News Archive

Gateway EC18T 11.6 inch convertible tablet netbook spotted at FCC

Published: December 27, 2009Tags: ec18t, gateway tablet

It has been rumored for awhile that Gateway was going to get into the convertible tablet pc game, but now there’s physical proof. I spotted these photos at the good old FCC site today. It looks like Gateway is actually just going to re-brand the Acer Aspire Timeline 1420P and keep all of the hardware exactly the same, and from the filings Packard Bell is going to do the same (no word yet what this model will be).

FCC change of hardware request

Here are the specs:

Processor: 1.2GHz SU2300 dual-core
RAM: 4GB, up to 8
HD: 250, 320, 500GB
Display: Intel GMA 4500MHD
Screen Size: 11.6″
Battery Life: 8 hrs
Ports: HDMI, vga, 3xUSB, head/mic

We can probably expect the new Gateway version of the 1420P, called the EC18T, to cost slightly more than the Acer 1420P since Gateway is just acting as a reseller with a small markup. We should expect all of the specs and test results to remain the same as the Acer, but this will give Gateway a new product to sell to help keep their brand afloat.

We especially like the extra large port on the bottom allowing access to the hard drive and 2 RAM slots, allowing for up to 8GB or RAM.

gateway

via FCC 1, 2

After Christmas netbook deals

Published: December 27, 2009Tags:

Did you get a new netbook for Christmas? If so you might want to check out How to Upgrade your RAM, How to Install Windows 7 with USB drive, or maybe What’s the best mouse for a netbook? If you didn’t get one but have a little extra cash now there are still many deals to be found. Take a look at these after Christmas deals:

Refurbished Asus Eee PC 1005HAB, 10.1″ black, 160GB hd, Windows XP- $250
Acer Aspire One 10.1″, black, 160GB hd, Windows XP- $279
HP Mini 8.9″, refurbished, black, 16GB ssd, Windows XP- $269
Acer Aspire One 10.1″ Pink, 160GB hd, Windows XP- $289
Lenovo Ideapad S10- 10.1″, 160GB hd, Windows XP- $261
Acer Aspire One 11.6″- grey, 160GB hd, Windows XP- $259

Have a little more money to spend than most? Then you might want to checkout some more powerful netbooks like the HP Mini 311 ($399)or the Acer AS1410 dual core ($450).

Remember though that Pine Trail netbooks will be available after Jan 15th, and will be slightly faster and some will have longer battery lives. So you might want to take a look at the new 1005PE or an MSI Wind U135 if you’re in the market.

Happy Holidays!

MSI Wind U135 reviewed

Published: December 24, 2009Tags: MSI Wind, Pinetrail

The MSI Wind U135 is their first Pine trail netbook and will be released around Jan 15th or so at a price of $329. Laptopmag has published a full review of the netbook and we’ll start off with the specs:

Processor: Intel Atom N450 1.6GHz w/ integrated graphics
Display: 10.1″ 1024 x 600
250GB 5400rpm hard drive
1GB RAM
802.11 b/g/n wifi, bluetooth
Battery life observed: 5 hours 30 minutes
Price: $329

u1352

Basically the U135 is almost identical to the Asus 1005PE (review here). One interesting addition is a striped pattern on the lid which seems to hide fingerprints which alot of people seemed to complain about on glossy cases.

Another difference is that the battery life is only around 5 1/2 hours, which isn’t very good considering how energy efficient the new N450 processor is.

Aside from the unimpressive battery life this netbook is a very solid all around performer at a very good price. The performance is the same as the 1005PE (see results here), but can be summarized as 20% better than an N280 but not as good as Ion. For the price though this can’t be beat at the moment.

Checkout the other soon-to-be-released MSI Wind netbooks here.

Samsung NB30 and N150 Pine Trail netbooks coming soon

Published: December 23, 2009Tags: Samsung, touchscreen

Samsung is joining the Pine Trail party with their new NB30 and NB150 10.1″ netbooks (spotted hanging around the FCC website). Both netbooks have identical specs except for one, the NB30 will have a touchscreen (according to blogee.net). Here are the specs:

10.1” 1024 x 600 display (touchscreen on the NB30?)
Atom N450 processor
160GB HDD
1GB RAM
GMA 3150 graphics
802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
10/100 LAN
6-cell 4400mAh battery (7 hours)
0.3M Webcam
Windows 7 Starter.
3x USB (1 chargeable), VGA, LAN, audio jacks, 3-in-1 card reader
10.4” x 7.4” x 0.99” – 1.05” dimensions
2.73 lbs weight
$373.95- (at neobits)

You can also see in the FCC filings that they both use a Gobi2000 chipset which include 3G data and GPS. We’ll have to wait and see if these are implemented, and whether or not the NB30 is a touchscreen but all will be revealed on Jan 15th at good old CES.

Asus T101MT convertible netbook coming soon

Published: December 22, 2009Tags: convertible tablet

A new Asus convertible tablet netbook was spotted passing through the FCC today with a model number T101MT. This looks to be the updated T91MT model and we can assume it will feature the new Pine Trail N450 processor. We also know that the MT means it will have multitouch and therefore Windows 7 Home Premium, since Windows 7 starter doesn’t support multi-touch.

It also lists the tablet as having 802.11 b/g/n, bluetooth, and we can assume that the other specs will remain the same as the current T91MT.

No other info is available except for a label placement and a shot of the bottom of the tablet, but I’m sure they’ll give us a look at CES on the 15th.

via wirelessgoodness and fcc

MSI Wind U160 Pine Trail netbook pics

Published: December 22, 2009Tags: MSI Wind

Remember the U160 netbook we talked about earlier today, it’s one of the 4 new Pine trail netbooks MSI has announced recently. Well engadget has gotten ahold of some press photos of the new netbook and it looks pretty nice. They suspect that it will have the usual new Pineview specs (1.6GHz N450 processor, 160GB hd, 1GB ram, Windows 7 starter, 10hrs battery life, 10.1″ screen).

You’ll notice that they’ve went with a very nice chiclet style keyboard as well as an Eee pc style trackpad with raised bumps. It looks like they’re taking the best parts of all netbooks and calling them they’re own. We’ll have to wait until Jan 15th of course for the release, but prices are set to range from $340 to $380.

New MSI Wind Pine Trail netbooks- U130, U135, U140, and U160

Published: December 22, 2009Tags: MSI Wind

MSI is jumping on the Pine Trail bandwagon along with everybody else by introducing four new Wind netbooks featuring the new chip architecture.

There’s not alot of details at the moment but here is what we know:

MSI Wind U130 – Atom N450, 10-inch (1024 x 600), Similar design to U100, larger touchpad, 160GB HDD, 1.3M Webcam, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (£230)
MSI Wind U135 - Atom N450, 10-inch (1024 x 600), Similar design to U100, larger touchpad, 250GB HDD, 1.3M Webcam, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (pictured £280)
MSI Wind U140 – 10-inch, Same chassis as U123
MSI Wind U160 – Ultra-thin chassis

As you can see these will be similiar to the 1005PE that was reviewed today, and the new blueprint of netbook design (10.1″ screen, N450 processor, 1GB ram, 160GB hd) looks to be followed by all manufacturers.

MSI Wind U135

They appear to have made the touchpad slightly larger though which will be a nice change.

The U160 is only stated as having an ultra thin chassis, so this may elude to it having a CULV processor because it is the top of the line (due to having the highest number) out of the new models.

The U130 will be available in black and white, while the U135 pictured above will be available in red, silver, black, red, or blue. These will most likely officially launch with all of the other Pine trail netbooks on Jan 15th at CES.

via netbooked

Asus Eee PC 1201T is official

Published: December 21, 2009Tags: 1201N

Well the Asus Eee PC 1201T finally has its own product page up on the Asus website. You may remember the other 1201 models from Asus including the 1201HA and the recently reviewed 1201N. The 1201T goes with the 1.6GHz AMD MV40 processor instead of the N330 in the 1201n, and also uses Radeon HD3200 graphics.

	1201HA	1201N	1201T
Processor	1.33GHz Z520	1.2GHz N330 dual core	1.6GHz AMD MV40
RAM	1GB (up to 2GB)	2GB	2GB
HD size	160GB	250GB	250GB
Graphics	GMA 500	Nvidia Ion	Radeon HD3200
Screen size	12.1″	12.1″	12.1″
Battery life	6hr 38mins	4hrs	6hrs
Price	$329.99	$499.99	$499.99 (estimated)

Even though this setup will stream HD video no problem there is no HDMI output.

No word yet on availibility or pricing but with the 1201n already out and a product page up it shouldn’t be too long.

Acer Aspire Timeline 1820PTZ convertible tablet netbook Review

Published: December 20, 2009Tags: convertible tablet

The Acer Aspire 1820PTZ net-vertible has yet to be released worldwide but apparently you can get one already in Singapore. Well Denosha from VR-zone forums has gotten ahold of one and wrote up a nice little review. First off here are the specs of all 1820 models:

	1420P	1820PT	1820PTZ
Processor	1.2GHz SU2300 dual-core	Intel Core 2 duo	1.3GHz SU4100 dual-core
RAM	4GB (up to 8GB)	4GB (up to 8GB)	4GB (up to 8GB)
HD size	250/320/500GB	250/320/500GB	250/320/500GB
Graphics	GMA 4500MHD	GMA 4500MHD	GMA 4500MHD
Screen size	11.6″	11.6″	11.6″
Battery life	8hrs	8hrs	8hrs
ports	HDMI, vga, 3 x usb, head/mic	HDMI, vga, 3 x usb, head/mic	HDMI, vga, 3 x usb, head/mic

As you can see the only difference between the three models is their processor. Here are some highlights of the review:

Thicker and heavier than most netbooks
Very cool multitouch capabilities
Accelerometer rotates screen orientation in around 1-3 seconds
Nice palm rejection for writing with stylus
Good handwriting recognition
Video playback is smooth even in HD
LOTS of bloatware makes for 1 minute initial boot time

1820

These convertible tablets are very cool, but right now they are over $1000 so unless you really want this brand you might as well get a T91MT for $500. Overall though besides the high price this 11.6″ convertible tablet netbook is very impressive, and if you have the money you won’t be disappointed.

Here’s some of the cool multi-touch capabilities (skip to 3:00 for the good stuff):

via netbooked

Asus Eee PC 1005P/PE pinetrail netbook up for preorder

Published: December 18, 2009Tags: Pinetrail

Well Asus’ first Pine trail netbook is finally available for pre-order, but it’s in Italy. The official launch date for the Pine trail processor is at CES on Jan 15th, but manufacturers are already stockpiling netbooks with the new processor and getting them ready to start shipping.

Here are the specs for the newly emerged Asus Eee PC’s with the Pine trail processor:

Asus Eee PC 1005P

Processor: Intel N450 Pine Trail 1.67GHz
1GB RAM
160GB hard drive
Windows 7 starter

The 1005PE will share the same specs only with a 250GB hard drive and bluetooth. The price looks to be around $345 for the 1005P and $382 for the 1005PE, but expect these prices to come down after launch.

There’s also a cool carbon fiber look to the lid.

1005p-1