Deals of the Day

Netbooks and Notebooks

• Samsung N145 netbook w/Atom N450, Win 7 Starter, 6 cell battery for $278 – Buy.com
• HP Mini 110 netbook w/AMD N455, Win 7 Starter, 3 cell battery for $275 – HP (coupon: SVP1583)
• Lenovo IdeaPad U160 Core i7 Dual 1.2GHz 12″ Laptop for $699 - Lenovo (coupon: USPU1550131)

Accessories

• Centon 16GB Class 4 SDHC card for $20 – TigerDirect
• Pogoplug Pro Wireless Multimedia Sharing Device for $68 - Buy.com
• ASUS 24″ 1080p Widescreen LCD Display for $158 after rebate – Mwave (M Club)

You can find more deals on mobile computers, gadgets, and accessories in the Liliputing Deals section.

Deals of the Day is a post from: Liliputing

AMD previews low-power C-50 Fusion chip for tablets

AMD recently unveiled a new low power chip called the C-50 for netbooks and laptops. The dual core chip has a TDP of just 9 Watts, which is comparable to the Intel Atom N550, but the C-50 also features high performance ATI Radeon HD graphics on the same chip.

Now it looks like AMD is tweaking the chip so that it can be used in low power tablet computers as well. While there's nothing stopping PC makers from using the AMD C-50 in a slate PC, tablets are typically thinner and lighter than laptops, with less room for hefty batteries. The best way to provide long battery life is to use low power components.

With that in mind, AMD's new version of the C-50 chip has a 5W TDP. The new model is still a 1 GHz dual core chip. But it has a simpler memory controller with limited features. It also doesn't support as much memory or as many peripherals as the 9W version of the C-50 chip.

Acer may be one of the first companies to produce a tablet using the new lower power AMD C-50 chip.

via Netbook News, Softpedia, PC Watch

AMD previews low-power C-50 Fusion chip for tablets is a post from: Liliputing

Toshiba NB550D netbook with AMD C-50 chip gets benchmarked

The Toshiba NB550D is one of the first 10 inch netbooks to ship with an AMD C-50 Fusion chip with integrated Radeon HD 6250 graphics. We already know that the chip can handle 1080p HD video playback and DirectX 11 graphics, but how does this 1 GHz dual core chip fare against the Intel Atom chips that currently dominate the netbook space? While the NB550D isn't available in the US, Netbook News picked up a unit in Taiwan and today the site published some of the first benchmarks.

Here are the highlights:

• The TDP of the chip is 8W, which means it actually uses slightly less power than the 8.5W Intel Atom N550.
• The computer notched an 1889 in 3DMark06.
• In the CrystalMark benchmark, the NB550D scored a little higher than an Acer netbook with an AMD N550 chip… but not much higher.
• HD video playback appears to depend on the codec. MOV and Flash video are supported, but MKV files aren't (at least not out of the box).
• 3D video games (including Crysis) played smoothly.

That 1886 score on 3DMark06 is particularly interesting. When I ran the same test on the Aspire Aspire One 521 with the AMD Athlon II K125 chip and Radeon 4225 graphics, I got a score of just 1505. The NB550D definitely wins here. Computers with first-generation NVIDIA ION graphics also tend to get between 1280 and 1560 on this test.

In fact, the only low power computer I've tested that gets a higher 3DMark06 score than the NB550D was the Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150, a nettop with second-generation NVIDIA ION graphics. That computer got a score of 2585.

So NVIDIA ION 2 appears to offer better graphics performance than the AMD Radeon HD 6250 graphics you get with the AMD C-50 chip. But I haven't seen any 10 inch netbooks with ION 2 graphics.

In terms of overall CPU performance, as UMPC Portal points out, despite the higher CrystalMark score, the Toshiba NB550D actually gets lower marks in terms of CPU performance than the average netbook with an Intel Atom N550 dual core CPU. We're not talking about a huge difference though, so it seems like we can probably expect overall performance that's on-par with a machine with an Intel Atom chip and better-than-first-generation NVIDIA ION graphics.

Programs which can take advantage of GPU acceleration will likely run quite well on the platform, but software that relies entirely on the CPU may be another story. You shouldn't have any problems with everyday tasks such as web browsing, composing documents, or even doing some minor editing of media files — but for CPU-intensive tasks you're probably better off with a machine that has a more powerful chip such as the AMD E-350 Zacate processor.

Toshiba NB550D netbook with AMD C-50 chip gets benchmarked is a post from: Liliputing

Sunbook From Clover Systems Starts Shipping

Well, here's some good news for Pixel Qi fans. Clover Systems' SunBook has hit the stores, boasting the fact that it is the first 10-inch netbook to ship with Pixel Qi's transflective display. What this means you can use it in both full-color mode or the low-power high contrast mode – which lets you both save energy and have it readable in a high light environment. It actually looks like it has an E-ink display while using that mode.

Anyway, the fancy display jacked up the price to $795. It won't all go to the display though. The screen is at 1024 x 600 pixel, while the CPU is a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N450 processor. It also comes with 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. It comes pre-loaded with Windows 7 Starter and has a touchpad with multitouch gesture support. For connectivity, it has 3G and  4G options.

Source: Liliputing

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Sunbook From Clover Systems Starts Shipping

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Toshiba NB550D netbook unboxed (AMD C-50, Harman Kardon speakers)

The Toshiba NB550D netbook isn't expected to ship in the US, but Nicole at Netbook News managed to pick one up in Taiwan. The little laptop is one of the first computers to ship with an AMD C-50 dual core processor and Radeon HD 6250 graphics, but that's not its only claim to fame. It also has Harman Kardon speakers built into the palm rest (with a tiny subwoofer on the bottom of the computer).

Nicole has posted an unboxing video and while she hasn't benchmarked the performance of the CPU and graphics yet, she does demonstrate a nifty feature: You can use the speakers even when the computer is turned off. Just plug in an audio source such as an MP3 player or other portable device, and you can use the netbook like a kind of bulky, expensive set of portable speakers. Still, the best mobile devices are the ones you already have with you, and if you plan to carry the netbook around with you anyway, it's nice to know that you don't also need to pack speakers in your bag (if you're the sort of person who's likely to do that).

You can check out the unboxing video after the break.

Toshiba NB550D netbook unboxed (AMD C-50, Harman Kardon speakers) is a post from: Liliputing

Clover SunBook netbook with Pixel Qi display now available

The SunBook from Clover Systems is the first 10 inch netbook to ship with a Pixel Qi transflective display. That means you can use the netbook in full color mode for viewing pictures, watching movies, or doing just about anything else you'd expect to do on a netbook. But you can also kill the backlight to view the display in a sunlight-readable high contrast, low power mode. That lets you use the netbook outdoors or simply save energy when you don't need color or backlighting.

I got a chance to see the SunBook at CES earlier this month, and for the most part it looks like a typical netbook — until you shut off the backlight, when it looks like a netbook with an E Ink-style display.

Unfortunately that Pixel Qi screen comes at a cost. The SunBook went on sale this weekend for $795. That's actually a bit less than the price the company was advertising a few weeks ago, but the high price tag is clearly going to turn off some potential customers.

The rest of the specs are pretty much standard netbook fare including a 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 pixel display, 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 250GB hard drive. The computer runs Windows 7 Starter and has a touchpad with multitouch gesture support, 3G and 4G options, and a battery which Clover Systems says is good for 8 to 12 hours of run time.

You can find my brief hands-on video from CES after the break.

Clover SunBook netbook with Pixel Qi display now available is a post from: Liliputing

Motorola Atrix 4G demo video: Could be the only mobile device you need?

Motorola has released a demo video for the upcoming Atrix 4G smartphone — you know, the one with the optional $150 Webtop docking station that effectively turns the phone into a notebook computer? It looks like there will also be a media dock which will allow you to connect the phone to a big screen TV and use a remote to control media playback.

I have to say, I really like the idea of a single device which you carry in your pocket — thus keeping all of your important data and apps with you wherever you go, which then serves multiple functions around the house or on the go depending on the docking station.

While I hear a lot of chatter that tablets are killing netbooks, I don't think that's true. While there's certainly some overlap in functionality, netbooks and tablets are different product categories and while some netbook customers might decide that tablets better meet their needs, others will prefer devices with QWERTY keyboards. The Atrix 4G, on the other hand, really could replace the need for a netbook or notebook computer for some people.

That said, I do have one major concern about this one-device-to-rule-them-all kind of model. First, I have an iPod touch and an Android phone. While you'd think I only use the iPod touch to run iOS apps that aren't available on Android, I've realized that I actually prefer it for reading eBooks and playing games. That's not because it necessarily does a better job at either of those things — it's because I don't care if the battery dies on my iPod touch. If it does, I can still take phone calls. But if I spend a few hours playing games or reading eBooks on my Google Nexus One, suddenly I jeopardize one of its most important features: the ability to send and receive phone calls.

If you're busy using your Atrix 4G to watch movies on your TV, what are you going to do when the phone rings? Fortunately the demo video shows that you can make and take phone calls when the phone is docked to Webtop notebook station.

Anyway, the Atrix 4G is still one of the more exciting new devices I've seen in a while — even if you have to buy multiple docking stations before the phone can reach its full potential.

via Engadget

Motorola Atrix 4G demo video: Could be the only mobile device you need? is a post from: Liliputing

Deals of the Day

Netbooks, Notebooks, and Tablets

• Asus Eee PC 1001PX-EU27 netbook w/Atom N450, 23Whr battery for $250 – J&R
• Lenovo Ideapad S10-3 10″ netbook w/Atom N455, Win 7 Starter for $287 – Lenovo (coupon: USPLENOVO127)
• Fujitsu Lifebook PH520 11.6″ notebook w/1.7 GHz AMD Athlon II for $399 – Fujitsu (coupon: VALENTINE11)
• 7″ Android eBook Reader / Tablet for $100 + free shipping – DinoDirect

Accessories

• Kingston 128GB SSDNow V Series SATA II 2.5″ drive for $135 - Buy.com
• Genius Wireless Mini Navigator Mouse for $10.49 + free shipping - Buy.com
• Kensington SD100 Laptop Docking Station for $20 + free shipping - Buy.com

You can find more deals on mobile computers, gadgets, and accessories in the Liliputing Deals section.

Deals of the Day is a post from: Liliputing

HP Mini 1103 education netbook reviewed: Not bad for $299

The HP Mini 1103 is the cheapest netbook HP currently offers for the business and education markets. If the mini-laptop looks familiar, that's because it's case design is nearly identical in most respects to the latest HP Mini 210. But the Mini 1103 has distinct left and right mouse buttons instead of buttons integrated into the touchpad, and it lacks an island-style keyboard.

The folks at Laptop Magazine have published a review of the HP Mini 1103, and they seem reasonably impressed with the little guy. Sure, with a single core Atom processor and integrated graphics, it's not the most powerful netbook around. But it has a relatively fast 7200RPM hard drive and gets well over 8 hours of battery life, which isn't bad at all for a netbook with a starting price of $299 .

While the netbook is designed for business and education, it's also available for consumers to purchase. The basic configuration includes a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N455 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and Windows 7 Starter Edition.

HP Mini 1103 education netbook reviewed: Not bad for $299 is a post from: Liliputing

MSI WinPad Windows 7 Tablet Available for $710

If Amazon is keeping you at bay on when it will have the EEE Slate on stock, you might want to check out the site Simply Electronics instead. Why? Because the online retailer is currently selling an alternative to the Eee Slate – the MSI WindPad 100W. Yes, you guess it right, this is a Windows 7 tablet offering from MSI and is equally powerful as the Eee Slate.

If you have the money to spare – make that around $710 money to spare, hurry up and order the MSI WindPad. Last time we checked there are only 5 units left of this tablets. Either Simply Electronics have received many orders or the units delivered were very few only.

So, if I were you, I'll visit Simply Eletronics now.

Specs of the MSI WindPad 100W are as follow:

- 10.1" 1024 x 600 Touchscreen
- Processor : Intel Mobile Processor
- Operating System : Windows 7 Home Premium
- Support multi touch
- Screen rotate
- Light sensor detect
- G-sensor
- Support 2 camera (1 for take photo, 1 for conference meeting)
- HDMI port: connect to external monitor
- Storage : 32gb (SSD)
- Memory : DDRII 2GB
- Battery : Over 6hrs
- Dimension : 274x173x18.5 mm
- Weight : 800g (with battery)

via Laptoping

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

MSI WinPad Windows 7 Tablet Available for $710

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Updated Netbook Navigator Nav9 tablet now available

As expected, the folks at Netbook Navigator have launched a new version of their Nav9 Windows tablet. Like the version I reviewed last year, the new Nav9 features an 8.9 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display and 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N450 processor. But the new model has a few extra features.

First up, the Nav9 still features a multitouch resistive touchscreen display, but it's a new low-pressure display designed for better sensitivity. The new model also has a mini SD card slot and three USB ports, which is one more than the original Nav9 tablet had.

The tablet is also now available in an all-black case, although you can still get a Nav9 with the silver/chromed edges if you like.

The Nav9 has the same $599 starting price for a tablet with 16GB of storage, 1GB of RAM and no operating system. If you want Windows 7 Home Premium preloaded you'll have to shell out $699 or more.

Updated Netbook Navigator Nav9 tablet now available is a post from: Liliputing

Giada launches new line of mini-desktops with range of Intel, AMD chips

Giada has introduced three new mini-desktop computers that look more like optical disk drives than full-fledged computers. The company is no stranger to the nettop space, having brought a number of mini-desktops with low power Intel Atom chips to market over the past few years. But recently Giada has been branching out with mini-desktops that pack a little more punch.

The new models include:

• Giada A50 with an AMD E-350 or E-240 fusion chip, Radeon HD 6310 graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium
• Giada i50 with an Intel Core i3-330UM or Core i5-430UM CPU, GMA HD graphics, and Windows 7 Home Premium
• Giada N50 with Intel Atom D525 and NVIDIA ION graphics and Windows 7 Home Premium

All three computers have 2.5 inch hard drive bays, 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, Ethernet, VGA and HDMI jacks and a flash card reader as well as audio out, mic-in, and SPDIF out ports. The PCs measure 7.5″ x 5.9″ x 1″ and will come in black or white. They each use 35W or less of power.

There's no word on pricing or availability.

via Netbook News

Giada launches new line of mini-desktops with range of Intel, AMD chips is a post from: Liliputing

Gigabyte Booktop M1005 dual core netbook gets the hands-on treatment

The Gigabyte M1005 is the second "Booktop" style netbook from Gigabyte. That means that while the device looks like a typical netbook at first glance, you can close the lid and stand up the laptop in a docking station, plug in a keyboard, mouse and display and use it like a desktop computer.

What sets the M1005 apart from the original Booktop is the 1.5 GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core processor. The rest of the specs are pretty much the same, as is the overall design. But if you'd like to see what the new netbook looks like, Netbook News got a little hands-on time with the Booktop and you can check out the video after the break.

One thing that's worth noting is that while most netbooks spread out the USB ports on the left and right sides, the M1005′s three USB ports are all on the right side, along with an Ethernet jack and a flash card reader. The mic and headphone jacks are on the front, and the left side only features the dock connector and a VGA port.

The docking station has 3 USB ports, an Ethernet jack, line output, and VGA port.

Gigabyte Booktop M1005 dual core netbook gets the hands-on treatment is a post from: Liliputing

Deals of the Day

Netbooks and Notebooks

• Lenovo IdeaPad U260 12.5″ laptop w/Intel Core i3 CPU for $719 – Lenovo (coupon: USPLENOVO127)
• Alienware M11x Core 2 Duo 1.3GHz 12″ LED Laptop for $549 + free shipping - Dell (via Dealnews)
• 20% off refurbished Dell Laptops: Inspiron Mini 10 for $231 + free shipping – Dell (via Dealnews)
• Refurb 11.6″ MacBook Air w/Core 2 Duo for $849 – Apple

Nettops

• eMachines ER1401 nettop w/AMD Neo K325, NVIDIA GeForce 9200 for $280 – TigerDirect
• Jetway Barebone System w/Atom D525, NVIDIA ION for $210 – Newegg
• Foxconn barebones neetop w/Atom 330, GMA 950 graphics for $115 – Newegg

Accessories

• Kingston 30GB SSDNow V Series 2.5″ Internal SSD for $55 after rebate – Newegg
• A-DATA 16GB Class 10 SDHC card for $22 – Newegg
• CORSAIR Flash Voyager Mini 8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive for $7 after rebate – Newegg

You can find more deals on mobile computers, gadgets, and accessories in the Liliputing Deals section.

Deals of the Day is a post from: Liliputing

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 unveiling, Motorola XOOM launch in February?

Motorola XOOM tablet

While the teaser video for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 that hit the web a few days ago lacked a bit of spit and polish, it does look like Samsung may be preparing to unveil the Galaxy Tab 2 soon. Samsung Hub has posted a slide showing a spartial schedule for Mobile World Congress, and it looks like there's a presentation involving the Galaxy S 2 phone and Galaxy Tab  tablet slated for the evening of February 13th.

Of course, there's still no information about the specs, price, or launch date, but it certainly looks like we should be getting more information soon.

In other next-generation Android tablet news, Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha just announced during the company's earnings call that the Motorola XOOM tablet will launch in February. He also suggested that the company could eventually launch a 7 inch version of the tablet.

The XOOM is expected to be the first tablet to ship with Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb installed. Motorola has been working with Google to make that happen. The tablet features a 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core chip, a 101 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel display with support for 1080p HD video playback and a 5MP camera with 720p HD video recording capabilities. The tablet will work with Verizon's 3G network in the US. A 4G update will be available later in the year. There's no official word on whether Motorola has any plans to launch a WiFi-only version of the tablet.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 unveiling, Motorola XOOM launch in February? is a post from: Liliputing

Asus Eee Slate Available Now from Amazon

If you've been fancying the Asus Eee Slate ever since it was launched during CES 2011, well now is your chance to grab this Asus tablet as it becomes available now from Amazon. Retailing for $1,099, the Asus Eee Slate features a 12.1-inch LED touchscreen display, Microsoft Windows 7,  Intel Core i5 CPU with DDR3 RAM and 1.33GHz, 1080p HD video playback, 64GB HDD, 4GB of RAM, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi, 2MP webcam and 2 USB 2.0 ports.

The Eee Slate is packed with a 4-cell battery which can lasts you up to three hours. Not really a fascinating feature, right?  Ready to take Asus' tablet for a spin? Unfortunately, the Amazon product page does not specify the delivery date for this device. If you don't mind paying up for it and waiting for Amazon to deliver the device, hit this Amazon link to order your Asus Eee Slate now.

via PC World

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Asus Eee Slate Available Now from Amazon

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Acer Intros the Aspire one E100 Netbook Geared for the Education Sector

What do we have here? It looks like a new Acer Aspire One Netbook with the E100 model name. But looking closely, you'll actually find out that the Acer Aspire One E100 netbook which is being geared for the education sector is actually more or less the previous Aspire One D255.

New things about this netbook include the fact that it dual boots on Android and Windows 7. Plus, the netbook also features a special rubber coating which can best be used for school branding. The netbook also comes preloaded with several education software.

Specs-wise, it's all pretty standard for the Aspire one E100 with specs such as 1GB of RAM, 250GB HDD, 10.1-inch display, Intel Atom processor and 8 hours battery life.

via Engadget, Notebook Italia

A post from the Asus Eee PC blog.

Acer Intros the Aspire one E100 Netbook Geared for the Education Sector

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Deals of the Day

Netbooks, Notebooks and Tablets

• Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3 10″ netbook w/Atom N455, Win 7 Starter for $290 - Buy.com
• Sony VAIO P Intel Atom 1.6GHz 8″ Netbook for $699 + free shipping - Microsoft Store
• HP Pavilion dm1z AMD Zacate 12″ Laptop for $425 + free shipping – HP (coupon: SVMB39487)
• Viewsonic ViewPad 7 Android 2.2 tablet w/3G for $418 – B&H

Accessories

• Iomega eGo 2TB Desktop USB desktop hard drive for $100 – TigerDirect
• Premiertek USB 2.5″ SATA HDD Enclosure for $4 + free shipping – Mwave
• USB 3-LED Flexible Light for $1 + free shipping – Meritline (via Dealnews)
• $5 off $30 at TigerDirect, $10 off $100 at Nautica, more - Google Checkout (via Dealnews)

You can find more deals on mobile computers, gadgets, and accessories in the Liliputing Deals section.

Deals of the Day is a post from: Liliputing

Acer Aspire One 522 netbook with AMD Ontario now shipping

The Acer Aspire One 522 was one of the first netbooks announced to sport a shiny new 1 GHz AMD C-50 dual core chip and AMD Radeon HD 6250 graphics. Now the netbook also has the distinction of becoming the first 10 inch netbook with an AMD Fusion chip to ship in the US. After taking pre-orders for the last few weeks, Amazon is shipping the $330 mini-laptop.

Of course, it's not shocking that the Aspire laptop is the first to ship in the US. The only other 10 inch netbook I'm aware of that uses the same chipset is the Toshiba NB550D, which isn't scheduled for a US launch at all.

The Acer laptop has a 10 inch, 1280 x 720 pixel display, 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and 802.11b/g/n WiFi. It runs Windows 7 Starter Edition.

via Netbook News

Acer Aspire One 522 netbook with AMD Ontario now shipping is a post from: Liliputing

Roundup of Notion Ink Adam first impressions

The Notion Ink Adam tablet has gained a lot of attention over the past year because it's one of the most promising Android tablets… on paper. The spec sheet reads like a tech gadget's dream journal, including a dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, support for HD video and 3D graphics acceleration, an optional Pixel Qi transflective display, and a custom user interface designed for tablets. Unfortunately now that the tablet is actually shipping, it's getting mixed reviews from the earliest customers.

There are a few things to keep in mind here. First, it's much easier to highlight the disappointing features in any new product than the things it does right. Second, the hype was so high for the Adam tablet that it would have been hard for the product to have lived up to expectations. Third, this is the first generation of Notion Ink's first product. Finally, some of the issues users are reporting appear to be software-related, and there may be easy software fixes.

Alright, so what are the problems that users are reporting?

• The display is glossy, not matte.
• Notion Ink offers a matte screen protector, but it's kind of tough to apply properly.
• The screen seems a bit unresponsive at times when using the Notion Ink Eden software.
• Some of the Notion Ink UI elements are clunky — for instance, the notification bar actually covers up part of other applications, which can make navigation difficult.
• At least one user thinks his Pixel Qi screen might be defective, with discoloration on one side.
• At least one user reports that he's experiencing frequent crashes.
• Some of the apps don't seem to work properly in the home screen panel/leaf mode.
• Zooming in the Adam web browser is jerky.
• The Pixel Qi display is certainly visible in black and white mode, but the glossy screen reflects enough glare that it could be difficult to view the screen in some situations. There seems to be some disagreement on this point though.

That said, Notion Ink already tried to push out a software update… but canceled it when it turned out that users were having trouble downloading and installing it. It's possible that future software updates could fix some of these problems.

If you don't want to wait for Notion Ink to address the software problems though, there may be another solution. One user installed ADW Launcher which is a program launcher that you can run instead of the Notion Ink Eden software to give the tablet a feel that's much more like what you would get from a tablet or smartphone running Google's stock Android software. The touch experience seemed to be much smoother, and third party web browsers such as Dolphin HD seem to run much more smoothly than the Adam's default browser.

The good news is that the battery charges quickly, some people seem to love the Pixel Qi screen, you can install third party apps, choose your own keyboard software if you don't like the keyboard app, and basically customize the heck out of your user experience. That's one of the key things that sets the Adam, like most Android tablets, apart from the Apple iPad.

The Notion Addicts  forum is a great place to find more information from early customers.

You can check out some early videos after the break, including a side-by-side comparison of the Adam tablet and a Samsung Galaxy Tab. I should point out that while one person suggests that the tablet can't support HD video playback, the problem is that he's trying to watch HD Flash video. The NVIDIA Tegra 2 chip should be able to handle HD video from internal storage — but Adobe Flash for Android isn't currently optimized for HD video.

Overall, it sounds like the Notion Ink Adam tablet is one of the most ambitious Android tablets available… but the out of the box experience may not be quite as exciting as I know many people were hoping it would be.

via Notion Addicts, Notion Ink Fan, My Droid and Me, Tech Lemonade

The folks at CompuLab have been putting out ridiculously small desktop computers for a while, including the Intel Atom (and now AMD Fusion) powered line of Fit PC devices. But the company is branching out a bit with its latest. The CompuLab Trim Slice drops the x86 processor altogether for a 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core ARM Cortex A9 processor.

The little computer comes with 1GB of DDR2 memory and a SATA solid state disk with support for up to 64GB of storage (plus full sized SDHC and micro SDHC card slots for expansion). The Trim Slice also packs 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth, supports HDMI 1.3 and DVI video and 5.1 channel S/PDIF audio. There are 4 USB 2.0 ports and a serial port.

The whole thing uses an average of just 3 watts of power and has a fanless all-metal design. The Trim Slice measures just 5.1″ x 3.7″ x 0.6″.

Since the computer is powered by an ARM-based chip, it's not going to run Windows 7, but you should be able to install Google Android, or any number of Linux-based operating systems that support ARM architecture. The computer could be used as a media player, gaming system, or even a desktop PC with the right software.

There's no word on pricing yet, but CompuLab promises the Trim Slice will be cheaper than a typical tablet. The computer will go on sale in April.

via SlashGear

CompuLab Trim Slice: Tiny PC powered by NVIDIA Tegra 2 is a post from: Liliputing

Archos 48 Internet Tablet: Like the Archos 5, but cheaper and without GPS

Archos has quietly introduced a new Android tablet with a 4.8 inch display and a whopping 500GB of hard drive space for $299. If the Archos 48 looks familiar, it's because it's virtually identical to the Archos 5 Internet Tablet which has been available since 2009. But the new model lacks GPS and the $299 price tag is a lot lower than the $449 price for an Archos 5 decked out with a 500GB hard drive.

Still, you're essentially getting last year's specs with this model. The Archos 48 has an 800 MHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor, 256MB of RAM, a 4.8 inch, 800 x 480 pixel resistive touchscreen display, and runs Google Android 1.6 Donut. It also ships without the Android Market preloaded, although I suspect installing a hacked version of the Market and other Google apps like Gmail should be as easy on the Archos 48 as it is on the Archos 5.

The good news is that like other Archos tablets, the Archos 48 Internet Tablet has excellent multimedia capabilities, with support for a wide range of audio and video codecs including 720p MPEG-4, H.264, and MKV video files. The tablet also supports 802.11b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0.

Archos 48 Internet Tablet: Like the Archos 5, but cheaper and without GPS is a post from: Liliputing

Deals of the Day

Netbooks, Notebooks and Tablets

• Asus UL20FT A1 12.1″ notebook w/Intel Core i3-330UM for $517 after MIR – Abe's of Maine
• Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet price drops to $250 (on contract) - T-Mobile (starting Jan 26th)
• Apple iPod touch (32GB) with retina display for $240 - sellout.woot
• Refurb Asus Eee PC 1018PB netbook w/Atom N450, Win 7 Starter for $268 – Newegg

Nettops

• Zotac  barebones system w/AMD Neo X2 L325 , Radeon HD 3200 for $150 after rebate – Newegg

Accessories

• Western Digital Elements 2TB 3.5″ Desktop External Hard Drive for $90 – Newegg (coupon: EMCKJHE22)
• OCZ Vertex 2 60GB 2.5″ internal SSD for $100after rebate – Newegg
• Patriot 8GB Class 4 Micro SDHC Flash Card w/ Adapter for $8.99 after rebate – Newegg

You can find more deals on mobile computers, gadgets, and accessories in the Liliputing Deals section.

Deals of the Day is a post from: Liliputing

Closer look at the Gigabyte S1080 Windows slate

Gigabyte unveiled a new 10 inch Windows slate computer during CES earlier this month. But I didn't get a chance to catch up with the folks at Gigabyte at the show. Fortunately Sascha from Netbook News managed to stop by the Gigabyte offices in Taipei recently, and he's posted a hands-on video of the new Gigabyte S1080 tablet.

The S1080 features a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N570 dual core processor, 1GB. a 320GB hard drive, and a 1024 x 600 pixel display. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium and supports VGA output, an Ethernet jack, and has a USB 3.0 port.

There are also some buttons to make navigating Windows easier, including left and right mouse buttons. The computer has a capacitive multitouch display and comes with Gigabyte's AppPark software which is a small suite of touch-friendly apps.

Gigabyte has been producing convertible tablet-style netbooks for a few years, so the company is no stranger to Windows computers with touchscreens. But this is the first Atom-powered computer from Gigabyte I've seen without a physical keyboard.

The tablet should begin shipping in March. There's no word on pricing yet, but Gigabyte's computers don't tend to come cheap.

You can check out Sascha's video after the break.

Closer look at the Gigabyte S1080 Windows slate is a post from: Liliputing

Acer unveils Aspire E100 netbook for students with Android, Windows

Acer has introduced a new netbook dubbed the Aspire E100 and the E stands for Education… or maybe Europe. Notebook Italia reports that Acer is working with the European Schoolnet on the project.

For the most part the E100 looks like a standard Acer netbook. The key differences are that schools can customize the mini-laptop with their logos, and there's a pocket for students or teachers to put a label with their names. Acer also preloads some education oriented software including the Acer Classroom Manager which lets teachers monitor and interact with students using the laptops.

The Acer Aspire E100 features a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, a 6 cell battery, a 250GB a hard drive, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 and Ethernet. There's an Intel Atom processor inside the netbook, although Notebook Italia doesn't specify which Atom chip. I'm guessing N455, N475, or N550 since the computer uses 1GB of DDR memory.

Like some versions of the Acer Aspire D255 and D260 netbooks, the E100 can dual boot Windows 7 and Google Android.

There's no word on whether the netbook will be launched in the US or other markets outside of Europe.

Acer unveils Aspire E100 netbook for students with Android, Windows is a post from: Liliputing

Notion Ink Adam tablet shipments starting to arrive

OK, it may officially be time for Notion Ink Adam tablet enthusiasts to exhale. After hitting a public relations roadbump or two in the  pre-order process, the company started shipping pre-orders last week. And they're starting to arrive. UK resident Shane Trafford is one of the first folks to receive one, and he's sent some unboxing photos to the Notion Ink Fan website.

Yes, there are still reports of some users having trouble getting Notion Ink to honor a discount promise. And yes, we're still waiting to see detailed reviews of the tablet in terms of overall performance, build quality, and battery life. But it looks like we can officially say the tablet isn't a scam.

I was pretty sure of that already — especially after spending some time with a production unit at CES and talking to Pixel Qi founder Mary Lou Jepsen, who confirmed that Notion Ink had placed some significant orders of the company's sunlight-readable displays. But it's still nice to see the tablet actually shipping.

Trafford says it was a bit tricky to install the matte screen protector, and it took about 20 minutes to install a software update after tunring on the tablet.

The Notion Ink Adam tablet features a 10 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, a 1GHz dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, and runs Google Android with a custom user interface designed for tablets. The device has a camera which is designed to swivel 180 degrees allowing you to use a single camera as both a front and rear-facing camera. Notion Ink offers the Pixel Qi display as an option, as well as a choice of 3G enabled or WiFi-only tablets.

Update: There's now a video available… and a warning. Some users are reporting that the software update is causing problems, with the update failing to fully download. You can check out the video below.

via SlashGear

Notion Ink Adam tablet shipments starting to arrive is a post from: Liliputing

MSI Wind U160MX dual core netbook unboxed

The MSI Wind U160MX is a new version of the Wind U160 netbook MSI first introduced over a year ago. But there's one key difference: The U160X is available with either a single or a dual core Atom processor.

The folks at Notebook Italia got their hands on the new MSI Wind U160MX and have posted some unboxing photos and first impressions. For the most part, the computer loks just like earlier models. But there are a few subtle differences. The touchpad shape has been tweaked and while there's still only really one button beneath the touchpad, there's now a little notch in the middle which should make it easier to detect the left and right sides with your finger without looking down.

The Wind U160MX also comes with a new brushed-metal style paint job and a "silver black" color scheme.

The netbook comes with a 6 cell battery which doesn't even come close to sitting flush with the case.

You can find more information and an unboxing video at Notebook Italia.

MSI Wind U160MX dual core netbook unboxed is a post from: Liliputing

NVIDIA may be working on 3D, quad-core Tegra chips

There was a time when ARM-based chips were viewed as the low powered wimps of the computing world. But that's all changing. ARM-based chips today can be multi-core processors that can handle 1080p HD video playback, a decent bit of number crunching, and low power consumption. And things just keep getting better: a leaked product slide suggests that NVIDIA's next ARM-based chip will be able to handle 3D graphics, while th efollowing chip will be a quad-core, low power beast.

NVIDIA's Tegra 2 chipset is already grabbing a lot of headlines as one of the first 1GHz dual-core ARM chips around with support for high performance graphics. According to some leaked slides that popped up this weekend, NVIDIA could be preparing to release a Tegra 2 3D chip this spring, with dual Arm Cortex-A9 cores, support for 3D displays, and clock speeds up to 1.2 GHz.

By the end of the year, the slide suggests that Tegra 3 will be available for sampling. It will reportedly be a quad-core 1.5 GHz chip with support for 1920 x 1200 pixel displays, Blu-Ray video playback, and graphics that are 3 times faster than existing chips.

NVIDIA's Tegra chips are designed for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices aimed at low power, high performance (for a mobile device) applications. For now, it's likely that most ARM-based devices will continue to run mobile operating systems such as Google Android, iOS, webOS, or RIM's BlackBerry QNX software. But eventually Microsoft plans to develop a full-blown version of Windows (not Windows CE) which can also run on ARM-based chips. You can already run some desktop Linux operating systems such as Ubuntu on ARM-based hardware, but while we've seen users install Ubuntu on the Tegra 2-based Toshiba AC100, I haven't seen any major device makers announce an ARM netbook or tablet that will ship with Linux yet.

NVIDIA's also not the only company working on multi-core ARM-based chips. Qualcomm's dual-core Snapdragon processor is expected to start shipping soon, and Freescale plans to offer dual and quad-core chips this year.

via Engadget

NVIDIA may be working on 3D, quad-core Tegra chips is a post from: Liliputing

Deals of the Day

Netbooks and Notebooks

• Acer Aspire AS1430Z 11.6″ laptop w/Intel Pentium U5600, Win 7 Home Premium for $488 – Amazon
• Asus Eee PC 1015PEM-MU17 w/Atom N550, 6 cell battery, Win 7 Starter for $340 - B&H
• Asus Eee PC 1201PN 12.1″ notebook w/Atom N450, NVIDIA ION for $380 – B&H
• 35% off laptops and desktops - Dell Financial Services (via Dealnews)

Accessories

• Fantom 2TB eSATA?USB 2.0 External Hard Drive for $84.99 after rebate – Buy.com
• Kingston 8GB (2 X 4GB) SDHC Cards – Twin Pack for $11.95 - Buy.com
• Airlink101 802.11n Wireless Mini USB Adapter for $9 + free shipping - Meritline (via Dealnews)

You can find more deals on mobile computers, gadgets, and accessories in the Liliputing Deals section.

Deals of the Day is a post from: Liliputing