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Tag: 160GB

Seagate’s Momentus Thin to ship in 160GB / 250GB sizes this January

We weren’t waiting on too many more details surrounding Seagate’s 7mm thin laptop hard drive, but one critical tidbit has just now been unearthed by the outfit itself. The Momentus Thin will make its official unveiling at CES here in just a few weeks, where it’ll be available in 160GB and 250GB capacities and with 8MB of cache, a 5400RPM spin speed and a SATA 3Gbps interface. We’re also told that it’ll be far less expensive than similarly sized 1.8-inch HDD options, which means this bugger could soon be planted into Atom D410 / D510-based netbooks. The drive is slated to ship to OEM and integrator partners next month, though specific price points have yet to be mentioned. Have a peek at the first press shots below.

Gallery: Seagate’s Momentus Thin to ship in 160GB / 250GB sizes this January

Seagate’s Momentus Thin to ship in 160GB / 250GB sizes this January originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Darren Murph on December 14, 2009
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Kohjinsha’s dual-screen DZ Series laptop now for sale

Remember IBM’s ThinkPad 701 with the butterfly keyboard? This isn’t it, it’s better… conceptually anyway. Instead of two halves of a keyboard magically jigsawing themselves together, Kohjinsha achieves a similar result with its DZ-series using a pair of 10.1-inch TFT displays with 1,024 x 600 pixel resolution (each) packed into an otherwise svelte 1.02 x 8.26 x 0.74~1.65 inches / 4.09 pounds (1.84 kg) portable. Best of all it’s on sale now for ¥95,800 (about $1,110) with a Linux pre-load — add another ¥5,000 (about $58) for 32-bit Windows 7 Home Premium. For that you get a 1.6GHz AMD Athlon Neo with RS780MN chipset and ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, 3x USB, a 3-in-1 card reader, 1.3 megapixel webcam, 1GB memory (expandable to 4GB), and 160GB 5,4000 hard disk with claimed 4.5-hours “max” of battery power (1.1V, 5200mAh) — likely far less in real-world usage. Ships worldwide ($60ish for US or €50ish for European delivery) in 3 weeks if you order today. Video of the sliding action after the break from our hands-on session back at the CEATEC show in Japan.

Continue reading Kohjinsha’s dual-screen DZ Series laptop now for sale

Kohjinsha’s dual-screen DZ Series laptop now for sale originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Thomas Ricker on November 27, 2009
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REVIEWS: HP Mini 311 notebook

Can this be the HD netbook you’ve always wished for?
HP Mini 311 notebook. Hardware, Netbooks, HP, HP Mini 311, Nvidia, Intel, Verizon, Mobile broadband 0

As netbooks continue to grow in popularity, so do the lines that define them. The HP Mini 311 spec sheet reads more like a traditional notebook rather than something only costs ?349 in the UK and $399 in the US. But is it trying to punch above its weight??

HP has over the last 12-18 months started making a radical change to its design ethos and it’s finally starting to show. Gloss plastic in its design, it’s no HP Envy, however that isn’t to say it’s Ugly Betty either.?Aesthetics are swish and stylish with a patterned top, silver interior and gloss black framed 1366 x 768 resolution, 11.6-inch, screen that is crisp and the highlight of the netbook. It really is sharp.

That screen pretty much determines the 11.4 x 8.0 x 1.2in dimensions and the 1.45kg (3.2lbs) weight. Ports and sockets are displayed down both sides rather than the back or front. The left gives you a single USB and HDMI output, while the right gives you a SD/MSPro/MMC/xD Card reader, a further two USB sockets, headphones and line-in socket, VGA out and Ethernet. Those looking for an optical drive won’t find one.?

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<!– The trackpad has been changed making it easier to use –>

With a 92% keyboard typing is tight, but by no means impossible and the trackpad has been improved over previous netbooks from HP thanks to the extra space created by the bigger screen. What that means in practice is that the two click buttons are now found underneath the trackpad rather than to the side.

In use and the trackpad is considerably easier to use as the buttons sit ready to be clicked by your thumb. Larger than previous outings, it has a software-based vertical scroll element to it (on the right-hand side) making it easy to scroll up and down web pages for example. What doesn’t help though is that it’s made from the same material as the rest of the chassis and this can mean that you slide off it or go to click without realising that your thumb or finger has moved elsewhere.

Centre top there is a webcam for video calling and aside from the power on key the only other button is a Wi-Fi toggle switch. Clicking it off changes it from blue to orange. It will let you save power quickly without having to find a software tab (not hard) or help you prove to the air hostess that you really have gone into airplane mode.

Peer inside and the HP Mini 311 can come with a 1.6GHz or 1.66GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, integrated Nvida ION graphics chip, 1GB RAM upgradeable to 3GB, a 160GB, 250GB, 320GB hard drive or 80GB SSD, Wi-Fi connectivity g or n, Bluetooth, and the option of a mobile broadband module.

The netbook now comes with Windows 7 Home Premium as standard over the previous XP when it first launched in at the beginning of October 2009.

The ?349 / $399 is the base model and that will get you the 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, wireless g connectivity and no Bluetooth or mobile broadband. Those looking to save some cash can opt for Windows XP over Windows 7.?Maxing out on everything gets you to almost $1000.

In performance and the Mini 311 does well on day-to-day tasks with the Atom processor working hard to make your experience as best as it can be. Microsoft gives it a Windows Experience Index rating of 2.3 let down by the processor.

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<!– HP have opted for Windows 7 Home Premium rather than the Starter edition –>

We tested a model with Verizon’s built-in SIM card allowing you to surf on the go. The software lets you manage your connection and once you’ve run through the initial set-up, a very quick process to getting online. The benefit as with all netbooks that have built-in connectivity is that you don’t have to fuss with a 3G dongle that sticks out of the side.

Of course where this netbook appeals is that it packs the Nvidia ION graphics chip, which promises to deliver better video and graphics performance, with the graphics processor taking over on the tasks normally assigned to the main processor (in this case the Intel Atom chip) which isn’t really up to the job.

The biggest and easiest test to see what can be achieved is playing back HD content. While a 11.6-inch screen is going to give you minimal benefit from going “HD”, the built-in HDMI out socket means you can pump it out to an HD Ready TV screen in your home, office or shed.

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<!– This video shows the HD performance at 720p and 1080p –>

To be able to enjoy HD content via YouTube (i.e., Flash) you’ll have to download the newly released Flash Player 10 so you can benefit from the GPU (the ION) doing some of the work rather than just leaving it all to the main processor. Failing to do so will get you nowhere.

You don’t need Flash Player 10 to watch HD content you’ve got stored on the computer. We played 720p footage with no problem, something that isn’t really possible on a regular netbook, however pushing the machine to the limit and playing 1080p does give it trouble.

In our tests 1080p DivX HD files weren’t watchable by any stretch of the imagination, while a 1080p trailer viewed in iTunes lost lip sync very quickly. Footage stuttered violently. YouTube wasn’t much better, and neither was VLC for 1080p footage.?Back to what it can do – this is a sub ?350/$400 netbook after all – and we could happily watch 720p footage without qualms.

But what about games? We fired up the recently released Left 4 Dead 2 to see how it would cope. We were able to enjoy a full online experience running graphics at 16:9 1280 x 768 without any drop in performance. While we weren’t able to run it with all the settings on, the graphics performance was more than good enough for gaming on the move. 10 years ago this rig would have cost you over ?1000 for graphics performance like this: that’s how far we’ve come.

While we wouldn’t recommend this replacing a dedicated desktop rig or your more powerful laptop, if you are an occasional gamer, or one that isn’t playing high-end first person shooters this will be more than enough juice to quench your thirst.

Verdict:

The HP Mini 311 looked impressive in our First Look and after using it for a couple of weeks now those first impressions were spot on. As a netbook that lets you surf the web, write the odd email it performs as you would expect and good enough to be one of the top performing netbooks out there. The fact that HP has gone with a standard version of Windows 7 (Home Premium) rather than Starter is also welcomed.

But where the HP eases out over the rest of the pack is the inclusion of the ION chip from Nvidia allowing you to push the limits of what has until now not been possible on a netbook.

There are limitations to the HD element and the 3D gaming. This isn’t the answer to everything, however if you want to watch or play movies and games on occasion, as long as you aren’t too demanding (1080p or full graphics settings), then the HP mini should serve you nicely.

Tags:
Hardware Netbooks HP HP Mini 311 Nvidia Intel Verizon Mobile broadband

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HP Mini 311 notebook originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:02:37 +0000

by Stuart Miles on November 24, 2009
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Review: Apple MacBook 13.3″ 2.26GHz

This new release of Apple’s polycarbonate notebook, the ubiquitous MacBook 13.3inch sees several features from the Pro range trickle down to the entry-level model.

The user-removable battery has gone, replaced by Apple’s innovative internal version as used in the MacBook Pros.

Making it non-removable saves on space previously taken up by housing and connectors, enabling Apple to offer a bigger, more powerful battery without adding to the weight or size of the notebook.

The result? A battery that lasts up to seven hours on a single charge, and can be recharged up to 1,000 times before it wears out, which is about five years of typical use.

When it finally dies, professional replacement at an Apple Store costs £99, which is a bargain considering it lasts three times as long as the old style, user-replaceable MacBook batteries costing £97.

Housing benefit

The new MacBook is advertised as offering a unibody enclosure. Losing the seams and moulding its body as a single unit gives the notebook added rigidity, something that’s further enhanced by the rubberised aluminium base plate.

It certainly feels sturdier and more robust than its predecessors, which were prone to cracking at weak points either side of the trackpad. Only time will tell whether the new housing actually solves the problem, but we’d be surprised if it doesn’t.

Two more features associated with the Pro range that have been incorporated into this MacBook release are the LED backlit screen and the glass trackpad. Happily, these are now standard across Apple’s entire notebook range.

Component upgrades include a 250GB hard drive, up from 160GB in the previous version, and a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor instead of the 2.13GHz chip in the mid-2009 model.

The Bluetooth antenna is routed into the display housing instead of being positioned – as previously – above the optical drive, which will likely improve its range.

We’ve a few complaints, however. The FireWire port has been removed, a bizarre decision considering the backlash caused by its removal from the briefly introduced aluminium MacBook. The infrared port’s gone too, which means you can’t control iTunes or Front Row using an Apple Remote.

Elsewhere, there’s no LED showing the battery’s charge state, but that’s no great loss, and although it’s trickier to upgrade components, it’s far from impossible.

It’s £50 more expensive too, but the additional features are worth the extra cost.

Overall, the late 2009 model represents an exciting and welcome upgrade for the MacBook. Gripes aside, Apple’s entry-level notebook is moving in the right direction.

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by Ian Osborne on November 24, 2009
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Malata’s R108T netvertible embraces touch, Windows 7

It’s been nearly three full years since we’ve heard a peep from Malata, but the outfit has chosen an opportune time to reemerge into the spotlight. The R108T netbook is one of the convertible variety, boasting a swiveling 10-inch touchscreen (similar to ASUS’ Eee PC T91) and Windows 7 to boot. Internally, things get a lot more boring — there’s a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 160GB hard drive, 1.3 megapixel camera, WiFi, Ethernet, a pair of USB sockets, VGA output and a 3-in-1 card reader. We’re told that the asking price on this one will hover around $439, though there’s no clear indication that it’ll ever head stateside.

[Via Slashgear]

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Malata’s R108T netvertible embraces touch, Windows 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Darren Murph on November 18, 2009
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Kivu’s G-Five KTNO2 netbook sports ridiculous ‘aerodynamic’ design, could be the wind beneath your wings

There are a lot of improvements we here at Engadget like to see in netbooks — more SSD storage, higher-resolution screens, less flimsy construction — but not a one of us put “greater aerodynamic lift” anywhere on our list. Someone at Kivu Technology Co. apparently did, as the company has launched this G-Five KTNO2 netbook, a machine that is at the same time boringly derivative and patently ludicrous. It was modeled after an aircraft’s wing and, while it looks sophisticated enough with that titanium hue, you’ll have a hard time taking it seriously after seeing the graphic after the break comparing it to a bird’s wing. Specs? Everything you’d expect in an otherwise copycat 10-inch netbook, from the 1.6GHz Atom processor to the 160GB HDD. Fly away, little netbook, fly away.

[Via PMP Today]

Continue reading Kivu’s G-Five KTNO2 netbook sports ridiculous ‘aerodynamic’ design, could be the wind beneath your wings

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Kivu’s G-Five KTNO2 netbook sports ridiculous ‘aerodynamic’ design, could be the wind beneath your wings originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Tim Stevens on November 13, 2009
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Samsung N110

Samsung has a family of netbooks with names surprisingly similar probe. The N110 and N120 Most importantly, we have recently been revised following the NC10, despite the general appearance, we would like for the battery life. The N110 was able to obtain a six cell battery to a fairly narrow, and NC10 make very small touchpad. But nearly 350, are more expensive than the competition, but by the same person from Intel, 160GB hard drive and 1GB RAM data.

1 Comment by Matthew Bell on November 11, 2009
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Review: Toshiba Satellite Pro L300-2CH

Toshiba’s Satellite Pro range targets home and business users. While the L300-2CH is a bulky device with a limited specification, its strong usability and vibrant screen compensate.

This laptop features a 15.4-inch Super-TFT screen, rather than a true widescreen panel. Quality is excellent, however, with impressive brightness, colour and contrast and sharp images. The screen is as suited to entertainment use as office work.

The plain black and silver chassis is designed to provide a degree of anonymity for corporate users. As a result, it lacks the eye-catching style of the Advent Roma 1000 or Hi-Grade Notino W5900.

Build quality is fantastic, however, and easily matches the resilience of the eMachines G725 chassis.

Toshiba l300-2ch

Bulky chassis

This resilience is, in part, due to the L300’s bulky dimensions. Despite this, however, the 2.6kg chassis suits basic travel use. This is aided by the 194-minute battery life, which will let you keep working on short journeys or around the home.

Usability is a key strength of this machine with the keyboard proving extremely comfortable to use. All the large keys feature tapered edges and respond with a reassuring click and a smooth and responsive typing action, although there is a slight flex to the board.

Performance is average, but matches up to all but the eMachines G725. The low-powered Intel Celeron processor provides enough power for most basic home and office use but, as with the Advent, struggles with anything more taxing, particularly when multi-tasking.

Storage is also comparatively limited. The 160GB hard drive will suit most daily use, but is significantly bettered by the Hi-Grade and eMachines.

A dual-layer DVD rewriter is present, but this laptop has no support for media card formats.

Three USB ports are provided for connecting external peripherals, but unfortunately two of them are placed far too close together. As a result, one large peripheral could block the second port.

An integrated webcam is also fitted for recording live video and taking photos. First-time buyers will appreciate the included software package.

Internet security and DVD creation applications are installed, as are proprietary maintenance tools, making it always easy for beginners to run and optimise their machine.

At such a low price, the great usability and screen of the L300-2CH make it a good choice for first-time buyers. Its limited specification, features and awkward port placement make it a flawed machine, however, so tread carefully.

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by Alex Bentley on November 5, 2009
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Review: Advent Roma 1000

Advent is PC World’s in-house brand and provides high-quality yet affordable laptops. The original Roma won our Gold award in issue 128 and the Roma 1000 (£349 inc. VAT) now manages to continue most of the strengths of its predecessor.

The 2.9kg chassis is quite heavy, making it better suited to home use than travel. Portability is further restricted by the truly awful 97-minute battery life – one of the worst mobility scores of any laptop we’ve seen at this size.

The black design uses a combination of matt and glossy plastics to stylish effect. The glossy lid attracts scratches and fingerprints, but the matt interior is more resilient. Overall build quality feels more luxurious than the low price tag suggests.

Usability is mixed. The keyboard uses large, well-spaced keys with an almost entirely flat profile. All the keys have a slightly spongy feel, however, which can hinder comfort. The board also flexes, but responds accurately, if a little noisily.

The 15.6-inch screen uses a widescreen aspect ratio, making it well suited to viewing movies and working with several windows open simultaneously.

Image quality is excellent with stunning colour and contrast, deep black levels and impressive brightness.

Particularly notable is the inclusion of an HDMI port. A rarity at this price, it lets you connect to an external HDTV for the full home cinema experience.

Advent roma 1000 detail

A webcam is integrated into the screen panel, but its distracting blue activity light annoys and cannot be easily disabled.

Windows 7 software

This is one of the only laptops to feature Microsoft’s latest operating system (OS). Windows 7 was released in October to rave reviews and provides a faster and more intuitive user experience than Vista – which is still more common on laptops at this price point.

While performance fails to match the dual-core eMachines G725-422G25Mi, the Intel Celeron processor used here allows for smooth basic use. Word processing, browsing the internet and even basic photo editing is possible, but don’t expect to be able to play games or edit videos.

The 250GB hard drive of the previous Roma has now been replaced by a less capacious 160GB drive. It still provides ample storage for most needs, however. A DVD rewriter and 4-in-1 flash storage card reader are also in place.

In its latest iteration, the Roma 1000 is an impressive, if slightly flawed, machine for the first-time buyer.

While its poor battery life makes it mainly suited to home use, its decent usability, stunning screen and high-definition compatibility make it easy to recommend.

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by Alex Bentley on November 5, 2009
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Sony VAIO W111XX

Sony’s first foray into the world of portable computers for nuclear propulsion was the P-series Vaio computer lifestyle with a unique design miniaturized (about the same footprint as a business model) file, but it was warm outstanding issues (not prevent CSA) and use the operating system of Windows Vista. After the release of this product, Sony is the fact that, despite the Atom processor and the small size, certainly not Netbook. The new Vaio W, on the other hand, obviously a netbook with Windows XP, a screen 10 inches, and a form factor familiar netbook.

No Comments by Matthew Bell on November 5, 2009
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