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Archos is blurring the line between netbooks and portable media gadgets with its new Archos 9PCtablet. It’s a 9-inch Atom-powered tablet PC, and promises more in the way of entertainment than your average netbook.

The 9PCtablet has an optical trackball, and looks a lot like a Viliv S7. Of course, the Viliv devices have tiny screens in comparison.

The Archos 9 will be out this fall with Windows 7 as the OS. It uses a 1.2 GHz iteration of the Intel Atom, which may or may not give the kind of performance we’re used to from the 1.6 GHz Atom N270 or 1.66 GHz N280.

Archos supplied specs for the new 9PCtablet:

• Processor: Intel Atom Z515 1.2 GHz
• Video Chipset: Integrated US15W
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7
• System Memory: 1GB (DDR2 400/533)
• Display: 8.9” touch screen - 1024 x 600 pixels
• HDD: 60GB or 120GB
• Communication: Ethernet 10/100
• WiFi: PCI-E interface, 2 Antennas, Support IEEE 802.11b/g
• Bluetooth 2.1
• Optional 3.5G HSUPA - Huawei EM750M 7.2Mbts module
• Audio: 2 stereo speakers
• Built-in Microphone
• Optical Finger Navigation System with Right and Left click buttons
• 1 USB 2.0 port
• Audio/headphone output
• Web cam: Built-in 1.3MP camera

Archos will be releasing black and white versions of the new tablet netbook. Other options include a 60 or 120GB hard drive and a 3.5G HSUPA antenna.

Via CNet.

Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation, says some interesting things are in store for netbooks in the future if mobile internet providers follow his advice and give away netbooks for free.

Why? Providers can profit through multi-year subscriptions and application stores. By passing out netbooks like candy and depending on the fact that users will want to spice up their computing with applications and bonus features, the business plan could work.

Zemlin made a confident prediction that some vendors with stakes in Microsoft won’t be too happy about:

“In less than a year, I predict that the new cost of a netbook will be zero.”

Naturally, Linux fits into the formula by acting as a software cost cutter. Netbooks could be a whole new ball game if Zemlin has his way, but it depends on consumers dealing with monthly subscriptions. Will it be worth it in the long run?

Via TheInquirer.

Get ready, netbook. ‘Cause the DVD Power Up Dock’s comin’ to town…as least in Japan. This netbook stand by Marshall, a Japanese company, has a DVD drive, HDD slot, and USB 2.0 port. It’s rumored to be released to retail stores in Japan sometime in mid-July and will cost roughly $95.

The dimensions of the DVD Power Up Dock are 227×180x16mm. It weighs roughly 453 grams. The dock is compatible with the Windows 2000, XP, and Vista operating systems.

Via Crunchgear.

Whoever thought that netbook prices couldn’t get any lower thought wrong. Asus seems quite eager to get rid of their inventories of 7″ and 8.9″ Eee PCs, and have slashed prices on these machines in order to do so.

In Taiwan and China, Asus’ 7″ Eee PCs are rumored to be selling for as low as $153 while the 8.9″ models are rumored to be selling for only $219.

Sources in Taiwan say that it costs roughly $190 to put together a single netbook (including costs of labor). Just the bill of materials for the 7″ netbooks would cost roughly $170-$180. So wait a minute here… If Acer’s selling these netbooks for only $153, they’d actually be selling them at a loss of roughly $20 per netbook!

With losses like these, Asus is going to have to come up with something big if it wants to keep up with its competition. Maybe the company is making room for a new innovation they’re planning on releasing in the (near) future. When we find out anything, we’ll let you know, so make sure to stay tuned.

Via TheInquirer.

Want something to protect your netbook that’s sleeker than a hard shell? The 12″ ZeroShock III softcover case is an interesting take on netbook sleeves, and may be the right one for you.

ZeroShock promises “Wavin’ Ravin’ Protective Gear”, and it’s hard to argue with that claim. The outside of this case is made from water-repelling polyurethane, enough to defend against a rainy day or accidentally spilled drink. Even if you spill something like juice or soda, the ZeroShock III’s smooth exterior won’t suffer from a wipedown with a wet rag.

The exterior also has a long pocket for cables, memory cards, or whatever other accessories you’d like to tote around.

Inside the case, you’ll find low rebound polyurethane. The material has a wave design and will protect against most low-intensity shocks.

The netbook case is 29 x 24 x 4 cm - in other words, designed for 12-inch devices. However, anything between 11 and 12-inches will fit fine, and that includes such netbooks as the 11.6-inch Acer Aspire One, the Gateway LT3103u, the ASUS Seashell, and the upcoming Samsung N510.

It’s not a fortress of safety like the Cool Bananas Hard Case, but your netbook or laptop certainly won’t get scratched in the ZeroShock III. The device is sleek and usable, and is a clever solution for those with larger netbooks.

You can buy it at GearZap.com with a 12 month warranty for £16.95 (or around $27.93 USD).

Dell’s new business plan has taken some hints from the age-old mantra of real estate - location, location, location. The PC giant’s new location-based netbook program may garner it far more buyers for its Inspiron Mini line.

The plan involves selling Dell Mini 10 netbooks with features like GPS tracking and a Google Maps-style business finder. Other Dell netbooks could receive the new features as well.

Hopefully, Dell will be able to differentiate its netbooks from the machines of competitors like HP, Acer, and ASUS. Second only to HP in computer sales, the new changes by Dell could have wide-reaching effects.

Location-based services got a major boost in eminence since the release of the eternally useful iPhone. Combined with 3G internet, Dell’s Inspiron Mini 10 netbooks could become a new generation of take-anywhere devices.

Via CNN Money.

The latest rumor on the block is that netbook manufacturers will start to make netbooks with touchscreens and replace/eliminate trackpads.

Pros? This move would free up space for a larger-sized keyboard with a less cramped feel. Surely this will be a major relief for those with larger hands and longer fingers, if not for everyone.

Cons? Well, for those who hate using touchscreens in general and would rather control a cursor by using a trackpad, these netbooks would be less than ideal. Check out alternatives with relatively larger keyboards, such as Workhorse PC’s Certeza MC10 and some of Dell’s netbooks. Or you could just go with a slightly larger netbook.

Since using your fingers to type on a computer screen may be inconvenient for typing longer blocks of text at a time, eliminating the keyboard altogether might not be the brightest idea. This is why the initial step that netbook manufacturers are planning on taking is replacing/eliminating only the trackpad of the netbook.

Maybe in the future, there will be other improvements and innovations. VentureBeat quips that pretty soon, “the only major difference between a smartphone and a netbook may be the size of their screens and keyboards.”

Via VentureBeat.

Having already been released in other countries around the world, it’s about time that the U.S. gets its hands on the Samsung N310 too. Also known as the Samsung Go, the 10-inch N310 is expected to arrive after July 15th and have a price tag of $479.

Via Ubergizmo.

Netbooks are meant to be portable, but moving a computer around all the time can be risky. Minor dings accumulate over time, and before you know it your $300 machine is useless. So what’s to be done?

The Cool Bananas Hard Case is an accessory meant for those who value their netbooks’ safety. It’s not just a soft cover or sleeve, like other so-called netbook cases - its shock-resistant materials are designed to vastly reduce the dangers of bringing your netbook everywhere.

From a design standpoint, the netbook case looks professional. The hard case is covered in black fabric for easy grip, and the handles connect with a conveniently placed Velcro strip so you don’t have to fumble around when you need to grab your netbook and go.

The inside is soft, and will be kind to the finer parts of your netbook. The Cool Bananas Hard Case will likely fit 10.2-inch netbooks best, but is capable of handling netbooks as small as 8.9 inches. Regardless, the inner fixing belt will keep your machine safely steady during any biking commute or turbulent plane ride.

Other useful features include an inner pocket for carrying around other accessories and a shoulder strap.

According to the website, the Cool Bananas Hard Case can accomodate the following netbooks:

• MSI Wind U100
• ASUS Eee PC 900 901 4G
• ASUS Eee PC 1000
• Acer Aspire One A150X 8,9″
• Acer Aspire One D150
• Elitegroup ECS G10IL
• Medion AKOYA Mini E1210
• Samsung NC10
• Dell Inspiron Mini 9
• Fujitsu Amilo Mini
• Lenovo IdeaPad S10
• Toshiba NB100

However, any netbook in the 8.9″-10.2″ range should fit fine as well. I was personally pleased with the Cool Bananas Hard Case I reviewed, so if you’re interested, you can purchase it at GearZap.com for only £21.95 (or around $36.11 USD).

In order to spur consumers to buy netbooks now and not to wait until the Windows 7 operating system is released, some netbook companies are allowing free upgrades to Windows 7 for customers who currently purchase machines running Windows Vista. But of course, there’s always a catch.

First, here is a short description of the Windows 7 Upgrade Program:

So far, only two netbooks within the line of Asus’ Eee PCs are eligible for this upgrade - the 1101HA and the 1005HA. Neither of these netbooks are powered by the Intel Atom N270 processor.

But the limitations don’t stop here. Owners of the 1101HA must be running the Windows Home Premium version of the operating system, while owners of the 1005HA must be running either Windows XP Pro or Vista Business. The problem is that most netbooks are sold with the standard Windows XP Home version of the OS.

There are other Asus machines that may qualify for the Windows 7 Upgrade Program, but not very many. Could this possibly imply that the company isn’t too financially flexible (right now)? Maybe…but who can blame them, since most companies are in the same boat in this downturn economy.

Via Slashgear.

As computers play a growing role in the everyday lives of students in the classroom, many school districts are interested in purchasing relatively cheap and portable alternatives. Enter the “kiddie netbook.”

One such netbook that was recently released is the Dell Latitude 2100. This particular netbook has quickly grown in popularity since its release a little over a month ago.

Although it’s small in size (after all, it’s a netbook) it’s already having a relatively big impact. According to Yahoo News, “more than 500 U.S. school districts have purchased the Latitude 2100.”

Netbooks like the Latitude 2100 allow students to do their work on-the-go and provide many more opportunities for hands-on learning without wasting bootup/setup time or traveling time to and from a computer lab.

As a result of the growing popularity, Dell (and the other existing kiddie netbook manufacturers) are sure to have competitors in the near future.

As competitors come out with new netbooks, we’ll have the latest updates, so make sure to check back often to see which companies will be next to enter this segment of the netbook market.

Via ZDNet.

Image via Islabit.

Vivante Corporation announced that it will be partnering with the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences with plans to integrate their GPU and CPU designs into a “cost-efficient, low-power SoC and advance the state-of-the-art in netbook technology for the next generation.” China has been a valuable space for netbooks thus far, and this relationship could be a harbinger of better things to come.

The ICT’s specialty is research in computer science and technology. The group was responsible for “China’s first general-purchase digital computer” and generally focuses on boosting the performance of low-power computers. That sounds like it would be helpful in the netbook industry.

Dr. Weiwu Hu, the chief architect of the ICT’s CPU division, elaborated on the goal of the partnership:

“As we look toward making netbooks both more capable and more accessible, we find Vivante GPUs to be the perfect solution for small size and low power while providing robust, fully featured graphics and fast performance.”

Wei-jin Dai, Vivante’s President and CEO, added to Hu’s explanation:

“Our ability to deliver the highest performing GPU per square millimeter and per milliwatt across the spectrum of mobile computing, handheld, and home entertainment device requirements is once again validated by ICT selecting a Vivante GPU design. The Vivante ScalarMorphic(TM) GPU architecture flexes and scales to address a wide range of price/performance requirements and silicon budgets. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with ICT, as we apply leading edge Vivante technology to power next generation wired and wireless embedded applications in new and interesting ways.”

This is an exciting time for netbooks, and it is with great interest that we anticipate the products of this relationship. China Mobile’s partnership with major netbook manufacturers has already yielded much for netbook 3G, and hopefully Vivante and the ICT can do the same with netbook GPUs.

Via PRNewsWire.

The Always Innovating Touch Book is finally going into production. It’s turning a lot of heads with one fantastic new feature - the ability to detach the touch display from the keyboard for use as a tablet.

The display is an 8.9-inch pressure sensitive tablet with a magnetic back. The accompanying keyboard is 95% of full size, and together, the Touch Book acts like your average netbook.

Space is a definite downside, with a mere 8 GB from the SD card. The CPU is the OMAP3530, an ARM chip by Texas Instruments. The netbook has 256 MB of RAM and 256 MG of NAND memory.

Bonus features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 3D accelerometer and three USB ports for netbook accessories.

Pricing is the same as previously announced - $300 for the tablet alone or $400 for the whole deal. The Touch Book is a tad weaker than most netbooks, but if you’re looking for an all-around awesome gadget to impress your friends, it might just be the device for you.

Via Wired.

Samsung will be joining the small club of netbook manufacturers with 11.6-inch models out on the market in the near future.

The rumored model is called the Samsung N510, which we saw hints of a few weeks ago. It’s expected to have a 1366 x 768 resolution with HD capability. What’s that mean? The NVIDIA Ion could play a role as well, in order to power the thing.

Specifications include an Intel Atom N280, the NVIDIA 9400M Ion chipset, a Gig of RAM, a 160 GB HDD, and “Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Ethernet, webcam, card reader, six-cell battery, and Windows XP.”

It sounds good - all except the price tag. At around 570 Euros ($800 USD), it could cost around $600 when it comes to the US. Check back soon for more news on the Samsung N510 netbook.

Via CrunchGear and BlogEeeNet.

A lot of US, Canadian, and Japanese consumers have been pre-ordering the software for the Windows 7 operating system. And for 50% off, why not?

This deal is only available from now until July 11th, at least for customers within the United States, Canada, and Japan, so if you want in, you gotta act fast! There are less than two more weeks until this offer is officially over.

Participating retailers, including Best Buy and Amazon.com, are currently offering the Home Premium edition of the software for $49.99 and the Professional Edition for $99.99. American customers can even order the OS directly from Microsoft.com.

After July 11th, the price for the Windows 7 software is planned to increase. It’s to cost roughly 8% less than that of the current Microsoft Vista software.

Via TheNationalBusinessReview.

Image via Science&TechnologyNews.

Samsung is running a SATA-interface mini SSD by some customers in hopes of having an SSD line ready for market.

The new SATA SSD will expand the use of the card from simply being a storage medium to being a complementary drive to boost the performance of dual drive PCs and netbooks. Sounds a lot like the manufacturer has its hopes set on a MSI Wind U115 Hybrid-type machine in the new future.

Samsung’s SSD is going to be rugged, a main selling point of solid state drives over hard disk drives, which have moving parts.

Via EETAsia.

Netbooks are supposed to be budget machines, which is why the latest version of the Vaio P has a lot of people scratching their heads.

Believe it or not, the new Sony netbook packs the ungodly price tag of two thousand dollars. That’s one more zero than some cheap netbooks out there, and $1650 more than the average.

While the new Vaio P is a special edition, the original cost $1000. It’s hard to see what the distinction is between the versions, but if I’m going have a chance of dropping two grand on it it had better have features no other netbook can come close to. Like being able to pay for gas, or make me sandwiches.

Via TheEscapist.

Windows 7 is supposed to be released on optical media, which has led a lot of people to wondering what will happen with netbooks. Why? The majority don’t have optical drives. How are users supposed to install and/or upgrade their operating systems?

To solve this problem, Microsoft is considering offering the Windows 7 operating system on a flash drive. Since most netbooks come with USB ports, this would be a relatively easy solution to the problem at hand.

Another option that Microsoft is considering is selling a downloadable version of Windows 7. With this method, users can use their own flash drives to make a bootable copy of the operating system installer.

This is something that Microsoft already does today for existing Windows OSes, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they did it for the newest version.

Via TomsHardware.

Why do people buy netbooks instead of laptops in the first place? One main reason is increased portability. Because they’re relatively lightweight and compact, it’s easy to take netbooks with you wherever you go.

Netbooks are also relatively cheap. They fall behind laptops in performance, but are able to do the most basic (and common) tasks with ease. You can surf the web, check your e-mail, and edit documents, among other things.

There’s a new BMW branded netbook on the market, and you can probably guess which of those qualities it lacks.

This netbook has a BMW logo on the lid, with chrome bits on the sides of the netbook meant to mimic the look of hub cabs. Curiously enough, nobody seems to know if this Chinese netbook is actually approved by BMW.

This BMW netbook has a 10.2″ screen, is powered by the typical 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, and has 1 GB of RAM and a 160 GB hard drive. Its dimensions are 10.4″ x 7.2″ x 1.1″.

Via Liliputing.