Dell Latitude E Series - E4200, E4300, XT2 - More Info
July 29, 2008
It’s been a month since we last heard any more information about the upcoming ultraportable Dell Latitude E Series, namely the 12.1-inch Dell Latitude E4200 and the 13.3-inch Dell Latitude E4300.
Well, Engadget has once again turned up some PowerPoint presentations, with a much more defined roadmap for where the Latitude E series is headed and when we can expect to start seeing them become available.
Availability looks to be in September of 2008, with three colors for each: Regatta Blue, Royal Red, Quartz Pink. The Dell Latitude D430 (which is being replaced by the E4200 and E4300) will continue to be available until January of 2009, so there will be some overlap - about five months.
A side note: the Dell Latitude XT2 convertible Tablet PC, the sequel to the 12.1-inch Dell Latitude XT, is listed as being available in January or February of 2009.
While much of the information was already known, there are some interesting new highlights:
Read more
Asus Eee PC Roadmap
July 29, 2008
Wow. I’ve mentioned that at times I really wonder if Asus is diluting its Eee PC lineup and confusing customers at the same time with a lot of different options (three different display sizes, multiple storage sizes, multiple CPUs from different generations, etc.).
The Eee PC lineup is about to get even more crowded in the future. We are talking 23 different models (and oddly enough, the Eee PC 901 series is missing, but other existing series are listed).
The one I’m interested in is the T101, because it has a “T” in front of its model, and because it’s listed in the group that features “Fancy Touch” and “Insurance Sales” and “House Agent”. Tablet PCs are definitely popular among some in the real estate and insurance industry where a lot of forms are handled. With 8.9″ ultraportable convertibles like the Gigabyte M912V generating a lot of interest in North America, but not being sold in North America, there is definitely a spot to be filled by another convertible netbook.
Here’s the lineup, both current and future:
Ultimate series:
Description: “Exquisite / Extreme Slim & Light”
Target Audience: “Elite, Travel explorer, Free ??”
- S101
- S91
PRO Fashion:
Description: “Precise, Mature, Fancy Touch”
Target Audience: “Insurance Sales”, ??, “House Agent”
- 1000HV
- 1002SA
- 1002HA
- T101
Smart Casual:
Description: “Young, vivide, eye catching”
Target Audience: “2nd PC, Kids, Student, Traveler”
7″: 700, 701, 701SD (30G HDD), 701SD, 701SD-4G
9″: 900, 901, 900A-16G, 900A-8G, 900-16G, 900-30G
9″: 904HD, 904HA, 900HD
10″: 1000, 1000HD, 1000H
Read: Engagdet
Announced: Dell Inspiron 13
July 29, 2008
Today, alongside the Dell Studio Hybrid (a very small low-power desktop), Dell has announced the Dell Inspiron 13.
The 4.5-pound (2.04kg) Dell Inspiron 13 is a low-cost 13.3-inch laptop designed for budget-minded consumers and students. In fact, it’ll be available for purchase starting next week at Wal-Mart stores, for $699 (with limited options) - specifically August 3rd.
If you want to customize it, it’ll be available in the latter part of August at the official Dell.com online store, with various options (Wi-Fi options, Bluetooth, etc.).
This represents a new model in the Inspiron lineup, and even breaks from tradition with a redesigned hinge (easily seen at the link above).
Among some of the interesting and new features:
- Slot-loading optical drive (a feature it shares with the 13.3-inch Apple MacBook)
- Touch-sensitive controls for media (volume, etc.)
- 8-in-1 memory card reader
No word on what the CPU and graphics chipsets will be. If I were to take a guess, I’d say Intel. Details are sparse right now. I’ll post updates as I receive them.
Update: Full Dell Press Release
Asus Eee PC 901 - 32GB and 64GB SSD Upgrades
July 28, 2008
Update: We now have pricing thanks to jkkmobile - the upgraded drives are going to be available in September, with the 32GB for around $150 and the 64GB for around $300. Conics will ship worldwide
If 12GB or 20GB is not enough storage for your 8.9 Eee PC 901, want to add 32GB or 64GB?
Fudzilla has news that Buffalo Technology is coming out with a 32GB and 64GB drop-in expansion / upgrade.
The SHD-EP9M32G (32GB) and the SHD-EP9M64G (64GB) modules are going to replace the 8GB SSD module (but not the 4GB module that the OS is installed on).
Not many other details have been released, i.e. pricing and availability. No mention of whether they will fit the Eee PC 900 either (although there is a good chance it will).
Lenovo ThinkPad X200 - New Images, Comments
July 28, 2008
For those looking forward to the upcoming Lenovo ThinkPad X200, the Lenovo team posted half a dozen new images online last week. They showcase the major change to the ThinkPad X-series, namely the move to widescreen (and for the first time, the entire ThinkPad lineup will be widescreen). They also show off the UltraBase as well.
You can see the full-size keyboard, as well as the extended battery. It’s apparent that this will be a smaller laptop than the previous non-widescreen ThinkPad X61 and that it has some of the features of the 13.3-inch ThinkPad X300
From a Design Matters posting, one of the Lenovo ThinkPad team members had this to say about the X200:
For the tried and true ThinkPad loyalist, we still have you covered with the more traditional design details you have come to expect. I love our new X200 almost enough to surrender my X300. Almost.
Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Gallery (Small-Laptops.com)
ThinkPad SL Series - Where it Fits in
July 27, 2008
Over on the Design Matters blog, an official Lenovo blog / website, David Hill, one of the members of the Lenovo ThinkPad team, has posted an article / commentary that has attracted a lot of attention and debate.
It concerns the recently announced ThinkPad SL series (of interest to us, the 13.3-inch ThinkPad SL300) and just where it fits in to the ThinkPad lineup. In the user comments, some of the criticism it has attracted from certain quarters (namely that it dilutes the ThinkPad line and brand or that it really has no place even having the ThinkPad name on it) has been brought up.
David addresses what the team wanted to do with the SL series:
We just announced a new ThinkPad line optimized for small business called the SL series. Quality, affordability, service and support are critical factors to small business notebook users, and Lenovo’s ThinkPad SL series combines all of those. We designed the notebooks for the unique way these users work – whether at home, the office, the park or a coffee shop. The notebooks also excel with their enhanced multimedia capabilities. Nice speakers, high quality microphones and an optional webcam provide excellent support for internet voice and video conferencing. The keyboard continues the quality tradition with the legendary ThinkPad feel. Last but not least, the stripes are back.
The SL designs also include a black mirror finish top not seen since we retired the S30 ultraportable. You may remember this one from 2001.
My personal view…I think the SL series probably has a place. As another team member, Mark Hopkins, points out - the SL series is going to have some unique features geared towards small businesses - see this Lenovo site for one example. Yes, it maybe missing things like a rollcage that other ThinkPads have, but it’s going to have some business oriented offerings that those ThinkPads don’t have.
If you want to see what it looks like (or at least the few images that have been released), we have some listed in our ThinkPad SL300 Photo Gallery.
Read: Design Matters (Lenovo)
