Laptop Thoughts: News & Reviews on Laptops, Netbooks, Slates, and More.

"As a long-time tablet enthusiast, it is with amusement that I watch the “new” tablet space taking shape. The Microsoft Tablet PC may have been around for a decade, but the newly released iPad has defined a new market for slates. Sales numbers for the iPad have been good, and tablet makers are racing to get their models to market late this year and early next year. Here’s what I expect to see coming down the pipe."

Smaller iPads, bigger Android devices, and hopefully something to show from the Windows camp. Supposedly the next version of Android (Gingerbread) will support screen resolutions of up to 1366×768 which will really open up the market for larger screen Android devices. The huge success of Android based phones over the last year has made people a lot more comfortable with the idea of this as an alternative OS, so I'm betting that while Linux for the most part failed at being a viable alternative for most users when netbooks came out, Android may just succeed.

Now this looks pretty interesting. They mention a partnership with Borders and Kobo for ebooks, but if it is running Android with access to the Marketplace, it should be able to also access the Kindle store. So for $199, this looks like quite the bargain. I'll be curious what version of Android this runs. Also curious about the Cruz Tablet, which adds flash support among other things, but ups the price to $299.

"No worries, guys, because Microsoft is “hardcore” about tablets. Well, “hardcore” about Windows 7-based slate computers. So said Steve Ballmer at its Worldwide Partners Conference in Seattle. Microsoft says that its big strength here is that it consumers will have a wide variety of choice when it comes to buying a Windows-based tablet. That’s opposed, of course, to a certain other company’s tablet offering that is available in any color, so long as it’s black. You know what I mean."

Quit talking and get something done. I want a slate that is not an iPad and I want it now. Earlier this year I fully expected to have an HP product running Windows 7 in my hands by now, but we all know how that went. At this point, I'm kind of expecting that I'll be owning an Android based slate by the end of the year unless Microsoft and their partner get their butts in gear.

"How would you like to win a mobility bundle that includes an HP Pavilion dm4 notebook, Beats by Dre headphones and a Canon PowerShot SD1300 camera? All you have to do to enter this Notebooks.com giveaway is answer a few questions in our July 2010 survey about your recent or planned computer purchase."

Nice prize bundle, since I plan on winning, you should not even bother entering.  But if you insist, you should head over to Notebooks.com, take their survey, and enter the contest.  Open to US residents only.

"Quanta Computer, the world's largest contract laptop computer maker, set record highs for shipments and revenue in the month of June, a sign demand for technology products hasn't stumbled despite fears of debt problems in some parts of Europe."

In a still-slumping economy, this is an amazing number of laptops built and shipped. Quanta manufactures laptops for Dell, HP and Sony, amongst others. Quanta expects the number to drop somewhat for July, but pick up again in August. This astounding record number was due in part to an easing of a shortage of Intel's Annandale Core i3 and Core i5 laptop microprocessors. 2010 has also seen shortages of other laptop components such as LCD screens and DRAM memory. Manufacturers had been waiting for these processors to create thinner ("slimmer") laptops, with Intel's supply expected to catch-up to demand by the end of June 2010. Faster, Lighter, Cheaper! 

"This is an update to the AOD260 (yes) which adds a new processor configuration and new colors, but drops the chrome elements and the glass splitter like "flake" design. Otherwise it's exactly the same."

Too bad they couldn't reduce the size of that massive logo on the lid while they were at it. If you use multi-threaded applications that can take advantage of a dual core processor, then you'll certainly see an advantage with a dual core netbook; otherwise, since the individual cores are slower, you may actually see a performance drop with this upgrade.

"Sony's always had a knack for making some of the best multimedia laptops around, and the VAIO EC Series is all about continuing the trend. The desk-dominating 17.3-inch laptop is a monster of a machine, and has the internal guns to match – it's got a Core i3 processor, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 graphics card, 4GB of RAM, 500GB of storage and a Blu-ray drive."

Sony's VAIO EC Series desktop replacement multimedia laptops are the next in a long series of "almost good enough to really be a desktop replacement" laptops. A robust processor and graphics, a very good display, coupled wth a 4x Blu-ray drive start things off well. But then comes the disappointment of mediocre speakers, no standalone multimedia buttons, lots of shiny surface, and an off-center trackpad with some reported quirks.

As with nearly all systems with this much power, battery life suffers, with 2.5 - 3.0 hours of use being all that one can expect. This is not a light machine at 7.3 pounds, so one could reasonably expect that it'd remain in one place (as a desktop replacement) and not rely on the battery. Bottom line is that this is a good, but unexceptional multimedia laptop for the price, and that Sony still commands and gets a premium for its products.

"If you don't understand the significance of what you're looking at then you're probably not paying attention. First off, that Aava slab of WoW slaying smartphone is underpinned by Intel's Moorestown processor. Yes, Intel, not ARM, as Chipzilla gets serious about taking its silicon mobile."

Interesting to see an early version of Intel-powered hardware and Nokia software (MeeGo OS) that looks like an amalgamation of WebOS and Android, with UI elements reminiscent of Nokia's N900. Using the Moorestown platform rather than the typical ARM chipset may provide the necessary horsepower to run some serious (PC-based) games, but battery life of an hour limits the fun. Not being a huge gamer, this seems to me to be a solution in search of a problem, what with all the other good-to-great handheld gaming platforms already available.

"Sony has issued a software fix to prevent a recent batch of Vaio laptops from overheating. Over 500,000 new laptops could be affected by the problem, in what could well turn out to be a PR disaster for the consumer electronics giant."

Sony Vaio owners continue to be plagued by overheating problems. After the massive battery recall of 2006, estimated to have cost Sony $250 million, the latest problem impacts about a half million laptops. Sony has issued a software fix that updates the system BIOS. ( Link )

"Now that the buzz surrounding the Apple iPad release and the whispers of the Asus Eee Pad have died down, we thought it was about time that another contender to the market appeared from the woodwork. And we were right! Pioneer have just released details of not only one, but three new competitors - the Pioneer DreamBook ePad 7/10 (7inch), DreamBook ePad A10 (10inch) and DreamBook ePad L11 HD (11.6inch)."

With two new Android ePads and one new Windows 7 ePad from Pioneer, consumers will soon have some new tablet choices. What I see as the biggest iPad direct competitor, the A10, will run Windows7 on an Intel Atom N455 at 1.66GHz (or optionally) on an N475 at 1.83GHz with a maximum of 2GB DDR3 RAM; a 10.1-inch screen with 1024x600 resolution; a solid state (SSD) drive with 8/16/32GB; 802.11a/b/g wireless (no "n"); wired 100Mbps Ethernet; microSD card reader; and 1.3MP front-facing camera. One negative is that the 3-cell battery last only five hours. Expected pricing (converted from AUD) starts at $506. Upgraded component pricing is not yet available.

"The phrase "netbook powerhouse" would typically be considered an oxymoron. That was before ASUS announced its Eee PC 1215N bumpin' a 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Atom D525 processor with NVIDIA Optimus to intelligently switch between its NVIDIA Ion discrete and integrated graphics."

ASUS has always been good at anticipating the changing needs of netbook users, and the new Eee PC 1215N continues the trend, further blurring the thin line between netbook and laptop. Details are a bit sparse today, but this "network powerhouse" sports a dual-core 1.8GHz Intel Atom D525 processor, a 12-inch 1366x768 display, NVIDIA Optimus to allow switching between integrated and NVIDIA ION graphics, and hardware decoding for H.264, MPEG2 and VC1 HD Videos to allow 1080p video playback in 16:9 format. Read more...

"Regular reader Acerbic, in following up my review of the Fujitsu Lifebook T900, ran across a new product listing tucked into the Fujitsu site over the weekend: the Lifebook TH700..."

Full-featured, a bit chunky, and considered to be an "entry level" Tablet PC. Fujitsu appears to be positioning this PC as a direct competitor to the HP TouchSmart TM2, at a slightly higher price point, but with slightly better specifications.

"Thanks to the iPad, tablet computers are finally a hot consumer item, after many false starts. Now Cisco Systems said it aims to take the tablet computer into the business world with its own device, to launch early next year."

Image credit: Cisco Systems

With Cisco's upcoming Cius Android-powered tablet scheduled for 2011, their long-term direction is becoming more clear: provide a tablet computer (and/or "thin client") that will connect to (and interoperate with) their world class videoconferencing platform, TelePresence, as well as a host of other complementary tools like potentially Citrix and/or VMWare. For more details, see Cisco's information page (link).

"Come June 28th Sammy will rid the world of sadness and begin selling its latest netbook with your choice of 1.66GHz N450 or 1.83GHz N470 Atom processors and options for 32Wh and 66Wh batteries for up to 7- or a whopping 13.8-hours of power, respectively."

Samsung's netbooks have rarely caught my eye, but they've kept at it, and the N230 looks like it could be contender. The palm rest area looks like brushed metal, and the overall design is quite visually pleasing. The 1.83 Ghz Atom N470 would provide a bit of a boost, but the real big news here is the amazing 13.8 hours of battery life courtesy of the 66Wh battery. The question is, how big/heavy does the back end of the netbook get when you have the big battery attached? Full press release after the break. Read more...

"It goes without saying, then, that I really enjoy using the Viliv N5. It's a device I reach for often and use for long stretches of time because it's so comfortable and reliable. I haven't experienced a crash, hiccup, or even a single moment of frustration and would easily give it 4.5 out of 5 stars (too bad I don't use a rating system). Bottom line: If you're looking for the best truly portable Windows PC on the market, then this is it."

Windows 7 on a 4.8" screen? I'll give it a try, but ouch! There is so much extra space available for a bigger screen, I guess they are trying to conserve the battery. Otherwise, I'd really, really like a device this size that could run Windows 7, even for just basic apps. It would make a very nice travel companion!

"Today, more than ever, families are looking to technology as an extra set of hands - one that helps them stay connected, quickly cross items off daily ‘to-do' lists, and keep them entertained. The new Inspiron R laptops were designed with this in mind - making it easier than ever to access personal files and securely share photos and videos wirelessly, as well to enjoy the ideal mobile personal entertainment hub, offering smooth video playback, surround sound and a built-in Webcam. Wrapped in curvy edges, smooth lines and available in four unique colorful finishes with chrome accents, the Inspiron R laptops are as beautifully designed as they are useful. With several display sizes ranging from 14-inch models that fit perfectly in a messenger bag, to home and dorm room-friendly 15- and 17-inch versions, the Inspiron R boasts a contemporary and sleek appearance that will make anyone feel good about bringing it out in the classroom or the local coffee shop."

Dell's new series of Inspiron R laptops are your typical budget affairs, albeit with a fit of extra flair - the design looks pretty nice, and with the rounded edges, gives the laptops a less brick-like appearance. Prices start at $549 USD and go up to $979 USD. Curiously, as I look at the Dell.com product page for the Inspiron R series, I can't help but notice that there are virtually no hardware customization options. The one and only choice for hardware customization is the colour - red, black, blue, or pink. Read more...

"At $500, the 1201N hits the upper end of the netbook range. But that buys you Ion graphics, dual-core processing power, 2GB of RAM, a real version of Windows 7, and a screen that can display 720p video. Next-gen Ion systems will have better battery life, but will they be dual-core? We’ve gotta give Asus credit for releasing a 12-inch netbook with moxie and proving that Atom isn’t dead yet."

A lot of netbooks have really become commodity items with not much differentiating the different models. The 1201N, breaks that mold and provides a dual-core machine where most other models are trying to eek out every last minute of battery life instead. So, if you aren't away from a power outlet for too long and can stand just a little more than 3 hours of battery life, you can pick up a netbook that doesn't come with a crippled version of Windows 7 and could actually run some less intense games.

"Dell have worked hard to produce something rather unique, that is a small form factor tablet device (or a large form factor phone device) that has a decent balance of size against functionality. Their customisation of the Android operating system onto the machine has been carried out with aplomb and the interface is a pleasure to interact with. Final thought would I buy a Streak? That is difficult, if it felt a little more robust, and had the software glitches fixed, then yes. Otherwise if I bought one now I'd be handling it very carefully and complaining to Dell over the few bugs that are in there!"

Whenever this hits the US, I'll seriously consider upgrading IF..... It is available on Verizon for a reasonable cost. It has a more current version of Android and looks to be on a faster upgrade schedule. It has a better screen resolution. Until then, just a bunch of wait and see.

"For starters, this super slim smartbook runs Android 2.1 on a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 250 SoC (built around a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor) capable of about 8 hours of browsing and video playback (and 7 days standby) before needing a recharge. It's also packing a 32GB SSD, 512MB of DDR2 memory, 802.11n WiFi, optional 3G data, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, and an HDMI jack beneath that 10.1-inch 1,024 x 600 pixel display."

I'd be curious to see how Android scales to a netbook. I'm really happy with it on my phone, but I'm not sure the experience would fit a netbook/laptop very well. But if it handles the apps that most people use netbooks for and offers great portability and battery life, the platform might gain some traction. Rumors have this priced in the upper end of the netbook arena.

"It’s hard not to compare the Toshiba Libretto W100 to the ill-fated Microsoft Courier or the equally ill-fated original concept designs for the next-generation OLPC XO Laptop. But the Libretto W100 is something different. The computer runs Windows 7, has an Intel ULV processor, and has a starting price of nearly $1100."

The original Libretto brings back fond memories for me of days gone by; where computers were basic tools to do word processing and spreadsheet. How things have changed! The reimagined Libretto does look pretty, and I think the concept has some merit, but I wuestion the choice of a 7" display. There is a reason why manufacturers started offering 8.9", 10" and 11" netbooks. Unless one eats six pounds of carrots a day, a 7" display at a decent resolution is a test worse than an optometrist. With a screen that small, Windows 7 is probably not the best operating system to go with.