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Now, just days after the advent of Intel’s new Atom N450 processor, the first netbooks with this fine new chip are being released. The new netbook is the Gigabyte T1000 tablet, and along with the new processor it features a 10.1-inch LCD display. The display offers the ability to interchange between a netbook setup and tablet setup. Some of the other specs of the device include:

• 1GB DDR2 RAM
• 250GB 2.5-inch SATA HDD
• Integrated microphone
• Two 1.5W speakers
• 1.3 Megapixel web cam
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• eSATA/USB combo
• Support for wireless, ethernet and Bluetooth connections

Two versions of the netbook are being released, differing in battery life and weight. The T1000x has a lighter weight, but weaker battery as compared to the T1000p. The prices for the tablets are not yet available.

This kind of netbook is one of many that shows the remarkable utility of the netbook-tablet fusion. With products like this, who needs a silly iPad?

Via Coated.

ASUS’ Eee netbooks may have been the first netbooks on the market, but they have maintained their position since this whole netbook thing started. Now their newest models have been revealed, and has a lot changed from the cute little plastic boxes that shocked us with their $200 price-tags back in 2008.

They new models include the 1015P, 1016P, and 1018P. Their old bodies have been chucked in favor of a new, more masculine, brushed metal chassis.  They come with styling tiled keyboards and nice wide touchpads, which are always very classy.

The leak source for this info, Blogee, doesn’t have much in terms of real specs. However, it does mention 10” screens, webcams, fingerprint scanners, and the highly awaited for USB 3.0 ports. There are currently no pics of the 1016P.

The most stunning piece of this however is the battery life of these little things. The 1018P is a mere 18 mm thick and will have 10-hour battery life; the 1016P, however, blows its sibling’s figures out of the water with an incredible 14-hour battery life.  The accuracy of battery lives aren’t known to be reliable pre-release, but to boast numbers like that means they have to be far above average.

Via Gizmodo, image via Blogee.

Netbook buyers and enthusiasts should be happy to know that this coming Monday Intel will be releasing the Atom N470 Processor, which will be Intel’s most powerful chip yet for netbooks. The processor will enhance both the performance speed of the machine and longevity of the battery.

The chip will run at a speed of 1.83GHz and integrate a graphics processor and memory controller. These features will give netbooks superior graphics and processing performance compared to their predecessors. The fact that the new chips are also more efficient could result in an increase for some netbooks’ battery life performance. The chip’s integration also results in a decrease of size, which could allow smaller and lighter netbooks to be made.

Though this new chip is a great step, there are still strides to be made in the effort to increase efficiency and utility. For example, Nvidia graphics processors and Atom CPU will be coupled together to bring better high-definition video to some netbooks in early March, and it’s this kind of innovation that will drive the industry forward.

Via PCWorld.

Wow. The Associated Press is reporting that kids in Pennsylvania, having been issued laptops from their school, have allegedly been recorded doing “inappropriate things” in their own bedrooms – recordings taken at the directive of school administrators. Tech security personnel attempting to track down stolen machines activated the laptops’ webcams in order to find out where they had been taken.

This sounds like a poorly thought-out idea from school authorities with, hopefully, good intentions. Incompetence is the name of the game here, and considering the vast number of netbooks distributed to kids in the US and abroad, the problem could be broader than we think.

Check out the footage below for more on this story.

Via AssociatedPress.

Have you ever seen this picture?

That’s our society at work people, except this picture was obviously based in the ’80’s – note the clunky desktop. The ’90’s and 00’s were the time of the laptop, and now we welcome in the 10’s; the age of the netbook.

And we can thank homo sapiens’ preference for ease for this lovely evolution of technology. When we shop for tech now, comfort is one of the foremost things that we look for in a product, and one of the last things we’re willing to compromise on. You just need to look at the stats for netbook sales in order to corroborate this, or just look around in any coffee shop in any major city around midday. With the iPad and other competing tablets on the way, this is set to be a good decade for computing.

Via Korea IT Times

Since my dad taught me how to dual-boot Mandrake Linux 7 with Windows ME in my early pre-teen years, I have not owned a single computer that hasn’t had a Linux distribution on it.  And for many years, KDE was my desktop manager of choice.   Sometime around KDE 3.4, I deemed KDE too clunky and left it to experiment with other desktop managers.

Still, I never forgot about my roots in the Linux world, and indeed KDE 4 brought KDE significantly forward towards modern desktops.  Now, KDE seems to be turning towards everyone’s favorite rising PC market: netbooks. KDE 4.4 is a massive version release touting 7293 bug fixes and 1433 new feature implementations. The  result is a promised new, cleaner experience, with the majority of the changes relating to the actual Plasma desktop.

Specifically for netbooks, KDE has made this particular announcement:

Plasma Netbook debuts in 4.4.0. Plasma Netbook is an alternative interface to the Plasma Desktop, specifically designed for ergonomic use on netbooks and smaller notebooks. The Plasma framework has been built from the beginning with non-desktop target devices in mind as well. Plasma Netbook shares many components with the Plasma Desktop, but is specifically designed to make good use of the small space, and to be more suitable also for touchscreen input. The Plasma Netbook shell features a full-screen application launcher and search interface, and a Newspaper which offers many widgets to display content from the web and small utilities already known from Plasma Netbook’s sibling.

This means KDE is stepping up to the plate for a true netbook experience.  I tried KDE 4.4 on my laptop, but haven’t used it enough to consider switching away from GNOME.  Still, it is good to see that the Linux community is viewing netbooks as a legitimate shot to enter the mainstream market. And KDE is arguably the most Windows-esque desktop manager providing an easier transition for first time users. If you want to give it a spin, go download any KDE based Linux distribution (i.e. Kubuntu, openSUSE).

Via KDE.

Netbooks are a curious thing: too large and powerful to be a smartphone, and too small and weak to be a computer, thus limited by lack of portability against the former and just plain limited compared to the latter. And yet they’re selling like hot cakes. Why?

Maybe it’s because they fill that happy medium between the power of a laptop and the portability of a phone. They allow one to carry around something not much heavier than a purse, that one can easily use to browse the web or write a paper, and quite frankly, those consist of at least 80% of what I do with a computer anyway.

Having a device that well let allow me do those two things (and do them well) while decreasing my dependence on power outlets neatly fills up that netbook-shaped hole in my life. But hey, you don’t have to take my opinion for it. Go try one for yourself.

The S10-3t will function as a standard netbook, but users will also be able to pivot and fold the screen down, allowing them to use the device as a tablet as well. As demand for multi-touch support seems to be increasing these days, especially for tablet devices, the S10-3t also uses capacitive technology to offer multi-touch support. Lenovo is not the first company to release a convertible netbook, but it may be the first to release one that supports multi-touch technology.

The device itself comes with a full keyboard, 10.1″ screen with 1024 x 600 resolution, 3.5 hour battery life (optional six-cell battery provides approximately seven hours), 1GB of DDR2 memory and a 170GB, 5400rpm hard disk drive. Lenovo has not confirmed whether or not USB ports or a webcam will be present on the device, but rumors say they probably will.

Lenovo has cited the use of Windows 7 Starter Edition, which presumably does not offer touchscreen support. To compensate for this pitfall, the company has created its own multi-touch interface on the netbook, as well as included DirectShare, an app that allows users to sync their netbooks to PCs. An upgrade for the S10-3t is also underway, which you can read about here.

Features of the S10-3t, including ones mentioned above, are:

•    Processor — 1.66GHz Intel Atom N470
•    Chipset — NM10 I/O controller
•    Memory — 1GB of DDR2 RAM, expandable to 2GB
•    Display — 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen with 1024 x 600 resolution
•    Camera — n/s
•    Storage — 160GB, 5400rpm hard disk drive
•    Expansion:
•    2 x Mini PCI Express (1 likely filled by WLAN card)
•    SD/SDHC/MMC/MS/MSPro
•    Networking:
•    LAN — 10/100 Ethernet
•    WLAN — 802.11b/g/n
•    Other I/O — USB (presumed)
•    Battery — Three-cell or six-cell, with 3.5 or 7 hours of operation, respectively
•    Dimensions:
•    10.55 x 6.61 x 1.22 inches (268 x 168 x 31mm) with three-cell battery
•    10.55 x 6.61 x 1.45 inches (268 x 168 x 37mm) with six-cell battery
•    Weight:
•    2.42 pounds (1.1kg) with three-cell battery
•    2.64 pounds (1.25kg) with six-cell battery

(From Windowsfordevices.com)

The starting price for Lenovo’s new device is the same as the iPad: $500.

Via WindowsforDevices

A French computer maker has added another combatant in what has become a war between Apple’s iPad and the netbooks.  Similar to the HP Slate, the ExoPC is a new tablet form factor netbook, featuring 8.9″ of  multitouch goodness.  It looks similar to the iPad, though most tablets in this field are probably going to have the same characteristic bevel layout.

This is a full-fledged netbook, minus the keyboard. Specs are standard: Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz, 2 GB DDR2 RAM, 32 GB SSD w/ expandable SD slot.  Naturally, the ExoPC will be running Windows 7,  allowing for a much more functional if not visually pleasing  environment than the modified iPhone OS.  This also allows ExoPC to promise “the web without compromise,” a reference undoubtedly pointed towards the iPad’s lack of flash support.

There is one place where the ExoPC shows some weakness, and that’s in the battery life department.  At only 4 hours, it lacks the godly battery life that we have come to expect from netbooks, but it is at least user replaceable.  Still at $599 and release date in March it is placing itself as a direct competitor to its iPad counterpart.

Via Engadget.

MSI is planning to ship the MSI U135 netbook with Moblin, a version of Linux, according to a recent press release.

Moblin, like Android, was originally intended for mobile phones but netbooks have benefitted from its expansion into a netbook and tablet OS. Version 2.1 is the one we’ll be seeing in the MSI U135, the version that Intel and Novell optimized for netbooks.

Intel Business Director of Open Source Software Ram Peddibhotla says that “The Moblin project has the potential to become an accessible and widely used computing platform,” and we can’t help but agree, considering the wide variety of excellent features found in the OS.

The MSI U130 has a 10.1-inch screen and the Intel Atom N450 Pine Trail CPU, 1 GB of DDR2 RAM and a 250 gig HDD.

Shipping in February 2010, the MSI U135 running Moblin should cost less than its Windows counterpart.

Via Nexus404.

FIC has a new netbook ready for the masses. Designed for “socializing and education,” the new SVE00 runs a 1.66 GHz Atom CPU and a 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 pixel LED screen.

Weighing in at 1.2 kg, the SVE00 supports up to 2 GB of RAM and storage options from a 32 GB SSD to a 320 GB hard drive. Other features include a 1.3 megapixel webcam, two USB ports, VGA-out, a card reader, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and the option of Bluetooth. The SVE00 also supports WiMax, HSDPA, and SIM card technology as well as an “ultra size” multitouch trackpad and spill-proof keyboard.

Pricing and availability aren’t known just yet for this new netbook, but what we do know is that consumers will get the option of running XP, Windows 7, or Linux on the SVE00.

Via TechSpot.

The Sheng T108 is a flashy new Chinese netbook with a brushed aluminum shell that’s been catching a lot of glances lately. It comes with slightly better than average features – 3G, 2 GB of RAM, and a 250 GB HDD on top of the traditional 10-inch display, Intel Atom N280, and Wi-Fi.

It looks like this Shanzai product is a copycat of the HP Mini 2133, a netbook with a similarly sexy exterior. Still, the Sheng T108 looks like it can hold its own, selling for a competitive $300 in China. I wouldn’t expect to see this thing outside of the mainland any time soon though, so don’t get your hopes up.

Via Nexus404, image via Shanzai.

Netbooks have grown more and more popular in recent years as technological advances have made them a more affordable solution for consumers who don’t want or can’t afford laptops. Netbooks may become even more popular with the introduction of Intel’s new Atom processor chip, which will provide better performance than its previous chips.

But is the increase in the popularity of netbooks a good thing? Some people have said no: it will ultimately lessen the demand for more expensive laptops, which will lessen companies’ profits and discourage innovation. Does this argument hold water?

It may, but more research is needed to determine the truth. If netbooks become more popular because of their cheaper price tag, companies could sell more netbooks than they would laptops, therefore having sales volume make up for the lower price of netbooks. Furthermore, while plummeting prices can powerfully alter a market, structural change is a crucial part of our economy. Nobody is arguing now that the cell phone industry is worse off for the price drops cell phones have seen since the ’80s.

Since netbooks are cheaper, people could also be more willing to replace them than laptops. It is much more attractive to drop $300 for your netbook than $900 on a new laptop.

Via The Atlantic.

British Retail Company Marks & Spencer has announced the upcoming release of its first netbook, the MSNB-2009.  It is the largest retailer in the United Kingdom and only recently began venturing into selling technology.

The Marks & Spencer netbook’s features will include:

• 10-inch LCD Display
• 1 GB DDR2
• Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor
• Windows XP

This lackluster netbook is another addition to a continually saturated and expanding market. Like most brand name apparel from well-known retailers, you seem to pay for the name and what it represents, rather than for the actual attributes of the product. This seems to be the case with this netbook computer, offering the prestige of the Marks & Spencer name and not much else.

Image Via TFTS

Via TFTS

We’ve still got to wait until early January for the Lenovo Thinkpad X100e netbook, but luckily some more info has surfaced about the upcoming machine in the mean time.

The new Lenovo netbook will come with AMD’s Athlon Neo processor, lasts 5.1 hours on a single charge, and will sell for under $500.

This is relatively inexpensive, considering its other fantastic specs. The Thinkpad X100e netbook will rock an 11.6-inch HD display, GPS capability, a memory card reader, GbE port, and up to 320 GB of storage. It will come in red, black, or white. And don’t worry – Lenovo has kept its famous red Trackpoint alongside a traditional trackpad.

We’re betting on Windows 7 Starter Edition for the OS, as that seems to be the norm these days, but since Lenovo has specified that the netbook will have “business and home OS support” it seems reasonable to add the Business edition as well.

Via Ubergizmo.

Verizon is set to introduce the HP Mini 311 netbook to its lineup with subsidized pricing under the two-year contract. Running the Intel Atom N270, the 11.6-inch netbook comes with a 1366 x 768 pixel HD capable screen, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

 The Nvidia ION graphics chipset means you can play 1080p video, though you’ll want to display it on an external display because the resolution of the netbook only supports up to 720p.

The machine sells for $250 after a $100 mail-in rebate.

Via I4U.

Despite the existence of conflicting reports, Intel’s positive earnings report on Tuesday and a recent IDC report are projecting better things for the PC market in the near future.

The PC market in general beat or met sales expectations, with global PC sales posting a 2% gain. This was true across all regions except Japan – could they just be waiting for Windows 7?

IDC VP Bob O’Donnel says that despite the recession and other factors, the recent discoveries promise good things for the months ahead:

“[This]underscores the value that both consumer and corporate buyers place on PCs. With the forthcoming launch of Windows 7 and expected commercial refresh beginning in 2010, the prospects for future PC market growth are very solid.”

The IDC also came out with new rankings for PC firms, placing HP at the top of the US market with 25.5% of sales. This was after a 3% gain this quarter. Acer netbook sales sent figures soaring for the Taiwanese company, with 48.3% more sales this quarter. It’s the third biggest seller in the US now, followed by Apple (9.4%) and Toshiba (8.1%).

Dell, however, took a 13% plunge down to 25% of the market.

Via SeattleTimes.

Here’s what Michael Dell, CEO and founder of Dell, had to say about the new Windows 7 OS:

“If you get the latest processor technology and you get Windows 7 and Office 2010, you will love your PC again. And we actually have not been able to say that for a long time. It’s a dramatic improvement.”

And here’s what he had to say about netbooks:

“Take a user who’s used to a 15-inch notebook and then give him a 10-inch netbook. He’ll say ‘Oh, this is so cool, it’s so lightweight.’ Then 36 hours later he’ll say the screen’s not big enough, give me my 15-inch back.”

Let’s keep in mind that while netbooks are popular among consumers, they’re not necessarily so popular among manufacturers. The reason for this is that netbooks don’t bring in as significant profit margins as other computing technology like laptops. In terms of profit, netbooks aren’t Dell’s best bet.

Have any thoughts on netbooks, Windows 7, or anything in general? We’d love to hear from you.

Via ZDNet.

We all love netbooks; their simplicity, their ease of transport, their easy access to the internet, and definitely the price gap between netbooks and the average laptop. Ever since Asus and Acer started selling the netbook and discovered a whole new niche of consumers, laptop companies have been trying to find ways to chip away at that gap and woo some of their customers back.

There are generally two ways companies respond to new competition. As the old adage goes, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Luckily for consumers, corporations don’t like to waste time and so they decide to go down both paths at the same time. As you might have noticed, this leads to more companies offering their own netbook lines, as well as lower prices on their new laptops that boast the same or better capabilities, which are all great things for consumers.

Now, as some people want to do more things on their netbooks beyond day-to-day activities and PC makers are trying to fit lower prices, the distinction between a high-end netbook and a regular laptop is starting to shrink. Netbooks are already starting to loose a bit of their initial rush, accounting for six of the bestselling computers on Amazon, down from nine last year. This sounds bad, but even if netbooks disappear, the effects they’ve had on the complete change in marketing methods will cause laptop buyers to thank them for years.

Via TheStreet.com