Panasonic ToughBook 30 vs GammaTech Durabook D15RP (Engadget)

Engadget has posted a review/comparison of the current rugged Intel Centrino 2-based 13.3″ Panasonic ToughBook 30 versus the semi-rugged 15.4″ GammaTech Durabook D15RP. The ToughBook 30 isn’t exactly ultraportable - it weighs in at over 8 pounds, however it’s one of the most rugged/durable in its class, if not the most rugged/durable. Both of these meet MIL-STD-810F specifications, which is a set of standards put out by the US Army to test just how rugged certain devices are within certain environmental/field conditions (heat, cold, drop-tests, dust-proof, liquids, etc.).

It’s a unique comparison - the Toughbook has a lower-voltage SL9300 Intel Core 2 Duo, versus the Durabook’s Intel T8300 (faster/higher voltage), as well as the displays - the Panasonic’s is one of the few 13.3-inch displays using a non-widescreen XGA resolution (1024×768) while the GammaTech has a 15.4-inch 1280×800. In the Toughbook’s defense, it does have a touchscreen display

The review is worth it just to watch the videos of both being put through their paces - drop tests (to test the cases as well as seeing just how shock/drop-proof the HDD setups are) as well as the reviewer physically standing on them and pouring water on them.

Read: Engadget

Netbook CPUs: ARM, AMD (Conesus/Yukon), Dual-Core Atom

There were several major CPU-related announcements for netbooks released over the past few days, along with some more information about dual-core Atoms and how they might potentially fare in netbooks.

ARM is going to use the ARMv7 architecture to make ARM Cortex-A8 and A9-based netbooks and MIDS. They are going to work with Canonical on an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution specifically for these systems. They are known for being able to handle some forms of high-definition video as well as long battery life in existing PDAs / smart phones. LAPTOP Magazine reports that they are interested in 8.9″ and 10.2″ netbooks. We’ll see more about this towards April of 2009 as the ARM Ubuntu distribution is released, as well as more information. (Press Release via LAPTOP Magazine

Next up, PC Pro has benchmarked the dual-core Atom 330, and even though it was on a desktop form factor, they made comparisons to single-core Atoms on netbooks (since some of the involved factors, including the chipset, were identical). Read more

Packard Bell dot Announced

Speaking of re-badged netbooks/clones, we may have another one. Packard Bell, which was acquired by Acer earlier this year, is going to be releasing an 8.9″ netbook, the Packard Bell “dot”.

It bears more than a passing resemblance to the Acer Aspire One. Now Packard Bell already has one netbook, the 7″ Packard Bell Easynote XS, but unlike the VIA C7-M powered Easynote XS, the dot is powered by an Intel Atom (just like the Aspire One).

Specs:
- Intel Atom CPU
- 160GB HDD
- 1GB of RAM
- Optional 6-cell battery
- Optional mobile broadband modules (3G)

It should see a European release in November, for £315 (around $580 USD).

Read (with images): EeePC.net

Update: March 10, 2009, the Packard Bell Dot has been discontinued before it hit retail.

Sylvania g MAGNI (MSI U100)

A “new” netbook from Sylvania is on the way. It’s the Sylvania g MAGNI, which, as LAPTOP Magazine reports, is a rebranded 10.2″ MSI Wind U100.

LAPTOP Magazine interviewed Paul Goldenberg who is the Managing Partner of Digital Gadgets (they sell products using Sylvania’s brand) about the MAGNI and they got the rundown on specifications:

- Intel Atom CPU
- 120GB HDD
- 1GB RAM
- Ubuntu Netbook Remix or Windows XP Home

They did not get any information about pricing or availability, but as you can tell, it’s basically a Wind. That’s not a bad thing either. The choice of Ubuntu Netbook Remix is a good one as well.

Read: Laptop Magazine

Changes Coming to Voodoo?

With the recent launch of the ultraportable 13.3″ Vodoo Envy 133, a laptop many were looking at as a competitor to the Apple MacBook Air and Lenovo ThinkPad X300, it seemed like HP’s acquisition of VoodooPC was going well.

If you’ll recall, HP bought the boutique computer maker almost two years ago. Over the past few days, there have been quite a few rumors flying around that the end of VoodooPC was near (at least as we know it). HP has been aggressively pushing its brand, and Voodoo’s product lines had dwindled (although some saw the Envy as a major boost to the VoodooPC brand).
Read more

Raon Everun Note Recall

The 7″ AMD-powered Raon Everun Note which just started to see make an appearance in the US is now under a recall notice. It falls into the netbook category, however it had an AMD Turion CPU that was normally used in larger laptops / ultraportables.

Pocketables has the details (and translated link), but the symptoms to look for include:
- High-pitched fan noise
- Blue screens
- Overheating CPU
- Inaccurate battery level
- e-dictionary/PDA authentication errors.

In the event of any of these errors, the units can be sent to Raon Digital who will repair or replace them.

Read: Pocketables

Raon Everun Note - Available in US

The Raon Everun Note is now available for purchase in the USA through Dynamism.

This is a unique ultraportable - price and size-wise, it could fall into the netbook category, but it’s running a CPU that you would normally find in a larger laptop. It’s powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core AMD Turion 64×2 with 1MB of L2 Cache. The graphics chipset is the ATI RS690E with 128MB of graphics memory.

Even though it has a 7″ display, it still has a fairly high resolution for that size - 1024×600. Normally you don’t see that in sub-notebooks until you get into the 8.9″ range. Even though it’s got a larger CPU, it still manages to be fairly light when it comes to weight - 1.63 lbs (0.74kg).

It’s got a starting price of $879 USD and should be available on September 30th.

Read/Purchase: Dynamism

Eltrinex MobilePC Announced

There’s another 10.2″ netbook out (or will soon be out). It’s from a European company (Czech to be precise), it’s the Eltrinex MobilePC.

It’s part of a semi-rare crowd - it’s based on a VIA C7-M754 (1.6GHz, 400MHz FSB) processor, and utilizes the UniChrome PRO II 3D/2D Graphics chipset.

It may only be available in Europe (going by the resellers’ page) and it looks to start at $700, but it maybe a decent value - the external USB-powered DVD writer appears to be included, and the MobilePC comes with a 2.5″ 320GB Hard Drive - the first we’ve seen in a netbook.

Read: Eltrinex (product page)
Via: Liliputing

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