MSI U270 – Review

The MSI U270 is an 11.6″ netbook that sells for around $400. It’s a bit pricier than many other netbooks, but it sports a dual-core CPU with 2GB of RAM. There is also a 12.1″ model if you’re keen on a slightly larger screen. The dotted pattern on the lid and wrist-rest spices up the U270′s [...]

1st smartbook of its kind

Why first? Well, it’s sort of a cross between a smartphone and a notebook. Compaq Airlife 100 Android powered netbook was first shown in January on Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas. It has a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 10.1 inch. 1024 x 600 pixel display, 16GB of flash-based storage, and SD card slot, 3G and [...]

Gigabyte T1125 and a new slate PC

11.6 inch convertible tablet M1125 was introduced earlier this year. Gigabyte now introduces T1125. We may consider introducing a new category altogether for this one as it is a notebook, tablet and desktop hybrid all in one. It has a nice rotating touchscreen and it folds into a tablet. It seems small at first glance [...]

ZaReason Terra Reviewed

ZaReason Terra HD 11.6-Inch Linux Netbook is nifty netbook with lots of custom options. It’s predecessor, Terra A20, had a major complaint of a short battery life. This has been improved with 6 hours (4 – 5 hours on wifi) with it’s 6 cell battery. The weight has been dropped to amazing 2.9 pounds. Design [...]

Acer Aspire One D255 Reviewed

Let’s take a close look under the hood of Acer Aspire One D255 netbook. What makes this new model special? Well, it’s one of the few 10″ models with dual core 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 processor. Now, this makes it special!! This laptop is about 15% more efficient than single core netbook. Battery still lasts [...]

Toshiba AC100 to be shipped without Flash Support

Looks like, Toshiba is going to have a tough time selling AC100 – their first smartbook. This smartbook -  Toshiba AC100 – will be shipping with the Android 2.1 OS which currently does not support Flash.

Interestingly, even though Android 2.2 has full-Flash support, Adobe and Nvidia are still working on a plugin that works flawlessly on a Tegra chip.

Intel preparing Android 2.2 for netbooks, slates

Intel is busily engrossed in preparing the latest version of Android, version 2.2 which will be shipped to the developers in the coming two months. Intel has adapted the open source code for the Android 2.2 to run on slates on netbooks.

“Our expectation is that (native x86 Android) will be based on the Froyo release and will be available this summer to developers” Renee James, Intel’s senior veep for software and services, told APC. James says the process of ‘Atomising’ Android “wasn’t tremendously difficult, as we have a lot experience in Linux”.

Note that this is not the first time Android is being ported to x86-netbooks. Acer already has a netbook, Acer AOD260 that runs Android and dual-boots with Windows. Also, we were able to install the x86 version of the Android 1.6 on the first generation Eee PC – Asus 701. See more here

Toshiba prepping Android notebook

Looks like Toshiba will soon be unveiling its first ever Android notebook. This notebook has two really exiting features – first is the Nvidia Tegra processor and seconds, it runs Android operating system.

This Toshiba netbook, currently known by AC100-114, has a 10.1-inch 1024×600 pixel display, Google Android OS 2.1, 16GB SSD, 512MB RAM, Wi-Fi b/g/n, 1x HDMI port, 1x VGA port, 1.3MP webcam and a 3-cell 2200mAh battery. Do not underestimate its runtime as it is not running a power-hungry OS like Windows 7. We are expecting around 5 hours of runtime on a single charge

Android 3 supports ARM Cortex A9 processors = Bright Smartbook future

Jen Hsun, CEO of Nvidia told the theinquirer that Tegra and Android 3 are going to complete change the way people use high-resolution phones. He emphasized on the fact that smooth graphics on high-resolution displays require powerful chipsets like Tegra that can handle even HD videos with ease. 

This may be the breakthrough Smartbook manufactures have been waiting for – powerful performance and a good customizable OS like Android 3.

Google Android Application Market launched for netbooks!

Insyde Software, the company behind the first Android netbook by Acer, has launched Insyde Market, which will offer applications for the netbooks that run Google Android. Folks at Insyde software have promised that wide range of applications for the Android will become available in the coming months.

At the time of this news post, I can already see 59 applications available at the Insydemarket’s website, which is good sign for the Android based netbooks.

One question that comes to my mind is that: would it be possible to get access to the Insyde Market if you have yourself installed the Android OS on the netbook