ultraportables

Hardware

AMD's Neo Processor Ignores the Atom, Gives Netbooks the Tiny Cold Shoulder

Posted by John Herrman at 9:25 PM on January 6, 2009

AMD's anticipated answer to the Atom is coming soon, but there's a catch: It's not an answer to the Atom. It's more expensive, faster, sucks more power, and isn't intended for netbooks. Oops!


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Computers

MSI Wind Scores 30% Performance Boost in Free Update

Posted by Mark Wilson at 4:01 AM on October 25, 2008

Overclocking is nothing new, but rarely is it promoted by a PC manufacturer, let alone in a netbook. But MSI has released the v1.09 BIOS update for their Wind mini-notebook that allows users to function key toggle an 8%, 15% or 24% automatic overclock that can translate to a 30% performance boost (as independently tested). You'll notice the extra power in apps like Photoshop especially, but keep in mind that it probably won't do wonders for the battery life. All in all, however, it sounds like an absolute must-have update. [Electric Vagabond]

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Computers

Pomera Digital Memo DM10 Goes Way Back to the Future

Posted by Mark Wilson at 10:48 PM on October 21, 2008

The Pomera DM10 will not go on the internet or send you emails. It can't grab RSS from a Wi-Fi connection or even display in colour. But the Pomera Digital Memo does take notes, and it takes them hard. Booting in just two seconds off two AA batteries, the Digital Memo features a fold-out keyboard and monochrome TFT LCD, storing up to 8000 characters per file on a MicroSD card. The Digital Memo will be pulled from its nuclear fallout shelter following 10 years of quarantined development this November when it hits the Japan market for $US270. [Impress via OhGizmo!]


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Computers

Fujitsu P8020 Ultraportable Comes With Multitouch Trackpad, Higher Price

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 1:30 PM on October 21, 2008

Now that netbooks have lowered how much we're willing to pay for laptops with a smaller footprint, it looks like ultra-portables are looking for ways to justify their higher price point. In that vein, Fujitsu's upcoming P8020 is packing a multitouch trackpad that'll allow those pinching zoom in, zoom out motions and circular unlimited scrolling gestures currently seen on Macbook Pros. Is that, and the 1.4Ghz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of memory, 120GB hard disk, DVD burner and GMA 4500MHD video card enough to make it worth $US1,800? I guess we'll see come November. [Fujitsu Store via

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Computers

A First Look at the MSI 'Wind 2' U120

Posted by Mark Wilson at 1:15 AM on October 10, 2008

MSI hasn't been shy about their Wind U120, a 10" netbook that should pack a 120GB hard drive, SSD options, 802.11n Wi-Fi and 3G (HSDPA) fun. But from these first official shots of the unofficial sequel to the praised MSI Wind, we see that not much has changed about the exterior beyond adding a new two-tone style with a black border around the screen (probably to help colours pop). Then again, popping in a SIM card to surf the web from anywhere is a pretty solid update in itself. Look for the Wind U120 priced under $US600 this December. [Fudzilla]


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Computers

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

Posted by Kit Eaton at 7:43 PM on September 19, 2008

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 $US590. Oh, and that "stylish" thing? It's probably 'cause it looks really shiny. [PocketLint and Akihabaranews]


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Computers

MSI Talks About Future of Wind, HSDPA on Way

Posted by Mark Wilson at 3:40 AM on September 19, 2008

In an interview with Impress, MSI's Neo Lin (Notebook Product Manager) leaked some details of upcoming Wind mini-notebook revisions. The big news is that HSDPA will be coming to the new U91 (8.9") and U120 (10") systems. But the (translated) interview has some other interesting info other than just the specs on new models. Lin reveals a great geek factoid explaining where the name "Wind" came from (Wi-Fi Network Device). And that just made our day. Seriously. He also warns that dual core Atoms require twice as much power, a design obstacle that all netbook manufacturers will need to overcome. [Impress via Engadget]


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Computers

Toshiba Releases Their Obligatory Netbook

Posted by Mark Wilson at 11:45 PM on September 18, 2008

Say it with me everyone: 8.9" screen, 1.6GHz Atom processor, up to 1GB of RAM, 120GB HD and...you get the picture. Toshiba's offering is definitely style-aggressive, packs Ubuntu and promises a (6 cell?) battery life of 4 hours, but it's pretty much the exact $US500ish system we've seen cloned and crapped out by every laptop manufacturer in the known universe. Is there some club we don't know about where hardware developers get together for rights of passage involving ritual branding, hallucinogenic concoctions and the release of one's first netbook? We sure hope so, because otherwise this beat is getting really tired. [Register Hardware]


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Computers

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

Posted by Kit Eaton at 6:57 PM on September 18, 2008

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 $US599, and the N10J's gone down to $US699, which should be welcome news for Asus fans. [Laptopmag]


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Deals

Asus Eee PC 1000HD For $498 On Catch Of The Day

Australian Post Posted by Nick Broughall at 12:26 PM on September 17, 2008

cotd eee pc.jpgWe've told you about Eee PC deals before, but they were generally the smaller screen models. Catch of the Day today have the 1000HD Eee PC, which has an RRP of $699, for just $498 plus shipping.

Inside you get an 80GB hard drive, Windows XP, and a six-cell battery. It doesn't have one of the newer Atom processors, instead running off an Intel Dothan 353 chip at 900MHz.

There's also 1GB RAM, webcam and wi-fi built-in. If you're after a mini-note, this is a great deal.

[Catch of the Day - Thanks Adam]