative to DSL or cable in the home, with the addition of broadband data and a voice network, which users can utilize on-the-go. WiMAX promises to be the highest performing mobile network in the United States with average downlink speeds of 2-4 Mbps and uplink rate of 1-2 Mbps.

"With the launch of WiMAX in the United States, Acer is building on its commitment to deliver first-to-market cutting-edge PC technology for mobile customers," said Sumit Agnihotry, director of notebook product management for Acer America. "By leveraging Intel Centrino 2 mobile technology and the XOHM wireless network capabilities, users will have the availability for anytime, anywhere wireless connectivity. The Acer Aspire notebooks provide users with perfect combination of mobile and multimedia functionality."

WiMAX subscribers in the Baltimore area can now enjoy free-range wireless connectivity utilizing the Aspire 4930-6862 and Aspire 6930-6771 notebook PCs, with new markets to follow in the coming months. The Aspire 4930-6862 is designed for users seeking portability and power in an eye-catching notebook PC. The 14-inch widescreen multimedia notebook offers portability, style and performance for demanding applications.

The Aspire 6930-6771 is a 16-inch widescreen dream multimedia machine for digital media with exceptional performance. The Aspire 6930-6771 brings a true cinematic experience to movies and gaming, with a 16:9 screen ratio. It also delivers amazing performance for demanding applications with Intel Centrino 2 and Core 2 Duo processor technology, 3GB of memory and a fast 320GB hard drive.

“Intel is pleased to see WiMAX-enabled notebooks available today from Acer that leverage the accessibility of this powerful 4G wireless network,” said Julie Coppernoll, director of marketing for WiMAX at Intel Corporation. “By offering these systems with the Intel WiMAX/Wi-Fi Link 505 Series module, residents of Baltimore have the ability to share and download videos and photos, as well as access social media networks seamlessly anywhere they go in the coverage area.”

Specifications for Aspire 4930-6862

* Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology
* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7350

(3GB L2 Cache | 2.0GHz | 106600MHz FSB)

* 14.1" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite™ TFT LCD (1280 x 800)
* 3GB DDR 667MHz Memory
* Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500HMHD
* 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
* 5-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
* WiMAX Forum Certified™ WAN/802.11a/b/g/n
* Acer Crystal Eye Webcam
* Dolby Home Theater®
* Windows Vista® Premium
* MSRP $899.99

Specifications for Aspire 6930-6771

* Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology
* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7350

(3GB L2 Cache | 2.0GHz | 1066MHz FSB)

* 16" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite™ TFT LCD (1366 x 768)
* 3GB DDR 667MHz Memory
* Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500HMHD
* 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
* 5-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
* WiMAX Forum Certified™ WAN/802.11a/b/g/n
* Acer Crystal Eye Webcam
* Dolby Home Theater®
* Windows Vista® Premium
* MSRP $899.99

The Aspire 4930-6862 and Aspire 6930-6771 will be available to customers in Baltimore through Newegg.com and TigerDirect.com.

Samsung's NC10 Leaps Aboard the 10-inch Netbook Bandwagon, Is Bacteria-Phobic

Kit Eaton — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:43:00 EDT

Samsung is the latest to join the UMPC/netbook party with the NC10, though it's wrapping its tiny notebook with PR spin that it's "a stylish alternative to existing products in the space." There's a 10.2-inch/1024 x 600-pixel screen, Atom processor, 8-hour battery life, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, memory card reader, and 80GB or 160GB HDD. Its "normal" sized keyboard is even sprinkled with nano silver particles to keep bacteria at bay. It's due to hit the shops in October (in the UK at least) with pricing up to $590. Oh, and that "stylish" thing? It's probably 'cause it looks really shiny. [PocketLint and Akihabaranews]

Asus' N10 Non-Eee UMPC Gets Some Hands-On Action, More Specs

Kit Eaton — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:57:00 EDT

While information has been arriving in fits and starts on Asus' new N10 non-Eee ultra-portable, over at Laptopmag they got a teeny hands-on view of the PC. The 10-inch machine (which Asus was keen to stress as a notebook not a netbook) is due to come in N10E and N10J versions, with the main differences being the HDD and graphics: the E version has 160GB HDD and Intel integrated graphics, while the J version gets 320GB and a switchable Integrated Intel or Nvidia GeForce 9300 MS package that we mentioned before. The battery life is now quoted at "6 to 12 hours" with a six-cell battery, which sounds even more incredible than the previous 6.5 hour figure. Finally, the pricing for the N10E's been set at $599, and the N10J's gone down to $699, which should be welcome news for Asus fans. [Laptopmag]

Avaratec 18" Netbook, $550 and Absurdly Flexible

Mark Wilson — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:45:00 EDT

Before you read any further, we'll tell you the catch. It's not actually a netbook. It's just powered with the specs of a netbook. This Avaratec All In One features an 18.4 swiveling screen, 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, DVD burner and Windows XP. Sure, you can call it an underpowered iMac ripoff, but then you'd be missing that the whole system runs only $550 and can mount on your wall like an LCD TV. Full specs and video:

Thickness: 1.3-inch base, .59-inch LCD
Built-In Webcam & MIC
Piano Black Design
Weight approx 4 lbs.
Microsoft Windows XP ULCPC
Intel ATOM CPU: N270 (1.6GHz / 533MHz FSB / 512K)
18.4″ Widescreen LCD (1680 x 945)
1GB DDR2 System Memory
160GB SATA HDD
Super Multi Dual Layer DVD Burner
802.11 b/g wireless LAN integrated
Integrated webcam (1.3M) and 5 USB 2.0 ports
4-in-1 Memory Card Reader
15 pin D-Sub Video out port

This Averatec All In One should be available in the US by the holiday season in black only. [Gadgetress]

HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition Laptop Gets Fashionable Debut on NYC Catwalk

Kit Eaton — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:14:00 EDT

New York City fashion week may be a strange place to debut the average new laptop, but it's very fitting for HP's Vivienne Tam Special Edition machine. She was approached by HP to design them a new laptop, and she came up with something that's apparently a "true reflection of the needs of a modern woman who cares about fashion but is also passionate about her technology." Updated: More data has emerged on the machine

To that end, it has a complimentary embroidered case/sleeve and is approximately clutch purse-sized... with what could be a 10-inch widescreen. It looks like a UMPC-style notebook, but there's just no word at all on the specs of the device. And that's something that'd amuse and annoy many modern tech-passionate women I know. It'll be out in October, price still to be announced. [Crunchgear]

Update: Over at Laptopmag they've had a very short—restricted by a secretive HP—hands-on with the special notebook. HP is apparently labeling it a "Digital Clutch”-style product, but has declined to mention the device's name. It resembles the HP 2133 Mini-Note except that, as suspected, it has a 10-inch screen versus the 2133's 8.9-inches. The keyboard also appeared the same as the 92% Mini-Notes, as did the position of the trackpad and mouse keys.[Laptopmag]

Toshiba Magic Gestures Convert You Into Hitchhiking Gandalf

Jesus Diaz — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:00:00 EDT

To be honest, I was going to headline this article "Toshiba Magic Waving Handy-Spanky-Fingery Gestures Are Perfect for Harry Potter and Online Porn Users," but I decided against it at the last minute for obvious reasons, even when I had two powerful arguments in favor. You will understand them when you watch Helga—the Good Toshiba Witch of West Berlin—and myself in the video:

Argument Número Uno: apparently this gestures-in-the-air control requires real magic powers. Watch Helga and myself getting frustrated, trying to control the pointer on the screen.

Argument Two: I can't think of any really useful application except having the ability to control your computer without having to touch your keyboard or screen at any time—and therefore, keeping them clean of any crumbles and/or fluids.

The idea is good. The implementation is bad. Unfortunately, the whole experience is quite frustrating, and while they are showing the same technology in an experimental TV—which has greater potential—it doesn't really work well there either.

I asked the german Kirsten Dunst and she told me an example of this being useful: if you are "cooking" and have your hands dirty, you wouldn't like to touch the keyboard or the mousepad, so you can use gestures to control de computer. Fair enough, that's one market right there: "dirty hands chefs who use their computers while they are cooking".

I can see this being useful in TVs, however, replacing the remote completely. And maybe in computers too, but not for pointer dragging and clicking. That's just useless. This technology needs a completely new graphic user interface to be really successful—like the simple Wii interface or the stuff shown in Minority Report. An interface that will allow to intuitively point at something or doing a hand gesture to trigger an action.

As it is now, it just doesn't fly. What do you think? Do you think this is useful? Is there any else to this than its "wow!-what?-why?" factor? [More IFA 2008 coverage]

Samsung X360 Laptop is Super Skinny

Kit Eaton — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:09:00 EDT

It's pretty clear where Samsung is going with the X360 laptop when you notice it's branded it as "lighter than air" and say it's the "lightest notebook in its 13.3 inch class" since it weighs just 1.27 kg. Inside there's a 45nm Core 2 Duo mobile processor, mated to a 1280 x 800 pixel LED-backlit screen, and the machine has no internal DVD drive: instead it comes with an external one. Sounds a little familiar, no? But the battery life is claimed to be 10 hours, by Samsung, and it's got a full array of ports, including an RJ45 socket for wired LAN, a mic-in, three USB 2.0 sockets, a PCI express card slot and a HDMI socket. Somewhat strangely it's also been "sprinkled" with nano silver ion powder to keep the keyboard bacteria-free. It'll be available in September in some European countries, and Russia, China and Hong Kong, but there's no info on the US release or pricing. Extensive press release below.

Berlin, Germany, August 29, 2008 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a
market leader in consumer electronics and world leader in IT
technology, today lifted the lid on the most innovative addition to
its ever expanding notebook range – the ultra-lightweight Samsung
X360. Capable of meeting the extreme performance and connectivity
needs of the new aristocrats of the mobile world, the X360 sets a
completely new standard in mobile computing – offering a comprehensive
set of features unlike anything of its kind on the market.

Even though it is the lightest notebook in its 13.3 inch class,
weighing a miniscule 1.27 kg*,

the Samsung X360 incorporates all of the extensive functionality
demanded by ultra mobile and results-driven professionals. Unlike the
claims of some other "light" notebooks, the X360 is fully featured
without compromise, including 3 USB ports, a built-in HDMI (High
Definition Multimedia Interface) connection, a 34mm express card slot
and VGA output. For fast and easy transfer of documents, images, video
or music it incorporates a highly flexible 7 in 1 memory card reader,
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR* (Enhanced Data Rate) and super-fast 802.11n
wireless technology. It also boasts an integrated digital motion
camera, so it's easy to stay in touch with colleagues or friends using
video-conferencing or live messaging. But there is more, for business
and home office users the X360 incorporates a 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN
connection and support for Samsung P-Dock, docking station – which
simplifies cabling and provides a 'single click' connection and easy
access to a wide variety of ports..

"The X360 pushes back the boundaries of form and function to deliver
real style with substance," said HS Kim, Executive Vice President of
Samsung Computer Systems Division. "It offers a tremendous reduction
in size and weight but without compromising on functionality, so users
have everything they need for life on the move," Mr. Kim added.

The X360 will be available from September this year in European
countries including UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, and also in
Russia, China and Hong Kong.

For non stop productivity on the move, the X360 incorporates a
removable 6 cell battery that enables up to 10 hours continuous use –
making all day mobile computing a practical reality. Its efficient
power consumption is supported by the use of Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2
Ultra Low Voltage processor technology and an innovative 13.3" WXGA
(1280x800) LED screen, whose backlight technology consumes
significantly less power but delivers around 33 percent improved
brightness over a traditional LCD screen, so it is easier to work in a
range of conditions. And with security at a premium, it even has a
secure biometric fingerprint and trusted platform module
authentication system to ensure that your data is always fully
protected.

With its captivating craftsmanship, the X360's Protect-O-Edge casing
is built using durable magnesium alloy to provide amazing strength and
superior reliability coupled with enhanced ergonomics and premium
styling. And, wherever possible, Samsung uses its own components from
memory, batteries and screens. This focus on manufacturing excellence
means Samsung mobile computers have one of the best reliability
records in the industry, lowering the total cost ownership.

The X360 also features the option of an ultra-fast and reliable 128GB
Solid State Drive (SSD)*, which significantly enhances performance
compared to a typical hard disk drive (HDD), with a boot time that is
25-50 percent faster and data access times that are 300 percent faster
(53 MB/s) for reading and 150 percent faster (28 MB/s) for writing.
With no moving parts SSDs also weigh less, uses significantly less
power and are less prone to errors and damage - in fact, the X360 is
equipped to withstand twice the impact of the hard-drive-enabled
model. So, the notebook will perform faster and last even longer.

Finally, the X360 features an amazing Samsung innovation - Silver Nano
Technology. By sprinkling incredibly small, nano-sized silver ion
powder on the keyboard your system will remain "bacteria free" for
even longer.

FEATURES:
World class mobile performance

Featuring state of the art Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 Ultra Low Voltage
processor technology, which delivers unrivalled performance, energy
efficiency and connectivity too keep you working longer. The X360
comes with the all new 45 nano-meter sized Intel(R) Core™2 Duo mobile
processor, which literally puts the power of two processors into one,
so you can open up all of your favourite applications with no
compromise on performance.

Sharper display
Its 13.3" wide display provides up to 30% more viewing area than
traditional screens and allows you to enjoy photo-like image quality,
greater viewing angles and better text legibility, reducing eye strain
and therefore increasing productivity. Using LED technology also means
that the screen is thinner, up to 33% brightness, and uses much less
power than traditional LCD screen. Even the durability of the system
is better, because there are fewer breakable parts.

Light Weight and Durable
Despite being ultra lightweight and slim at just 1.27kg, the X360 is
built to last. It's durable Protect-o-Edge(c) casing provides amazing
strength and superior reliability. As a result, the X360 is more than
capable of withstanding the inevitable hardships of life on the move,
which all translates into a measurably lower Total Cost of Ownership.

Simple data sharing
Incorporating a 7 in 1 memory card reader (MS, MS Pro, SD, SDHC, MMC,
MMC plus, xD) and 3 x USB ports, it lets you to seamlessly move data
from your digital camera, camcorder, MP3 player or PDA straight to the
notebook. Alternatively you can use the Bluetooth 2.0+EDR* (Enhanced
Data Rate) capability to quickly connect to other Bluetooth devices at
speeds that are 3x faster than previous generations.

Wireless World
Featuring the super fast 802.11a/b/g/n wireless, delivering up to five
times the performance and up to twice the range of previous-generation
technologies.*

*Based on Factory specification

Your connection to the Digital World
For the ultimate in viewing experiences simply connect it to your HD
monitor, Television (HDTV) or home theatre system using the X360's
built-in HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connection, which
allows 100% transmission of visual and audio digital signals, and
experience richer colours, beautiful rendering and perfect image and
sound reproduction.

Smile, you are on camera*
Featuring an integrated 1.3 mega pixel digital motion camera, it
offers a simple way to keep in touch with friends or family, using
video-conferencing or live messaging.

Optimised graphics, premium experience
Featuring the new Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 graphics
core, which dynamically allocates system memory to provide incredible
visual quality, faster graphics performance and flexible display
options.

Revolutionary Battery Life
The battery life is vastly improved. It can deliver battery powered
performance of up to 6-10 hours based on usage scenario. The longer
battery life is guaranteed by the LED display and the flash-based SSD
which require less power to run.

Huge 128GB Solid State drive
Its Solid State Drive (SSD) has a boot time that is 25-50 percent
faster than systems that employ a traditional, rotational hard disk
drive (HDD). Overall system performance is also significantly
enhanced, as the SSD is capable of reading 300 times faster (53 MB/s)
and writes 150 percent faster (28 MB/s) than typical HDDs, and the
seek time (the amount of time required to find information in the
system memory) is also greatly reduced. Having no moving parts means
that power consumption is reduced dramatically, extending battery
life, and it is capable of withstanding much greater impacts, so there
is no loss of data.

Bacteria free
By sprinkling incredibly small, nano-sized silver ion powder on the
keyboard your system will remain "bacteria free" – for even longer.

Total security
For complete peace of mind, the X360 incorporates a secure biometric
fingerprint authentication system and a trusted platform module, so
your valuable information will always remain safe from prying eyes -
and you may never need to remember another password!

Fast docking
Is compatible with Samsung's P-Dock docking station, which simplifies
cabling and provides a 'single click' connection and easy access to a
wide variety of ports, including Serial, 5 x USB, LAN, HDMI, SIO,
e-SATA and DVI (Digital Video Interface) to deliver outstanding
digital image quality on large displays and projectors.

ECO friendly
Samsung's own certification mark (ECO), which guarantees ECO-friendly
features, including removal of hazardous substances and material,
optimised energy efficiency and effective material usage for a more
environmentally friendly product.

Warranty, On Time, On Us
All this is backed up with the peace of mind that your notebook is
protected by Samsung's class leading warranty service. In the unlikely
event that something goes wrong with your notebook, the Samsung
International warranty infrastructure will provide you with a fast
track collection repair and return service for your notebook in order
to minimise disruption and get you back working as quickly as
possible.

X360 Specifications
* based on factory specification, Subject to change. Errors and
omissions accepted. Battery life based on mobile Mark test scores that
will vary based on configuration

Processor
Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 ULV Processor Technology (FSB 800MHz)

Operating System
- Genuine Microsoft Windows(R) Vista(R) Home Basic
- Genuine Microsoft Windows(R) Vista(R) Home Premium
- Genuine Microsoft Windows(R) Vista(R) Business

Memory
- DDR3 1066MHz 1GB ~ 4GB

LCD
- 13.3" WXGA (1280 x 800) SuperBright(c) LED backlit

HDD
- 64/ 128 GB Solid State Drive
- 120 GB (5400 rpm S-ATA)

Optical Drive
- External DVD Super Multi Dual Layer Writer

Graphics Processor
- Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 graphics core

Wireless LAN
- Intel 802.11 a/b/g/n
- Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate*

LAN
10/100/1000 Ethernet

I / O Ports
- 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS, MS Pro, SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC plus, xD)
- 3 x USB 2.0
- 1 x PCI Express Card Slot (34 mm)
- 1 x HDMI
- 1 x Headphone-out
- 1 x Mic in
- 1 x Integrated Mic
- 1 x VGA Port
- 1 x RJ45 (LAN)
- 1 x Docking Port

Multimedia
1.3 Mega Pixel Web Camera*

Battery Life
Up to 10 hours

Asus F6 Comes With Webcam, 13-inch Screen, Eau de Asus

Elaine Chow — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT

Looks like Asus is sniffing out the next big thing now that it's found heaps of success with its EeePC concept, and has decided that what the world really needs is a notebook that can function both as a mid-range computer and an Air Wick. The Asus F6 boasts a 13.3 inch screen, an integrated webcam, an Intel Core2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of DRAM support, up to 320GB of HD space and comes in four scents – Floral Blossom, Musky Black, Morning Dew and Aqua Ocean. Asus doesn't say how long the fragrance is supposed to last, or whether you can reapply it. But for a couple of days at least, when the patrons of your local coffee shop wrinkle up their noses and ask “What's that smell?” you can proudly say “Me.” [Asus via Far East Gizmos]

Specs and Prices for Lenovo's Ideapad S9 Lite Notebook Hits Web

Kit Eaton — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:43:38 EDT

Lenovo recently went official with details on the upcoming Ideapad S10 ultra-portable notebook, and now there's data on a little brother version, the S9 Lite. The S9 will have a slightly smaller screen, at 8.9-inches, with a 300-kilopixel webcam, 512MB of RAM and a 4GB SSD. It's got the same Atom N270 and 945 GSE chipset, though, so it sounds very much like its bigger S10 brother, and comes with Linux and a "multitouch function" trackpad. In three colors, the diminutive PC will cost you $370 upon launch in Hong Kong. [UMPCFever via Engadget]

Everun Note UMPC is First to Pack Dual-Core Processor, Says Raon Digital

Kit Eaton — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:14:00 EDT

The latest entry into the UMPC market first stirred-up by the Eee PC is this new ultra-light from Raon Digital. It's beefy inside despite its tiny size, packing a dual-core CPU—AMD Turion—which, according to the makers, is a first. It looks barely bigger across than its 7-inch screen (with 1024 x 600 pixels), but squeezes everything else in there too, including an electronic dictionary function, Windows XP OS, Bluetooth and drive options that go from 80GB HDD to 12GB SSD. Full specs below.

• CPU: AMD Turion 64x2 Dual Core 1.2GHz, 1MB L2 Cache
• Graphic: ATI RS690E +64MB DDR2 Side port Memory, Full DirectX 9.0 support
• Memory: 1GB DDR2
• OS: Microsoft Window XP Home
• Display: 7-inch
• Dual monitor: supporting external display up to 1920x1200
• Storage: 60GB 1.8 inch HDD/UDMA100
• Wireless Connectivity: 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR
• Camera: 1.3M pixel CMOS
• Media Card: SD/MMC Slot
• Audio: ALC262 HD Audio
• Expansion Slot: 2xUSB host, 1 x USB mini, 1x mini PCIExpress Slot, USIM card slot &l
• Battery life: 2.5 Hours for web-surfing
• Size: 7.87 x 4.65 x 1.08 inches

It's due in Korea and North America from early September, price still to be confirmed. [Aving]

Lenovo's Ideapad S10 Ultra-Portable Notebook PC Officially Due in September

Kit Eaton — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Lenovo's gone official with details on its Ideapad S10 ultra-portable notebook: it'll come with Windows XP pre-installed, measure 9.8 x 7.2 inches, weigh just 2.4-pounds in its lightest configuration, and pack in a LED back-lit 10-inch screen. Powered by Intel Atom N270 and 945 GSE express chipset, the diminutive PC also has some advanced heat-dissipation tech so that your lap and wrists won't get overheated. Interestingly Lenovo notes that "In some countries there will be 9-inch versions," different colors and "Linux preloads"... but doesn't say if those systems will hit the US eventually. Initially then, the S10 will cost you either $399 for a 512MB memory, 80GB HDD model or $450 for a 1GB, 160GB HDD model, and comes in black red or white. Press release info below.

• Integrated 1.3M Camera
• 2 stereo speakers
• Multi-touch Pad & near full size Keyboard (85% full size)
• Integrated Wireless 802.11 b/g,10/100 Ethernet, Bluetooth
• Express card slot for WWAN expansion
• Up to 2-GB Memory
• 4in1 Multi-card Reader
• Form factor: 250.2 x 183 x 22-27.5mm, lightest configuration of 1.1 kg
• Large Panel 10.2” wide, LED backlight 1024x600 WSVGA
• Intel Integrated Graphics GMA 950
• Intel N270 CPU 1.6 GHz & Intel 945GSE Chipset
• Large HDD capacity 160G 9.5mm 2.5” SATA HDD (5400 rpm)
• Battery up to 3 hours with 3-cell battery, and up to 6 hours with 6-cell battery

The S10 also comes with a dedicated Lenovo graphical UI for best energy management options so you can optimize its battery life, and a "one-touch" rescue data recovery system. With Lenovo's might behind it, does it sound like an Eee PC killer? What do you think, chaps? [Lenovo]

Toshiba Demos UMPC Hand-Held Tablet Prototype, But Thinks it's Too Small

Kit Eaton — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:51:00 EDT

At a recent presentation, Toshiba demoed a little hand-held UMPC prototype, indicating that the company is considering that product market. The silver-framed machine has a 5.6-inch touchscreen, and runs Windows Vista on an Atom processor and 64GB of SSD storage, and even packs in GPS. Though the onscreen touch keyboard takes up too much real estate, it's a great-looking little package. But apparently Toshiba isn't going to turn prototype into product as it's considered too small for practical use. That'll interest fans of the fabled Apple touch tablet, I'm sure. What do you think guys: would you buy a PC this size? [PCAuthority via Gizmodo.au]

Eee PC 1000H Price Drops, Now $549

Elaine Chow — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:05:00 EDT

Looks like Asus listened to us when we complained about the price of their biggest and best Eee PC yet, the Eee PC 1000H. It's been on sale for less than a week, but Newegg's already dropped the price by $100. In case that was the only thing preventing you from taking a bite out of Eee, go pick it up now for $549. [Mobile Stylus]

15.4-Inch Toshiba Satellite Notebook On Sale For $398

Elaine Chow — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Let's say that you did have some disposable income at some point in time, but it happened to turn into a spankin' new iPhone 3G right before you realized Junior desperately needed a new computer for the school year. Don't worry, Gizmodo's here to help make up for your bad parenting without throwing you deeper into debt: Starting Sunday at 8am, Wal-Mart will be selling a 15.4-inch Toshiba Satellite notebook with an Intel Celeron processor for $398. The Toshiba will be decked out with 2GB RAM, a 120GB hard drive, CD-RW and Windows Vista Premium. [Check Out Blog]

Acer Ships Ginormous 8920G Gemstone Notebooks; 16:9, Dual HDDs, Blu-ray Included, Hernia Belt Not

Matt Hickey — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EDT

Acer's now shipping the 8920G Gemstone laptops, and they're even more impressive than we'd thought. While not the biggest screen we've seen on a portable, they sport an impressive 18.2-inch LCD at 1920x1080 with a 16:9 aspect ratio, perfect for watching movies on the integrated Blu-ray R/W drives. They're not light, tipping the scales at just over nine pounds, but their 1.6-inch thickness makes up for some of that. What's really interesting is Acer put dual hard drives in these machines, meaning you get 640GB total, probably the highest we've ever seen in a shipping portable. If you're looking for the ultimate in desktop replacements, these are a great place to start, if you can afford the $3,000 price tag. [Trusted Reviews]

Toshiba Qosmio G55 is First Laptop With Cell Processor Aboard

Kit Eaton — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:24:00 EDT

Toshiba's Qosmio G55 has popped up on Giz over the last couple of months, talking about its advanced gesture controls which rely on its use of the PS3's Cell processor tech, and now it's official. Toshiba's calling it the "world's first laptop with cell processor tech inside," and concentrates on four functions it gives the machine. Upconvert/upconversion (basically 1080i upscaling,) transcoding of video formats, face-based video indexing and gesture control. The laptop will have a starting price of $1,299.99. Press release below.

Jul 15, 2008 00:01

Toshiba Qosmio World's First Laptop with Cell Processor Technology

¶ TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Cell Processor Provides Revolutionary Multimedia Experience Through Enhanced Speed and Control
IRVINE, Calif. —(Business Wire)— Jul. 15, 2008 Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the world's first laptop PC to feature Cell processor technology. This computing advancement, called the TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor(1), is available on Toshiba's Qosmio(R) G55-Q802 laptop PC and delivers a revolutionary high-definition, multimedia user experience.

"In terms of the Qosmio laptop brand, innovation is the key ingredient," said Jeff Barney, vice president and general manager, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. "The addition of the TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor marks a watershed moment in the multimedia and HD segments. Qosmio G55-Q802 laptop PC users now have the power and ability to control and manipulate their personal content with unmatched precision and speed while also enjoying their full DVD collections at resolutions up to 1080i."

The TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor was designed to better serve the creative process by alleviating the intense burden that's placed on the CPU while handling a wide range of multimedia tasks, such as video transcoding. The complex task of transcoding and encoding a personal video project monopolizes a majority of the processing power of today's advanced computer systems. Through the addition of the TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor, along with the combined strength of Intel's latest Core(TM) 2 Duo processor(1) technology and the NVIDIA GeForce(R) 9600M(2) GT graphics card, tasks that once took hours to complete now are accomplished in a fraction of the time with Toshiba's Qosmio(R) G55-Q802 laptop PC.

This revolutionary Cell processor technology was co-developed by Toshiba, Sony and IBM, and is best known for its use within the popular Sony PlayStation(R) 3 and various supercomputers. Branded the TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor, it currently consists of four cutting-edge, distinctive proprietary features:

— Upconvert/Upconversion - Through "Upconvert/Upconversion," standard-definition video files, such as home videos and DVDs, are upscaled in real time to 720p high-definition. Combined with the use of the Qosmio's HDMI-CEC port, users can output today's standard DVDs in stunning clarity up to 1080i on an HDTV.

— Transcoding - The included Ulead(R) DVD MovieFactory(R) 5 for TOSHIBA has been optimized to take advantage of the Toshiba Quad Core HD Processor to dramatically reduce the time needed in high-definition video editing. Transcoding video between high-definition formats or converting high-definition video into standard definition for burning to DVD can be completed up to 10 times(3) faster on the Qosmio(R) G55-Q802 laptop PC.

— Video Indexing - "Video Indexing" provides the power to catalog video clips based on an individual's face in a scene. This unique technology enables quick and easy scene access by eliminating the need to manually search through hours of video content.

— Gesture Control - Using a remote to control DVDs, CDs and PowerPoint is a thing of the past. Through the use of "Gesture Control" and the Qosmio's Webcam, physical motions, such as extending an arm and simple hand gestures, users can control the play, pause, rewind and fast-forward functions of their movies, music and slides.

The Qosmio G55 series laptop is also available without the TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor, but the series was collectively designed to enhance the digital lifestyle by providing cutting-edge innovations that are built upon the backbone of sharp picture quality and pristine sound reproduction. In addition to the technological advancement of the TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor, the Qosmio is built around an expansive 18.4-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite(R) high-definition display that sports a true 16:9 aspect ratio. Users can take advantage of more of the display and enjoy their widescreen movies with less of the black bar letterboxing, which frames a picture on other displays. To further enhance the visual experience, the Qosmio G55 laptop PC sports two premium Harman Kardon(R) stereo speakers, a sub-woofer and Dolby Home Theater(TM) technology, which allows users to experience their content in surround sound. The Qosmio can be seamlessly integrated into a user's home theater system for a complete surround sound experience thanks to its REGZA LINK(TM) HDMI technology while empowering users with simultaneous instant device configuration and the ability to control REGZA LINK enabled devices, such as Toshiba's REGZA(TM) HDTVs and a Qosmio laptop, with a single remote.

The Qosmio G55 laptop PC has several design features that magnify its cutting edge nature, such as its striking Fusion(TM) finish with Vibe design, white-LED FeatherTouch multimedia buttons and a flush-mounted Touchpad. These external features do much to enhance the overall quality and premium feel of the new Qosmio, which has a starting price of $1,299.99(4).

For the first time, Toshiba will offer users the option of configuring their laptop to run either a 32-bit or 64-bit(5) version of Windows Vista, depending on a user's preference and intended computer use.

The Qosmio G55 laptop PC is available from a variety of major consumer electronic and computer stores nationwide or directly from Toshiba at http://www.toshibadirect.com. Detailed product information is available at http://www.explore.toshiba.com/G55.

The Qosmio G55 series is available in the following configurations: -0-

Qosmio G55-Q802 Unique Specifications (MSRP $1,549.99(4))
—OS selection at first boot:
- Genuine Windows Vista(R) Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit5
version)(default)
- Genuine Windows Vista(R) Home Premium (SP1, 32-bit version)
—Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T7350(1)
- 2.0 GHz, 3MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB
—TOSHIBA Quad Core HD Processor(1)
—4096MB PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz SDRAM memory(6)
—500GB using two 5400 RPM Serial ATA hard disk drives(7)
—DVD SuperMulti (+/- double layer) drive with Labelflash(TM)
supporting 11 formats
—NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) 9600M GT with 512MB GDDR2 discrete graphics(2)
memory,
—Atheros(R) 802.11 b/g/n wireless-LAN(8)

-0-

Qosmio G55-Q801 Unique Specifications (MSRP $1,299.99(4))
—OS selection at first boot:
- Genuine Windows Vista(R) Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit(5)
version)(default)
- Genuine Windows Vista(R) Home Premium (SP1, 32-bit version)
—Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T7350(1)
- 2.0 GHz, 3MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB
—4096MB PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz SDRAM memory(6)
—320GB (5400 RPM) Serial ATA hard disk drive(7)
—DVD SuperMulti (+/- double layer) drive with Labelflash(TM)
supporting 11 formats
—NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) 9200M GS with 256MB GDDR2 discrete graphics(2)
memory
—Atheros(R) 802.11 b/g/n wireless-LAN(8)

Multimedia: Qosmio G55 Series

Belkin Laptop Accessories Keep Your Lap Cool During Marathon Internet Surfing Sessions

Elaine Chow — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Belkin has unveiled several solutions that'll help keep laptop people like me from burning our tender flesh. Come this October, the bunch of us that adamantly refuse to work from an actual desk can choose between the $64.99 CushTop Hideaway, which doubles as a laptop storage case, or the $39.99 Laptop Cooling Lounge, which uses a fan to divert heat from the body. Having used the smell of searing leg meat as a sign that I've been tethered to my computer too long, I guess I'll now have to find other ways to convince myself to get off the couch. [Belkin via Notcot]

Dell's Mini Inspiron Laptop Named E and E Slim

Jason Chen — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:25:49 EDT

That upcoming mini laptop from Dell that we got the scoop on last month at All Things D just got a name. Engadget's Dell source coughed up the info that the mini notebook will be called the Dell E, which is an 8.9-inch competitor to the similarly named Asus Eee. Then there's the E Slim, which is a 12.1-inch screen, 0.8-inch thick competitor to the MacBook Air and Lenovo X300.

Dell's further segmenting the notebook with E Classic, E Video and E Video+, which has more RAM, flash storage, webcam and Bluetooth. E Slim will get WiMax shortly after its original release date as well. The smaller Dell E looks to start at $299 in August, whereas the E Slim still has no price, but is supposed to hit August-September. [Engadget]

CIA-Style Hide and Seek: Exploding Notebooks, Suicide Needles, Rectal Tool Kits and More

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:30:00 EDT

The freakiest thing about reading CIA gadget lore is that it's all real. The nerds working for the agency's Office of Technical Services were always devising and building gadgets to get people out of—or into—difficult situations. Here's a rundown of crazy stuff from the Spytech book, not necessarily stuff you'd carry all at the same time, but stuff that, to paraphrase Dr. Strangelove, would help a fella have a pretty nice weekend in Moscow. Jump for all the pictures and descriptions:

OK, so you're out there on your ops, and you want to pick up chatter from enemy radio. You don't want to look suspicious, so you pull out your pipe and pretend to pack it with tobacco. You can't actually light it, because inside this pipe-shaped countersurveillance radio is a receiver, batteries and a bunch of other stuff that won't take kindly to smoke and embers. The device's neatest attribute is its lack of earpiece. Instead, you'd bite down on the mouthpiece, and hear signal through bone conduction.Once you've gathered your information, you can stash your film and other goodies into a dead rat. Or, if you think rats are icky, you can put your data into a brick or a rock. Here's one actual "concealment" brick with a cement cap:Since there's always a risk of getting caught, smart guys wrote down their info on water-soluble paper, and stored it in thermoses. A thin layer of glass separated the paper from water; when the bad guys came close to apprehending the agent, he'd just drop the thermos and the glass would shatter. There'd be no sign of the paper, and the contents would then be drinkable—if you didn't mind all the broken glass.

Earlier on, guys would wrote down data in exploding notebooks, but I imagine the practice was curtailed when they drew a little too much attention, especially in phone booths, airplanes or gas stations. Note: The instructions tell you to remove the safety when you start using it, not just when you need to blow it up. If your data-dumping apparatuses didn't get you out of trouble, you're lucky you've got an Escape & Evasion Rectal Suppository Tool Kit shoved up your ass. That's right, that tool kit is rectal, and goes up presumably far enough that the man with the rubber glove (you know the man) won't find it. Hopefully you'll be able to get to it when you need to saw, drill, ply and file your way out of a Siberian prison camp. Escape futile? Or just having an upleasant time with the whole suppository tool kit? If you planned ahead, you got the agency to provide you with a definitive way out. Though not common, "L-Pills" containing "lethal" substances were issued from time to time, and stashed in pens. U-2 spyplane pilots carried something slightly different, a needle, hidden within another larger needle (you know, so you don't prick yourself), tipped with something nasty called "saxitoxin." All of this CIA tech and much more like it is covered with great depth and hair-raising anecdotes in Spycraft, a new book by Robert Wallace and H. Keith Melton, reviewed by us, and available for pre-order at Amazon.

Samsung's Display Division Shows Just What it Can Do With AMOLED Notebook

AddyDugdale — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:00:00 EDT

Samsung SDI, the Korean manufacturer's display arm, has been showing off a 12.1-inch laptop with an AMOLED display. With 1280 x 768 resolution, and a weird-ass keyboard, the prototype is being displayed at SID 2008. And what's going on with on the backside of the screen? I can't for the life of me figure it out. [OLED Display.net]

Crowded Ultraportable Party Gets Dissected

Christopher Mascari — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:00:43 EDT

The guys over at Liliputing have a done a great service for all who are looking for the perfect low-cost ultraportable notebook. They've made a "comprehensive list of low-cost ultraportables", that not only shows you what's available and what's not, but also provides information for every unit. So if you've been craving an ultra-portable, check out the list. Though proceed with caution, 'cause if you've already decided on a model this list might make your head explode. [Liliputing]

Panasonic's Atom-Based Toughbook UMPC Is Mini Hercules

Benny Goldman — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:55:12 EST

The Toughbook UMPC spotted around CeBIT has been made official by Panasonic. The ultra mobile sports an Atom CPU and runs Vista on its 5.6-inch LCD screen. It is impact resistant like other Toughbooks, and we hope it's just as spill-proof as their notebooks. One thing we can't wrap our heads around is the number pad. It's smack-dab in the middle of the letters. Anyone care to help us out with that? [Impress]

ASUS U2E Is A Light, Leather Bound Notebook That Is Heavy On Features

Benny Goldman — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:00:00 EST

The U2E notebook from ASUS brings a 32GB SSD, an LED backlit panel and a small-lens webcam to an 11-inch, 2-pound, leather notebook. The coolest feature announced so far is definitely the Smart Logon Face Recognition. This software keeps the computer secure by using the webcam to scan the face in front of it and only grant access after a positive facial scan. The U2E will be available in brown or black, but pricing and availability have not yet been announced. See the gallery for more hot pics. [ASUS]

Hitachi's 500GB Notebook Hard Drive Turns Your Laptop Into an Ultimate eBook Reader

Jason Chen — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST

Hitachi's upping the notebook 2.5-inch storage game to the 500GB level, which means that you'll have much, much more space to store all your eBooks and comics to take with you on the go. The Travelstar 5K500 will be available in 400GB or 500GB models, and have optional Bulk Data Encryption for drive-level security. It also has a power-usage level almost identical to its 5K250 predecessor, and have a 1.9 watt read/write power draw and a 0.7 watt low power idle.

In similar news, ASUS has also partnered with Hitachi to place 5K500s inside their upcoming M50 and M70 notebooks, and will have two inside the M70 for a max 1TB storage (striped). We're excited because we actually like taking all our data on the go with us instead of leaving it at home on a NAS.

Napkin Notebook: An Idea so Good, It Must Have Been Written on a Napkin

Sean Fallon — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:30:26 EST

It is no secret that many of the best ideas are doodled down on a napkin in a moment of inspiration. Now you can keep the ideas flowing at all times thanks to this spiral-bound cocktail napkin notebook. It even comes with its own pen for optimum napkin doodling effectiveness. Now if they could only harness the inspirational power of the toilet, we would be on the brink of a second Renaissance. Available soon. [Product Page via IBIA via Electro Plankton]

Fingers Notebook Stand Manages Cables

Jason Chen — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:10:51 EDT

Not only does this notebook stand prop up the back of your laptop so you can type at a slightly more ergonomic angle, the back of it also has slits so you can pass your cables through as well. Those slits in the back of the Fingers Notebook Stand is what allows your cables to stay in one place and not flop all about when you unplug and move about, something we've got lots of experience with. Unlike other designs, you can actually purchase one of these for 15£ ($30). Now they just need to invent something to keep change from falling out of our pockets when we sit down. [oofdesign via Yanko Design]

Asus C90s User-Upgradeable Laptop Video Tour

Jason Chen — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:33:34 EDT

Erin over at Computer Shopper has a video tour of the Asus C90s, a user-upgradeable laptop with desktop components that you can take apart yourself. What this means to you is that you'll actually be able to extend the life of this gaming laptop without having to take it into the store and have others upgrade for you (as long as you have a little computer knowhow). Check out the video for more. [Computer Shopper]

SketchPet Mini Notebook

msparkes — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 09:28:02 EDT

The SketchPet is an interesting notebook design from MaginWulf that is small enough to put on a keyring or keep in a pocket. If you like to leave the digital behind every now and then to record ideas and notes on paper, then maybe this is for you. They can include up to 150 pages, and the website shows pictures of diaries as well as notebooks. Of course, if you can fit a day of social life on a page this small, then you need to get out more. [Yanko Design]

Certified Wireless USB Takes Flight In Inspiron, ThinkPad Laptops

kthompson — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:49:18 EDT

Kiss your favorite cords goodbye, because Certified Wireless USB is throwing them out with the trash. Industry giants including Dell and IBM have come on board as early adopters of the new USB standard, which combines the data transfer rates of USB with the ease-of-use and cable-free nature of Bluetooth and WiFi. Dell is rolling out its new Inspiron 1720 next month, a mobile media notebook that includes a built-in Certified Wireless USB chip. In conjunction with new lines of CWUSB routers launched by D-Link and IOGear, the 1720 can connect with 127 other devices and swap data at a blistering 480Mb/s (at 3 meters; speeds fall to a respectable 110Mb/s at 10 meters).

The 17-inch Dell laptop is a media machine, sporting a high resolution UltraSharp display, 7.1 surround sound, a 2-megapixel webcam and a Blu-ray player to keep you entertained on the go. Continuing the wireless trend are the included Wireless-N card and mobile broadband capabilities. You can even drop nearly half a terabyte into these creatures (across two hard drives)! Shipping August 9th, the Inspiron 1720 can be yours for less than a grand (if you're willing to make some sacrifices).

The other major Certified Wireless USB notebook launch is the ThinkPad T61. A more modest offering than the Dell, it still manages to be a wireless beast with support for standard WiFi, Bluetooth and USB out of the box. A fingerprint scanner and unique shock absorbing roll cage keep your data safe and secure, though that data is limited to about 80 gigabytes on the top end. The 14.1-inch offering from Lenovo won't play your Blu-ray discs, but it will get your basic jobs done in a compact, wire-free way. Shipping now, the Thinkpad T61 starts around $1,500. [Laptops That Don't Need USB Cables]

Groping Sony's Vaio TZ Wonder-Notebook

Brian Lam — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:26:40 EDT

The previously import-only Vaio TZ was just announced for US shores. That's good news, because its predecessor, the Sony Vaio TX, was one of my favorites subnotes ever. Like the TX, I love the TZ's LED-backlit screen, usable keyboard, built- in EVDO Rev. A by Sprint, and nearly 8 hours of battery life. The TZ's improvements include Core 2 Duo Chips, a Macbook-like keyboard, better specs all around, and a Limited Edition Carbon Fiber model in jet black. Here's a quick rundown of how the TZ's design and specs stack up against the older TX.

•It becomes a hair thinner, but reaches deeper than the TX. For practical purposes it is the same size. It's 2.7 pounds, compared to 2.8 from before. I wonder if that comes at the expense of battery life (more later.)
•It gains a gappy, Macbook-styled keyboard, which is reinforced for when you're pounding on the keys.
•The screen is still LED-backlit, 11-inch 1366 x 768. But the carbon fiber lid is also reinforced to protect the LCD, and it has a user-facing webcam running at 0.3MP.
•LCD catch 22: It's so sharp, you want to get closer to read text. When you get too close, your viewing angle naturally increases, so the edges of the screen start to color differently than the center.
•It still has EVDO revision A by Sprint, but loses the external antenna which often broke anyway, and gains N on top of WiFi A/B/G.
•The TX's Core Solo U1500 processor gets upgraded to a Core 2 Duo U7500. Or in the jet black Limited Edition TZ, a U7600 at 1.2GHz. (On top of 32GB of SSD instead of a HDD, for $3000.)
•The limited edition also has a clear gel coat of paint, which shows off the carbon fiber beneath the surface. Very cool.
•Unfortunately, battery life is rated at 7.5 hours vs the 10 hours in the TX. (Contradicting that stat, later the press materials say 11.5). I'd like to know the truth—my favorite memories of the TX involve almost 8 hours of straight EV-DO trapped on Route 80 during a Tahoe snowstorm.
•Good lord. It comes preloaded with tons of craplets. One piece of ware is a locationfree TV client, to coincide with a VAIO-branded, component input base station I will tell you about in a later post. As far as craplets go, this is a screenshot of first boot. I kid you not.
•Video is handled by the same Intel 945GMS integrated chipset, with a VGA out for a secondary monitor.
•The media controller, which could play back DVDs/CDs/photos without Windows is now able to run MP3s from the drive, and presumably memory stick. The media keys are on the front face of the device, and the fingerprint reader is in between the mouse buttons. These last two changes are bad.
•There is an ExpressCard/34 slot now. But there are SD and memory card readers, 2 USB ports, Ethernet (now Gigabit), modem, and a 4-pin FireWire port, like before. I would beg for an HDMI port.
•The touchpad has a textured, rubbery feel that gives good tactile feedback without catching your finger. I love it.
•The power button is, unwisely, on the side of the hinge, putting it in a prime spot for accidental clicks as you move things around the desk or grip the laptop for movement.
•The hard drive, as before, has head drive parking when it detects an impending shock.
•The "DVD±R Double Layer/DVD±RW" drive is tray loading, like before. The non-Special Edition models come with 100GB 4200RPM HDDs.
•There are 3 models. The VGN-TZ150N/B and VGN-TZ170N/B are identical, except the 150 comes with 1GB of RAM versus the 170's 2GB of RAM. Both come in silver, black, and purplish-red. The VGN-TZ191N/X comes in that clear gel coating that shows off the carbon fiber underneath, and again, has 32GB of SSD, and a faster U7600 Core 2 Duo chip running at 1.2GHz. Death to Sony's naming schemes!

SONY'S LATEST ULTRA-PORTABLE VAIO NOTEBOOK TURNS HEADS WHILE TURNING UP PRODUCTIVITY
SAN DIEGO, July 18, 2007 ⎯ Sony today took the wraps off a new line of richly-designed, high-performance ultra-portable notebooks.
The VAIO® TZ model incorporates the power of a larger PC into a small, portable form factor. Luxuriously sleek, it weighs just 2.65 pounds and measures less than 1-inch thin.
The notebook is available in a classic black, premium carbon, champagne gold, and hand-painted Bordeaux. The unit has a carbon-fiber casing that contributes to its light weight, extra-slim figure and durability.
The model incorporates an energy-efficient 11.1-inch widescreen display (diagonal) with Sony's original XBRITE-HiColor™ LCD technology, producing images in brilliant detail for razor-sharp viewing on-the-go.
"Sony is known for miniaturization and being an innovator in design, but this time we have really out done ourselves," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. "This new notebook is an engineering marvel that I believe is one of the best looking PCs on the market."
Designed for ease-of-use, the keyboard's keys are raised slightly above an attractive piano-black bezel layer producing a user-friendly touch. An extra support layer has been added to increase the stability of the keys, giving them an unwavering motion for quieter typing.
-more-

Mobility and Performance
The notebook packs the latest Intel® Core™ 2 Duo ultra-low processor designed for high performance and low power consumption— perfect for advanced multi-tasking, and four to 7.5 hours of standard battery life on a single charge.
The unit's built-in 802.11n wireless LAN capabilities make it faster and easier to connect to compatible wireless networks with greater performance and range. Whether surfing the web at the office or a local coffee shop, you can connect to compatible hot spots with greater ease and wirelessly stream video at high speeds.
The PC also integrates a wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) technology provided by the Sprint® Mobile Broadband Network and its latest mobile network technology, EV-DO Revision A. A separate Sprint service subscription is required.
This technology supports faster data rates than Release 0 and higher system capacity enabling users to send and receive large amounts of data at broadband speeds. These faster speeds will enable customers to take advantage of large file uploads, video telephony and video messaging for blazing-fast wireless access beyond hotspots.
The new notebook features integrated Bluetooth® technology for wireless communication with compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices. Sony's SmartWi™ technology has also been added for a seamless experience navigating between wireless WAN, wireless LAN and Bluetooth technologies.
An optional MOTION EYE® camera with a microphone built into the razor-thin LCD panel lets you video conference with colleagues, families and friends. It requires a broadband connection and VoIP services sold separately.
For security, an integrated biometrics fingerprint sensor has been added so you can access password protected content with the touch of a finger. The PC comes pre-installed with the Microsoft® Windows Vista® Business operating system.
LocationFree Entertainment
The TZ unit also comes loaded with LocationFree® software. This allows you to "place-shift" live television broadcasts, access a personal video recorder or DVD player, and view that content on your notebook via the Internet with broadband connectivity. A new VAIO-branded LF-V30 base station, with enhanced functionality, is required and will be sold separately starting in September.
The notebook is equipped with Instant Mode so you can go straight to watching a movie, playing music or viewing photos at the touch of a button— without having to boot-up the operating system.
The included Click to DVD® software and DVD±R Double Layer/DVD±RW drive can be used to create customized DVDs, dynamic presentations and manage multimedia files.
A flash-based model will also be available. This unit will provide a rapid boot-up and quicker access to applications, while reducing the risk of hard drive damage—an ideal feature for travelers in situations where sudden movements are common.
The standard VAIO TZ notebook will start at about $2,200, while the flash-based model will go for around $3,000. Both models will be available online at HYPERLINK "http://www.sony.com/pr/tz" www.sony.com/pr/tz. They will also be sold at Sony Style® stores, military exchange bases and select retailers around the country beginning in August

Solar Laptop Charger Gives More Than Just A Laptop Juice

kevinhall2 — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:30:00 EDT

Though the Solar Laptop Charger & Portable Power Kit is billed as a great way to charge your laptop in a pinch, its honking 300-watt power pack features a standard plug that will have everything from power tools to blenders operating portably. If you can find about six square feet of space, just unfold the solar mat, plug it all in, and you're good to go. Charge time can be a little steep: 11-12 hours for a full charge. With a full charge, a 25-watt laptop should get around 5-6 hours of use.

The entire solar kit carries a hefty $478.95 pricetag. If that's too much for you, it's worth noting that the XPower Powerpack 300 Plus and Sunlinq Portable Solar Panel are available separately, for $119.95 and $359.99, respectively. The XPower Powerpack 300 Plus alone is handy enough, as it doesn't need the panels to charge and can even jump-start cars and fill a tire up with air. [Earthtech]

Malibal Veda Notebook Has Huge 20.1" Screen, SLI Graphics

Charlie White — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 09:16:49 EDT

Las Vegas PC purveyor MALIBAL, the company that insists its logo be written in all caps, has rolled out its Veda series of laptops, whose distinguishing characteristic is a gigantic 20.1-inch screen.

This big bertha notebook, made by Chinese manufacturer Clevo, packs some impressive specs, including an 16x Dual NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX SLI graphics card driving that big screen, along with a dual-core AMD Turion 64 X2 processor on board. You can pile on the spec-heavy options, including a TV tuner and a 160GB hard drive. The downside? Brace yourself.

Well, the thing is a boat anchor, weighing an anvillesque 15.2 pounds, and that huge screen skimps on the resolution—at just 1680x1050, it could be great for gamers, but graphics artists will certainly want a 1920x1200 rez on a screen that big. Plus, just try using that honkin' huge screen in a cramped airplane seat. There's no way unless you're sitting in at least Business Class.

And then there's the milquetoast appearance of this giant notebook, in which the word "plain" is an understatement. In a world where laptops are becoming more beautiful every day, and some are even considered fashion accessories, this is an awfully utilitarian-looking appliance, and that gigantic Malibal logo (and no, we won't yell it at you again in all caps) plastered across most of the bottom of the screen just shouts at you. It's certainly not subtle.

Even so, it might be a suitable desktop replacement, with an attractive starting price of $2799. – Charlie White

Product Page [Malibal]

Create Your Own Solid State Notebook Drive

Jason Chen — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:40:05 EST

If you're dying to take advantage of solid state drive's fast boot times but can't afford actual solid state drives here's a ghetto fabulous one from GeekStuff4U. This DIY drive gives you four slots to put 2GB SD cards into, which in turn combines into one large 8GB drive which your laptop can use as the OS drive.

Since this is using SD cards—and four of them at that—there's no guarantee the performance will be anything above "meh". – Jason Chen

Product Page [GeekSTuff4u via Akihabara News via Crunchgear]

Dell Recalls Laptop Batteries, Doesn't Yell 'Fire' in Crowded Theater

Charlie White — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:29:08 EST

Dell warns of a having "potential issue" with some of its Latitude, Inspiron, Precision and XPS notebook batteries, blandly mentioning that there could be a slight problem without actually using the loathsome word "explosion."

"Under rare conditions, it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could pose a risk of fire."

A list of the laptops affected, and where to go to get your batteries exchanged:

• Latitude: D410, D500, D505, D510, D520, D600, D610, D620, D800, D810
• Inspiron: 500M, 510M, 600M, 700M, 710M, 6000, 6400, 8500, 8600, 9100, 9200, 9300, 9400, E1505, E1705
• Precision: M20, M60, M70, M90
• XPS: XPS, XPS Gen2, XPS M170, XPS M1710

The following Dell URL gives you full instructions for finding the serial number of your battery, and sending it into Dell. Don't worry, the company makes it all very easy, and you get a brand-new battery out of the deal. – Charlie White

Battery Recall [Dell]

Acer Aspire 9800 20-inch Laptop Reviewed

gizcontrib — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:53:10 EDT

There is a line where a laptop is no longer a laptop: when you wouldn't want to put it on your lap because it'll restrict the blood flow to your legs. This Acer Aspire 9800 crosses this line: This behemoth has a 20-inch screen and weighs in at a thigh-crushing 17.3 pounds. Although it has a HD-DVD drive, for $2799 you could get a kick-ass gaming desktop and a wireless keyboard, which might also help to preserve future generations; all that heat ain't good for your nether regions. – Richard Baguley

Acer Aspire 9800 [CNet]

General Dynamics Itronix XR-1: Notebook for Guerillas and Gorillas

Charlie White — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 13:18:43 EDT

If you're really rough on your laptop, you might consider a General Dynamics Itronix XR-1 Rugged Notebook, the smallest and lightest the company has made yet. If you're not familiar with General Dynamics, its a supplier of lots of weapons and high-tech devices to the military, many of which can't even be whispered about. So the word "rugged" to General Dynamics must mean "drop from an airplane and keeps on ticking."

So what is "ruggedized," anyway? The 6.8-pound XR-1 meets military standards for drop/shock and vibration, and is also watertight and dustproof. Its keyboard can withstand liquids and abrasive dust and dirt particles, too. It can even be submerged, scrubbed and bleached after it's been exposed to toxic substances. That's tough.

It's not messing around in the power department, either, with an Intel Core Duo 1.83GHz processor and 80MB 5400RPM SATA drive along with optional fully-integrated GPS. You'll have to pay dearly for all this protection and power, though—prices start at $4330. Available in September. – Charlie White

Product Page [General Dynamics]

Zeroshock Widescreen Notebook Sleeve - 100 Percent Potential

Mark Wilson — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 11:17:17 EDT

The Zeroshock is a notebook sleeve made of high resistance polyurethane foam to protect from the occasional notebook dive. The manufacturer claims this type of polyurethane to be more pressure resistant than your normal, garden variety polyurethane, which allows it to absorb 100G of pressure more than a standard notebook sleeve. It also looks cool. Available in Sept. in 15-inch and 17-inch widescreen varieties. Comes in black and black. – Mark Wilson

Product Page

Road Gear: Targus Bluetooth Laser Notebook Mouse

Charlie White — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 11:10:51 EDT

Targus makes some pretty nice-looking laptop bags, and is also known for its creative mouse design, and now adds to its family of Bluetooth mice with this diminutive notebook laser model.

It can switch from 800dpi to 1600dpi on-the-fly, and can charge up via USB cable while you're using it. Measuring 4 inches long, it's not too big for the briefcase yet it's not too small for your hand, either. Available now for $70. – Charlie White

Rechargeable Bluetooth Laser Laptop Mouse [Bios Magazine]