MSI X-Slim X340 Compared to Lenovo X301
April 4, 2009
If you were curious about the size of the upcoming 13-inch MSI X-Slim X340, compared to a mainstream “slim” ultraportable such as the Lenovo ThinkPad X301, look no further than NewGadgets.de, a German website that has posted a photo comparison of the two (along with an iPhone 3G).
The X340 is one of the first ultraportable laptops based on Intel’s Consumer Ultra Low Voltage (CULV) platform. It is considerably thin, especially when sitting next to, or back-to-back with the X301. In defense of the X301, it could and should be argued that it is oriented towards a different market and maybe a little more durable (because of the chassis), and you do pay a price for that. It’s also got a dual-core CPU while the X340 is sporting an Intel Core Solo.
On the other hand, the X340 is going to cost around half as much as the X301.
Read/view: NewGadgets.de (Translated into English)
via SlashGear
Dell Studio XPS 13 Unboxing (Engadget)
April 1, 2009
Engadget managed to get their hands on Dell’s Studio XPS 13, their soon-to-be latest 13-inch laptop.
From the gallery and release information back in December of last year, it looks like there have been a few slight changes.
Engadget notes that the display has a lot of glare, as well as the touchpad is slightly off to the left of center, which is very odd. While it’s very sleek and thin, it’s still sporting a full-size keyboard (chiclet-style) and a 13.3-inch display.
The model they received came with the NVIDIA GeForce 9500M graphics chipset, but they didn’t mention whether it came with the slot-loading Blu-Ray drive that was previously mentioned last year. Unless it’s changed, it should have a Hybrid SLI graphics, similar to the 15″ Apple MacBook Pros.
You can see from the photos that it does come with an HDMI port. It may have a Mini DisplayPort as well, which wouldn’t be surprising. Dell does support the DisplayPort standard on some of their LCD displays.
Samsung N110 Reviewed, Available for Pre-Order
March 30, 2009
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
Asus Eee PC 1000HE Review (TechRadar UK)
March 25, 2009
Earlier this week, TechRadar published their review of the new 10-inch Asus Eee PC 1000HE.
They found the claim of 9.5 hours of battery life to be really pushing it - they were able to get over seven hours of regular usage out of the battery, but they compared it to the Samsung NC10 (also known for its battery life) and found that the 1000HE held its own.
They also found the new chiclet-style (or Scrabble-style) keyboard to be easier to type with. They gave it high marks, basically saying that if you already have an 8.9-inch or 10-inch netbook/ultraportable, it’s probably not worth upgrading, but if you do, then this might just be the one.
Read: TechRadar UK
Panasonic ToughBook 30 vs GammaTech Durabook D15RP (Engadget)
March 24, 2009
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
HP Mini 2140 Review (liliputing)
March 24, 2009
On Sunday, Brad at liliputing published his review of the professional/business-oriented 10.1-inch HP Mini 2140 netbook.
HP has included better webcam software than most manufacturers, including the ability to record audio-only, as well as controlling the webcam itself (resolution, zoom, backlight levels, output format).
With the default 3-cell 28WHr battery, he was able to get longer battery performance than the HP Mini 1000, although he noted that there is a 6-cell 55WHr battery available.
He points out the appeal of the 2140:
- Sturdier magnesium alloy case/chassis
- spill-resistant keyboard
- Accelerometer to protect the HDD in case of a drop/bump
- ExpressCard slot (something that few netbooks have outside of Lenovo’s S10)
- The upcoming 1366×768 HD-capable display (available in April)
Read: liliputing
LG X120 - Taken Apart
March 11, 2009
If you are interested in seeing what’s under the hood of the upcoming LG X120, Linus Tech Tips Blog has taken apart a European model. The European model at least has a glossy screen (and when the LG X120 is available in the US, it will probably have the same display as well).
It’s easier to take apart than some - once the bottom screws are removed, and the keyboard is gently pulled up, there are two more screws and then everything comes apart.
From the included photos, RAM and the 2.5 Serial ATA (SATA) hard-drive are easy to swap/upgrade. The Wireless/PCI-Express card(s) (WiFi) is easy to change if you need to as well - from the photos, you can see the layout, right next to the HDD.
Even though it’s similar to the LG X110 (at least as far as specifications), Linux mentions that the X120 has improved in a lot of areas:
… the fit & finish of this new model is definitely improved. It’s stylish looking and I LOVE the keyboard/touch pad. Someone finally got it right. Too many times I’ve seen “perfect keyboard except…” and touchpads that are just ridiculously small. This 10″ model has crammed in everything you need, a decent-sized touch pad, and normal button positions.
Read: Linus Tech Tips Blog
via liliputing
All Sony VAIO P Models/Options Benchmarked (Pocketables)
March 9, 2009
Jenn Lee over at Pocketables has assembled a comprehensive look at the 8-inch high-resolution (1600×768) Sony VAIO P Series, including faster models not yet available in the US.
The models available in the US are all powered by Intel’s 1.33GHz Z520 Atom CPU (the 1.6GHz Z530 and 1.86Ghz Z540 are not available as options yet), however the Pocketables article has information from the various options and models available worldwide.
Hard drive options are either 1.8″ 60GB conventional HDD, or 64GB or 128GB Solid State Drives (SSD).
The most surprising thing is that the faster Atoms, even though they maybe up to 0.53GHz faster (around 40%), the hard drive/SSDs were the biggest factor as far as boosting overall performance. There was a boost from the faster 1.6GHz or 1.86GHz CPUs, and it would be noticeable in some applications, however the 60GB HDD appears to have slowed down those VAIO Ps more than the CPUs. These HDDs are similar to ones available in the HDD-based iPods (not the iPod Touchs/Nanos or other flash-based iPods), and they are around 4200rpm (I believe).
Given the specifications of this ultraportable (Sony doesn’t prefer it to be called a “netbook” or lump it in with that category), it’s obvious that storage read/write access would play a major factor, but I was surprised it was this much of a factor.
Read: Pocketables
