Intel Atom Shortage, VIA Sales, Nano Shipments
July 3, 2008
Couple of quick articles on Intel and VIA CPUs for the netbook market.
First off, DigiTimes mentions the impact the Intel Atom shortage is having on the netbook industry. They mention that because of the shortage, that LCD panel makers who handle the manufacturer of the 7″ to 10″ LCD panels for these devices are concerned about shipments of these devices (i.e. people waiting for specifically for an Intel Atom device). It’s not helped by the fact that there is a battery shortage (which might ease up this month - note the word “might“). The Intel Atom shortage on the other hand could last through the fall (into September).
DigiTimes mentions that for 8.9-inch displays, AU Optronics (AUO) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) are the primary suppliers. When it comes to the 10.2-inch displays, Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) and HannStar Display ship the majority of those. Kind of interesting little bit of information. Another company, Innolux Display, is ready to start producing panels for the low-cost / sub-notebook market.
Acer Aspire One A110L, A150L, A150X - Specs, Prices
July 3, 2008
Some models of the Acer Aspire One are starting to shape up, specifications wise (with the specifications changing from earlier information).
Notebooksbillinger.de’s has a product page for the 8.9″ Acer Aspire 150X (Blue) with these specifications:
- 120GB Hard drive (5400rpm)
- Intel Atom N270 1.6Hz CPU
- 1GB of Memory
- Windows XP Home
We pretty much knew they were going to bump the hard drive up from 80GB to 120GB based on what we saw earlier this week with some UK retailers, so it’s nice to see it confirmed elsewhere.
EeePCNews.de is showing some pricing information for the Aspire One models (also confirming the above 150X):
- Aspire One A110L - 329 EUR ($522 USD) - 512MB Memory, 8GB SSD, Linux
- Aspire One A150L - 359 EUR ($570 USD) - 1GB Memory, 120GB HDD, Linux
- Aspire One A150X - 399 EUR ($633 USD) - 1GB Memory, 120GB HDD, Windows XP Home
All have both blue and white versions. That seems pricey, but these are kind of a step above the other netbooks as far as design/features.
Read:
- Notebooksbillinger.de (German)
- EeePCNews.de (German)
- Via Laptoping
Acer Aspire One Pricing - UK
July 2, 2008
Acer has clarified their pricing for the 8.9-inch Acer Aspire One, at least for the UK.
As of today according to Register Hardware / ComputerActive magazine, Acer’s starting price for the Aspire One will be £220 (including VAT), which is around $440 USD (depending on exchange rate).
This is for the basic version of the Intel Atom-powered sub-notebook, and it would have an 8GB SSD, 512MB memory, and would be running Linux.
The price is slightly higher than originally announced.
One notable change (and no word on how it will affect the price of future models) is that Aspire Ones that originally listed 80GB HDDs are now going to have 120GB HDDs.
Read: Register Hardware
MSI Wind U100 Review, Comparison to Acer Aspire One, Eee PC 901
July 2, 2008
Mobile Computer has put together some information, photos, and a video comparison of the Acer Aspire One, MSI Wind U100, and Asus Eee PC 901, three netbooks that, despite the display-size differences, are all basically run off of the same platform, powered by Intel’s Atom CPU.
Even though the Wind U100, with a 10.2-inch widescreen display, has a larger display than the 8.9-inch displays of the Aspire One and Eee PC 901, it’s actually not that much bigger, as the photos and video illustrate.
They’ve also reviewed the MSI Wind U100, and were impressed with its design, saying:
Like Acer, MSI has gone to great lengths to ensure that the Wind looks nothing like a cheap laptop and it feels no less well made (nor any less good looking) than a laptop that costs three times as much. The all-plastic case is solid and there are no creaks or pops even when it’s flexed with both hands. There’s something about a smoothly shaped lid that we like – it worked well on the Aspire One and it’s just as good-looking here.
They gave it a rating of six out of six (the main problem being the battery, given the price) and their Editor’s Choice Award.
Read:
- Mobile Computer - Hands on with MSI Wind, Aspire One, Eee PC 901
- Mobile Computer - MSI Wind Review
MSI Wind U100 Unboxing, UK Availability
July 2, 2008
Looks like the MSI Wind U100 is starting to show up in the UK, as of yesterday.
Morgan Computers is showing it in stock (via Mobile Computer) for £329.99 excluding VAT (around $655). This is the 10″ version, with an 80GB hard drive and Microsoft Windows XP Home (hence the higher price).
HEXUS.channel spoke with MSI UK’s product marketing manager, Richard Stewart, who confirmed that yesterday (July 1st) was in fact the launch of the MSI Wind in the UK. In addition to Morgan Comptuers, play.com and Ebuyer would also be stocking it at some point.
Also, an unboxing video has been posted on YouTube, from somebody who received their MSI Wind (apparently in Italy).
Read:
- HEXUS.channel
Asus Confirms Eee PC 904 HD?
July 1, 2008
If PC Retail is correct, it looks like there will be another official member of the 8.9-inch Asus Eee PC family (in addition to the Eee PC 900 and Eee PC 901).
They are claiming that an Asustek spokesman told them that the Intel Atom-powered Eee PC 904 HD would be launching in the UK “within a matter of weeks” at a price of around £250 ($500 USD).
As mentioned earlier, it differs from others in the 8.9-inch series in that it offers the same chassis and full-size keyboard as the 10.2-inch Eee PC 1000(H).
With the “HD” in its name, it’s clear it’ll be using a conventional hard drive instead of a Solid State Drive (SSD).
Read: PC Retail
(Thanks to Jan for the article link)
