Right, expect a few new twists (ahem, Dell), Intel’s education-focused Classmate PC has learned a few new tricks this year at CES 2012.

Intel has unveiled a renovated Classmate PC line that runs on Atom Cedar Trail CPU and is allegedly to give long-lasting battery life (about 10 hours from a single charge), a six-cell lithium-ion energy source ” where students can be able to carry out their entire activities on single charge” and thanks to its latest 45nm Intel Atom CPU (of course that means pure Pine Trail, right?). Additionally, there’s more austerity in the form factor, giving it added protection on the edges, increased water opposition of at least 100cc of liquid, plus an antimicrobial veneer for a cleaner environment.

Intel has also upgraded its Learning Series Software Suite, including additional shared classroom and IT-allied features. Intel also acknowledges that for every classroom there is a special need, hence they included various configurable options on the Classmate PCs. The netbooks can be packaged with Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit and Intel’s Learning Series software suite on board.

Source: PCMag

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Paging all neat pink, trendy consumers is its prime the target of course: with winter upon us, HP has officially launched the Mini 210-3060NR Netbook (Pink). Shelling off Intel Atom, and while the pink adorned cover perhaps could appeal to a certain sex category, its island style covered keyboard is what you should expect the mighty to lay their hands on.

Well, considering color design we can’t say it really matches our tastes, but at least you’d be comfortable with the internals; and apparently identical to the recently reviewed Mini 210 HD (sans the Broadcom Crystal HD). But the Mini should sound great as it appears – HP’s improved Vivienne’s netbook running Beats by Dr. Dre audio software onboard, which currently is yet to be adopted by other companies.

The Atom processor accompanies a 1GB DDR3 RAM and support of 250GB SATA HDD storage, which lets you store lots of documents, photos, music and some videos as well. More, its battery life could take you 9.5 hours although excluding wireless time. While with reasonable wireless usage, expect around 7-8 hours running time. Whether that’s worth offering we live it up to you, but if you need a netbook that can unquestionably stream HD Flash content out, then you’re best looking at it right now.

Via Netbook expert

Source: Amazon

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According to a report, Acer Chairman JT Wang alleged that Microsoft software could soon effectively take on Apple. Perhaps the only challenge that persists at the moment for Microsoft’s Windows is the growth of Apple’s iOS on tablets (iPad), and smartphones (iPhone) – according to an editorial in Taipei-based Digitimes, which published Wang’s comments on Monday.

Citing Wang’s comments, Microsoft’s Windows “hasn’t had any achievements within these two markets that can help it gain share,” citing a decline in Netbook sales hence resulting in only “slim” growth in the conventional laptop market. Although the publisher didn’t detail on Wang’s point, we assume Wang was speaking about market intrusion by the iPad, for instance, on the Netbook as well as low-end laptop market.

Although, recent reports from Gartner indicate only meek growth in PC sales in 2011; the Acer Group was placed in the 4^th position in world rankings in terms of PC sales in the third quarter, according to IDC.

According to Wang, Apple’s “notebook products are only minor drivers” for growth and pale citing to the exciting escalation seen in its iPads and iPhones. However, Windows 8 could change this. In a few coming years, Wang sees a rebirth of the Microsoft camp behind Windows 8 as Microsoft reacts more efficiently to “consumer demands,” according to the report. Expect to see Windows 8 by 2013.

The Windows 8 is anticipated to run on wider range of devices, including, smartphones, tablets, Ultrabook clamshell laptops (latter rivaling Apple’s MacBook Air) and tablet-laptop hybrids.

Source: Cnet

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ASUS had initially made some handsome wedge of magnesium alloy in US late last year. Well, it now appears the ultraportable notebook finally graces folks in the UK as well. The 13.3-inch U36′s notable  features include a svelte 19mm thickness, second-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM (upgradable to 8GB), NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M graphics card, and a USB 3.0 toggle (for an approximated 11.5 hour battery life).

The U36S’s touchpad and keyboard are fairly basic. The keyboard sort of small Chiclet-style keys, which is comfortable enough to type on although a bit firm at times. Its touchpad is smooth while supporting multitouch gestures for example pinch-to-zoom.

U36S’s hardware seems heavy now that we’ve already played with the ASUS’s UX21 ultrathin, but of course at price point of £699 (just above $1,200) it’s hard to whine much. And heck, if Asus just included some real speakers in this gamble; it would basically be an almost perfect ultraportable. If your hands already sweating for the thrill, it’s available at major stores in your choice of black or silver.

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Sometimes that giant, corporate-issued laptop won’t satisfy your desires however much trendy its name sounds. But when an echo engulfs your hear bit-by-bit of something lighter, thinner, or perhaps a little bit more tempting. When you hear MacBook Air, it has always meant that sylphlike temptress calling your name, but always a thwart – fairly too slow – all showbiz and no action. That power and endurance to make it a staid candidate for your serious desires wasn’t just there.

Never again with its new refresh, Elemental, brethren: the MacBook Earth, Water and Fire, certainly. What was once a manilla-wear curio turned into a reasonable machine, and never an airless looker? Tired vacationer, finally a laptop that will ease your load and, not forgetting, your pockets too is here…

The Earth is literally a green laptop sheltered in grass on an eco-friendly clay chassis. It’s also powered by wind and solar-fuel. While more importantly it runs on a low-power phosphorescent screen. Secondly, the MacBook Water that will soak your cravings. Get your bottled iFluid and splash onto any leveled surface and ‘Shwaa…’ you’ll see the shape of a keyboard and monitor. Once done, easily mop up and rinse the iFluid back into the bottle; but be careful lest you wipe the hard drive too.

Lastly, the super-fast MacBook Fire, it’s very fast that chips literally explode into flames.  Although, no Flash yet. The Fire should accompany asbestos gloves too. Of course, these are just concepts in the making, but who can’t wait to see such innovation into action?

Source: CNET UK

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For those who are not yet satisfied, post-PC era is already here with us? We can fairly decisively conclude we’ve finally entered a post-netbook time. And this Q2 2011 marks the first time we’ve witnessed netbbooks numbers being eclipsed by tablets, according to ABI Research – where global tablet sales increased to 13.6 million units, than that of 7.3 million netbooks. In fact, Netbooks surged 13% from their first quarter sales of 8.4 million netbooks, and, more significantly, tablet sales really shot up: clocking 6.4 million units in the first quarter of this year.

Cost seemingly isn’t a driving factor as earlier thought – according to the research firm; tablets still maintains an average price of $600 – almost double compared to their typically under-powered netbooks. Oh, by the way, did you know that of the 68% of tablets sold were of Cupertino’s flavor?

Source: CNET UK

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Toshiba just don’t want to let of their netbook product line. Despite the onslaught of tablets being announced at the CES 2011, here comes Toshiba announcing two of its latest netbooks – the Toshiba NB305 and Toshiba NB505. The Toshiba NB505 is actually a fresh new mini netbook while the Toshiba NB305 is an upgraded version of the previous model.

Let’s see now, the new Toshiba NB505 is an entry-level netbook featuring a rubberized EasyGrip Finish on the cover that makes it easier to carry. It also reduces fingerprints and comes with a flat keyboard with Black textured finish on the inside. Inside this netbook is an Intel Atom N455 processor, 250GB HDD and 1GB of RAM. It will be available in various color designs including  Turquoise, Blue, Lime Green, Brown and Orange. Available on January 9, 2011, the Toshiba NB 505 will retail for $299.99

Going now to the upgraded Toshiba NB305, the netbook now packs in an Intel Atom N550 dual-core processor, 250GB HDD which is suppotred by Toshiba Hard Drive Impact Sensor. It comes with a USB 2.0 port with Sleep and Charge Feature and weighs in a mere 2.6 lbs. This netbook retails for $379.99.

So there, any plans on getting a new netbook this year? Or would you rather get one of those Android tablets instead?

via Business Wire

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While we’ve heard it before, it seems that Microsoft are set on it this time – Windows XP will no longer be pre-installed on netbooks. Previously the OS was to stop being pre-installed on computers and laptops but, with the arrival of netbooks, the OS lasted longer than Microsoft had planned, largely due to the fact that the netbooks couldn’t run Windows Vista very well. Windows 7 on the other hand, works fine on the majority of netbooks. Most netbooks released now, come with Windows 7 Starter install, which while it does have reduced functionality, such as the inability to change the desktop wallpaper, netbooks are capable of running the OS. In fact many owners have also upgraded from Windows 7 Starter to Home or even Ultimate, with no issues. Very few netbooks still come with Windows XP pre-installed and from October 22nd 2010, consumers won’t have the choice. So if you still prefer Windows XP, it’s recommended to pick up a netbook before it’s too late.

via

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While this may work for most of us. The thing is, the movie quality that we get from this setup is good only for standard movie viewing. Most netbooks will not allow us to watch movies in at least 720p resolution.

Enter Intel’s plan of bringing its Cedar Trail-M Atom chipset which will probably be available by second half of June 2001.  According to Fudzilla, this new platform will fully support 1080p HD Video plus better handling of other media and graphics. It will also  support HDMI output to make it easy for us to hookup netbooks on our HDTV.

But that’s in 2011. In the meantime, we have to contend with watching low-quality movies on our netbooks.

via Liliputing

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We previously had a spec-by-spec comparison between the iPad and netbooks and now Sascha, King of Netbooks, give his take on the subject.

The result? Same as ours, with netbooks winning a majority of the categories essential for a mobile computing device. We’ll probably see more of the same comparisons in the future as people swarm on Apple’s new baby.

The biggest downer of the iPad? It’s not as easily available at the moment, or in the near future for that matter. New netbook models are quick to hit the market due to manufacturers vying for the mind space of fickle consumers. The iPad looks to be sold out a the moment and will be unstocked in the near future, the same way previous gadgets like the iPhone and iPod Touch were.

Read the full showdown via the link below.

source NetbookNews.de

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