The netbook craze has come and gone, according to a new report from IHS iSuppli. The diminutive, low-power laptops will see shipments plummet this year, IHS says, with the category very much dead in two years' time. The main culprit in the netbook's demise: Apple's iPad.
Asus has teased another product ahead of Computex 2011. The latest is what it describes as “The next evolution of the Eee PC.” Asus’ Facebook page also hints that there might be something special that sets this netbook apart from other in its class. It is said to be “no ordinary netbook”, but packs a “twist.”
ASUS has introduced two new netbooks with AMD's low power Fusion processors with integrated Radeon GPUs, the Eee PC 1015B and Eee PC 1215B. The 1015B uses a 10.1-inch, 1024x600 LED backlight display, while the 1215B has a 12.1-inch, 1366x768 screen. Both models offer a choice of processors. The C30 is a single-core, 1.2GHz CPU, while the C50 is a 1.0GHz dual-core processor. An optional six-cell battery provides up to 8.5 hours of battery life.
Lenovo has teamed with Intel to deliver the next generation Classmate+ netbook for education. Based on an Intel Learning Series reference design, the netbook is designed to be school-friendly in both its pricing and ruggedized design. A feature of the platform for schools is that it comes pre-loaded with educational software and a variety of teaching resources.
Asus has teased a forthcoming Eee PC netbook as part of a media invitation to a special event for its launch. Dubbed the Eee PC Sirocco, it is unusual for a manufacturer to issue a special invitation for a netbook with the current focus on tablets. It is possible that the netbook will feature a textured outer body in the likeness of the dessert backdrop shown in the teaser, but beyond that speculation can only center on its CPU/OS combination and, or, its design approach.
A new report pegs the new Canonical distro of Ubuntu Light for netbooks to begin appearing on shipping Dell netbooks within the next month. Dell is considered the most likely to be the first vendor to launch netbooks featuring the OS, as it currently sells more PCs with Ubuntu than any other manufacturer. The netbook optimized version of Canonical’s Ubuntu 10.10 is able to boot in 7 seconds.
Scosche has announced its 2010 netbook accessory lineup, which includes several new products such as headphones, chargers, and cases, among other items. The new skyCASTER wireless headphones feature an integrated microphone for gaming or VoIP calls. An included USB dongle works as a transmitter, with a claimed range of up to 100 feet over the 2.4GHz band.
Dell has after some weeks' delay added hardware HD decoding support for certain models of its Mini 10 netbook. The upgrade is available with the Performance Plus bundle, which combines a Broadcom Crystal HD accelerator card, a 720p-capable display (1366x768), SRS Audio, an extended-life battery and a 250GB hard drive. To enable hardware acceleration, users will also need to download and install a new Broadcom's Crystal HD driver and at least beta 3 of Adobe's Flash 10.1 to switch on acceleration in YouTube.
ASUS is set to launch several variety of new netbooks, with AMD Athlon Neo-based models arriving next month and several Ion 2-based systems scheduled for the spring, according to a DigiTimes report. The company has already confirmed plans to release an all-in-one, the Eee Top, driven by the Ion 2 chipset, although the recent report is the first indication of an ASUS netbook based on NVIDIA's second-generation mobile platform.
Apple COO Tim Cook reiterated his distaste for the netbook and suggested that Apple's business model would not cater to the concept of an Apple netbook product. Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer reviewed Apple's performance over its Q3 conference call yesterday. Cook's comments follow a slew of rumors, including claims that Wintek will supply Apple with 9.7-inch touchscreen displays. The rumors also suggest Apple will be releasing a touch netbook in October for $800.
Targus has launched its first netbook accessory kit designed for mobile users. The kit includes the Slipskin Peel Mini-Netbook Case, the Ultra Mini Retractable Optical Mouse and the Targus Ultra-Mini USB 2.0 4-Port Hub. The Slipskin Peel Case provides a neoprene skin that shields a netbook from scratches and dust. The case can be used alone or inside of another bag.
Psion has reacted to Intel's lawsuit over the term 'netbook' by filing its own countersuit, arguing that the chip-maker's claims are "barred by reason of Plaintiff's own unclean hands," as the legal battle between the companies continues to develop, according to Ars Technica. The allegations further accuse Intel of "unjustly benefiting from Psion's goodwill and reputation" and "willfully and maliciously" encouraging other companies to participate in the trademark infringement.
Intel has joined the fight against Psion over the "netbook" trademark, arguing that the public already uses the term in a generic manner to represent "extensions of the notebook category, smaller computers purpose-built for mobile Internet access," according to the Courthouse News Service. The chip-maker also pointed out that Psion trademarked the term for for a line of notebook computers that has been out of production since 2003.
Archos has announced several new devices based on Intel's Atom processor and Moorestown platform, expanding its netbook line and adding a 9-inch tablet. The Archos 10s netbook will feature a slim form-factor, measuring just 20 mm thick, and support for 3.5G networks. The computer offers some of the same specs as the Archos 10 announced last month, including an Intel Atom processor, 1GB of DDR memory, hard drive capacities up to 160GB and Windows XP.
Apple has allegedly threatened Wired for posting a video tutorial that provided instructions for configuring a Mac-clone netbook, according to a tweet by Gadget Lab writer Brian X. Chen. Although his first message suggested the publication was facing a lawsuit, an update revealed that Apple likely sent a cease and desist order. Despite the lack of a formal lawsuit, Wired apparently conceded and removed the videos from its website.
At CES this week, Asus introduced two new tablet netbooks, the Eee PC T91 and T101H, and several full-size notebooks including the M90GF and W90Vp. The Eee PC T91 features an 8.9-inch touchscreen with LED backlighting. The system runs on Windows XP Home and uses an Intel Atom Z520 processor, while customers can add an optional GPS receiver or TV tuner. The T101H offers a 10-inch screen and an Atom N270 CPU running the same version of XP as the smaller model but with a keyboard size closer to an average notebook.
Amid the speculation of a possible Apple netbook, rumors suggest that the company may be working on a large form-factor iPod touch that features a seven to nine inch screen, according to TechCrunch. Three separate sources have allegedly corroborated the story, including one that claims to have handled a prototype and suggested that Apple is in the process of communicating with Asian OEMs to work out details for large-scale manufacture. If true, the anticipated production time-frame could lead to a release sometime late in 2009.
Users may find Intel's mobile CPU in more notebooks if market leader Hewlett-Packard has its way: a new report says that HP is in negotiations with Intel to expand the use of Intel's latest mobile processor. Current restrictions limit the use of Atom series processors only in netbook PCs with up to 10.2-inch panels and HP hopes convince chip giant Intel to allow it to use Atom in new mini-note PC models with larger screen sizes. Taiwan-based notebook makers told Digitimes that HP's high-profile brand may help it succeed in convincing Intel to allow the use of the new mobile CPU in more HP mini-notebooks.
Analysts have been actively speculating about the possibility of an Apple netbook or tablet. Trip Chowdhry from Global Equities Research has claimed that the computer-maker will unveil a completely new product category next year. He suggests that the device will feature chips produced by Apple's recent acquisition, P.A. Semi. The semiconductor company is known for producing efficient components that are able to push performance capabilities while extending battery life.
NEC on Thursday announced its entry into the netbook market with the introduction of its 8.9-inch LaVie Light, which like many is powered by Intel's Atom processor running at 1.6GHz. NEC's first netbook will also include a hard disk drive with a class-leading 160GB capacity, while its 1GB of memory is on par with competitors. The screen's 1024x600 resolution is governed by a graphics processor that's part of the Intel 945GSE Express mainboard.
Official photos have been released to an online UK publication of Samsung’s upcoming netbook. While even basic information such as the device’s name are not yet known, the 10.2-inch netbook will be available in white, black or blue and, as seen from the photos, the keyboard spans nearly the entire width, relegating the power key to the side of the netbook. Other connections include three USB ports, an Ethernet jack as well as one audio jack and video jack.
Proving not to be a former household name, Commodore has come back and introduced the UMMD 8010/F netbook at the IFA 2008 show in Berlin. The new Commodore netbook is built around a 10-inch screen, with processing power coming from a 1.6GHz VIA C7-M CPU. While full specs are not known, including the operating system, an 80GB hard drive is to be part of the picture, along with 1GB of RAM.
LG made everyone wait until Thursday to release its rumored X110 10-inch notebook that would compete with the likes of the ASUS EeePC and the MSI Wind at the IFA 2008 consumer electronics expo. The portable computer uses HSPA 3G for mobile access to data, in addition to a 802.11b/g wireless LAN connection and dedicated Ethernet port. The processor will be an unspecified one from Intel’s Atom line-up, working with 1GB of RAM.
Images and external specifications for the so-called ASUS N10 leaked Friday, confirming rumors of the hard drive-bearing, non-Eee branded micro laptop. The simply-detailed N10 offers users a 10.2 inch widescreen monitor (rated at 1024 by 600 pixels), encased in a sandy colored shell, with a chrome polished hinge – Blogeee.net observes that the result is a very sturdy overall design. Confirmed are storage capacities up to 320GB, with supposed options for Windows Vista or Linux.
Light bulb, TV and consumer electronics maker Sylvania may be getting into the netbook business, as it announced today it will soon sell its 8.9-inch g netbook MESO. Preliminary specs for the notebook include Intel's Atom CPU running at 1.6GHz and an 80GB hard drive with either Windows XP Home or Ubuntu Netbook Remix operating systems. A low weight of 2.2lbs, a multi-card reader and a built-in webcam will finish off the netbook's class-competitive feature set.
Toshiba may soon launch a small portable computer that would straddle the line between UMPCs such as Nokia's N810 and netbooks from the likes of the Eee PC and MSI Wind, according to a recent PC Authority report. The size and lack of a keyboard scream UMPC, but hardware and specs are very netbook-like. Preliminary specs for the 5.6-inch UMPC-like device include an Intel Atom processor sitting on a motherboard that's half the size of the one used in the company's Portege R500 notebook.
Korean giant LG is also planning to join the netbook field, currently occupied by computers such as ASUS' Eee PC and Acer's Aspire one, according to reports. The debut system is expected to be called the X110, and manufactured by Taiwan's Micro-Star International, though it should ship beyond Asia to regions including Europe and North America. Rather than aiming for a low cost, LG is said to be interested in high-end design and materials.
Intel's heavily rumored Netbook is now official, being renamed the 2go PC, and manufactured by PC builder CTL. According to Engadget, the education-oriented budget laptop will feature an Intel Celeron M, as well as a 915GMS graphics chipset. The 512MB of included DDR2 memory is upgradable to 1GB, while the PC features 40GB of storage. CTL will sell the 2go PC for approximately $400, and will see distribution within two months.
ECS today took away the mystery of its CEBit expo presence with the formal launch of the G10IL, its first entry in the new netbook class and a direct rival to ASUS' Eee PC. The system is now known to be based on an Intel Atom processor and is one of the few very small portables to ship with 3G support. An HSPA modem allows the system to reach the Internet through cell networks with up to 7.2Mbps downloads and 2Mbps uploads; the modem is tri-band and supports US frequencies as well as Asia and Europe, ECS says.
A secret in spite of the sibling NetTop platform's unveiling, photos and specifications have allegedly leaked for Intel's forthcoming NetBook. An employee with a US OEM claims to have obtained a sample system, intended for educational purposes; the computer runs Windows XP Pro, and operates on a 900MHz Celeron processor with 512MB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive and an Ethernet connection. The screen measures nine inches, and a conspicuous handle allows quick transport.
