Astro Boy Netbook spotted in Taiwan

Remember the Astro Boy netbook that we mentioned few months back? Well, that has again been spotted in Taiwan. In addition to the details that we mentioned about this netbook earlier, it comes bundled with a 4GB USB stick and a certificate that claims that the Astro Boy netbook is genuine and not a rip-off of any other netbook.

It is unlikely to make it to US though.

nReader K60 ebook reader by BenQ

Today, BenQ unmasked its nReader series ebook reader in Taiwan. The NReader K60 eBook Reader measures 175mm x 122mm x 11mm and has a 6-inch display with 800×600 resolution. It has e-paper touchscreen and even packs in WiFi, 2 USB 2.0 ports and optional 3.5G radio.

You get 2GB for storage and MicroSD card slot, if you wish to expand the storage capacity. It has a 1530mAh battery. This ebook will let users to read (ofcourse), bookmark and buy copies through 3G or Wi-Fi connectivity. Users can choose from more than one million books including Chinese, Japanese and English books. NReader K60 to be launched in January 2010.

Netbooks account for 40% of total notebook sales – at least in Taiwan

In Taiwan, netbooks sales, in the first quarter of 2009, netbooks account for more than 40% of total notebooks sales. In Q2 2009, the netbook’s share was even higher (near 50%), but got dropped to 40% due to the entry of ultra-thin notebooks.

Huge demand is mainly due to the 3G telecom providers who are pushing the netbooks with their attractive bundles. That said, revenues of the notebook manufactures has taken a hit as the profits are slim in netbooks

Astroboy Netbook

Astroboy netbook is a netbook that is selling pretty well in Taiwan. Although it has no special feature, but what makes it so special is the fact that its design is inspired by a Japanese anime character known as “Astroboy”. A figure of Astroboy can be found on the top cover of its bezel and and under it.

Another reason that it could be selling so well is the fact that you get a lot of goodies in the box: DVD burner, USB flash drive and USB speakers.

Specifications:-

• Intel Atom Processor N270 1.6GHz
• 1GB RAM
• 10.1-inch TFT-LCD screen (1024×600)
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• 1.3 MP webcam
• Windows XP OS

Acer: most valuable Taiwanese brand

Acer has been rated as the most valuable brand in Taiwan. Acer took the top position for the first time. It was ranked number three in 2008. Trend Micro and ASUS held the first and second slot respectively.

Compal expecting Toshiba to boost its netbook shipments to over one million per month!

Compal Electronics, Taiwan is expecting huge netbook orders from Toshiba. Currently, Toshiba orders range from 200,000 to 300,000 units per month, which make up for one-fourth of total Compal’s shipments, which is 800,000 units.

Compal is anticipating Toshiba to increase its orders which will let the Compal to surpass the 1,000,000 (one million) boundary mark

Lenovo beefs up the specs of VIA based S12 – Now with 2GB RAM and 320GB hard disk

Lenovo is all set to launch its VIA based S12 netbook in Taiwan. Instead of bundling it with 160GB hard disk and 1GB RAM, Lenovo has decided to beef up its specs a bit. It will now be sold with 320GB HDD and 2GB RAM.

If you buy one without OS, you will have to shell out less money on the VIA based S12 (320GB HDD, 2GB RAM) as compared to Intel Atom based S12 (160GB HDD, 1GB RAM).

Nokia Smartbook to hit the market next year and an ARM-based Nokia netbook in the tunnel

We few days back mentioned about the much talked Nokia’s new Booklet 3G netbook and now the company is again in the news for its smartbook. Few sources in Taiwan claim that ‘Nokia will release an ARM based smartbook in mid 2010 next year.’

Nokia Booklet 3G will there in the market in early 2010. But still, everyone is waiting for 2nd of September to hear for the formal words from the company. The Booklet 3G is rumored to carry US $799 price tag.

BenQ launches MID running Windows XP

BenQ has launched an Intel-Atom based MID in Taiwan. Since the MID is based on x86 platform, it is able to run Windows XP pretty nicely. The BenQ comes with an 4.8-inch display and will retail around $424 (NT$13,990). It is also being offered by a Taiwanese telecom service “FET” at $57 with a 3 year contract in which you will be able to enjoy the 3.5G (WiMax) speeds too.

According to BenQ’s general manager (Taiwan), they also have 4.5-inch MID in the tunnel that will be released in year 2010.

Price of Sony Vaio P slashed to mere $690 in Taiwan

We know that Sony does not consider Vaio P as a netbook because of its certain features like resolution display packed inside a small screen. But, still it is a netbook despite its outrageous price tag.

Sony Taiwan has recently slashed the prices of its VAIO P models from $1000 to $690, which does make it a little more affordable than before. The same model retails at $899.99 in the US, which comes with 1.3GHz Intel Atom Z520 CPU, 2GB of RAM, and a 60GB hard drive.