Microsoft Relaxes Windows XP Restrictions for Netbooks
July 3, 2008
Looks like Microsoft is backing off on some of their previous demands in regards to allowing OEMs to keep installing Microsoft Windows XP on netbooks. Microsoft had already extended the End-of-Life for XP on these devices (on June 30th, most manufacturers had to stop offering Windows XP on mainstream laptops).
Previously, they had placed the following restrictions on netbook / sub-notebook manufacturers:
- Screen sizes must be 10.2-inches and under
- Hard drives must be 80GB or under
- No touch-screens.
The extension was to allow netbook customers to use XP, which performed much better than Windows Vista on such limited hardware platforms (although some Vista drivers have slowly been changing that on certain machines). I think a part of it was also to try and discourage OEMs from offering Linux on these devices. The restrictions were put in place to insure that it didn’t hurt Windows Vista sales.
Now the restrictions are:
- Screen sizes must be 14.1″ and under
- Hard drives must be 160GB or smaller
- Touchscreens are allowed.
Also, it’s mentioned that the CPUs are limited to single-core chips that max out at 1GHz, with 1GB of RAM or less. That’s a little tricky because there are definitely machines that exceed the CPU or memory specifications but which are still selling with XP (maybe not on the memory, but the Intel Atom clocks at 1GHz). Obviously a dual-core CPU would be able to run Vista much better than a single-core.
Read: InfoWorld (via GottaBeMobile)
HP Pavilion tx2500z Reviews (LAPTOP Magazine, Tablet PC Rreview)
June 30, 2008
A couple of reviews of the 12.1-inch AMD-powered HP Pavilion tx2500z series, were published last friday.
The tx2500z series is the replacement of the popular HP Pavilion tx2000z. It’s just starting to appear at online stores ($1050 after rebate at Amazon.com , etc.). It’s a “convertible”, that is, it has a touchscreen display that swivels around and lays across the keyboard, allowing it to be converted and used either as a conventional laptop or as a dedicated Tablet PC.
TabletPCReview.com has a user review of the same tx2510us linked above at Amazon, and that is available for around the same price at Circuit City (in the US, if you want to see one in person, although not all stores have them). the tx2510us has an AMD Turion X2 Ultra ZM-80 CPU (2.1GHz, 2MB L2), 3GB Memory, 250GB Hard Drive, an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3200 graphics chipset, the dual active/passive digitizer, and it’s running Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit Edition. As “Rex Orbis2″ notes in his review, there were same impressive gains made over the tx2000z series, with the addition of the new AMD Puma platform. As they point out, it is geared towards consumers and multimedia enthusiasts and even digital media (it comes with a remote control for media playback).
The LAPTOP Magazine review gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, with comments about the washed out display look (due to the fact, as noted in the TabletPCReview, that it has a dual-mode display - both an active and passive digitizer), although it is accurate, whether it’s in active or passive modes.
Read:
- LAPTOP Magazine
- TabletPCReview.com
Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 Hands-On (Akihabara)
June 26, 2008
Akihabara News has posted one of the first extensive looks at the new 5.6-inch Intel Atom-powered Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1. The CF-U1 is a “rugged’ type of device, made to withstand drops of around 3 - 4 feet and is sealed to protect it from exposure to moisture water.
They’ve posted about sixty pictures of Panasonic’s press conference / demonstration of the CF-U1 in Japan yesterday. There are a lot of closeups of the CF-U1, as well as it’s dock/charging station (it can be docked and charging extra batteries as well), plus a charging station for four batteries. The CF-U1 has a unique two-battery system that allows a battery to be hot-swapped with a fresh battery while continuously operating off of the other battery and without being plugged into another power source.
Included are pictures of the CF-U1 being liberally doused with water, as well as being dropped around three feet or so onto a piece of concrete. It’s very important to note, this is not meant to be used under water! (although the model was definitely pouring a lot of water on it during the demonstration).
Read: Akihabara News
Announced: Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1
June 25, 2008
Panasonic has formally announced the Panasonic ToughBook CF-U1, an ultraportable device powered by a 1.33GHz Intel Atom CPU. The device has been shown at various events going back to Cebit Germany, but today marks the official announcement of availability and pricing.
It has a 5.6-inch widescreen touchscreen display (putting it into the same class as the Fujitsu Lifebook U810 and its sequel, the Lifebook U2010). Storage consists of a 16GB or 32GB Solid State Drive (SSD). It will weigh around 1.06 kg (2.34 pounds).
One of the unique features is that the 61-key keyboard is directly under the display - it’s more of a Tablet form factor than a laptop, but it includes a full keyboard (that is split in the middle with a numeric pad taking up the center). There is an optional 10-key keyboard that functions more like an enhanced Tablet PC. It also features a two battery system that, in addition to the up to 7-10 hours of battery life, can allow for the batteries to be hotswapped for continuous use.
As with other Panasonic Toughbooks, it has rubber seals for I/O sockets (USB, etc.) along with other measures, to protect the device from water being accidentally splashed on it or dust getting inside. In addition, its rugged design protects it from accidental drops to the ground/floor.
It will be available in both North American and Japanese markets later this year (availability in Europe and other parts of Asia is not known at this time). North American customers can expect to see it in August, with a starting price in the $2500 range.
Read:
- Panasonic ToughBook page (Panasonic.biz, Translated from Japanese)
Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 Leaked
June 17, 2008
More and more information is being found about the Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 (which was apparently leaked through a Virginia Tech bookstore website).
It’s a “convertible” Tablet PC / laptop (the LED-backlist display swivels around and lays down on the keyboard, turning it into a Tablet PC). Although it has a 13.3-inch widescreen display, it looks like it’s positioned to replace the Fujitsu LifeBook T4220 as the measurements and weight are fairly close.
Features:
- LED-Backlit Display
- Active Digitizer
- Intel Core 2 Duo 45nm CPU
- 2GB of DDR3 Memory running at 1066MHz
- Wireless - 802.11n functionality
- Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR
Measurements:
Width: 12.5 inches / 317.5 mm
Depth: 9.6 inches / 243.8 mm
Height: 1.4 inches / 35.6 mm
Weight: 4.4 pounds / 2 kg
Based on the bookstore website, it looks to be available sometime in July or August and at least for educational students, is priced at around $2000 USD.
Sources: - Virginia Tech Bookstore
- GottaBeMobile.com also has some information.
Thanks to Dan and Khanj for e-mailing this.
Announced: HP Pavilion tx2500z
June 10, 2008
Today, HP announced the HP Pavilion tx2500z, the sequel to the HP Pavilion tx2000z series.
It’s HP’s first 12.1-inch “convertible” laptop that’s based on AMD’s new Puma platform for mobile computing. In addition to dual-core AMD CPUs (up to 2.4GHz), it offers up to 4GB of memory, along with Windows Vista 32-bit or 64-bit versions with Service Pack 1 (depends on Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate).
Features:
- “Convertible” - Display twists around and lays across keyboard, forming a Tablet PC with digitizer
- High-gloss black case with “Echo” pattern inlaid.
- “HP QuickPlay” - fast starts movies, music, with a mobile TV module for internet TV streaming. Mini-Remote stores in ExpressCard slot.
Updates over HP Pavilion tx2000z models:
- Updated CPU
- Updated Windows Vista options
- Upgraded graphics (ATI Radeon HD 3200)
- Upgraded harddrive options (up to 320GB 5400rpm)
It is available in the US started at $1049 through HP’s Notebook Offers section in their online store.
