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

Lenovo Skylight review

iKendra — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:35:35 +0000

Tech correspondent of the Singapore Daily, Darry Kang was lucky enough to get his hands on the impressive Lenovo Skylight Smartbook. According to his initial impressions, the flash is supported by the browser but it is slow as molasses in January. Heck, it could not even playback a YouTube video nicely. This is a shock to us as in our review, the HTC HD2 (also powered by Snapdragon) that we reviewed sometime back did not show any lags when playing back a YouTube video. Let's hope they fix this bug as-soon-as-possible because this smartbook is all about web-browsing.

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DAWA D7 7-inch multi-touch MID

iKendra — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:50:01 +0000

KexunGuoJi, from Shenzhen is soon going to launch a nice 7-inch MID that boasts a capacitive display with multi-touch support. Under the bonnet, you will find the 720Mhz Telechips 8901 processor, 4GB storage (expandable via microSD card slot) and 256MB RAM. Inside, you will also find a lot of wireless radios - GPS receiver, Wi-Fi and 3G radios. The Dawa MID works perfectly as a PMP too. It plays those 1080p videos like a duck soup. Now, how many MIDs can do that?Right now, there is no information on its release date or price.

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.

Acer Aspire Timeline 1820PTZ to be launched in Germany

Twinkle — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:14:43 +0000

The 11.6-inch Acer Aspire Timeline 1820PTZ tablet convertible was seen on an online store in Germany and is expected to be shipped on 9th of December, which is to be sell for 599 Euros.It has an 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768 touch screen display; uses Intel Pentium SU4100 dual-core processor that runs at 1.3GHz clock speed, 4GB RAM, X4500MHD graphics. For storage, you get 320GB hard disk. It has a 6-cell battery that should be good for 8 hours. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium.

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!

HP ProBook 5310m packs CULV chip – shipping in Europe

Twinkle — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:54:34 +0000

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.

ENT N97 MID

Kamal DS — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:30:46 +0000

ENT has launched N97 MID, which has a bright 7-inch TFT display and runs on an ARM processor. ENT is targeting it towards the media-centric people and to those who do browsing on-the-go. It has all the latest radios built-in: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and even packs in 3G!Its smooth rounded corners will make sure that it feels comfortable in your hands.ENT says it will give you PC-class Internet experience, which we doubt would be possible on a MID like this that has a Marvell PXA303 ARM processor. It comes with 256MB flash-based storage which can be extended by use of SD cards (upto 16GB supported).It is powered by a lithium-polymer battery that should give you run time of around 4 hours. Oddly, the type of OS that it runs is not specified anywhere, but we expect it to be running Android OSNote: This shall not be confused with the symbian-based Nokia N97 phone

A netbook/smartbook for just $73 – by Singworld Windows CE netbook

Twinkle — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:06:54 +0000

Boy! These smartbooks are turning out be really cheap. Here is a 7-inch smartbook from Sungworld priced ridiculously low at $73. Of course, at $73, you cannot expect a netbook running XP. It has a ARM processor running at 300MHz clock speed, made by VIA. It has a 7-inch WVGA (800x480) display and comes with 1GB of storage. It runs Windows CE and comes with a built-in 1800mAh batteryFew days back, we mentioned a netbook/smartbook that costs $50 and is able to run Linux. Now, we have a slightly higher priced smartbook by Singworld that runs Windows CE OS. How low can they go?! Anyday, I would choose the one running Linux though over the Windows CE

Lbook T9 – An 8.9-inch tablet that does not costs a bomb

Twinkle — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:13:52 +0000

Meet Lbook T9 tablet which has an 8.9 inch display with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution. It runs on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor and has 2GB of RAM and a 120GB hard drive for storage. It has usual connectivity radios like WiFi, Bluetooth, and 3G (optional). It weighs just under 1.5 pounds (0.68kg) and is half an inch thick.It is expected to ship with Windows 7 that will make its debut at the end of this month. The Lbook T9 tablet will hit the stores next year, around March 2010 and will be priced between $350 and $375.

Eking S515 MID AKA Digicube Z8 MID Phone to hit the market this October

Jane — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:37:22 +0000

Eking S515, also known as Digicube Z8 MID phone has is going to hit the market this month (October). The S515 is powered by an Intel Atom Z515 processor running at 1.2GHz clock speed. It has support for 3G; has a sweet sliding QWERTY keyboard; a 5-inch WVGA (800x480) display. You get 16GB SSD for storage and 1GB RAM to run apps.For OS, you can either choose between the good 'ol Windows XP OS or Linux OS. It has support for China Telecom CDMA2000, China Mobile TD-SCDMA and China Unicom WCDMA 3G network.Price is not known yet.

Firmware Update for Archos 5 Internet Tablet released – Version 1.0.22

Brooke — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:26:57 +0000

Archos has released a firmware update for its Android powered MID. Here is what is new in this release:

Storage: microsd formatting and ejection is now supported under Android
Keyboard support: when a physical keyboard is connected, virtual keyboard is deactivated to allow larger edition space
Suspend: contact with touchscreen surface is no longer preventing suspend
Archos mediacenter launcher widget: reactivity has been enhanced

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

MSI X410 now on sale in Europe, Already shipping in France and Belgium

Twinkle — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:10:46 +0000

Few days back, we mentioned about the MSI X-slim notebook and Wind netbooks based on AMD's NEO platform and according to fudzilla, amazingly, MSI has begun shipping some of its Neo-based notebooks, right now to particularly to France and Belgium. MSI is still in a mum about their products,which is yet not made public officially.X410 is a very attracting model, weighing just 1.5kg and it's under 25mm thick, which makes it the lightest and slimmest of all. It has a 14-inch display and is backed by an Athlon MV-40 at 1.6GHz, has 2GB of memory and 320GB of storage, draft-n wireless and comes installed with Vista Premium.X410 is listed by some French vendors at as low as €414 although some are shipping at higher price which is slightly above €500. While Belgian e-tailers have also listed the X400, which is based on Intel's SU3500 CPU. However, the price difference is astonishing. Shockingly, X400 costs €650, while the X410 is listed at just €499.The battery life of AMD-based X410 with that of X400 is incomparable as the latter offers much better battery life.

MSI to use AMD Neo processor for its X-Slim series

Twinkle — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:30:10 +0000

MSI's AMD-based X-Slim X610 has not hit the market yet, but in Russia, couple of individuals were able to get their hands on it. A news which broke up back in May says that MSI will start using AMD Neo chips in some X-Slim series models in Q3. Sadly, MSI has decided to stick to larger X-Slim models, the 14-inch X410 and the 15.6-inch X600.The X610 is somewhat like the CULV-based X600. For instance, it shares the same chassis and majority of the specs have remained unchanged, like 4GB of memory, 250GB of storage and Radeon HD 4330 discrete graphics with 512MB of memory.The X610 has AMD's Athlon MV-40 at 1.6GHz, its slower than the Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 that runs at 1.4GHz. We are expecting the price to be cheaper than the €699 Intel version

Linux OS screenshots of Always Innovating TouchBook

Twinkle — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:20:41 +0000

Always Innovating has uploaded some screenshots of the custom Linux OS that will be launched with the Touch Book. The Touchbook is an 8.9-inch tablet netbook that has a detachable display.Click on read more to see its screenshots!

Touch Book by Always Innovating coming soon to a store near you

Peter — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:15:50 +0000

Always Innovating is soon going to start the manufacturing of its netbook-cum-tablet called Touch Book by next month. The price of this cool looking tablet is going to cost you just $299. Yes, just $299 for a tablet! It comes with an 8.9-inch 1024x600 touchscreen and runs Linux. You get a mere 512MB of memory which is split between RAM and NAND. There is also an 8GB SD card that comes bundled with it.By no means, you can get XP or any Windows OS running on this baby. Reason? It uses OMAP 3530 processor, which is not x86 compatible. Even then, it is a decent buy for $299

Thinkfree Office suit for netbooks released

Paul Merak — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:35:26 +0000

Here is yet-another-office-suit for your netbook, this time coming from Thinkfree. Just like Corel Home Office suit, the Thinkfree Office suit also gives you the ability to view and edit Word, Excel and Powerpoint files. It is optimized to run on 1024 x 600, which is the most common resolution in netbooks. It needs just 256MB RAM to run.To make the overall package attractive, Thinkfree is also giving away free 2GB of online storage to its customers. It is available for Windows, Linux and Mac for a price of just $24.95ThinkFree Mobile Netbook edition is designed to help you manage and sync all your documents easily. It allows you to upload documents to your netbook and share them with all your PCs, office software and operating systems whenever you need to edit or create. laptop, mobile internet device, netbook or desktop PC. Office 2.0 and beyond. ThinkFree Mobile Netbook edition is a modern productivity suite that comes with enhanced features. You’ll never go back to using a traditional office suite again.[Thinkfree Mobile Office suit]

Microsoft: We do not want Hybrid Netbooks

Peter — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:02:32 +0000

According to one recent rumor, Microsoft does not want netbooks with hybrid storage to run Windows XP. Although Microsoft has given any reason why are they enforcing such rules, but the first thing that comes to mind is industry competition. We all know that netbooks with dual storage will have the option to run both Windows XP and other Open-Source OS like Google Android OS.Fortunately, only one netbook will be affected: MSI Wind U115, which comes with SSD and HDD.

GNB 7-inch Netbook runs Google Android

Peter — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:13:40 +0000

GNB is showing off a 7-inch screen netbook running Google Android OS. It comes with a small keyboard that is hard to type-on. That is due to the small overall size of the GNB netbook. Even the touchpad is small and has left and right click buttons on the either side of the netbook. Battery life is good for only about 2.5 hours.Features:-

533MHz Freescale ARM processor
Android OS
800 x 480 pixel 7-inch touchscreen
Non-Glossy display
256MB RAM
8GB SSD
3 USB ports
680 grams

No word on pricing yet. This is just a little bigger than the Fujitsu U2010 UMPC, which comes with a tiny 5.6-inch touchscreen and runs Windows Vista

SONY now offering Z550 2GHz processor – sony vaio p

Paul Merak — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:53:39 +0000

Along with the new color offerings, SONY is also offering the MIGHTY Z550 2GHz processor for the VAIO P. Also, very soon you will be able to customize the VAIO P with the huge 256GB SSD. That is plenty of storage on such a tiny device![Link]Credit: Johnny De Silva (via email)

Skytone Alpha 680 netbook in flesh

Paul Merak — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:27:58 +0000

We have mentioned Skytone in the past (here and here). But for the first time, someone has got hold of it and taken few tasty pictures of it. It is a tablet!It will come with following specifications:

533MHz ARM processor
7-inch touchscreen
800 x 480 resolution
128MB of RAM
1GB of storage
SD card slot
3G (optional)

EEEbox B208 HD coming to UK soon

Paul Merak — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:16:29 +0000

EEEbox B208 HD, which sports the mighty Atom 330 dual-core processor will soon be released in UK at a price tag of 500 pounds! Ouch, that would hurt anyone's wallet in such hard times. Anyway, here are its specs:

Atom 330 dual-core processor
2GB RAM
ATI Radeon HD 4530 graphics
Wi-Fi support for b, g and draft-n networks
HDMI-out video port
160, 250, or 320GB hard drive
10GB EEE storage

The overall package is pretty neat and you get a lot for 500-pounds.[ASUS B208 HD webpage]

Aware A-View netbook

Paul Merak — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:51:04 +0000

Aware electronics is a Taiwanese based company, is showcasing its 7-inch netbook that has a detachable screen at the 2009 Electronics and Components China Sourcing Fair organized by Global Sources. The netbook is very cheap and retails at mere $150. The specifications are not impressive at all. It comes with just 512MB RAM and 8GB SSD for storage. The user has the choice to choose between either Windows OS or Linux OS.Aware has plans to push their netbook in the emerging markets. That said, they have already made the Aware availbale in developed nations of Europe.Netbook with detachable keyboard clears one thing for sure that the netboook is equipped with a touchscreen. I wonder why such design has not been so far used in the netbook industry. I hope it does not come with the 3-cell battery like the older A-VIEW netbooks.The Fair is taking place in Hong Kong and ends today (April 15, 2009).

StorageTools Reviewed – for Windows Mobile professional

Paul Merak — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:30:40 +0000

StorageTools is a great application that lets you manage your storage cards and even perform de-fragmentation providing great speed improvements. Windows Mobile OS is the most flexible mobile OS in the phone arena. Unfortunately, the file explorer that comes with the Windows mobile device is too basic when compared to it’s desktop counterpart. It does [...]