If you were thinking about getting an ultra-portable PC or sub-notebook, you’ll have to gather information about a lot of new devices that have appeared in the last months. Brad Linder over at Liliputing.com wrote a great post which gives an overview of ultra-portable devices along with specifications. A great list that should be helpful if you’re still wondering what to get. The list includes:

• Asus Eee PC 701
• Dreambook Light IL1
• Everex Cloudbook
• HP 2133 Mini-Note (HP Mini)
• Asus Eee PC 900
• ECS G10IL
• Everex Cloudbook Max
• MSI Wind
• 2Go PC
• 3k Longitude
• ACi Ultra-mini
• Airis Kira
• Blue Digital Systems Deep Blue
• Elonex One
• Fukato Datacask
• HCL MiLeap X
• Jisus
• Kohjinsha SCC
• Medion Akoya Mini
• Noahpad
• Nohrtec Gecko
• Proview Handbook PC-81001
• Sungjut TangoX
• Gigabyte M912

So, there you go. This should you give a lot to think about before you buy.

Share This

As announced earlier, the new HP 2133 or Mini-Note is here, except it’s probably going to be simply called HP Mini. I don’t want to get into too much detail about it (read the HP 2133/Mini specs here), so maybe this hands-on video from jkOnTheRun.com will suffice (it’s kinda long, a little more than 30 minutes):

I don’t know… I still like the design, but I was a little put off by the amount of time it took to fire-up from hibernation, and the one shown was the top model. The size is okay, but you still need a backpack to carry it around (although a small one at that). We need smaller.

Share This

To follow up on what I wrote initially when the HP 2133 was announced, according to a post on Engadget, it’s coming on April 7, with a starting price of US$549 (running SuSE Enterprise). They also got their hands on the specs, so here they are:

I don’t understand why there isn’t an option with SuSE and Bluetooth for, say, $600. Bluetooth must come with MS Windows?!? I hope this will change.

Share This

The next generation of EEE PC will sport a touch-screen interface and other goodies, such as a GPS module most probably. According to DigiTimes, the new 8.9-incher will go for around US$500 which is pretty good. The new EEE PC will have SSD space from 8-12 Gb, unlike the currently available model with 4 Gb of SSD space. One of the things that I also like is the fact that the new bigger screen will also have a higher resolution (1024×600 pixels).

Share This

Sounds like a name for a car concept featuring a hybrid power plant, but it’s actually the latest sub-notebook warrior. It’s a very sexy design featuring things like built-in webcam, three USB 2.0 ports, ethernet, 56Kb/s modem (?!). Info is pretty thin for now, with everyone waiting for ECS (Elitegroup Group Systems) to give out more information. The design is good though…

Images from pocket-lint.co.uk

I just love the keyboard, and the design is very agreeable with me, as it reminds me of the VAIO I used to have (well, still got it, but broken, awaiting reparation). Some already call it the EEE PC killer (although HP Compaq 2133, better looking than EEE BTW, and Cloudbook are threatened as well). I don’t know, but it definitely looks good, maybe because it brings a little bit of a Mac Book and Sony VAIO mix that the others lack as far as design is considered.

According to Pocket Link, the device comes with a HSPDA 7.2 datacard built-in, so we’ve got mobile broadband connectivity. I am expecting the G10IL to feature all the wireless connectivity it can with WiFi and Bluetooth. There’s no optical drive, which is kinda expected for a device this size. Judging from the picture and hand-to-casing size ratio, it’s going to be a nine-incher. ECS is aiming at a below $500 price mark, which sounds alright.

Share This

Just saw this on Engadget - HP revealed their new UMPC, the HP Compaq 2133. I must say I am very pleased with the design. The “lifestyle accessory” really looks good. Even though it’s more an ultra-portable laptop, such as the Everex Cloudbook and the EEE PC, rather than what we’ve been used to calling an UMPC, its size is indeed small. Plus, it looks way better than the two afore mentioned models. According to Engadget, the new mobile computer sports an 8.9” scratch resistant wide-screen format (1366×766px), ExpressCard/54 slot, Wireless LAN, an almost full-sized QWERTY (95% full size), integrated web cam, and optional SSD and all that in a 2.5-pound (1.125 kg) anodized aluminum casing. It will be running Windows Vista or Linux.

I don’t know about you, but me wants one. I’d carry it everywhere and call it “precious”.

Share This

Even though the Macbook Air was unveiled days ago, I didn’t want to write anything until someone actually put it under some working conditions so we can all get an idea of what Air is all about. When I saw the first images I was impressed by the design, which didn’t surprise me since Apple is well known for beautifully designed devices, but was immediately vexed by the high price tag (~$1800) considering the hardware that’s offered. Well, Engadget released a detailed review of the Macbook Air, and to use their words “the Air is a tough call”.

There are plenty of points about the new Apple laptop to discuss, but it’s best if you take a look at the review and the discussion thereafter. Like the iPhone, there are reasons for buying Macbook Air, but also plenty of reasons for choosing an alternative.

Share This

When I first wrote about the EEE PC a couple of months back, the news said it would come in the price range of $350-$450 depending on the configurations. Well, it seems someone has decided that the standrad EEE PC setup simply wasn’t enough. They’ve gone so far in adding stuff to it, that they actually brought the price up to about $800. But, just check out all the goodies this “pimped” version offers:

• USB hubs
• GPS module
• Bluetooth
• SDHC card reader
• Adata SDHC 8 GB
• Corsair VoyagerGT 4 GB USB drive
• Switch + Prototypingboards
• Intel Wireless adapter
• Airplay FM transmitter
• Conexant Modem
• Crucial 2 GB DDR2 module

Whether you’d want these things added to your EEE PC is not important. What is, however, is the fact that the EEE PC is quite expandable and customizable (if you need it to be).

[Via: Clumpc.com + more picture there]

Share This

I read a post on Linux Devices showing what is going to be a new UMPC on the market very soon. It’s the Cloudbook (or CE1200V), manufactured by Everex. It’s basically a 7-inch screen ultra-portable computer, with some impressive characteristics, if they prove to be true. It’s going to pack a 1.2 GHz ultra-lov voltage processor and a reuglar hard disk. Unlike the EEE PC I wrote about weeks ago, which has 4 GB of solid-state disk (SSD) space, the Cloudbook will have 30 GB hard disk. According to Linux Devices, there will be a developer version of the new product, featuring a touch screen interface. The regular Cloudbook will ship mid-January for about $400, while the developer version will ship a bit earlier, probably at the very beginning of January.

I must say this UMPC looks a bit better than the EEE PC. Firstly, the screen actually occupies more space on the inside of the cover, while the EEE PC’s screen has big fat margins around it. The overall look is also more appealing, to me anyway, but I guess it’s best to wait for actual action shots. Here’s a couple of pictures I picked up on Linux Devices:

Share This

Amazon released its own ebook reader called Kindle. At first glance the device looks quite good. Here are the technical details from the Amazon Kindle page:

• Display: 6″ diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 4-level gray scale
• Size (in inches): 7.5″ x 5.3″ x 0.7″
• Weight: 10.3 ounces
• System requirements: None, because it doesn’t require a computer

Amazon has gone far in making it easier for consumers to purchase content through Amazon. Kindle has wireless connectivity using the same 3G network as mobile phones, and it’s called Amazon Whispernet. Unlike WiFi, the user doesn’t have to bother with locating a hotspot. Amazon promieses there are no confusing service plans, yearly contracts, or monthly wireless bills because they’ve taken care of it for their consumers. Buying content is as easy as a 1-click operation, with Amazon shopping integrated into the device. Users can buy books, magazines, subscribe to newspaper editions, and there are special trial periods for many of the publications to give users a chance in trying out whether a particular content is interesting enough for them to subscribe to for a longer period of time.

Amazon boasts a paper like screen which shows crisp text and images using the latest electronic paper technology, where the actual ink is dispersed electronically allowing for greater precision and display quality. The device also features a full qwerty keyboard, and ergonomically designed function buttons for easy content browsing. Kindle retails for $399 on Amazon.

Although Kindle looks reasonably good, I’d still wait a while until more sophisticated and thinner devices hit the market, like the recently covered Seiko Epson ebook reader prototype. Sony had a very successful model, the PRS 500, which ironically was sold on Amazon until recently. Although e-book readers have their place on the market, it may be more useful to wait for a more all-in-one device in the future like a tablet PC with improved screen reading. Although tablet PCs are still expensive, if a future ebook reader/tablet computer can be placed somewhere in the middle, that would be breakthrough.

For more pictures go here.

Share This