MSI Wind U123 in Japan on April 11

Akihabara is reporting that the MSI Wind U123 will be available in Japan on April 11 at a price of 49,800 yen ($507 USD). It was announced/mentioned earlier this month. It’s powered by the new 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280, the same CPU that powers the Asus Eee PC 1000HE, which is known for its longer battery life (although the 1000HE also has a high-capacity battery). It also comes with a six-cell battery as the standard option, but no mention of whether it’s a high-capacity battery or not.

The U123 will come in four colors - red, white, blue, and gray (originally it was going to be black instead of gray). 802.11a/b/n wireless networking plus Bluetooth 2.0 look to be a standard feature. There’s also a 1.3MP Webcam (it would be great if all netbooks/ultraportables came with at least 1.3MP) and MSI has included facial recognition software.

After criticism that other MSI Wind netbooks in the U12x series were not upgradeable as far as the memory, MSI makes a point on the 123’s website that you can upgrade it to 2GB of RAM. There is a bottom cover/hatch that allows for the memory upgrade.

No worth on a North American or European release.

Read:
- MSI Japan (Translated - English)
- Akihabara News
via SlashGear

Release Dates for LG X120

We are finally getting some release dates for the upcoming 10-inch LG X120.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the X110 would be available in the US before July, with a European release this month (March) for the X120.

Engadget found a press release from LGE stating the following shipping dates:
- March - Japan
- April - Europe and 20 other nations

Chances are high that the “20 other nations” includes mostly Asian countries. Whether the Intel Atom-based X120 will be available in the US or not remains to be seen. The earlier report was mainly focused on the X110 being LG’s entry into the US PC market. It’s possible the X110 and X120 could be made available in the US around the same time - AT&T has apparently expressed an interest in selling netbooks from LG, and they already have a solid relationship with them through their cell/mobile phone sales.

Read:
- LGE.co.kr - Translated - English
via Engadget

Acer Aspire One - 10″ D150 in Hong Kong

Just a few days ago, retailers in the US and UK started taking pre-orders for 10″ Acer Aspire One (D150), the larger Intel Atom-based sequel to Acer’s popular 8.9″ Acer Aspire One.

Models are starting to show up for sale in Hong Kong for around 3995 HKD (around 400 € - $520 USD)

Specifications:
- 6-cell battery (not available in Europe until March 2009)
- 1.6GHz Intel Atom
- Intel 945GSE/ICH7 Chipset
- 160GB HDD
- 1GB DDR2 Memory
- 802.11b/g Wireless
- No 3G model in the display models

Read: HKEPC Hardware (Chinese)
via Blogeee.net (French)

Asus Eee PC 1000HG Announced

Another member of the The Asus Eee PC family has been announced - this time it’s the Asus Eee PC 1000HG, and it will be available in Taiwan, at least for now. No word on release dates for other areas.

Features include a Huawei 3G modem, allowing for HSDPA/HSUPA mobile broadband connectivity, including up to 7.2Mbit (HSDPA). EDGE/GPRS are also supported.

Outside of the mobile broadband connectivity, it looks similar to the Eee PC that it’s probably based upon, the 10″ Asus Eee PC 1000H.

Specifications:
- 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270
- 1GB RAM
- 160GB HDD
- 802.11b/g
- Bluetooth
- 6-cell Battery

Fudzilla lists a price of NT$18,988 (€439/$564 USD/£395), which may seem high compared to other models (especially the new Eee PC 1000HE), but there are no network subsidies for the mobile broadband modem, although it’s a given that there will be monthly data charges.

Read:
- PCHome.com.tw (Chinese)
- via Fudzilla

NEC VersaPro UltraLite VC Announced

Yesterday, NEC announced their new 12.1″ NEC VersaPro UltraLite VC. It’s a very lightweight laptop - less than two pounds with the SSD.

It’s a sequel to their previous 12.1″ Versapro UltraLite from a few years back, and it’s currently only listed as being available in Japan (and possibly other parts of Asia) with availability beginning in January of 2009.

There are a wide range of CPU options from Celerons all the way up to Intel’s Core 2 Duo Ultra Low Voltage SU9300 (1.2GHz). You can also chose a conventional HDD or a Solid State Drive (SSD). Storage maybe a 1.8″ form factor. It features DDR3 memory.

Among the features:
- Withstands 150kg of pressure
- Magnesium Alloy frame
- Keyboard is water resistant
- 1.9 pounds / 868 g (SSD)

Announced Models:
- VY12A/C-6 (Base) Intel SU9300 CPU, 80GB HDD, 1GB RAM, No DVD Drive, 248,000 Yen
- VY12A/M-6, Intel SU9300, 80GB HDD, 1GB RAM, Super DVD Writer, 262,000 Yen

Read: Press Release (Japanese)
via Akihabara News

Gateway LT1001G - More Details

LAPTOP Magazine has more details about Gateway’s upcoming netbook, the LT1001G. Joanna Stern reports that Gateway will be selling an 8.9″ netbook based on the Acer Aspire One. As previously mentioned, it’s not surprising, given that the Aspire One is selling well and Acer does own Gateway.

Differences between the LG1001G and Aspire One (AAO):
- Available only in Asia (for now)
- Glossy black lid with silver Gateway logo
- Different palm rest (”soft, felt feeling”)
- Internal 3G Mobile Broadband card
- Light on front to indicated 3G connectivity

Joanna’s impression after meeting with Gateway was that since it was so close to the Aspire One, it didn’t really need to be introduced in the US markets.

Read: LAPTOP Magazine

Dell Inspiron Mini 9 32GB SSD, New Colors in Japan

The 8.9″ Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbooks are getting some new options in Japan with addition of a 32GB Solid State Drive (SSD). They will also be available, starting tomorrow, with red and pink lids/cases, in addition to the white and black options currently available.

It’s being called a “Platinum Package” (aka the “Platinum Mini 9″), and other options include additional software in the form of Microsoft Office 2007 options/upgrades. They will still be powered by Windows XP Home, and come with 1GB of RAM.

There should be no price change on the new color options, but to go up to the 32GB SSD from the 16GB SSD will cost extra - the “Platinum Mini 9″ with the 32GB SSD will cost around $575 USD.

Read: PC.Watch.Impress.co.jp
Via SlashGear

Dell Vostro A90 Launched

Dell has a new 8.9″ Intel Atom-powered netbook coming out. Well they sort of do. It’s the Dell Vostro A90 and it’s basically a rebranded Dell Inspiron Mini 9.

It was launched in Japan yesterday, but support documentation has started showing up in other countries (such as the UK and US).

It’s oriented towards small businesses (hence the Vostro name) and as part of the business-like look, it’s all black, but that’s about the only major difference. It still has the same 1024×600 display, 1GB of RAM, 8GB SSD, same number and types of ports, and same networking connectivity.

It’s quite a bit pricier - a few hundred dollars more than the consumer version Inspiron-branded netbooks (but you may get different support options).

Read: Register Hardware

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