Have Laptop Will Travel

Is the Google netbook coming?

Originally posted on December 21, 2009 @ 1:41 am

chromeosnetbook

Fresh off the heels of the Nexus One announcement, it seems that Google is not yet finished pulling off another surprise in the hardware department.

Google has been working with hardware manufacturers in Chrome OS-related matters to ensure a good customer experience when the OS comes out next year. According to a Google FAQ, “The Google Chrome OS team is currently working with a number of technology companies to design and build devices that deliver an extraordinary end user experience. Among others, these companies include Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba.” [Read more…]

Nokia Booklet 3G running Windows 7 Starter now available for pre-order at Best Buy

Originally posted on October 29, 2009 @ 10:00 am

Those excited to get their hands on the much-awaited Nokia Booklet 3G can now purchase the netbooks for pre-order at Best Buy. The netbooks go for $599, and they come with Windows 7 Starter installed.

With Windows 7 Starter, that means no Aero, and a lot of missing features. You can’t even change the wallpaper, for crying out loud. This is what you get for $599? Not good, if you ask me.

Nokia Booklet 3G Unboxing Video

Originally posted on September 20, 2009 @ 11:37 pm

Okay, the video is in Greek, but still. This is the first look we’ll all get of the much-awaited Nokia Booklet 3G.

10-inch, Atom-based Lenovo ThinkPad X100e soon?

Originally posted on February 24, 2010 @ 1:55 am

The Lenovo ThinkPad X100e is one of the best netbooks out there at the moment. Come on, how could it be not good when it’s carrying the ThinkPad brand? The 11.6 inch, 1366 x 768 pixel display, AMD Neo MV-40 single core CPU, and AT Radeon HD 3200 graphics make it one of the best choices to get when shopping for a netbook.

But it looks like Lenovo’s got something else up their sleeve. According to rumors, they’re going to make a 10-inch ThinkPad that’s going to be rocking an Intel Atom processor. From Liliputing:

It looks like Lenovo is also planning to launch a smaller version of the laptop with a 10.1 inch, 1280 x 720 pixel display. An Intel Atom N450 Pine Trail processor option also appears to be on its way. It’s not spelled out specifically, but it’s likely that the Atom CPU will be tied to the smaller screen.

While a number of reviewers have given the Lenovo ThinkPad X100e high marks for its keyboard, build quality, and overall design, it gets pretty lousy battery life for a modern ultraportable. Swapping out the AMD CPU for a low power Atom processor could go a long way to address that.

Say what you want about the ThinkPad’s looks, but I think it looks pretty neat. Seriously considering the future 10-inch ThinkPad X100e as a possible netbook purchase if my laptop proves to be too big to carry around.

CrunchPad is not dead, could cost $400

Originally posted on November 17, 2009 @ 6:55 am

crunchpad-thinner

So the world waited with bated breath this November for Michael Arrington’s much-awaited $200 internet tablet, the Crunchpad. And it never arrived. In fact, the way it just disappeared from the zeitgeist made people speculate about its premature demise.

Well Arrington came out and said that no, the CrunchPad is not dead. In fact, it’s going to be out sooner or later and it’s going to cost between $300-$400, with sponsorship (probably like Google sponsoring Firefox by being its default search engine). [Read more…]