Laptops

• ASUS confirm 5 Express Gate laptops

  May 29th, 2008 at 9:06:03 AM

   

  Mere weeks after ASUS confirmed it would be loading the quick-launch Express Gate Linux OS onto all of its upcoming motherboards, the software developers behind the distro, DeviceVM, have announced that several ASUS notebooks will also include it. The M70T, M50V and M51Vr multimedia series and the F8Va/Vr series will be the first five models in ASUS notebook range to feature Express Gate. With it, users can be online in seconds, watch videos, listen to music, chat over IM and VoIP apps and share photos. Express Gate includes a browser based on Firefox and the Skype VoIP app, as well as media playing apps. DeviceVM describe it as a “secure web-surfing environment”. However the draw for most mobile users will be the speed at which it loads: literally seconds, which beats even a Vista system returning from sleep mode.

   

  

   

   

• Toshiba A, M, P, and U 300 Series notebooks

  April 9th, 2008 at 3:46:06 PM

    

  Is it just me or does it seems like Toshiba is working hard to make it through the whole alphabet sometime soon? Regardless, Asus has 4 new lines of notebooks to add to the two new ones I told you about yesterday. Starting with the A300, you get an amazing looking exterior, a 15.4” HD screen, and some LED lit Feather-Touch multimedia keys. It has Toshiba’s new Sleep-and-Charge USB ports, a webcam with facial recognition, Harman Kardon speakers, and Dolby audio profiles. It also has Regza Link and HDMI output, you can configure the system with your choice of Intel or AMD processors, and it comes with ATI’s Mobility Radeon HD3650 card with 512MB of VRAM. Base price for this system is $949.99. The M300 is a 14.1-inch mobile computing solution with a similar exterior to that of the A300, has a starting weight of just over 5 pounds, and has the same Feather-Touch media keys as the A300. You also get the Dolby audio profiles, HK speakers, Sleep and Charge USB ports, a webcam and several other features. This notebook is however only available with Intel’s Core 2 Duo processors and integrated graphics. The P300 has almost the exact same feature set as the A300 but in a 17” form factor. You can still get it with your choice of Intel or AMD mobile processors; however on the graphics side you get your choice of ATI’s Mobility Radeon HD3470 with up to a gig of shared VRAM or their ATI Radeon X1250 with close to a gig of shared graphics memory when needed. Lastly, the U300 is the smallest of all the new notebooks, but still maintains a lot of the same features as the A300, but adds in a flush mounted touchpad, 13.3” screen and you only get Intel processors with this one. It also comes with the usual array of security features including a fingerprint scanner, and webcam with face detection.

   

   

   

   

• LG P300 Notebook

  March 29th, 2008 at 4:00:24 PM

   

  This LG XNote P300 notebook is aimed to compete with the MacBook Air and X300 in size and weight, but knocks both of those out of the park when it comes to performance. It weighs in at 1.6 kilograms, that’s less than both the MacBook Air and the X300, and it has a 13.3-inch screen. Where it beats the other two out of the top spot is in terms of performance where it offers up a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor and NVIDIA’s GeForce 8600M GS graphics. All of that alongside 2GB of RAM and a proper 250GB SATA hard drive packed into a case that also doesn’t skimp on ports. It also has the LED backlit LCD display, Bluetooth 2.0, stereo speakers, and an integrated 1.3MP webcam. Sure, the battery life will probably never be able to compete with the MBA or the X300, but for such a thin and light notebook to offer up near desktop-replacement performance capabilities, it’s simply amazing. No word on price or availability right now, but I’m sure it can’t be cheap.

   

  

   

   

• Amtek iTablet T221 UMPC isn't a UMPC at all

  December 18th, 2007 at 1:17:21 PM

  Someone called this thing a UMPC, but with a Core Duo processor The Core Duo processor is operating at 1.2GHz and you can have up to 2GB of RAM paired with that. There is a 60GB HDD and 802.11 in all three official flavors (a/b/g for those that like to argue). and a 12.1-inch screen, it’s far from it. The screen has an XGA resolution, an active digitizer, and a resistive touchscreen. 

   

  

   

   

• Dell XPS M1530 Laptop

  October 8th, 2007 at 10:30:10 AM

   

  Dell has done pretty well with its XPS M1330, aside from some delay and being unable to fulfill orders in timely fashion. Now, Dell is rumored (more of a leak) to be preparing for the new XPS laptop The XPS M1530 laptop is basically the 15-inch version of the XPS M1330. According to the leaked specs, it will features 15.4-inch display up to 1680 x 1050 resolution (LED based will be up to 1440 x 900), Core 2 Duo processor ranging from 1.5Ghz up to 2.6Ghz. It will use the Crestline GM/PM 965 chipset that support up to 4GB of 667Mhz DDR2 RAM. As for GPU, the new XPS M1530 will use GeForce 8400M or 8600M GS. Another notable feature including Slot-loading Blu-Ray, HDMI port, and 2megapixel cameras for CCFL based screen (300k for LED). It is rumored to be release on November 7th this year.

   

  

   

   

• HP 2710p and Lenovo ThinkPad X61 face to face

  October 3rd, 2007 at 10:28:00 PM

   

  Comparing Tablet PCs can be a tricky task, since they’re still relatively rare out in the real world. And when someone finally does find one and buy it, they could feasibly never come into contact with another and never get the opportunity to see how it stands up against rivals. So, it’s entirely possible that HP’s 2710p and Lenovo’s ThinkPad X61 might never have met on the battle-field, except for the fact that the Houston Chronicle’s Dwight Silverman decided to pull the two Tablet PCs in for a head-to-head. Bandying around phrases like “HP more than redeems itself with the 2710p, which is the best Windows Vista notebook I’ve tried this year” and “While the X61 is a bit pricey compared to standard consumer notebooks, for an ultraportable of this quality, it’s a bargain”, Silverman seems bowled over by both; even the relatively high prices of each machine ($1,843 for the Lenovo, $2,626 for the HP) don’t dissuade him too much. The old jokes about pen-computing look like their on their last legs; now we have to hope that more retailers are willing to take a leap of faith and put Tablet PC options in front of consumers. If they’re anything like Dwight, they’ll be impressed.

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

• Phillips Longneck Machine

  April 28th, 2007 at 6:11:45 PM

   

  Don’t you just hate notebooks that look and act just like all of the rest? Apparently the guys over at Phillips are tired of just that. They have developed a laptop that stands out, or at least the monitor stands out; it is the aptly-named Longneck. The 12-inch display is movable and extendable so you can adjust it to the most ergonomic position. It is powered by an Intel Core Duo, 1GB of RAM and a 100 GB hard drive.

   

  

   

   

• The Everex StepNote VA4101M with Vista under $500.00

  February 3rd, 2007 at 7:09:44 PM

   

  Everex StepNote VA4101M is one of the Notebooks flying our way with Windows Vista pre-installed and ready to "amaze" has included a rather wide range of models and choices, but we've yet to come across a pre-fab unit sporting Microsoft's latest OS and demanded less than $500 -- until now. The Everex StepNote VA4101M is the proud owner of a $498 pricetag, a 15.4-inch WXGA display, and Vista Home under the hood, but what this unit lacks in price, it makes up for in weak componentry. Users will likely be let down by the paltry 1.46GHz Intel Celeron M 410 processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, 60GB hard drive, and lack of Bluetooth, but hey, you get what you pay for. Notably, Everex did manage to include a dual-layer DVD burner, 802.11b/g, Ethernet, 56k modem, VGA out, and a trio of USB 2.0 ports.

   

  

   

   

• Sony VAIO G11-Series - Notebooks for Business Travellers

  January 31st, 2007 at 7:10:06 PM

   

  Today Sony announced the VAIO G11-Series notebooks created specifically for business travellers who don't want to have to lug around a heavy piece of equipment and all kinds of accessories. At just 1.12kg, including battery, the G11-Series notebook is very portable. The power supply unit was also shrunk down in size, weighing 170g and shorter end to end than a pen. Advanced carbon fiber laminate was used for the G11-Series casing and lid, which shaves off some weight, and giving the notebook unprecedented strength and durability. Most notebooks do not feature as much carbon fiber as the VAIO G11, which makes this one of the lightest notebooks that can withstand some beatings. Further proving its durability, the VAIO can be dropped from a height of no more than 90cm without harm. If it drops while the device is powered on, the hard disk will sense the acceleration and automatically lock down drive heads to prevent damage and data loss. The notebook also includes the latest Intel Ultra-Low Voltage processor, which expands battery life to an impressive 9 hours. This means you get high performance, minimal power consumption, and less worries. The display screen on the G11-Series notebook is small at just 12.1-inches with XGA resolution but this is designed with business in mind. It features the 4:3 aspect ratio rather than the widescreen 16:9 that is now featured in most consumer-oriented notebooks. A special limited edition model, the VGN-G11N/T is available exclusively through Sony Style online for a limited time only. It features a premium brown carbon fiber finish, and has 2GB of system memory, rather than the standard 1GB.

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

• Making the Apple Laptop Thinner

  January 26th, 2007 at 2:01:55 PM

   

  Apple has some of the thinnest laptops around, with the Macbook measuring and 1.08” and the Macbook Pro and an even inch, but Apple R&D seems to think they can do better. Until now, the biggest obstacle has been the optical drive. According to two recent patent applications from Apple, they are developing a method for installing the disk drive on the underside of the notebooks.

   

  

   

   

• Fujitsu Lifebook P7230 Released

  January 24th, 2007 at 1:26:07 PM

   

  The Fujtsu Lifebook P7230 is being released in Taiwan.  P7230 sports a 1280 x 768 10.6-inch LCD, 1.2GHz ULV Core Solo U1400 processor, the Intel 945GMS Express Chipset and PRO 3945ABG WiFi, DVD super-multi burner, 1GB of RAM, an 80GB HDD, Bluetooth 2.0 and VGA webcam.  This laptop looks like it will not be disappointing.

   

  

   

   

   

  
  

• BenQ adds Windows Vista to it's Laptops

  January 21st, 2007 at 4:13:51 PM

   

  BenQ not wanting to be eft behind in this fast paced wor5ld of OS switches.  They have decided to place the new Windows Vista on all of their BenQ Joybook laptop lineup.  Just in time for the superbowl of OS releases: Vista.

  As with most of the other Vista upgrades we've seen, specs on the R55V, S73V, and S31V remain almost identical to those on the models' non-"V"-labeled counterparts (the R55, S73 (pictured), and S31, respectively). To wit, you're still getting a Core 2 Duo processor and NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 graphics on the 15.4-inch R55V, while the 14.1-inch S73V maintains its predecessor's dual core chip and ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 video card. As you might expect, nothing much has changed with the 13.3-inch Joybook S31V either; it's still a Centrino Duo-based system featuring a 1.3 megapixel webcam and SRS TruSurround XT audio. Expect these models to hit foreign shelves sometime within the next few weeks (along with Vista itself, of course) for perhaps a slight premium over the older, dustier XP-powered notebooks.

   

   

• Take a look at the Nokia 770 Tablet

  January 17th, 2007 at 1:21:56 PM

   

  With all the talk about the new from CES 2007 Nokia N800 Linux Device Tablet the people over at geardiary decided to write about the Nokia 770.

   

   

   

  "The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet is the one that started it all for Nokia in a space that has all but dried up for Pocket PC and Palm based devices. First introduced at Linux World Summit in may of 2005, the Nokia 770 is touted not as a PDA, but as a Internet Appliance. So that means that it does not have your standard PDA device applications such as calendaring, to do lists and more. However, since the 770 runs Linux, you can install anything your heart desires on it."

   

  
  

• Fujitsu T4125 Convertible Impressions

  January 11th, 2007 at 1:52:33 PM

   

   

  Jerry Raia over at GearDiary has just purchased his new Fujitsu T4125 Convertible and expalins his reasoning behind his purchase.  He talks of his likes and dislikes.
  
  

  Jerry wites:
  
  

  "First of all, the T4215 is just a darn nice laptop, forgetting the tablet aspect for a moment. I have basically the configuration shown here as the FPCM10953 (left most), except that I have the T5600 @1.83 GHz Intel and I upgraded the RAM to 2GB. I also don’t have the Indoor/Outdoor display.  The only bundled software is Office OneNote 2003 and some Norton junk, that got uninstalled before I even had the unit out of the box and turned on. Other than Norton there was little else I felt compelled to remove. It is refreshing to not have to uninstall a bunch of junky third rate software as is usually the case. The 1510 and the 4215 are my first Fujitsu laptops, and I am very pleased with the overall quality and attention to detail. The 1510 went on the eBay auction block when I knew I wanted something a larger and that most importantly, had an active digital screen."

   

   

   

  
  

• Panasonic shows off New Prototype Laptop Battery at CES 2007

  January 11th, 2007 at 11:06:03 AM

   

  Panasonic announced at the CES 2007 Las Vegas show that they are developing a new better density more energy rechargeable laptop battery.
  
  
  The prototype, which is being shown here at CES, reportedly boasts a "20- to 40-percent" increase in capacity by using "an alloy material for the negative electrode instead of a commonly used carbon material" such as graphite carbon. Additionally, energy density per volume is increased to 740 Wh/L, which is 40-percent higher than that of the company's existing product
  
  
   

• Toshiba R400: No Cords with Worry Free Docking

  January 9th, 2007 at 4:14:53 PM

   

  Toshiba's latest entry into the Tablet PC world sports a beautiful 12.1 inch LED-backlit screen.  It's docking station is wireless and ready to go!
  
  

  
  
  

• Averatec 2300 Laptop Great Deal

  January 5th, 2007 at 1:11:43 PM

   

  Only $899.99, the Averatec 2300 AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-50 (1.6GHz) CPU, 1GB of DDR-533 memory, 100GB SATA HDD, NVIDIA GeForce Go 6100 graphics, and a dual-layer DVD burner is great value.

   

• Apple and HP to release laptops with LED-backlit displays

  January 4th, 2007 at 3:21:19 PM

   

  Apple and HP wil be releasing new laptops featuring LED backlighting in lieu of the traditional florescent lamps. LED backlighting allows for a thinner laptop design with longer battery life and provides a brighter image with greater contrast. These new laptop displays are specified to have a brightness of over 1680 nits.