Netbooks
Exclusive video of the Litl Webbook
50 Comments
by Doug Aamoth on November 6, 2009

When news of the Litl Webbook broke out on Wednesday, I was pleased to learn that the company is located here in Boston, since there aren’t nearly as many people in this area making actual hardware devices, as opposed to software and web companies.

I got a chance to sit down with CEO John Chuang for a thorough overview of the Webbook, so check out the above video for some information about the design philosophy and user interface behind the $699 transforming internet computer.

Read More

by Doug Aamoth on November 5, 2009

Remember when the first VAIO P came out and everyone was like, “I can’t believe it has Vista! That angers me! I am currently outraged!” – something along those lines? Well now it has Windows 7 and comes in four different models ranging in price from $850 to $1900.

by Doug Aamoth on November 4, 2009

Here’s the “Litl Webbook,” a $699 portable computing device that acts as a laptop and then folds over on itself to act as a digital easel “ideal for passive or ‘lean back’ web activity like enjoying photos, listening to music, or consuming news, weather, and other web content,” according to a recent company press release.

by Doug Aamoth on November 3, 2009

VIA has introduced its updated line of Nano processors, built for netbooks and all-in-one computers. The 3000 series promises a 20% performance boost over existing Nano CPUs while managing to reduce overall power consumption by 20% as well.

by Doug Aamoth on November 2, 2009

This is still a rumor at this point, but Phone Arena is reporting that Verizon may soon be offering Sony’s 8-inch “not-a-netbook” VAIO P for $300 with a two-year data contract.

by Doug Aamoth on November 2, 2009

u230It looks like MSI is getting set to launch a 12-inch Windows 7 netbook from its U200 series. You’ll recall that the company released the Vista-based U210 back in mid-September, and this new one, the U230, appears to be very similar with the exception of the newer operating system and a bumped ATI Radeon GPU.

by Doug Aamoth on October 30, 2009

Friday, huh? Just got paid, did you? Why not divert $250 of that check toward this 11.6-inch netbook?

Come on, you’re making good money now right? When’s the last time you bought something nice for yourself? Think of this as an investment! With the portability that this netbook provides, you’ll finally be able to start up that emu farm that you’ve always been talking about.

Video: Kohjinsha dual-display netbook
6 Comments
by Doug Aamoth on October 29, 2009

I actually like this idea. Kohjinsha recently showed off its dual-display 10-inch netbook, which runs Windows 7 atop an AMD Athlon NeoMV-40 CPU at 1.6GHz. The machine can be used as a netbook with a standard 10-inch display (it’s a swivel, screen) or a second 10-inch display can be slid out from behind the first to be used together for double the desktop real estate.

Read More

by Doug Aamoth on October 26, 2009

nokiaRumors are abound that Nokia may be looking to release a new version of its Booklet 3G netbook sometime next year.

Quick Look: 13.3-inch Acer Timeline
10 Comments
by Doug Aamoth on October 23, 2009

I know everybody is excited to start their weekend but the bell doesn’t dismiss you, I dismiss you. So before you go, I’m gonna tell you about this new 3.5-pound Acer Timeline ultraportable that just came out yesterday.

Read More

by Doug Aamoth on October 21, 2009

ViewSonic dove headfirst into the ultraportable notebook game yesterday, with the announcement of the “ViewBook” line of 12-, 13-, and 14-inch low voltage machines.

by Doug Aamoth on October 20, 2009

Can you believe it? Acer has yet another 11.6-inch ultraportable notebook on the way. Notice I didn’t say netbook, since this one technically has a low-voltage Intel Celeron SU2300 processor running at 1.2GHz.

by Doug Aamoth on October 19, 2009

The A2 from ii-View is a 12-inch Windows 7 netbook with a 1280×800 resolution screen, 2GB of RAM, a travel weight of 3 pounds, and an MSRP of $399. Other features include an Intel Atom N270 CPU, 320GB hard drive, a/b/g/n wireless, HDMI output, webcam, and “full-size” keyboard. At its thickest, the machine reaches .88 inches.

by Doug Aamoth on October 19, 2009

Various configurations of the recently-announced Acer Timeline ultraportables are now available for preorder. Since they’re Windows 7-based systems, they’ll ship this Thursday, October 22nd when Microsoft’s new operating system is released.

by Doug Aamoth on October 16, 2009

Fudzilla is reporting that Intel’s new Atom N450 chipset – codenamed Pine Trail (see previous coverage here) — will officially launch on January 3rd.

by Doug Aamoth on October 16, 2009

Have you guys heard of these “netbook” things? Apparently they’re quite popular nowadays. I’ll admit that even though I’ve been entrenched in the technology industry since I was basically a tickle in my pappy’s sack, this is the first time I’ve heard about them. On that note, Woot.com is selling refurbished 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One netbooks for $230 (today only).

Yup, the Acer Aspire One AOD250 dual boots Windows XP and Android, all right
7 Comments
by Nicholas Deleon on October 15, 2009

acer1

Oh, netbooks. Doug loves ‘em, but I’m still not convinced of their vitalness. Is it neat to see a tiny little computer zip around the Internet? Sure, yeah. Can I go about my business without ever having owned one? So far, so good! I bring this up because yesterday I was able to goof around—in truth, that’s probably the most accurate phrase to describe it, no matter how silly it sounds—with Acer’s newest netbook, the Aspire One AOD250 ($350, available now, rumored for the past 700 years). It’s a netbook; it doesn’t look too different from netbooks you’ve already seen, but for one difference: see that little switch right there? That’s where you tell the netbook to boot into Android or Windows XP.
Read More

by Doug Aamoth on October 13, 2009

acer The almost over-rumored (see here, here, and here) 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One netbook running Android and XP has shown up for preorder on Amazon for $350.

by Doug Aamoth on September 28, 2009

Good then. Netbook manufacturers will be able to preload any version of Windows 7 onto their machines – not just Windows 7 Starter Edition. And while we found out in May that the arbitrary three-application limit had been removed from Windows 7 Starter (thereby making it virtually indistinguishable from Windows 7 Home Basic), the lack of other features like not being able to change your desktop wallpaper or use some of the cooler Aero stuff felt more than a bit underwhelming.

by Doug Aamoth on September 28, 2009

Starting next Sunday, October 4th, you’ll be able to pick up the Gateway LT2016U through Verizon for $150 after a $100 mail-in rebate and with a two-year data plan. The machine will come preinstalled with a 3G Gobi chipset from Qualcomm, which will work here in the US and abroad as well.

bugbugbug