Netbooks Embed Broadband

Netbooks Embed Broadband

Posted by Sam Churchill on February 16th, 2009

ASUS is showcasing 3.5G, Windows 7 Netbooks at the Mobile World Congress. They are among the world’s first to boast 3.5G capabilities designed around Windows 7, using Huawei’s EM770 3G module.

ASUS will be installing Windows 7 in their Eee PC 1003HA and Eee PC T91 Netbooks. The 1003HA, with a 10” LED-backlit display and 160GB hard disk, is slated for sale exclusively through telecommunications carriers.

The Eee PC T91 features a rotatable touchscreen and a suite of touch-optimized programs.

The Eee 1000HE (right) is promising 9.5 hours of battery life at a suggested retail price of just $399. The “HE”, explains CrunchGear, is derived from the company’s “Super Hybrid Engine” technology, “which can boost CPU speed for extra power or lower it to preserve battery life, all at the touch of a button.”

The Atom N280 enhances netbook battery life. Unfortunately, the Eee 1000HE uses the older 945GSE graphics chipset not the newer GN40 graphics chip.

The Eee PC 1000HG (below) will feature Mobile WiMAX (802.16e, WAVE2) and Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) in a version currently using the N270 processor with 945 graphics.

Meanwhile, Asustek Computer’s 10-inch Atom N280-based Eee PC 1004DN is expected to be priced around US$379, while Acer is already selling its Atom N280-based Aspire 103 netbook.

Lenovo plans to launch an Atom N280-based IdeaPad S20 netbook featuring a 12-inch panel, reports Digitimes. Lenovo reportedly lost its preferential pricing for Intel’s N280 Atom CPU because Intel restricts anything larger than 10″ screens for fear of competing with full size laptops and its dual core Centrino. Intel’s N280 processor, consequently, will cost Lenovo about US$10 higher than typical quotes to vendors of their size, sources noted.

The IdeaPad S20 netbook will have an Atom N280 processor and Intel’s newer GN40 graphic chipset, with Windows XP. Will they put a WiMAX module in it? Windows 7? Is the sky green?

NVIDIA’s ION platform will combine Intel’s Atom CPU with NVIDIA’s GeForce 9400 graphic engine. Nvidia is in a graphic battle to the death with Intel. Expect all out global Netbook War this summer.

source: dailywireless.org