Acer Aspire AS1410-2285 - Best Value in a Shipping Netbook?

If you are looking for the best value in a shipping netbook, today is your day. For around $400 plus shipping, you can get the Acer Aspire AS1410-2285 shipped from Amazon, and if you’re willing to spend extra, you could have it on Friday.

What does $399.99 plus shipping get you? Quite a bit actually, it will get a dual-core CPU with Intel’s 4500MHD graphics, an HDMI port, Windows 7 Premium, and an 11.6-inch display.

Full specifications: Acer Aspire AS1410-2285 (Black casing)
- OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
- CPU: 1.2GHz Intel Celeron SU2300 Dual-Core CULV CPU
- RAM: 2GB DDR2 667MHz
- HDD: 160GB SATA Hard Drive
- Networking: Intel WiFi Link 1000 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N
- Graphics: Intel 4500MHD Graphics (GMA)
- Display: 11.6″ WXGA LED-Backlit Display
- Battery: 6-cell Li-ion Battery (4400 mAh), up to 6 hours according to Acer
-Weight: 3 pounds/1.4 kg

In addition to the above, it’s coming with three USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, and a Multi-gesture touchpad.

Looking at Acer’s other Windows 7 listings at Amazon, it looks like HDMI out will finally be standard. Most of the Acers should be expandable to 4GB of RAM.

While this is a Celeron, expect non-Celeron-based netbooks with dual-core CPUs to be out in the next few weeks. Amazon is showing the Acer Aspire AS1810T-8679 with a Core 2 Duo SU7300, up to 8 hours of battery life, and 4GB of RAM shipping in November.

Samsung N110 Shipping in the US

A few weeks ago, there were pre-orders available for the 10.1-inch Intel Atom-powered Samsung N110 in the United States.

At the time, the pre-orders were available through Buy.com, but Buy.com is now listing them as unavailable (they might have sold through their allotment or there was a delay).

However, as of some time last week, NewEgg.com is listing the Samsung N110-12PBK for $469.99 and it looks like it’s currently shipping, which matches the expected ship dates of the first half of April.

Specifications of the N110-12PBK:
- Intel N270 Atom (1.6GHz)
- 1GB RAM
- 160GB HDD
- 1.3MP Webcam
- Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- 6-cell Battery
- Windows XP Home

The Buy.com model was listed as the Samsung NP-N110-KA01US, but it looks to be the same as the N110-12PBK.

Differences over the Samsung NC10 include a glossy display, a larger touch/trackpad, and a higher-capacity 6-cell battery.

Dell’s Future Plans for its Inspiron Mini 10 and 11

NetbookNews.de has gotten their hands on what could be the roadmap for Dell’s future plans in regards to the 10-inch Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbook/ultraportable, as well as a new offering that will be slightly bigger and some changes to the Mini 10 and Inspiron Mini 12.

There are some exciting/interesting new things in store, including some options that we really haven’t seen offered from other manufacturers. Keep in mind that while some of these probably will happen, not all are guaranteed to. One option being mentioned is up to a 250GB hard drive, along with options for a 1.86GHz Intel Atom, and Microsoft Windows Vista. Vista doesn’t make that much sense, especially since Windows 7 is not too far off, but it will appeal to some business users (just as new Ubuntu Linux options will appeal to others). The 1.86GHz Atom doesn’t make much sense either, since the slide implies that it comes at a substantial cost for not much of boost in performance.

Last week, Dell started offering HD displays (1366×768) for the Mini 10, and in a few weeks, it looks like they will finally be offering options to upgrade the Mini 10s to 2GB of RAM. This was holding quite a few people back from taking a serious look at the Mini 10. The Internal TV Tuner, 250GB HDD, Ubuntu, and 6-cell battery options look to be offered around that time as well.

It looks like sometime in May there will be new Mini 10 models as well, with what looks to be a code-name of “Bear” aka Mini 1011, and offering an Intel Atom Diamondville N270 (currently the Mini 10s are running Atom Z520 and Z530 Silverthorne CPUs). It would be based on the Intel 945GSE platform instead of the Poulsbo. This is a curious change, but it could be a cost-cutting feature, perhaps offering the Mini 10 at a lower price, especially since the roadmap mentions “Best Value”. Many of the current Atom-based devices are running on the Intel 945 platform.

The current Mini 10, what’s called “Tiger” aka Mini 1010 is being referred to as “Media Centric”.

As we move towards and into the third quarter of this year, it looks like there will be a Dell Inspiron Mini 11, with an 11.6-inch display and a high definition display. It’s being called the Mini 1110, “Argos”, and is listed as “Very Thin and Light” and “Small Screen Ultramobile”, and will be offering a 250GB HDD, along with Windows Vista, with a suggested price of $499.

Going into the fourth quarter of 2009, there will be new Mini 10s that might be based upon the upcoming Intel “Pine Trail” or “Pinetrail” platform.

Read: NetbookNews.de (German)

Samsung NC20 - Available at NewEgg.com

The first VIA Nano-powered netbook/ultraportable available for customers in the US (and possibly Canada) has popped up at NewEgg.com. Back in March, it was officially delayed until April.

April is here, and the 12.1-inch Samsung NC20 is being listed for $549.99 and it looks to be shipping.

Specifications:
- Model: Samsung NC20-21GBK
- 1.3GHz VIA Nano U2250
- 12.1″ Display (1280×800)
- 1GB of DDR2 RAM
- 160GB 2.5″ SATA HDD
- VIA Chrome9 HC3 Graphics
- 6-Cell Battery
- Windows XP Home
- Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
- 1.3MP Webcam

View: Samsung NC20 at NewEgg.com

Dell Adds HD (1366×768) Displays to Inspiron Mini 10

It looks like the 10.1-inch Intel Atom powered Dell Inspiron Mini 10 will be the first of the mainstream Atom-powered netbooks/ultraportables to have a High Definition (HD) display. For $35 over the normal price, you can add the 1366×768 display to your build-to-order Inspiron Mini 10.

I thought the upcoming HD display version of the HP Mini 2140 might beat it, but the preliminary shipping date for the high resolution Inspiron Mini 10 shows April 15, 2009.

$434 USD will get you the following:
- 10.1-inch Anti-Glare 1366×768 Display
- Intel Atom Z520 (1.33GHz)
- 1GB RAM (maybe a limit of 1GB of RAM)
- Obsidian Black or Alpine White
- Windows XP Home SP3
- 160GB 2.5″ SATA HDD
- 802.11g
- 1.3MP Webcam
- 3-Cell Battery
- Intel GMA 500

For $50 more, you can upgrade the CPU to an Intel Atom Z530 (1.6Ghz).

You can pick up the Inspiron Mini 10 with the HD display here:
- Dell Home and Home Office Store

Samsung N110 Reviewed, Available for Pre-Order

Update: Available at NewEgg.com
- Samsung N110-12PBK - $469.99 - Intel N270 Atom, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 1.3MP Webcam, Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR, 6-cell Battery

The next netbook/ultraportable from Samsung that’s available in the US may not be the 12-inch VIA-powered Samsung NC20. Last week, the 10.1-inch Intel Atom-powered Samsung N110 was announced and it’s available for pre-order.

LAPTOP Magazine mentions a release date in the first week of April, but Buy.com seems to be the only retailer currently listing it. Buy.com has a pre-order up for $441.99 (Normally $469 USD):
- Samsung NP-N110-KA01US (Pre-Order)

It’s still based on the Intel Atom N270 (1.6GHz) instead of the N280, and has a few other features found in the original Samsung netbook, the Samsung NC10, however there are a few other key differences over the NC10:
- Glossy display
- Different chassis (black glossy with a red border)
- Larger touchpad
- Larger/high capacity battery (5900 mAh)

Specifications:
- 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270
- 93% Full-size keyboard
- 1GB RAM
- 160GB 5400rpm (2.5″ SATA)
- Windows XP Home
- 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0

Samsung claims a maximum of 1GB of RAM, but it remains to be seen if this is the case, since the NC10 was easily upgradeable as far as memory.

LAPTOP Magazine has published what maybe the first review of the N110, at least in North America. With their LAPTOP Magazine battery test, they were able to get nearly seven and a half hours out of the battery. It was highly rated by LAPTOP Magazine - they gave it their Editor’s Choice award.
via Portable Monkey

Note: If you are curious, you can download the user manual through the Samsung N110 downloads page

Dell Latitude 2100 Netbook Leaked?

Gizmodo has been sent a slide and some information about a possible new netbook from Dell that would be geared towards the education market. It’s being called the Dell Latitude 2100 or the Latitude 2100 ‘Welch’. The 10-inch Intel Atom-powered netbook/ultraportable does look different, both in styling and in battery, from the existing 10-inch Dell Inspiron Mini 10.

It could be a similar situation to HP’s, where they have a consumer-oriented netbook, the HP Mini 1000, along with the HP Mini 2140 which is geared towards professional/business buyers, as well as the education market. This would mirror Dell’s existing lineups, where they have Inspirons for consumers and Latitudes for business users.

From the slide Gizmodo has posted, the colors are School Bus Orange, Blue Ribbon, Red Apple, and ? Black (Classroom Black or Chalkboard Black?) which certainly lends credence to these being designed for the education market.

Specifications:
- Intel Atom 1.6GHz
- Under $600
- Up to 2GB RAM
- Optional Solid State Drive (SSD)
- Under 3 pounds
- 3 USB 2.0 ports
- Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia Card (MMC) slot
- 802.11a/g/n + Gigabit Ethernet
- Bluetooth 2.0
- 3-cell or 6-cell battery option

The most interesting aspect, besides the fact that it looks like Dell would be launching a new netbook line, is the mention of a touchscreen option. That would shake up the market, since Gigabyte and Asustech seem to be the only ones currently interested in a touchscreen netbook outside of Asia.

A launch date of around May 2009 with a price of under $600 USD is being claimed by Gizmodo’s source.

Read: Gizmodo

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

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