The Averatec Buddy may be just another rebranded MSI Wind, but that doesn’t mean I’m not happy to hear it will be coming to the US soon. Averatec launched the laptop earlier this month in Korea, where it’s selling for abotu $588 US.

But according to Electronista, the US version will go for just $450. And it will have a 160GB hard drive, which provides twice the storage capacity you’ll find on the Korean model, or the US version of the MSI Wind U100, for that matter.

Update: If the images obtained by Engadget are accurate, it looks like the Buddy is actually a rebranded ECS G10IL, not an MSI Wind. That would make this the first G10IL model I’m aware of to hit the states.

Airis appears poised to be one of the first netbook makers to bring a rebranded version of the ECS G10IL to market. French site Clubic reports that Airis plans to update its netbook line soon. And Clubic has the pictures to prove it.

The G10IL is one of the more exciting Intel Atom-based netbooks due to its attractive design and unusual touchpad with the LED lights built into the mousebuttons. But ECS never planned to push the product under its own name. Instead, companies like Airis and FTEC will sell rebranded versions of the computer.

Airies is no stranger to the netbook space. The company has been pumping out low cost computers for a while now, most powered by the VIA C7-M CPU. The upcoming G10IL will stand out from the earlier models thanks to its Intel Atom CPU, 8.9 inch display and larger keyboard.

via Blogeee

It’s been a few weeks since the first images of the upcoming FTEC eBook hit the web. Now it looks like a member of the MSI Wind.net Forums has snagged a few more photos.

The FTEC eBook, which was recently introduced at the PC Fair in Kuala Lampur is basically a rebranded ECS G10IL laptop. You cantell from the laptop design, including the unusual placement of the LED lights on the trackpad mouse buttons instead of to the left or right. The G10IL has a  1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, a 120GB hard drive and a 10.2 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display. What does the FTEC version add to the mix? A funny looking paint job with fake flames (at least I hope they’re fake) covering the chassis.

The FTEC eBook will reportedly cost about $625, and could come bundled with a 3G wireless modem.

[via Eee PC News.de]

The ECS G10IL has been getting a lot of buzz this summer. But you’ll never be able to pick one up — at least not with that name. That’s because Elite Computer Group isn’t selling the computers directly to consumers. Rather, ECS will serve as the original equipment manufacturer for a number of computer companies that will distribute the low cost laptop. And it appears that one of those companies will be FTEC.

LiewCF spotted a netbook called the FTEC eBook at the PIKOM PC Fair in Kuala Lampur, and posted a few pictures on Flickr. There’s not much information about the FTEC eBook at the moment. But the fact that the LED lights are on the touchpad button are pretty much a dead giveaway that this is a rebranded version of the ECS G10IL.

On paper, the G10IL looks a lot like virtually every other netbook coming out this summer. It has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, a large hard drive, and a 10 inch display. But FTEC seems to have found a unique wayto make the computer stand out — by adding flames to the case. Because that’s what you really want in a PC, right?

[via Eee PC News.de]

The ECS G10IL laptop wil have a different name by the time it comes to the US market. ECS is the OEM behind these little laptops, but the company is partnering with other distributors to bring the computers to retail. But for an OEM device, the ECS G10IL has been getting a lot of buzz for the last few months. That’s partly because it offers a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 10 inch display and 120GB hard drive for somewhere around $500. But it also probably has something to do with the fact that this tiny computer looks really, really attractive.

Joanna Stern at Laptop Magazine has been making a habit of getting her hands on upcoming netbooks. First she offered a first look at the Sylvania G MESO, and now she has a hands-on look at the ECS G10IL.

As you can see from the image above, the computer looks a little smaller than the MSI Wind, but Stern says the keyboard is still pretty roomy and comfortable to type on. The trackpad is also significantly larger, but in a baffling design choice, the folks at ECS decided to create a wholly unique rocker button.

Not only do you get a single button that rocks back and forth instead of two distinct buttons. But ECS also decided it was a good idea to put LED buttons on the rocker instead of next to it. I’m all for LED status lights that let you know when the computer is on, when the wireless is working, or when the hard drive is active. But I don’t see any reason for the status lights to be directly under my thumbs while I’m typing.

You can find out more about the ECS G10IL and the Sylvania G MESO this afternoon at 1:00pm EST during a live webcast with Joanna Stern and guests.

Looking for a seriously cheap ultraportable laptop with an Intel Atom CPU? Like cheaper than the $599 Eee PC 901 or the $479 MSI Wind? ECS vice president Henry Kwan tells Laptop Magazine that the ECS G10IL is heading to the US, and the low end model will cost just $399.

PC World is reporting that the ECS G10IL will be available in Europe in September or October.