Best netbook 2010 - reviews and comparisons » fancy netbook

Asus Lamborghini VX6 – unboxing and quick look

Mike — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:05:44 +0000

Ok, here’s another Asus toy on my desk, this time the Asus Lamborghini VX6.

This one is in fact a 12 incher, very much similar in terms of hardware and specs to the Asus EEE PC 1215N i reviewed a while ago, but with a different design. Not sure if you’re aware of this, but Asus has a couple of premium laptops associated with Lamborghini’s name, the famous Italian race cars manufacturer, kind of like Acer has with Ferrari. Devices in this line are top of the top in their classes and benefit from very solid construction, excellent materials and an innovative design, borrowing elements from the cars.

The VX6 is Asus’s smallest Lamborghini and is built on the same platform as the 1215N, like I said above. There are some extra features, but what really makes the difference are the looks.

Asus Lamborghini VX6 - 12 incher in fancy clothes

In the video bellow you’ll see and unboxing of this device and a quick look on aspect and design. You notice the Lamborghini Logo on the hood, the aggressive looks and the nice materials used for the entire case.

Haven’t focused too much on specs, but you should know that this Asus will bring:

Intel Atom D525 processor at 1.83 GHz
4 GB of DDR3 memory
250/320 GB hard-drive
GMA 3150 + Nvidia GT218 chip (also known as Nvidia ION, with Optimus)
USB 3.0 ports, Wi-fi N, Bluetooth 3.0
6 Cell 5200mAh 56 Wh battery
Windows 7 Home Premium

Now, i’ve seen others claiming that this device does not come with Optimus. That’s not the case at all, I can assure you there’s Optimus on the VX6 I have on my desk. Haven’t included that in the clip, but I will update with the review clip in the next days (probably around Monday or Tuesday). Also, I’m going to take a more detailed look at speakers (developed together with Bang and Olufsen) and those USB 3.0 ports, which are actually one of the features differentiating this device from the 1215N.

Like I’ve said in the clip above, the VX6 is going to be expensive. It is already available in some US stores for $699, which is a lot, and that with only 2 GB of memory. However, if you’re looking for a more exclusive 12 incher and still don’t feel like paying $1500 for a ThinkPad, this Lamborghini can be a good pick.

Look for more details in the review to come. In the mean time, you can see a couple of more pictures with the device, below.

Related posts you might also like:

Asus 1018PB vs Asus 1018P – pictures and video

Mike — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:09:15 +0000

After testing the white version Asus 1018P last week (which turned out to be identical to the 1018PB available in the States), I now had the chance to get the upgraded version as well, this time with the Black Aluminum finish.

So, I’ve put together this post comparing the two, with pictures and video. The white device is the Asus 1018PB, while the black one is the Asus 1018P.

White plastic vs Black Aluminum

First, take a look at the video. Then, if curious, see the rest of the post below.

So, as I’ve said, there aren’t many differences between the 1018P and 1018PB. Check them out bellow:

Asus 1018P comes with 2xUSB 3.0 and 1xUSB 2.0 slots, while the 1018PB only has 3xUSB 2.0 slots

2xUSB 3.0 on the P , while PB only comes with USB 2.0 ports

Asus 1018P comes with a fingerprint reader, while the other doesn’t (it’s nice that there’s also a software that will help you secure all kind of content, from pictures to documents. Plus, you can login on certain sites and applications from this device with your fingerprint)

Fingerprint Reader on the right side of Palm Rest

Asus 1018P comes with a better keyboard layout, with smaller Enter but big Left Shift (In fact, the 1018P I have comes with the US keyboard layout, while the white 1018PB comes with the European layout)

The PB is all encased in texture plastic, while the P comes with an aluminum lid cover. Still, it feels less solid (it bends when pressed even gently), provides worse grip and catches smudges and fingerprints, like all aluminum black covers do

Plastic vs aluminum, again

PB is 80 bucks cheaper than the P, as it will run for $350 in the States, while the better equipped version will run for $430 (prices are subject to change in time though)

All in all, the Black finish looks more classy and sober (a true business netbook, as Asus likes to call this machine). Still, I do prefer the white one, although I didn’t when I first lied my eyes on it. Still, that textured plastic is indeed pretty solid and gives a certain toughness to this little fellow. See some of the pictures below for details.

In fact, I’m pretty sure the 1018PB will also come in Black, but I don’t know whether it will have the aluminum finish as well. Hopefully not.

For more details about this EEE PC line, see the Asus 1018P review i had a couple of days ago. Like I said in the clip as well, I would right now buy the cheaper version. It’s not like I don’t like or appreciate the features on the upper class one, but I just don’t feel that I need them. So why pay 15% extra for something I won’t use?

Update:

Not sure if that’s the case for all devices, but on these two I have, there are a couple of other differences:

N475 1.83 GHz processor for the Black 1018P and N455 1.66 GHz processor for the white 1018PB
2 GB of memory for the P, only 1 for the PB
320 GB HDD for P, only 250 GB for PB
Windows 7 Home Premium for P, Windows 7 Starter for PB

Given these latest findings, if indeed the 1018P will have all these extras above over the PB, than I definitely have to take back what I said in the clip and above and would buy this one. The better processor, extra memory and improved OS is for sure something I would pay for, and taken all together, they all count for a lot more than $80.

But let’s just wait and see the 1018P/PB in stores and then I’ll be able to draw a final conclusion.

Related posts you might also like:

Samsung N230 review and comparison with N210 and N220

Mike — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:42:45 +0000

I haven’t had the chance to play with many Samsung netbooks lately, mainly because most of them aren’t available in stores in my country. They are not that popular in the States from pretty much the same reason and it seems Samsung decided to focus on the Western European market, where they bring their latest products.

As a result, in Germany, France or UK, Samsung mini laptops dominate best-sellers lists. And for good reasons, they are very solid machines with good looks, ergonomic keyboards and decent performances. Some of their devices were included in my list of Best netbooks available in the UK, like the N220 and the rugged Samsung NB30 .

Samsugn N230 - new top netbook in the 10 inch class

Now, they’ve got a new spear-head in the mainstream 10 inch segment, the Samsung N230. This one entered the market a couple of months ago and it already became popular. Matt at netbookreviews.net managed to get one (the UK version) and put together a proper review, that you can read here.

But here’s what I think. First, take a look at the specs.

Atom N450 processor, 1.66 GHz
1 GB DDR2 memory
250 GB storage space
Wi-Fi N, Bluetooth 3.0, 3xUSB 2.0, card-reader, webcam, etc
Windows 7 Starter
6 Cell 66Wh 5900 mAh battery

You notice there’s almost nothing changed from the previous N220 generation, except for Bluetooh 3.0 on this one. Plus, the same older DDR2 compatible Atom platform is used, and not the upgraded one compatible with DDR3 memory (however, in terms of performance, there’s almost no difference between the two) Still, there’s more on a mini laptop than just specs.

First, this device looks amazing. I’ve said that before, I do it now, and Matt agrees too. Comes with a very thin sleek body and finishing is top notch: matte smooth plastic for the case and brushed aluminum for palm rest. And the areas around display and keyboard are matte too, as well as the screen itself. So finally, an entire matte product.

What a sleek body

And it’s a lot lighter, weighing just under 2.2 pounds, while the N220 at 2.6 is like a brick in comparison. So, the N230 seems a lot like the Asus 1018P i reviewed and I’m glad more and more producers turn towards matte devices with special care for design and , more importantly, details and build quality.

Then, there’s the keyboard, a chiclet style one with little flex. I like that you do get the big Enter and Left Ctrl and Shift, which translates in very cramped arrow keys. Still, I prefer this approach over others I’ve seen. Also like the touchpad, which seems wide enough, is clearly separated from the palm rest; there’s a single mouse button, but with a distinctive separation in the middle for right/left click.

Keyboard layout and trackpad are appreciated

You do get all the ports needed and easy access to memory for upgrades. I also like the fact that there are some cooling vents on the bottom, which means that this netbook won’t get too hot or to noisy.

In terms of performance, don’t expect much. This is just the average 10 incher, OK for your basic every day tasks, like browsing, reading mails, writing texts, can even run some videos (probably 720p self-stored movies included), but not more.

However, battery is impressive. There’s a 6 cell 66Wh 5900 mAh battery on this one, just slightly smaller than the one on the Asus EEE PC 1005PE, but not by much. And it manages to bring up to 14 hours of life, according to producers. Matt ran some tests, and it managed to get 12+ hours in light browsing with Bluetooth Off and Screen Dimmed towards 50%, while on Battery Eater the Samsung N230 ran for 8.5 hours. And that’s translated in easily 10+ hours on a single charge, during everyday basis use, which gets the N230 up there, with the likes on the 1005PE and NB305 in terms of autonomy.

And then there’s the price matter. In the US, this one comes with a list price of $399 , but you can get it for $349 from Amazon, with a nice discount. In the UK, list price is 349 pounds, and once again Amazon offers it with a slight discount: around £330 . You should know that the US version only comes with a 3 Cell battery though, so you loose most of this stellar battery life. Other from this, price is very good what the capabilities of this machine.

However, in the UK, the N220 runs for around £300, while the N210 is 30-35 pounds cheaper. They do offer pretty much the same specs and features, but, the N230 is by far the best in terms of design, materials used, keyboard and battery life. Plus, it’s thinner, lighter (see the picture below, also from Matt, comparing the N210 and N230) and completely matte, so I can easily call it a true business mini notebook.

Samsung N210 (left) vs Samsung N230 (right)

In fact, this Samsung N230 is so good I will add it to my list of best 10 inch netbooks. Can’t say if it surpassed the NB305 in my list of preferences just yet, I’ll wait to test it live first, but It’s definitely up there, and because of the better battery life, it surpasses the EEE PC 1018P.

Still, I could not find it with the 6 Cell battery in the US, but I’ll keep scouting and update once i do.

Photos and info from Matt at netbookreviews.net

Related posts you might also like:

Asus 1018P EEE PC review (white version) – what a mini laptop!

Mike — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:45:55 +0000

Asus EEE PC 1018P review summary

Asus 1018P EEE PC

At least in the 10 inch class, netbooks are designed to be small computers, capable of running decently daily tasks and applications, while being light, compact and sturdy enough to carry around wherever you might go.

And the new Asus EEE PC 1018P does all these things, while looking amazing. In fact, the 1018P is a member of a new line of Asus EEE PCs, meant for businessmen and people looking for an affordable, but high quality, mini laptop to accompany them in their trips.

With its light weight, very solid construction and improved finishing, plus the features inside, the 1018P distinguishes itself as a great to have mini machine.

Of course, it’s still a 10 inch netbook, with its limits in terms of performance, but I for one was quite impressed with it. See the Pros/Cons of this device below, plus the extended review further down.

Pros:

best build quality I’ve seen on a netbook so far (including high quality plastic and brushed aluminum surfaces) – perhaps only matched by the HP 5102
matte exterior and interior casing
nice chiclet keyboard, with no flex, but some layout problems (on the European version)
improved trackpad, made out of aluminum and separated from the palm-rest area
very light (2.4 pounds, with battery)
top notch connectivity for the final version: USB 3.0 slots, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi N and 3G as an option
battery life is decent: around 4-5 hours
fair price : starting from around 400 bucks

Cons:

display is glossy, only tilts back to around 135 degrees and comes with not so great viewing angles (similar to what previous EEE PCs offered)
device gets noisy and pretty hot on the back, on the upper left part
status LEDs placed just under the screen are a problem when using the device in poor light conditions

Conclusion:

All in all, the Asus 1018P is a netbook meant to continue the line of fancy/stylish mini laptops opened by the Asus 1008HA and continued with the 1008P-KR. This time it’s even slimmer, more compact, better built and overall better looking. It’s actually hard to see how solid this device is without getting your hands on it, especially when compared with other 10 inchers, but the pictures and clips in this post should help you get an idea.

Like I’ve said, this device is not faster or more powerful than standard netbooks, performance is not its strong point. It’s not less powerful either, it can just run basic tasks and software you’ll need on a daily basics.

Asus 1018P - once again, what a mini laptop

But, this notebook is definitely a major improvement in terms of build quality, chassis and design, and considering it’s pretty decent prized, I for sure won’t hesitate picking one of these over most of the devices in the current best 10 inch netbooks list.

There will be in fact two versions available, a cheaper 1018PB and a more expensive 1018P, with extra features, such as USB 3.0 and fingerprint reader. See this 1018P vs 1018PB post for more details.

Prices, versions and where to buy

There are in fact a couple of different versions for the Asus 1018P, some already available for preorder and others that should get in shops soon. Asus estimated the device will start shipping at the end of this month, so I’ll update this part as soon as i find the configurations with suitable prices, in some US stores.

Ever since i laid my eyes on the first pictures of the 1018P, i was eagerly looking to getting my hands on one of those, one of the first aluminum covered 10 inchers, with decent features and hardware, plus a fair price.

And i finally did, although I got the white 1018P, which comes with a plastic casing, not one made out of aluminum like on the black finish. Still, what a mini laptop this device is, not necessarily because of what it can do, but because of how it looks and feels. Just brilliant!

Specs:

In terms of specs, here’s what the Asus EEE PC 1018P has to offer:

Intel Atom N455 processor, single-core, clocked at 1.66 GHz, with HyperThreading, 512KB cache L2, 667 MHz FSB and support for DDR3 memory
Intel GMA 3150 graphics
1 GB DDR3 memory (easily upgradeable to 2 GB)
250 GB storage drive + EEE storage space available online
10.1 inch glossy display, 1024 x 600 px
great connectivity: Wi-Fi N , fast Ethernet, Bluetooth N, USB 3.0 and 3G modem
chiclet keyboard and multi-touch trackpad
Webcam, mic and audio out, card-reader, VGA output
4 Cell 6000 mAh 44 Wh battery
Windows 7 Starter

White goes well on the 1018p

So there’s actually nothing missing. I do have to add that the test version i have here does not bring USB 3.0 slots, but standard 2.0 ones. However, final versions that will be available in stores will have them, as well as a digital fingerprint reader as an extra option.

Video review

I’d advice seeing this clip first and then read the rest of the things below for further details on each part.

Design and build quality

Now this is indeed the part that makes this device stand in front of most other netbooks on the market. Unlike the majority of Asus netbooks before it, this one comes with a completely matte finishing, so it will do well against fingerprints, scratches, dust and smudges. There are in fact going to be two finishing options for the exterior of the 1018P:

one made out of brushed aluminum, for the black version, that will cover the lid. However, as we know from other devices, black brushed aluminum will catch smudges and you’ll have a hell of a time getting rid of them
one made out of textured plastic, like on the white version i have here, which might not feel as stylish, but is in fact very solid and looks quite good

Matte textured plastic for the lid cover on the white version

Both of these versions will use the same textured plastic for the bottom part of the netbook. This part got a redesign and allows easy access to the battery. Once you remove that one, you’ll be able to access the bay for upgrading memory, a lot easier than on all other netbooks I’ve seen. Now, there’s also a glitch to this redesign: there are almost no cooling vents on the back, only that one on the left, and this, correlated with how thin this device actually is, makes it run pretty hot and noisy consequently, as the CPU’s fan is active most of the time.

Bottom part with almost no cooling vents

I should also mention that the Asus 1018P is in fact very light and thin, weighing only 2.4 pounds with the battery on and measuring only 0.7 inches in its thickest point. Length and width are within the margins of standard 10 inch mini laptops.

Quite a slender fellow

In the pictures below you can also see there has been a rethinking of the ports and Status LEDs on this device.

Right part: card reader, headphone, mic, 2xUSB, Lan, PSU

Left part: VGA, USB, cooling vent and Kensington lock

Front

Back - a set of status LEDs are also placed here

I have nothing bad to say about the ports, however, the fact that they moved those LEDs just under the screen, directly in your line of sight when using the computer, is a very big problem, as those LEDs will always catch your eyes and make you loose focus from what you we’re trying to do on the device.

But they are also placed inside, just under the screen

I’ve also spoken about this problem in the video review, it might not seem like much and you might not be able to get the scale of it from what I’m saying here, but especially if you’re going to use the device in poor light conditions like I did, you’ll see the truth in my words. The blinking blue LED for system activity and Wi-Fi, plus the always lit (when PSU is connected) Orange LED for battery charging are just crazy. Extremely poor judgment from those in charge of designing this device.

Keyboard + Touchpad

The keyboard on this device is pretty much the same I’ve seen on the Asus EEE PC 1005PE and 1008P-KR: chiclet style with independent keys, 92% of Full-size. It’s ergonomic, pretty comfortable and with almost no flex. However, there are some problems. At least on this particular laptop, keys are slightly uneven and wobbly (you can easily notice that from the picture below), perhaps because this is a test version and might have seen some rough treatment from others before me.

Chiclet keyboard

Also, the layout available for us in Europe comes with some problems: we do get a big enter key on the Right part , but the Left Shift key is just minuscule, and I for one use that particular key a lot. Plus, you get the same tiny arrow keys on all layouts. But hey, this keyboard is definitely above most others seen on 10 inch netbooks, but not as good as the one of the Toshiba NB305, which is still the superlative in this field.

Tiny left shift key

Big enter and small arrow keys

The 1018P got a new trackpad design, way better than what the previous 10 inch EEE PCs had to offer. As you can see, this trackpad is clearly separated from the palm rest around, plus it comes with an aluminum finish so feels both nice and is snappy and precise. I also like that there’s a marked scrolling area, like on bigger laptops, so you no longer have to wonder with your finger when trying to scroll. However, there’s one tiny, but important, aspect that keeps this touchpad from scoring a perfect mark: the click button. In fact, there’s no click button at all, but the entire lower part of the trackpad acts as one. However, it’s not as bad as it looks, as it is pretty snappy and easy to press, both for left and right click. A standard button with individualized left/right parts would have been better.

New trackpad

All in all, the combo keyboard+trackpad on the Asus 1018P is good, definitely above the average in its class and another thumbs up for this netbook (don’t know about you, but i for one use my mini laptop a lot for typing and browsing, thus I give special consideration to how good the keyboard/trackpad are on these machines).

Display

The display on the Asus 1018P is in fact the standard 10 incher available on EEE PCs these days. I doubt anything has changed, as it is still glossy, comes with the standard 1024 x 600 px resolution and offers quite poor viewing angles, but within its class margins (as in, you won’t find better on most 10 inch netbooks).

Standard 10 inch display, glossy and with not so great viewing angles

Display tilts back to around 135 degrees

Performance and software

Now, there’s not much i can say about the Asus EEE PC 1018P in terms of performances and i’m not going to get into many details. As you’ve seen, the device does come with pretty standard hardware for a 10 inch netbook: 1.66 GHz N455 processor, GMA 3150 graphics and 1 GB of memory. The difference between the N450 and N455 is that this last ones pairs with DDR3 memory, which translates in minor 1-2% increased performance, but you’ll never notice that in real life applications.

Windows Rating scored by the system is 2.4 , while older devices with N450 Atom scored 2.3 , in both cases processor being accountant for the lowest number.

Windows rating

So, like most standard netbooks in this class, the 1018P will be able to handle decently your basic daily tasks and programs. You can use it for text editing, browsing, listening to music, chatting with your friends (on YM or Skype). You can watch movies, but you should know that the hardware is not powerful enough to handle HD content, nor self-stored or Flash. However, if you install the Core AVC codecs (that only cost $9.99), you will be able to run 720p self stored content on it without any frame losses or skews.

720p is possible with Core AVD codecs

Now, if you’re familiar with the N450 Atom platform, you’ll know that multitasking is not its strongest point. So while the device will be able to run similar applications simultaneously, loading too many will results in sluggish performance. So, as long as you don’t ask too much from the little guy or just don’t expect your Windows to be lightning fast, the 1018P will be just fine for you. Otherwise, you will probably have to go for something else, with more powerful hardware.

As for software, there’s the standard Asus EEE package on this device, including their Asus dock with all kind of games and applications (like the one for the webcam or the ones meant to improve image quality: Asus Splendid technology and Asus fast font-resizing tool). Plus the known amount of trials, including Microsoft Office and some antivirus software. As always, my advice is to get rid of all this software that bugs the system and makes Windows 7 Starter run poorer. You don’t need them anyway, and particularly on Atom hardware, you’d want to keep your OS as light as possible.

Standard software seen on other Asus netbooks

Battery life

The Asus 1018P I have on my desk comes with a 4 Cell 6000mAh 44Wh battery. Asus claims up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, however, in reality things are not like the producer claims on paper. So, here are the autonomy numbers I’ve managed to get on this device:

almost 4 hours 30 minutes – using it for running a standard xVid movie with screen dimmed to 75%, Wi-Fi OFF, Power saver mode and using headphones (so no speakers)
around 5 hours 15 minutes – every day usage, including browsing, text editing and listening to music on speakers, with screen to 75% and Balanced Mode selected

Big battery on the back

I for one am satisfied with the autonomy provided. It’s true there are 10 inch netbooks capable of even twice this autonomy, but none are as slender and light as this one. And while longer battery life would have been great, I’m OK with the 5 hours you can get from the 1018P.

Other things

In terms of connectivity options the Asus 1018P truly excels, as the final version will indeed be top notch in this field. Like standard netbooks, it will offer Wi-Fi N wireless and fast Ethernet, but unlike most of its competitors, it will also brings 3xUSB 3.0 slots, Bluetooth 3.0 and an integrated 3G modem as an option (there’s a 3G slot card right under the battery). So there’s just nothing more you can demand right now.

It’s also nice that you can very easily upgrade memory on this machine, which is something i totally advice for: getting a 2GB module to replace the standard 1 GB one is something every netbook owner should do, it’s really a must have upgrade with noticeable influence on performance.

Sim slot under the battery and easy access to memory, for upgrades

I should also mention the speakers on this Asus, but there’s nothing out of ordinary about them: good, as on all Asus netbooks, but just standard. The VGA webcam placed on the bottom lies is pretty standard as well, and comes with the new cover Asus introduced on all its laptops this year.

And there’s one more aspect: like I’ve said above, this device does tend to get pretty hot on its bottom part, in the upper-left corner, where the CPU is situated. Can’t say that it will get disturbingly hot, but it’s definitely hotter than other 10 inch netbooks I’ve got my hands on. That’s probably because of the thin chassis and the new design on the back, with virtually no cooling vents. Of course, with heat also comes noise, as the CPU’s cooling fan is most of the time active. So if you’re looking for the quietest netbook in the 1018P, you’d be quite wrong.

Prices and where to buy

Standard 10 inch netbooks sell right now for around $370 in the states (the good ones, with premium features). The 1018P is one of those, with good features, decent hardware and some extra goodies sprinkled on top. Plus the new body and looks. That’s why, for its price, it’s definitely an option you should have into consideration when looking such devices.

The 1018P is expected to start shipping in the States from the beginning of this Fall. Prices will start from around 400 bucks and go perhaps up to 600 on the top versions with extra options, and I’m convinced they are fair for what this mini laptop has to offer. I’ll update this section with more details once the 1018P actually becomes available in stores.

Bottoms up

If you’ve got through the rows of this review, you’ve seen that this Asus 1018P does come with its strong and poor points, like most devices. All in all, it is as powerful as most standard netbooks in its class, but looks better, comes with a more solid construction and better finishing, while being thinner and lighter. However, like on most stylish mini laptops, this translates in compromises: battery life is OK, but not great and the computer gets quite hot and noisy.

Definitely a recommended 10 incher

Still, for its price, it’s definitely a great pick. If you can live with its inconveniences (and none are indeed horrible), the Asus EEE PC 1018P is a totally recommended mini laptop, especially since it’s going to be a versatile pick, with various color schemes and finishing options.

Once again, in the end its up to you to study the devices and see if the 1018P is what you truly want. I cannot say that this is the best 10 inch mini laptop for all of you guys out there, but I can definitely say it is a device worth looking at and one that is a part of the list of best 10 inch netbooks right now.

Related posts you might also like:

Finally an Apple netbook: 11.6 inch MacBook Air rumored

Mike — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:54:18 +0000

Not sure how much trust can we have in this rumor, but it seems Apple are planning a shrunken version of their MacBook Air for September. Supposedly an 11.6 inch mini laptop, this could be the first true netbook from Apple and for sure a success.

Now, if they were to launch such a product, getting it done during Fall, just before Winter Sales Season is the smartest things to do for sure. Still, I’ve heard this particular rumor before the Press Conference when Jobs had to answer the many criticism brought to their iPhone 4, so…

Could we actually see the first true Apple netbook next month?

According to Electronista.com, BMO analyst Keith Bachman declared that two Apple Air models are enroute for next month. Also, Apple is working on developing a new production line for a computer that is expected to sell in far greater numbers than the expensive Air did.

It would be in fact a smart move from Apple to transform their Air line into a lower-priced one and shrink size to 11.6 inch. Adding their fancy design to some Intel i3-i5 ULV hardware, plus some decent hardware and a fair price could get them a big piece of the pie in this crowded segment on mini laptops, at least on the US market.

Of course, a potential 11.6 inch Air won’t tackle the mainstream netbooks segment (with 10 inch devices and prices between 300 to 400 bucks), but will take on with bigger machines, like the Aspire TimelineX 18130T or the Toshiba T210 .

All these are only rumors and suppositions for now, but there’s never smoke without fire. So I for one, although not an Apple fan, am for sure looking forward for them to materialize into a high quality product. So stay tuned, more info will be available on this site about this first Apple netbook to be, soon.

Via Electronista

Related posts you might also like:

HP Mini 5103 to be available, soon

Mike — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 06:24:13 +0000

It seems that the guys at HP are working on an update for their 10 inch professional looking netbook, the Mini 5102. It’s going to be called HP Mini 5103, and while it won’t bring significant changes on the outside, there are some new options in terms of hardware and specs.

HP Mini 5103 - new business netbook, with improved features

The main improvement is in fact support for DDR3 compatible Atom processors, including the N455 (1.66 GHz) and the N475 (1.83 GHz). Of course, in terms of real life performance, there’s almost no noticeable difference between these processors and their DDR2 equivalents, but still, on machines powered by such hardware, any bit of extra speed is welcomed.

Besides these you get lots of other interesting options:

fast 7200rpm storage drives or SSDs (protected from damage via shocks by an accelerometer which shuts them down in case of a drop)
Broadcom HD Crystal accelerator
HD display or touschscreen
a variety of operating systems to choose from, including Windows 7, Linux Suse and ever FreeDOS
Mobile Broadband with GPS connectivity
6 Cell 66Wh battery (capable of up to 10 hours on a single charge)

All these in the same magnesium-alloy body that looks amazing and is one of the toughest out there.

Of course, with such features, the HP Mini 5103 won’t come cheap (as the 5102 didn’t also). But if you want the best netbook, you’ll have to pay for it. There’s no info on when will this device going to land in the States or how much will it actually cost, but it seems to be available in Italy for between 500 to 600 euros. Based on previous experiences, that would mean between 550 to 700 bucks in the States. Ouch!

Prices for the HP 5103 in Intaly, based on configuration

And btw, in the mean time the 5102 seems to be gone from HP’s site in the States, so expect the new version to be available anytime now.

Update: It’s here, the HP 5103 now sells in the US. Prices start from $399, but don’t get fooled. A decent configuration will cost you around $500, while my dream one gets up to $750. More details in this other post.

Source and photo: Netbook News

Related posts you might also like:

Asus Eee PC 1018PB tested and appreciated

Mike — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:09:38 +0000

The Asus EEE PC 1018P, one of the most awaited 10 inch netbooks of 2010, is already available for preorder in some places in the States. Yet, few managed to get their hands on it, and some of these few are the guys at Cnet.com , who got the EEE PC 1018PB-BK801 and gave it a quick test.

Now, as you might know from our previous posts on the Asus 1018P, there aren’t many things changed on this 10 incher from the existing lines in terms of specs and hardware, but there are lots of improvements in terms of design.

Update: You can also see here the Asus 1018P review i’ve posted on this site.

So let’s start with the looks, which were greatly appreciated on the 1018PB. The device is thin and compact, with a new brushed metal casing. This makes it sturdier and more resistant to scratches, smudges or fingerprints, unlike the previous glossy generations. The bottom part is still made out of plastic, but you should notice that the upper part is now flat, so this means the 1018P is not part of the Seashell series, but of a new one, called Prime. Inside you get a chiclet keyboard and a redesigned trackpad, now bigger. The guys at Cnet complaint about the fact that some keys are too small, but that’s the case with all 92% Full-size keyboards available on 10 inchers. Arm-rest area is now matte too, and so is the 10 inch 1024 x 600 px display.

Asus 1018PB brings a new metalic casing and improved looks

As for the inside components, they are similar to what you can find on current top netbooks like the Asus 1015PE or Toshiba NB305 : Atom N450 1.66 Ghz processor, 1 GB of DDR2 memory, 250 GB hard-drive, 3xUSB 2.0 ports, card-reader, webcam, Windows 7 Starter and Wi-Fi N connectivity. Unfortunately there’s no Bluetooth, at least not on this tested version.

So in terms of performance, the 1018P remains inside the segment’s limits: good for browsing, chatting, writing texts, bad for multitasking or gaming. Battery life is also fair for this category, with 5 hours 15 minutes in video playing (tested) . That might be translated in around 6-7 in everyday regular use, which is quite fair, but bellow what others can offer.

Design is now flat and thinner (0.9 inch in height) and ports were rearranged on the sides

Overall, Cnet gave the 1018PB EEE PC a 4 out of 5 mark, with higher points for design and build quality and fewer for performance. All in all though, for $349 as it sells in the US, it is for sure a good pick. Slightly thinner and lighter than the average top 10 incher, this one really has a chance to become a bestseller, at least till the new devices with improved hardware will enter the market, like the Asus 1016P .

See more details in the review on Cnet. And I can say that I just can’t wait getting my hands on it, which hopefully will happen pretty soon with a little bit of help from my friends at Asus.

Related posts you might also like:

More photos of the Asus EEE PC 1018P

Mike — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:56:26 +0000

The Asus EEE PC 1018P is, at least for me, the most awaited netbook for the next months. Slim and fancy, with its aluminum case, the 1018P promises to be one of the best netbooks in terms of portability, hardware and security.

Boosting the N455/N475 processors, DDR3 support and fingerprint-reader, the Asus EEE PC 1018P will target a high-class customer who cares a lot about aspect and build quality. For now, we have a couple of net pictures with it, and although not the best in terms of quality, should help you make a better idea on how’s the 1018P going to look. Check out some of them below and more on Flickr .

Via EEEPC.it

Related posts you might also like:

Ultra-slim LG X300 get hands-on preview

Mike — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 08:17:24 +0000

Paul from Engadget.com got the chance to get a hands-on with the LG X300, the ultra-slim and light 11.6 inch netbook we’ve been looking forward to see on the market since early January, when it was first unveiled at CES las Vegas.

This device is heading towards the US but we don’t know for sure how much will it cost or when it will actually be available in stores.

One thing is for sure though, the LG X300 is amazing in terms of looks and offers a nice full-size chiclet keyboard. Touchpad is wide too, but a little bit odd, as it lacks standard buttons, using haptic ones instead (virtual buttons with a haptic response, similar to the one you get on capacitive-displays).

Inside you will get the 2.0 GHz ATOM Z550 processor, 2 GB of RAM, SSD storage, Wi-Fi and 3G. So don’t expect a power-gorse, but this mini laptop will surely become a great travel companion, if you will afford it. Cause by the looks of it, i believe it’s going to have similar prices as the likes of Sony’s Vaio X. But stay tuned for more details in the next days, when the mysteries of US prices and availability should be elucidated .

Hands-on photos of the ultra-slim LG X300

Till then, check out the hands-on video from Engadget.

Also see their post for more pictures.

Related posts you might also like:

Lenovo Thinkpad X100e reviewed – good pick, but endurance is a problem

Mike — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:29:33 +0000

Personally I’m a very big fan of Lenovo’s Thinkpad lines and I’ve been one ever since they were made by IBM, many years ago.

The Lenovo Thinkpad X100e is what this series has to offer in the 11.6 inch class, a portable and very solid build computer, more powerful than a standard netbook, but also pretty affordable. Some even call it the “poor man’s Thinkpad”, as it starts from $449. However, a decently equipped version will cost around $550, with these specs:

HD ready 11.6 inch display (1366 x 768 px)
Single Core 1.6 GHZ Amd Neo MV-40
2 GB of RAM (upgradeable to 4GB)
Ati Radeon HD 3200 graphics
250 GB hard-drive
Wi-Fi N, Bluetooth, Webcam ( 3G is available as an extra option)
Windows 7 Home Premium
6 Cell battery

So, as you see, this Toshiba is based on an AMD platform. The guys at Laptopmag.com gave it a test and proved to perform slightly better than the 11.6 inch netbooks equipped with Atom processors (Asus 1201N with dual-core D330 for instance). However, those mini laptops with Intel’s ULV dual-core CPUs are no match for the Lenovo, outperforming them by far. Still, you will get a snappy computer for everyday applications with some decent graphic capabilities also (close to those of netbooks equipped with Nvidia ION).

Lenovo Thinkpad X100e - affordable mini laptop, too bad for the poor autonomy

So, the Lenovo X100e is actually a sturdy and reliable travel companion. It comes of course with the classic Thinkpad island keyboard, trackpad and trackpoint, perhaps the best combo you’ll find on a mini computer right now.

However, having the AMD platform inside comes with pros and cons. This Lenovo manages to offer decently good performances while keeping price low, but on the other side, it kind of heats up on the bottom and only offers a battery life of around 4 hours (that’s out of a 6 Cell battery). Too bad, I would have hoped for more from it. But, while there are low-powered netbooks that offer better battery life, this one should be compared with the likes of those mini laptops with ION, that provide somewhat similar autonomy.

Overall, the Lenovo Thinkpad X100e is definitely a good pick. However, I for one wouldn’t mind paying 50-100 bucks more to get a dual core Intel platform inside. Perhaps one of those new Intel Core i5 ULVs. That way the little 11.6 inch Thinkpad X100e could really reach its true potential.

Related posts you might also like: