The folks at NotebookReview.com have published a comprehensive review of the HP Pavilion tx2500z Tablet PC here on their website. The HP Pavilion tx2500z is a relatively inexpensive Table PC with prices starting at $899.99. Specs include:

• 12.1 inch touch-screen display
• Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1
• AMD Turion 64 X2 dual core processor
• Optional fingerprint reader
• Up to 250GB HDD
• CD/DVD burner
• High gloss black case with “Echo” pattern
• 802.11 b/g wireless LAN
• Optional Verizon Wireless V740 1XEVDO PC ExpressCard
• Optional webcam
• Three USB 2.0 ports, ExpressCard/34 slot, S-Video, VGA, Consumer IR, and 5-in1 media card reader

Here’s what NotebookReview thought of the system:

College students and other consumers should be happy with all the features the tx2500 packs, especially considering it’s available for under $1,000.

[Check it out via SlashGear]

Technorati Tags: HP Pavilion tx2500z, NotebookReview, Review, Tablet PC

Listen up netbook vendors out there - make sure to sell as many netbooks as you can because the upcoming Dell E netbook looks to undercut all them in price. According to DigiTimes, the Dell E netbook will begin shipping in August and will have a starting price of $299 which is even cheaper than the new Acer Aspire one - 200 dollars cheaper than the MSI Wind, and yeah.. cheaper than the new ASUS Eee PCs. Now granted, the $299 price tag will probably apply to the lowest end configuration of the E but dang.. you still end up with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor and some flash storage space. If you figure that the $299 price is for the rumored Dell E Classic, then the specs of this notebook should roughly the following:

• 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display
• 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor
• Measures 0.82-1.22 x 9.13 x 6.9 inches and weighing 2.2 lbs
• 3-5 color IMR options
• 4GB SSD
• 512MB
• 3 USB ports
• microphone, headphone, VGA, SD slot
• 0.3 megapixel webcam
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WiMax, WWAN
• 4 cell 35 WHr (5 hours battery life) battery

That’s a rough guess of course - we won’t really know what’s in this system until Dell officially announces the final specs… yet at such a cheap price, I’d definitely pick one up for mobile use - if not two! (OK two might be stretching it a bit).

Other tidbits from DigiTrends - the notebook is supposedly being manufactured by Compal Electronics, the panels by Samsung and Chi Mei Optoelectronics, and finally, Dell expects to ship 2 to 3 million units this year.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Dell, Dell E, netbook,

The new Acer Aspire One netbook is now available in the U.S. with prices beginning at $379. The sub-notebook measures 9.8 x 6.7 x 1.14 inches and weighs just 2.17 lbs. Other features include an 8.9 inch WSVGA LED backlit display with a resolution of 1024 x 600, integrated webcam, 8GB SSD or 120GB HDD, memory card reader with support for five media card formats (Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card), built-in stereo speakers, HD audio, Wi-Fi, and of course the Intel Atom processor. Initial colors for the Aspire One will be Sapphire Blue and Seashell White. Acer will add Golden Brown and Diamond Black later this year to the mix.

Here are the specs to all the models:

Acer(R) Aspire one AOA110-1722: Available now for a MSRP of $379

• Intel(R) Atom(TM) Processor N270 (1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB, 512KB L2 Cache)
• 512MB Memory
• 8GB SSD NAND Flash Module(3)
• 8.9-inch WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite(TM) 1024 x 600
• Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Acer Crystal Eye Web Camera
• 10/100 Mbps LAN
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Certified WLAN
• 3-Cell battery
• Multi-in-1 Media Card Reader
• SD Storage Expansion Card Reader
• Linpus(TM) Linux(R) Lite
• 3 USB 2.0 Ports

Acer(R) Aspire one AOA150-1570: Available now for a MSRP of $399

• Intel(R) Atom Processor N270 (1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB, 512KB L2 Cache)
• 1GB Memory (512MB On-board)
• 120GB Internal Hard Drive(3)
• 8.9-inch WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite(TM) 1024 x 600
• Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Acer Crystal Eye Web Camera
• 10/100 Mbps LAN
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Certified WLAN
• 3-Cell Battery
• Multi-in-1 Media Card Reader
• SD Card Reader
• Windows XP(R) Home
• 3 USB 2.0 Ports

Acer(R) Aspire one AOA110-1566: Available for a MSRP of $449

• Intel(R) Atom(TM) Processor N270 (1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB, 512KB L2 Cache)
• 1GB Memory
• 8GB SSD NAND Flash Module(3)
• 8.9-inch WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite(TM) 1024 x 600
• Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Acer Crystal Eye Web Camera
• 10/100 Mbps LAN
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Certified WLAN
• 6-Cell Battery
• Multi-in-1 Media Card Reader
• SD Card Reader
• Linpus(TM) Linux(R) Lite
• 3 USB 2.0 Ports

According to Acer, the new Aspire one will be available at places like Best Buy, Circuit City, and CDW.

Technorati Tags: Acer, Aspire one, netbook

Lenovo announced new updates to the ThinkPad lineup as well as an entire new  series called the ThinkPad SL series. The new SL series is initially available in three new models - the SL300, SL400, and SL500. All three new notebooks feature built-in high speed mobile broadband connectivity, optional Blu-ray DVD player, as well as a black glossy cover.

As far as the rest of the ThinkPad product line, the new models being added include the following - the ThinkPad R400, R500, T400, T500, X200, and W500.

But first, let’s talk about the new SL series. The SL400 features:

• 14.1 inch widescreen display
• Up to Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Weight starting at 5.5 lbs

The SL500 features:

• 15.4 inch widescreen display
• Up to Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8 GHz
• Wndows Vista Ultimate
• Weight starting at 6.3 lbs

Unfortunately there’s not a lot of info on the rest of the new models so I’ll do my best in providing what we know.

The new T series features:

• Switchable graphics
• Support for Display Port
• Intel Centrino 2 technology

The X200 features:

• 12 inch widescreen display
• Ultraportable design
• Lighter than the X61
• Intel Centrino 2 technology

The W500 features:

• Caters towards people looking for OpenGL performance
• Intel Centrino 2 technology

Phew.. that’s a lot of new ThinkPad models.. I’m all Lenovo’d out now!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Lenovo, ThinkPad SL300. SL400, SL500, R400, R500, T400, T500, X200, W500

Consumers interested in Lenovo branded notebooks have a few more choices now. The company introduced four new models to their consumer oriented IdeaPad notebook series - the 13 inch IdeaPad U330, the 14 inch IdeaPad Y430, the IdeaPad Y530 and the IdeaPad Y730. Not only are there new models, but Lenovo now provides additional color choices with these IdeaPad systems - adding colors such as Valencia orange, Indigo blue, Bold black, and Crimson red. I’ll highlight the major features of the new models:

IdeaPad U330:

• Slim and light weight addition to the U110 notebook series
• Available in glossy Indigo blue and Bold black
• Starts at 0.9 inches thin
• Weighs just over four pounds
• VeriFace facial recognitiontechnology
• Dolby Home Theater
• Touch sensitive multimedia controls
• HDMI
• Optional built-in DVD burner
• Switchable graphics
• LED backlit display
• Five hours of battery life
• Active Protection System

IdeaPad Y430 and Y530:

• Available in Bold black, or Crimson red
• HDMI
• Optional Blu-ray DVD player
• Framed or frameless creen

IdeaPad Y730:

• Upgrade to the Y710
• Models with Game Zone function come in Valencia orange
• Mainstream models in Indigo blue
• Frameless screen
• touch sensitive multimedia controls
• Dolby Home Theater
• One-key rescue system
• VeriFace facial recognition
• HDMI
• Optional Blu-ray DVD player
• Up to two 320GB hot swappable hard drives

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Lenovo, IdeaPad U330, IdeaPad Y430, IdeaPad Y530, IdeaPad Y730

If none of those new VAIO’s will suit your needs perhaps the new Sony VAIO Z series will. It’s a lightweight notebook featuring a 13.1 inch widescreen display, a 3 lb weight, and Intel Centrino 2 processor technology. Here’s what you need to know about this ultralight platform.

• 13.1 inch widescreen display with Sony XBRITE-DuraView LCD technology for scratch-resistant durability and 100 percent color saturation
• Select models have a 1600 x 900 widescreen display
• Carbon-fiber casing
• G-Sensor Shock Protection
• Intel Centrino 2 technology
• 802.11n Wi-Fi
• Optional built-in wireless Sprint Mobile Broadband
• Optional Blu-ray drive
• HDMI output
• Switch-on-the-fly hybrid graphics system allows you to set performance of graphics
• Biometric fingerprint sensor
• Memory Stick media/SD card slot
• Three USB ports
• FireWire port
• Microphone and headphone jack
• PC Card slot

The VAIO Z notebook will start at around $1800. There’s a model featuring a 128 GB SSD which will go for around $2300.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, VAIO Z, notebook

Is a 15 inch display a bit too small and a 17 inch display a bit too large for you when you’re on the go? Well how about say.. a 16.4 inch display? That’s right - a 16.4 inch display. That’s exactly what you get with the new Sony VAIO FW notebook which is the first system in the world to feature such a display. Sony designed this extra-wide display to complement high definition movies (which are normally shot in 16:9 aspect ratios) as well as to reduce the black bars you’d typically see above and below the picture.

Other features of the Sony VAIO FW include:

• XBRITE HiColor LCD technology on select models
• HDMI output
• Intel Centrino 2 technology
• Windows Vista OS
• Includes VAIO Movie Story software, VAIO MusicBox software, and Click to Disc/Editor software
• Memory Stick media/SD card slot
• Three USB ports
• FireWire port
• Microphone and headphone jack
• 34mm ExpressCard slot
• 802.11n Wi-Fi

The VAIO FW is available in titanium gray and powder white with the standard model available for around $1000 and the premium model for around $1750.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, VAIO FW, notebooks, 16.4 inch LCD

Sony announced yesterday a new line of business notebooks called the Sony VAIO BZ Series. The BZ Series features a 15.4 inch widescreen display, a full sized keyboard, and of course, the new Intel Centrino 2 processor technology. Other features include:

• Magnesium allow casing
• G-Sensor Shock Protection
• Spill resistant keyboard panel
• Select models feature Centrino 2 with Intel vPro technology
• 802.11n wireless support
• Biometric fingerprint sensor
• Memory Stick media/SD card slot
• Three USB ports
• FireWire port
• Microphone and headphone jack
• PC Card slot

The VAIO BZ Series will be available later this month with starting prices at around $1000.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony VAIO BZ Series

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-52 and Toughbook CF-74 both received upgrades today in the form of the new Intel Centrino 2 processor technology. These systems receive the latest Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processors as well as upgraded video and graphics capabilities, larger hard drives (up to 160GB) and support for Draft-N Wi-Fi. The CF-52 has a 15 inch screen while the CF-74 has a 13.3 inch display. These Toughbooks feature a magnesium allow case, flexible internal connectors, a handy carrying handle, shock mounted hard drives and LCDs, and spill-resistant keyboards. The Toughbook CF-52 will be available in August in two configurations - a value config for $1949 or a premium config with improved video and graphics at $2849. The Toughbook CF-74 will also be available in August with a starting price of $3199.

Here’s a shot of the CF-52:

Here’s a shot of the CF-74:

Technorati Tags: Panasonic, Toughbook CF-52 CF-74, Intel Centrino 2

Toshiba announced a new Qosmio gaming system called the X305-Q701 which will be exclusively available at Best Buy for an MSRP of $1549.99. The X305 laptop comes with Toshiba’s new “fiery” Fusion finish (sorry but I’m not that much of a fan of the design) and supports NVIDIA’s GeForce 9700M GTS GPU which should provide plenty of graphics processing horsepower.

Other technical specs to the X305-Q701 include the following:

• Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 processor
• DDR3 RAM
• 200GB 7200 RPM HDD
• 17.1 inch widescreen TruBrite HD display
• Full sized keyboard with 10 keypad
• Four Harman Kardon speakers with built-in subwoofer
• Red, LED illuminated “Feather Touch” multimedia buttons
• Flush-mounted touchpad

The $1549.99 model will feature either Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit or 64 bit OS’s 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 200GB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GTS, DVD SuperMulti drive, Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100AGN, and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.

Technorati Tags: Toshiba, Qosmio X305-Q701, Best Buy