Nvidia Tegra 2 chip to be launched in 2010

Since Zune HD drive, Tegra attained popularity very fast, and according to fudzilla, some high ranking industry sources has confirmed that after its so much demand and popularity the company has decided to launch a new chip in 2010. The Tegra 2 will be equipped ARM 9 which is a dual core ARM CPU. Smartbook market is the main focus of Tegra 2.

ASUS Eee 1201N up for sale in Italy for 510 Euros

The ASUS EEE 1201N was noticed at e-tailer in Italy for 510 Euros. Yes, it is the upcoming mighty netbook by ASUS that sports an ION processor, dual core Atom 330 processor, 320GB Hard disk + 500GB online storage, 0.3MP webcam, Wi-Fi b/g and 3GB RAM

It also has built-in card reader,VGA, HDMI, Ethernet, 3 USB 2.0 ports, earphone jack. It comes with a 6-Cell battery and Windows 7 Home Premium as operating system.

HP ProBook 5310m packs CULV chip – shipping in Europe

This HP new netbook may give you a glimpse of business netbook, but it comes with a CULV chip that is becoming more and more common in the netbooks and ultra-portables these days. However, that has not stopped HP in using those processors in this sleek netbook with aluminium chassis touting a pretty chicklet keyboard.

There are several variants for 5310m. You can go for Celeron SU2300 dual-core or Core 2 Duo SP9300 CULV processor. The RAM capacity ranges from 1GB of memory (SU2300) and 160GB of storage to 4GB of memory (SP9300) and 320GB of storage. The SP9300 model has many other goodies including 3G connectivity. The entry level version comes with FreeDOS and is listed over €500, while for around €1000, you get high end model that comes with SP9300 processor.

Where most CULV notebooks carry a glare/glossy screen, the ProBook 5310m is surely an exception on that list. Several SKUs of HP’s 13-inch ProBook 5310m have already started shipping in Europe.

Zotac Mag nettop has dual-core Atom + ION chipset

Zotac has announced a nettop called Mag, which is a pretty small nettop. It will be made available in two versions. One single core: Atom 230 and other dual core: Atom 330.

Both versions are otherwise identical: 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, NVidia’s 9400M ION chipset, LAN, WiFi (b/g/n), eSATA port, 4-in-1 card reader, 6 USB 2.0 ports, HDMI out and D-Sub out. The price of dual core version is expected to be around €249. Price of single core version is not yet known, but will inevitably be cheaper than the former.

Dual core version will hit the shelves in the month of November, whereas the Single core version will make its appearance sometime after it.

ASUS Eee BOX EB1501 – yet another dual core Atom nettop

Here is another nettop with dual core Atom processor: ASUS Eee BOX EB1501. Specs:

• dual-core Intel Atom 330 processor
• ION chipset (GeForce 9400M)
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• slot-in DVD burner
• 250GB hard disk
• 2GB RAM
• WiFi (b/g/n)
• 6 USB 2.0 ports
• HDMI and VGA ports
• one eSATA port

We expect it to be released after Windows 7 since it sports Windows 7 Home Premium edition. Price: 350-399 Euros

Two-ION Powered Nettops released by Okoro Media – OMS-Q100 and OMS-Q200

Okoro Media Systems has announced two ION-powered nettops. One of them is the OMS-Q200 that comes with a dual-core Intel Atom 330 processor. It can configured with up to 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD and Nvidia’s ION graphic chipset. It also has digital TV tuner and a dedicated hardware to record digital TV.

Second one is the OMS-Q100 packed in a more tiny package. It has Intel Core 2 Duo processor coupled with GMA X4500HMD graphic chipset. It also has a TV tuner, but does not have any recording capabilities.

The Quantum minis are powerful machines that run cool and quiet. Each is built with quiet active cooling technology that allows the unit to barely audible in a home theater environment. The OMS-QX100 is based on low powered Intel moble technology while the QX200 is based on Nvidia ION processing technology. Both units have HDMI 1.3 outputs, Blu-ray/DVD drives and have been designed to deliver uncompromising performance while consuming less than 50 Watts of power. Customers can also purchase special versions that are available in unlimited color combinations.

You will shun yourself when you will come to know that the starting price of these nettops is $1295. Certainly not the cheapest way to go ION-powered!

Acer Ferrari One to feature ATi Radeon HD 4670 GPU!

Acer Ferrari One (quick look) is a netbook with a lot of muscle power inside. Its XGP port caught a lot of attention when it is first unveiled. According to CNET, the XGP interface can be used to plug-in a dock that has the ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4670 GPU which has the capability of pushing a mighty 2048×1536 pixels on its external display. The dock also adds 6 USB 2.0 ports.

So, if you think that its dual-core chip along with its internal ATi GPU was not enough, you can further have the boost by just plugging in an external GPU, which the Acer calls, DynaVivid Graphics Dock. This dock weighs 650gm and will be available for $199 in the month of November.

FunTwist Fiono 330 – An ION-based Dual Core Atom Nettop

The FunTwist Fiono 330 nettop is a dual-core Atom based nettop that comes with Nvidia ION graphic chipset. There is an option to get one of these with no hard disk, RAM or OS. It is at 25,00 yen (US$ 276) in Japan.

You can configure it with upto 4GB RAM and choice of your hard disk.

[Funtwist Fiono]

BMW and Mercedes to equip their cars with Intel Atom-based infotainment systems

Intel at IDF 2009 announced that the car manufactures, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have decided to use Intel Atom powered infotainment system in their cars and such cars will be available in the year 2012. BMW will use it in its 7-series and Mercedes-Benz will use it in S-class and C-class.

Both the companies will be using Atom Z-series processor in these $60,000+ vehicles! They should have settled for something like dual-core Atom atleast (read about the recently announced D510 and D410 Atom CPUs). I cannot wait to see the “Intel Inside” sticker on the BMW’s bumper!

Acer Ferrari One is a Netbook or Mini-Notebook?

Acer has unveiled their new red hot Ferrari One netbook, which resembles the Aspire Timeline 1810T or 1410 (Aspire One 751H + Intel ULV processor). However, it uses the new AMD Congo platform with a dual-core Athlon X2 L310 (clock speed: 1.2GHz) CPU and ATi Radeon 3200 graphic chipset.

• 11.6-inch display
• 1366 x 768 resolution
• Draft-N WiFi, Bluetooth
• Battery: 5600 mAh (6-cell)

It runs Windows 7 and will start shipping on the same day as of the Windows 7 release date, October 22. Expect the price to be around 499 Euros (USD 720).

Commentary: So, is this a mini-notebook or a netbook? Gone are the days when we used to consider the netbooks as scaled down ‘weak’ versions of full-size notebooks. Now, many netbook manufactures are coming with ION or ION LE-powered netbooks, which pack a lot of muscle as compared to netbooks that came in early 2009. With the release of Acer Ferrari One, the netbooks will no longer be considered as weak.