Sylvania g Netbook Meso Review (LAPTOP Mag)
August 20, 2008
LAPTOP Magazine has published their review of the 8.9″ Sylvania g Netbook Meso (Which is also known as the Amtek Elego elsewhere).
They compared the keyboard to keyboards found on smaller 7″ netbooks (Asus Eee PC , Everex CloudBook). They recommend the Acer Aspire One if you are a touch-typist (and in general since it’s cheaper and better designed).
It does come with Ubuntu’s Netbook Remix, which is better than some distributions.
It’s available for $399.
Read: LAPTOP Magazine
Sharp Willcom D4 - Gallery, Walk-Through (Akihabara)
August 15, 2008
Akihabara News has put together a large gallery and a video walk-through of the Willcom D4 running Microsoft Windows Vista (in English).
The Willcom D4 has a 5″ high-resolution LED-backlit touchscreen display (1024×600 is high-resolution for something that small) and is powered by an Intel Atom CPU. This means that technically it is the smallest Intel Atom-powered device running Windows Vista (or XP if it was loaded) that you can find. They’ve managed to pack a 40GB HDD into it as well, and yet it still weighs around one pound (0.45kg).
They’ve included a 720p HDTV-formatted HD video (WMV) of the Willcom D4 as well.
A few days ago, pocketables published a review of the ultraportable device. They’ve included benchmarks (including Windows Vista’s internal Experience benchmarks) as well as photos of the D4 in its various configurations (pseudo-laptop, tablet, etc.). They’ve also included photos of the extended battery.
Read
- Akihabara News
- Pocketables
ECS G10IL and Sylvania MESO - Hands-On, Video Webcast (LAPTOP Mag)
August 8, 2008
The folks at LAPTOP Magazine (well Joanna Stern) have been incredibly busy the past few days.
First-off, a hands-on with the ECS G10IL. The ECS G10IL is a 10.2-inch netbook, one that Joanna calls “The Sexiest Netbook Yet”, and it’s powered by an Intel Atom CPU. It’s slightly larger than others in its class - the keys are slightly larger and are flat, similar to an Apple MacBook. She believes it will give Lenovo a run for their money in the design department. She considers it a potentional contender to knocking the MSI Wind and Eee PC 1000H off the throne in the 10-inch category.
Second, a hands-on with the 8.9-inch Sylvania g Netbook Meso which is also powered by an Intel Atom. She mentions it’s thicker, but shorter than the Acer Aspire. She’s also included a video of it.
Finally, here very shortly (1pm EST, 12pm CST), there is going to be a live webcast (you can access it here) that revolves around the G10IL and the Meso.
This is something new for LAPTOP Magazine, and they’ll be taking questions from viewers, as well as chatting with people from a few other mobile websites.
Read:
- Hands-on with ECS G10IL
- Sylvania g Netbook Meso
Sylvania MESO to Enter Netbook Market
July 30, 2008
A consumer electronics manufacturer / retailer with close ties to Wal-Mart is announcing that it’s jumping into the netbook game with an 8.9-inch offering.
The Sylvania MESO (or Sylvania g netbook MESO) will be based on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, will weigh in at around 2.2 pounds, and will come with an 80GB HDD loaded with either XP Home or Ubuntu Netbook Remix. It’ll have an internal webcam, and the 8.9″ display is an LED-backlit display.
Its a follow-up to Sylvania’s VIA C7-based “Syvania g” netbook (which was not well known).
It will be available in four colors: Onyx (black), Snow (white), Solar (yellow), Blossom (pink)
Read: RossRubin.com
Voodoo Envy 133 Unboxing, Packaging
July 10, 2008
Want to know what you get from your $2099 (and on up) when you purchase a 13.3-inch ultra-lightweight Voodoo Envy 133?
Well Rahul Sood, the guy who founded VoodooPC and who is now the Chief Technology Officer for HP/Compaq’s gaming component, posted an unboxing article of sorts, discussing just what went into the design of the packaging for the Voodoo Envy.
Included are pictures of the “Voodoo Aura power connect” which is not only an A/C adapter (which, by the way, they included extra power cables in case any become frayed from heavy use), but also acts as a wireless router.
It definitely rivals many of the other high-end/luxury-type laptops:
Our packaging expert Allison worked with our ID folks to design the Envy 133 presentation box to look somewhat like a Tiffany box. It lifts up like a hat box to reveal a wonderful presentation, including the Envy 133 wrapped in a microfiber polish sleeve.
Read: RahulSood.com
ECS G10IL - Available in the US in September
July 9, 2008
Surprise, surprise, LAPTOP Magazine has word of the ECS G10IL coming to the United States sometime in September. As expected, it will not be carrying the ECS brand (and may even carry a different name) - it will be sold through another company with a different brand.
A few notes about the US-bound ECS G10IL:
- Mobile broadband options - EDGE, HSUPA, HSPDA
- Mobile broadband not available on low-end versions
- Probably just 10-inch (similar to the MSI U100
- Storage: 8GB SSD with Linux, or 80GB HDD with Windows XP
- Pricing starting at $399
- Designed/marketed for business use instead of education.
- Production to start in mid-August
I find it interesting that it’s targeted towards business use. In my experience, from conversations I’ve had with people, and from what I’ve read, a lot of companies are touting businesses or students as the target audience (and it’s true, those two groups probably are the biggest customers over the long term), but they are ignoring other audiences. I’ve come across a lot of people who are not gadget freaks or would not be considered “power users” or travelers who would favor such a small form factor, but who are very much interested in these devices.
LAPTOP Magazine has an interview with ECS vice president of sales Henry Kwan about the ECS G10IL, and it’s journey to the US (link below).
Read: LAPTOP Magazine
