Just because the Apple iPad has a starting price of $499 doesn’t mean all tablets need to cost that much. Chip maker Marvell is introducing a platform for a $99 tablet for the education market. The company’s “Moby” prototype features an ARM-based processor and it can handle 1080p HD video, Adobe Flash, and 3D graphics. The low power Marvell ARMADA 600 chipset also supports always-on, internet-connected performance.

As an educational tool, the Moby is likely to be used more as an eBook reader/textbook replcement device than a HD video player. Marvell points out that you can regularly update textbooks on an electronic device instead of spending $60 or more to buy new editions of text books.

That said, the Armada 600 chipset supports WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and FM radio. While I doubt you’ll be able to pick up a Moby Tablet for $99 at retail, if enough educational institutions place large orders, perhaps it won’t be too long before we start seeing similar tablets with more of a consumer focus for $100 to $200.

via ARM Devices

Sure, the Acer Aspire 1820PT and 1820PTZ tablets haven’t actually hit the streets yet. But that hasn’t stopped Acer from giving these convertible tablet style 11.6 inch notebooks a minor facelift.

SaveOnLaptops is reporting that the new models will be called the Acer Aspire 1825PT and 1825PTZ. Both will have 11.6 inch capacitive touchscreen displays and run Windows 7 Home Premium.. The Acer Aspire 1825PT will reportedly be the higher end unit, with 4GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and a 1.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor.

The Acer Aspire 1820PTZ will be a little cheaper, and will have a 1.3GHz Intel Pentium SU4100 processor, 250GB hard drive, and 3GB of RAM.

And no, I have no idea what, if any differences there will be between the Acer Aspire 1825 series and the 1820PT/PTZ that we’ve been hearing about over the last few months.

via Netbook Choice

Netbooks and Notebooks

• Refurbished Gateway LT2021U 10.1″ netbook w/Atom N270, Win XP, 3 cell battery for $239.99 + free shipping – Buy.com
• Acer Aspire One AOD250 w/Atom N280, Win XP Home, 6 cell battery + 2GB RAM upgrade for $289.99 + free shipping – SuperBiiz
• Lenovo IdeaPad S12 Atom 1.6GHz 12″ Netbook for $299 + free shipping – Lenovo (coupon: USPS12545)
• ASUS Eee PC Atom 1.6GHz 10″ Widescreen LED Netbook for $300 + $12 s&h - Best Buy

Accessories

• EasyStore 2GB MicroSD Memory Card $6.75 shipped for $$6.75 + free shipping – Shop4Tech (coupon: DG15)
• Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer for $20 + $8 s&h – Office Max
• Lifestyled Video Chat Camera 2-Pack for $20 + free shipping – eCost (via eBay)

You can find more deals on netbooks, gadgets, and accessories in the Liliputing Deals section

The Asus Eee PC 1008P Karim Rashid Edition is the most expensive 10 inch netbook you can currently buy from Asus. That’s largely because it’s super thin and sports a designer edition lid, more RAM and hard drive space than most netbooks and Windows 7 Home Premium. But is that enough to justify spending $500 for a netbook? Peter at Netbooked seems to think so. He published a detailed review of the Eee PC 1008P Karim Rashid Edition today.

First, let’s clear something up. The 1008P Karim Rashid Edition doesn’t just come with a pretty lid. It also has 2GB of RAM, 320GB hard drive, and runs Windows 7 Home Premium. Those things alone will clearly drive up the price of any netbook. The netbook is also slimmer and lighter than most. And while it has a relatively wimpy battery that’s only good for 4 hours, unlike the Asus Eee PC 1008HA, this model has a user replaceable battery, and even ships with 2 batteries in some parts of the globe — which means you get up to 8 hours of run time (after swapping out batteries).

I’m not a big fan of the plastic doors that Asus uses to cover the ports, because they’re sort of begging to be broken off over time. But it does give the netbook a streamlined look when you’re not using any of these ports.

Peter does point out that the fan is a little noisier on this netbook than many others. And the laptop can get rather warm at times. It also has just 2 USB ports instead of the usual3. But overall, he was pretty impressed.

How do you make an iPad even cooler? Make it plural. At least that seems to be the reasoning behind the Neofonie WePad. No, they’re not selling two Apple tablets. They just took the “i” and made it “We.” Other than that, the German company’s tablet doesn’t really have that much in common with the iPad other than a touchscreen display.

The WePad features an 11.6 inch, 1366 x 768 pixel display, a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, GMA 3150 graphics, a 6 hour battery, Webcam, 2 USB ports, and a flash card reader. There’s also a UMTS modem.

You also get access to the WePAD App Store, which I’m sure is a huge selling point. Oh yeah, the tablet will also reportedly run Google Android and have access to the Android Market — making it one of the first non-smartphone devices I’m aware of that’s supposed to have access to the Android Market out of the box.

via nDevil

Tablets are everywhere these days. Apple is making one. Dell, HP, and Samsung are making them. Fifty or more companies are developing tablets with ARM-based processors. And we know that Microsoft is working on a tablet called the Courier. Depending on which rumor you believe, Microsoft’s tablet will be based on either Windows 7 or Windows CE. But what if it ran Windows Phone 7 Series, the upcoming mobile phone operating system from Microsoft? Then it might look something like the tablet concept above.

While Windows Phone 7 Series is designed for handheld devices that you can stick in your pocket, there’s something compelling about using it on a larger device with an 8 inch display. Spreading things out lets you view the home screen and all the details available in a hub at the same time. This way you an see the live tiles with constantly changing updates while at the same time browsing through your people, music, Xbox live, or other hubs.

The concept tablet from Umang Dokey has a kick stand so you can place it on a table and e it without having to physically hold the device. Or you can fold the kick stand forward and use it as a keyboard, which is a pretty nifty idea.

And since this is just a concept, there’s no reason not to get ambitious. He’s thrown in two cameras so you can make 3D video calls. There are also game controllers located on the back of the tablet, which seems like a pretty awkward location — but at least they don’t take up any space on the front, which means the front of the tablet is virtually all screen.

I’m pretty sure this concept will never see the light of day. But it’s a pretty nifty concept. You can find a video of the tablet design after the break.

For the latest news on Windows Phone 7 Series, check out the Windows Phone category at mobiputing.

via Gizmodo

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a while since I’ve even thought about the Suzuki Neutron line of netbooks. But it looks like Suzuki has two new models out, both with Atom N450 processors. The company had previously released a 10 inch model with an Atom N270 CPU and a 7 inch convertible tablet with an Atom Z520 processor.

The new Suzuki Neutron 1002 QNi has a 10.2 inch display, a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive. It supports 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1 and has a 1.3MP webcam and 5 hour battery.

The Suzuki Neutron 1003 QNi is basically th esame machine with a few minor differences: It has 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive.

There’s no word on the operating system or other components, but I suspect that the Neutron 1002 QNi will ship with Windows 7 Starter Edition, while the 1003 QNi may have Windows 7 Home Premium, Linux, or another operating system, since Microsoft generally doesn’t allow PC makers to install Windows 7 Starter Edition on machines with 2GB of RAM.

via Netbook News.de

Archos is planning to launch an updated version of the Archos 13 laptop. And as you’d expect from the name, the notebook sports a 13.3 inch display, which pretty much rules out anyone confusing it for a netbook — even though it has an Intel Atom processor. But here’s the unusual thing: It will use an Intel Atom D510 Pine Trail CPU. That’s Intel’s latest dual core, desktop version of its Atom processor with integrated GMA 3150 graphics.

Either this means that the rumor about Intel launching a dual core Atom chip aimed specifically at notebooks was wrong… or it’s true and someone at Archos didn’t get the memo or just didn’t feel like waiting.

The new Archos A13PS will also reportedly run Windows 7 Home Premium… and that’s about all we know for now. The laptop should be available in April.

via Engadget

We’ve seen a lot of super-slim, super-sexy nettops from Chinese PC maker Giada recently. But the company also makes netbooks — albeit slightly less inspiring ones. Johannes from NewGadgets.de got a good look at the Giada VIVA-NE200 at CeBIT earlier this month. You can check out his hands-on video after the break.

In a nutshell, the netbook sports a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, and GMA 3150 graphics. If those specs sounds familiar, that’s because they’re virtually identical to those of every other netbook launched since January.

The VIVA-NE200 supports up to 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive and pakcs 802.11b/g/ WiFi. It measures 10.2″ x 7.2″ x 1″ and weighs 2.5 pounds. The keyboard looks pretty standard, and the touchpad features left and right buttons on the sides instead of below th etouchpad.

The one distinguishing characteristic is the colorful lid which features a glossy pink background and a swirly white design.

Video after the break.

Read the rest of this entry »