Netbook Review, notebook review, tablet review, PC review » ssd

Elgato Thunderbolt SSD

Paul Merak — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:01:09 +0000

Thunderbolt, the high-speed port technology from Intel that so far appears only on Apple computers, just got a shot in the arm from Elgato with new portable solid-state drives. At the CES few weeks back, Elgato announced two models of its new Thunderbolt SSD. The $429.95 120GB model and the $699.95 240GB model will ship [...]

Plextor Releases 512GB SSD – M3 Pro

Paul Merak — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:26:36 +0000

Plextor has shaken up the SSD market by announcing its new M3 Pro range of solid-state drives at this year’s CES. The 2.5-inch models squeeze into a 7mm-high shell, making them suitable for ultrabooks. The Plextor M3 Pro will be available in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB sizes. The Japanese component-maker will begin shipping the devices [...]

Corsair new SATA 3 SSDs

Paul Merak — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:34:12 +0000

Corsair has revealed its newest solid-state drives – the 128 GB and 256 GB Performance Pro Series, which feature a 6GB per second interface and a metal casing. Their multilevel cell organisation and flash RAM chips unable them to reach speeds of 515 MB/s and 440MB/s for sequential reads and writes. These SATA 3 SSDs [...]

Another Slate running Windows XP – Motom M7

Jane — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:37:36 +0000

Meet the Motom M7 MID from China that is powered by the Intel Z510 processor that runs at 1.1GHz. This is a typical slate, which means that there is no keyboard and you will have to rely 100% on the on-screen keyboard or the bundled hand-writing recognition software to input data.

Other specs include a 7-inch 1024x600 touchscreen, 1GB RAM, 32GB SSD, 1.3 mega-pixel camera, 2 USB ports and a 4800mAh battery to power the unit. Interestingly, there is a tiny touchpad below the screen to control the mouse pointer. No words on its price and availability in US or EU.

HP DM1 now with 80GB SSD

Peter — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:42:22 +0000

HP is now offering the DM1 with 80GB solid state drive. However, that offer is currently available only in Japan. So, the final specs look like this:

11.6" 1366 x 768 screen
1.2GHz Intel Celeron CULV SU2300
3GB RAM (5GB Max)
80GB SSD
802.11b/g WiFi
Windows 7 Home Premium
2 x USB, HDMI and VGA out, Ethernet, combo audio (mic + headphone) jack
5-in-1 card reader
6-cell battery (8 hours battery life)
1.5kg

In addition to the 80GB SSD bump, you also get 3GB RAM under the hood. The 80GB SSD DM1 carries a price tag of ¥74970 (US$834).

Onkyo BX 407A4 – Another re-branded Umid

Peter — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:48:30 +0000

Onkyo has announced BX 407A4 which is basically a re-branded Umid M2. In this cute device, you get an Intel Atom 1.2GHz processor. It comes with 512MB of RAM and a 32GB SSD for storage. It has good battery life of 7-hours.Although equipped with a tiny 5-inch screen, it sports a mighty 1024x600 resolution which means the text should be really sharp on that little display. It will carry a price tag of $729.Commentary: So after releasing one re-branded product yesterday, the Onkyo DX, which is actually a Kohjinsha DZ, here we have another re-branded product, the BX 407A4. Excuse my bluntness, but it is high time to churn out something original, not something with re-branded tag slapped upon

SSDs to become very important in year 2011

Twinkle — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:22:29 +0000

According to major memory industry players are of the views that SSDs to become very active in the PC market in 2011. Chipmakers are expected to switch over to new 20nm-class processes by then, and will also bring down its cost which will result in SSDs into important choice for low cost storage. In an event in Taipei, memory makers from Chinese and Taiwanese requested all companies to develop and standardize SSD specifications so that it can be challenged to core technologies currently controlled by major international vendors.

Q: Which is the fastest SSD in the world? A: Micron C300 with 6Gbps

Jane — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:01:17 +0000

Micron has launched the world's fastest SSD (solid state drive), the RealSSD C300 that uses the SATA 6gbit/s interface which would give you upto 355MB/s of read speed and 215MB/s of write speed. That is mighty fast compared to what is available right now! Currently, the industry standard is SATA 3Gbit/s. This makes this new SSD almost 2 times as fast as the SSD based on previous interface.The new SSD uses MLC Nand flash. The C300 will be available in two sizes: 1.8-inch and 2.5-inch and two capacitites: 128GB and 256GB. It will be in production in the first quarter of 2010

Thin Adamo XPS launched by Dell

Twinkle — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:55 +0000

Adamo XPS, an 13-incher just 9.9mm thick is the thinnest notebook in the market. Sporting very smart and stylish looks and costing $1799, this is something you will love to flaunt around.The Adamo XPS has a Intel Core 2 Duo processor that runs at 1.4GHz, GS45 chipset, 4GB of DDR3 and a 128GB SSD. No matter how nice it looks, the biggest question is: will its design allow the user to use it on his lap?

Forget ARM Cortex A8! Meet AMD Super Mobile CPU

Paul Merak — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:59:17 +0000

Looks like XP is immortal! We thought that the XP would finally meet its fate on Oct 22. After netbooks, it is now turn for the phones to get equipped with XP.Meet the phone powered by AMD Super Mobile CPU. It has GSM, GPRS, EDGE and 3G too. For storage, you can get upto 64GB of SSD storage which would certainly make the current iPhone 3GS owners a bit angry. You can get 1GB RAM (512MB version is available)Compared to the fruit-phone, it has bigger display (4.8-inch) which means that it can easily be used as a MID. You get built-in WiFi and WiMax too. GPS is there too so that you don't get lost.Commentary: ARM Cortex, the CPU that is being used in iPhone and iPod Touch is, as its name implies, ARM based. Naturally, it is not x86 and thus cannot run Windows OS. However, AMD Super Mobile CPU is fully x86 compatible and runs Windows XP OS without a hitch!

ASUS Eee PC T91MT available for pre-order at Amazon

Twinkle — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:10:30 +0000

Multi-touch tablet netbook, the 8.9-inch ASUS Eee PC T91MT is now up at Amazon.com for pre-order. It's being offered at a hefty price tag of $549. With Windows 7 Home Premium as OS, only white model is currently available. The only difference compared to EEE T91 that we see that the RAM and SSD capacity has been doubled (32GB SSD, 2GB RAM versus 16GB SSD, 1GB RAM as in Windows XP version)

Kohjinsha PA series UMPC/MID now shipping – Costs a bomb!

Brooke — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:09:05 +0000

Kohjinsha PA is finally being shipped now and one can get this device online via GeekStuff4U.com for $930 (84,800 Yen)Kohjinsha PA series is decent looking MID, which is equipped with an Intel Atom Z520 processor coupled together with paltry 512 MB RAM. You get 32GB SSD for storing your data. It has a small 4.8-inch screen.

Dell Vostro A90 for as low as $219!

Jane — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:19:25 +0000

You can yourself a Dell Vostro A90 (same as Dell Mini 9) directly from Dell for as low as $219. You will get 8GB SSD, 1GB RAM, Ubuntu 8.04 Linux, Atom N270 processor, 8.9-inch display 1024x600 resolution, GMA 950 chipset, WiFi b/g together with a 4-cell battery.[Link]

Rebate of $500 on Sony Vaio P

Twinkle — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:10:15 +0000

You must be very glad and excited after knowing that after using the coupon code VAIO500P during the checkout, you will get rebate of 30% on Sony Vaio P models. So hurry-up as offer is valid till Oct 13. Note that high capacity SSD +2GB RAM models are validREAD our VAIO P review here

Viliv S10 Netbook unveiled! – Pricey

Jane — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:59:17 +0000

Viliv is the world's most popular MID manufacture right now which has churned out pretty impressive MIDs and UMPCs in the past few months. But, let's face it: MIDs still form a small niche. Viliv, thus, made a very clever decision of entering the netbook arena by introducing their Viliv S10 netbookIt comes with normal specifications for a netbook: 10-inch display with convertible touchscreen, Intel's Atom 1.33GHz processor or 2.0GHz and comes with Windows 7 Home Premium. It has 1GB of Ram, 32GB or 64GB SSD and promises amazing 10-hours runtime on single charge. The base model will start at $500.Yes, an Atom 2GHz processor will finally be making its way to the netbooks and Viliv S10 will be one of the first netbooks in the world to use it. However, we are definitely not happy to see it starting at $500. We hope that Viliv is well aware of the fact that 99% of the total netbooks actually cost below that price level and it is very important to get the price right in this cut throat competition.

CZC C9 – world’s thinnest smartbook

Twinkle — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:31:59 +0000

A manufacturer of Shenzhen, Zichuang Technology has come up with the world's thinnest netbook, the 8.9-inch CZC C9. Since it is a smartbook, it does not run on x86 architecture, which means that running Windows OS is simply out of scope. It runs some customized version of Linux OS.It is just 0.2-inch thick at its thinnest point and 0.5-inches thick at its 'fattest' point. It weighs mere 0.75kg (1.6 pounds). Rest of its specs are pretty weak.

8.9-inch display
1024x600 resolution
8GB SSD
1GB RAM
2 USB ports

Priced at about $220, it promises 6-9 hours of battery life. You get three colors to choose from: white, black and pink.

Tainell T500 MID

Twinkle — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:37:43 +0000

A manufacturer from Shanghai Tainell is set to launch a 5-inch T500 MID in the month of October. The T500 will be available with a wide choice of processors, which include Atom Z510 (1.1GHz), Z520 (1.33GHz) or Z530 (1.6GHz). It has 5-inch display with 1024x600 resolution, 1GB RAM, 32GB SSD storage, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.It has a 4-cell 2400mAh battery and that should give you up to 6 hours of runtime. It weighs a modest 420gm. With it, you can go for Windows XP, Windows 7 or Moblin Linux OSPrice is not known yet

Sinchun 891A Tablet Netbook – An 8.9-inch UMPC

Twinkle — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:58:43 +0000

Sunchun's 8.9-inch 891A UMPC, a tablet netbook that is made in China. It has 1024 x 600 pixel touch screen display which supports finger as-well-as stylus input. It comes with same boring netbook specs that you used to find in an year old netbook: Intel Atom processor N270 (1.6GHz), 1GB RAM, 8/16/32GB SSD, Wi-Fi and Windows XP Home. It is possible to get one with build-in 3G modem. It is very light (weighs approx 1kg).The weakest part of this netbook in term of specs is its small battery, whose capacity is just 1700mAh. It will barely be able to provide you with 2 hours of battery life. Expect the price to be around $441 USD

VILIV S7 pricing details + more pictures

Paul Merak — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:24:41 +0000

Dynamism has come with the pricing details about the Viliv S7. It will be coming in 3 versions:1) The Entry Level Viliv S7, costing a modest $639 comes with 1.3GHz Atom processor with a 60GB HDD, a gig of RAM and runs Windows XP Home.2) Second variant will come with a 32GB SSD instead of a hard disk drive. It will cost you $20 more than the entry level model bringing the price to $6593) Third variant will have built-in 3G modem and will cost $799.[Dynamism Link] [Viliv S7 Japanese webpage]Click on read more to see pictures of Viliv S7 UMPC

ASUS EEE 1005HA – How to upgrade the Hard Disk and RAM

Paul Merak — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:09:35 +0000

The ASUS EEE 1005HA is a great looking and functional netbook. For some weird reason, ASUS decided not to make the hard disk user-replaceable. Although, unlike the EEE 1008HA, the upgrading the RAM is not a big deal, but upgrading the hard disk is not easy at all. It involves taking the keyboard out and unscrewing lots of screws.An EEE 1005HA user screw up his courage and took apart his EEE 1005HA to upgrade the hard disk (as-well-as the RAM). Hop on THIS link to see the full instructions on how to do it. Although he has swapped the HDD for SSD, you can always swap it for bigger, faster hard disk

HARD FACT: Windows XP is still best for netbooks in terms of performance – Windows 7 vs Windows XP

Paul Merak — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:09:05 +0000

This is not a good news especially when Windows 7 release is just around the corner. Windows 7 has been tested on almost all the netbooks so far and has received 'thumbs-up' from most of the tech-writers and bloggers from all over the world. But, the question is: DOES WINDOWS 7 BEATS WINDOWS XP in terms of performance? SIMPLE ANSWER: NO kurttrail at eeeuser conducted tests on his EEE 1000HE and used fresh copies of both operating systems on his new SSD. Results were quite interesting with Windows XP surpassing Windows 7 in all tests by fairly good margins.Click on read more to see all the exciting and surprising results and screenshots!

Another unboxing of VILIV X70 UMPC/MID

Kamal DS — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:48:45 +0000

CTitanic has got hold of Viliv X70 UMPC which is an 7-inch tablet running Windows XP with touchscreen. Compared to the Viliv S5, it has a bigger screen (and thus bigger chassis) and uses uses SSD instead of HDD. [More pictures here]

ASUS Eee Keyboard to finally coming to Europe in October – Retail price 499 Euros = Too Expensive for an Atom-powered device!

Twinkle — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:46:36 +0000

After delaying it so many times, ASUS Eee Keyboard will finally ship to Europe at the end of October for 499 Euros. The unique ASUS Eee Keyboard is essentially a netbook wrapped and packed into a keyboard chassis and with a small WVGA touchscreen display. It comes with an Atom N270 Processor, VGA and HDMI out. For storage, you get a tiny 16GB SSD.It also has3 USB 2.0 ports, WiFi and Bluetooth and it runs Windows XP Home. Its dimension are 145 x 425 x 24.4 mm and weighs 1.1 kg. ASUS claims that it would be able to give you nearly 4 hours of battery life which is commendable considering how tiny this thing is! The keyboard has backlight and you will have no problems working on it in the dark.The only thing not to like about the EEE keyboard is the fact that it costs way too much for an Atom-powered device. If the ASUS can bring the price down to something like 399 Euros, it will make it very tempting for the normal consumer.

Sabertooth Z PATA ZIF SSD for your HP Mini 1000 – Turbo charge your HP Mini 1000

Paul Merak — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:18:58 +0000

HP Mini 1000 owners can now 'double' the bootup and application load speeds by using the latest SSD from Active Media: Sabertooth Z PATA ZIP SSD. It has 82MB/sec transfer speed and it comes in 16GB and 32GB capacity. The SSD is also easy to install. It can also be used in other HP Mini netbooks like 1010NR, 1030NR and 2510P."The SaberTooth Z cuts bootup and application load times in half." said Vice President of Sales at Active Media Products, Jerry Thomson. "HP Mini 1000 users will be amazed at the ease of installation and the difference it makes in performance."The 16GB SSD costs $70 whereas 32GB SSD will cost you $110.Click on read to know more about it

Acer adds Series 8000 to its Timeline line-up

Brooke — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:51:43 +0000

Acer has unveiled the 8000 series which is yet-another-model to its Timeline range of laptops. It comes with the average specifications. You get the choice of 13.3-inch, 14-inch, and 15.6" laptops. Each model comes embedded with Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Solo ULV processor, 4GB or 8GB of RAM, a 160GB or 500GB hard drive (or even an 80GB Intel X25-M SSD). You also get the choice to choose between basic Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics or a ATI's 4330 dedicated GPU. No information about its release date or price tag is known right now. But, expect it to be sub-$1000 notebook

SmarTone Vodafone rolls out Vitesse netbook in Hong Kong

Peter — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:48:08 +0000

SmarTone Vodafone has announced its own 10-inch netbook, Vitesse. The Vitesse will be available for free to customers with 2 years wireless broadband service plan. The netbook comes with an 10.1-inch glossy screen, 1024 x 600 display. It has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB SSD. It comes with a 3 cell battery 1800mAh, which should give you 1.5-2 hours of run time.Commentary: It is pity that most of the wireless broadband service providers equip 'their' netbooks with 3-cell batteries which do not last for more than 2 hours on a single charge, that basically destroys the main purpose of carrying a netbooks: ability to do serious work while on the go.

Mushkin unveils the new Europa III SSD

Peter — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:56:03 +0000

Mushkin has launched the Europa III SSD, which is based on MLC NAND flash memory and uses the Samsung's S3C29RBB controller. It comes with 250GB of capacity and features SATA II interface. It will come with a solid aluminum case. Its price and availability date is not known so far. It has 0.15W and 0.25W power draw in idle and load respectively, and it has a MTBF of one million hours.

Eee PC T91 to be made available in THREE VERSIONS

Peter — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:37:17 +0000

The soon-to-be-released Asus EEE T91 will be made available in 3 versions. According to Asus UK, these three versions will be called by different names. First version is the basic version and is simply called as Eee PC T91. The second version will called by the name, T91 GO. This will packed with built-in 3G connectivity and GPS module. The last version will be called by EEE T91A which will have a full touch interface and will be the first netbook to feature Windows 7.Click on read more to learn more about it

Performance comparison: XP versus Windows 7 on EEE 901 – XP still wins!

Paul Merak — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:58:21 +0000

Windows 7’s release is just around the corner and is destined to finally replace the aging Windows XP on the netbooks (and notebook). Johnny at his personal blog has compared the performance of both Windows XP and Windows 7 on his EEE 901 netbook, which comes with standard netbooks specs (Atom N270 processor, 160GB HDD and 1GB RAM). However, he has swapped the hard disk for a fast Runcore SSD drive and is using 2GB RAM instead of 1GB RAM. So your mileage may vary.

Windows 7 actually shows modest gains on XP in SSD performance. This wasn't surprising, given the press coverage that has been dedicated to this very topic. However, this is where Windows 7's dominance ends. XP bests it in every other measurable way on the 901.

That said, Windows 7 is going to be a worthy successor to Windows Vista, which just was not given “thumbs up” by most of the IT professionals and computer savvy folks. I have tried Windows 7 on every computer I have and I must say that I have been very pleased with its performance.

Gemsta Netbook unveiled – has built-in 3G

Paul Merak — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:48:04 +0000

Gemsta Technology has launched a netbook that is just 2.2cm thick. It is available at a price of $294. Here are its specs:

1GB RAM
Up to 64GB SSD
8.9” LED backlit display at 1,024 x 600 resolution
1.3-megapixel webcamera
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Embedded 3G connectivity
USB 2.0 ports, Audio Out, SD memory card slot

The only nice thing about this netbook is the fact it comes with built in 3G.