Lenovo IdeaPad U300e and U300s look the same.

A budget version of the Lenovo Ideapad U300s ultrabook, the U300e, is now available for pre-orders. The IdeaPad U300e doesn’t look different than the U300s. We’ve found three differences between the two laptops: processor and storage choices and pricing.

The U300e comes with the Intel Core i3-3467M or i5-2467M processor, while the U300s provides i5-2467M and i7-2677M options. The former includes hard drive or hybrid HDD/SSD storage, while the latter ships with SSD only. Both sport 1366×768 13.3″ displays, a 1.3MP camera, and HDMI out.

On Lenovo.com there are only one U300e and one U300s configurations available. The U300e with the i5 chip and 500GB/32GB hybrid drive costs $959, while the U300s with the i7 and a 256GB SSD has a $1,499 price tag. Despite price lower than the original model, the U300e is still more expensive than ultrabooks such as the Toshiba Z835 or Acer S3.

The estimated ship date for the U300e is “more than four weeks”, according to the product page.

Source: Lenovo | Via: Electronista, Liliputing

Barnes & Noble announced today the Nook Tablet 8GB, a downgraded and cheaper version of the original 16GB Nook Android slate. Priced at $199, down from $249, the 8GB Nook also has twice smaller RAM memory – 512MB versus 1GB.

The seven-inch tablet retains the old 1GHz dual-core processor and design. An issue with the B&N’s first tablet was actual availability of storage space. For example, only 1GB out of 16GB on the older model can be used for side-loaded files, while the remaining space is only used for content and apps downloaded via the B&N store. However, you can expand storage capacity via microSD card slot, which is present on the B&N tablet.

The 8GB Nook directly competes against the Amazon Kindle Fire which has the same price tag and main specs such as screen size, internal Flash memory, RAM, and CPU. The most obvious difference between them are different content ecosystems.

We checked B&N site today and saw that the 8GB Nook tab is already available for purchase.

This is the Origin PC EON17-X with optional 3D.

Origin PC has made available the EON17-X, a new gaming laptop based on high-performance desktop PC Intel X97 chipset and Intel desktop processors. The laptop is based on the Clevo P270WM, which is also sold via Ava Direct and other custom PC sellers. But, the EON17-X is additionally available with Nvidia’s 3D technology. Optional 3D capability is provided via the 17.3″ full HD 3D display and active shutter Nvidia 3D Vision 2 wireless glasses.

Besides Intel 2nd generation CPUs, up to the six-core i7-3960X Extreme, the EON17-X comes with up to dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 580M laptop video cards, maximal 32GB of RAM, up to three hard or solid state drives, and a keyboard with multi-color backlight.

The gaming notebook starts at $2,818. Optional 3D display adds $238 to the overall price and the glasses are $110.

Via: TechPowerUp

Samsung NP900X4B-A02US

The thinnest 13.3″ and 15″ laptops so far, the NP900X3B and NP900X4B from the 2nd generation Samsung Series 9 are now available for pre-orders.

The Series 9 NP900X3B measures 0.51 inches in profile, while the NP900X4B is 0.58 inches thin. As it was announced last month, the laptops are priced at $1,399 and $1,499, respectively. The models offered at J&R are lower-end configurations with the Intel Core i5-2467M 1.60GHz processors and 128GB SSDs, but include high-res 1600×900 displays, Intel WiDi technology, and backlight keyboards. The smaller of the two notebooks – NP900X3B-A01US has 4GB of RAM, while the larger NP900X4B-A02US has 8GB.

Although there’s no info on shiping dates, we expect the laptops to hit the market by the end of the month, which is the officially announced time frame.

The 15-incher has specially dragged our attention because its much thinner than the thinnest 15″ laptops on the market, such as 0.97″ Dell XPS 15z (15.6″ display) and 0.95″ MacBook Pro 15 (15.4″ display). However, it’s worth noting that the Samsung uses Intel Core i-series ultra low voltage processors, which are generally slower than full-voltage counterparts used in the 15z and MacBook Pro and that the latter two have dedicated video cards.

Source: PC Mag | Via: The Verge

Acer Iconia Tab A500 will get ICS in April.

Acer in the US is now updating over-the-air the Acer Iconia Tab A200 tablet to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) version. The same update will arrive on the older Acer Iconia Tab A100 and A500 in April, the company officially announced yesterday.

Besides the latest Anrdoid, the refreshed tablets will sport Acer’s new Ring custom UI.

The Iconia Tab A200 has been released recently as a budget version of the Tab A500. Both feature 10.1″ displays. The Iconia Tab A100 has a smaller 7″ screen. All currently available Acer Android tablets come with Nvidia’s Tegra 2 mobile platform. There’s no info on update for the 4G-enabled A501.

TUAW got a tip from an anonymous developer who revealed which MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro laptops are compatible and not compatible with upcoming OS X Mountain Lion.

Besides some desktop Macs, Apple’s notebooks supported under Mountain Lion include:

• 13-inch aluminum MacBook from 2008 and 13″ plastic MacBook from 2009 or later.
• MacBook Pro 13-inch from mid-2009 or later, 15-inch MBP at 2.4/2.2 GHz, and 17-incher from late 2007 or later.
• MacBook Air released late 2008 or later.

Laptops which are supported under Mac OS X Lion, but NOT compatible with OS X ML are:

• Plastic MacBook 2,1, MacBook 3,1, and MacBook 4,1
• MacBook Pros released prior to June 2007 (MacBook Pro 2,1 and MacBook Pro 2,2)
• The original MacBook Air from early 2008 (MacBook Air 1,1)

Users running OS X Lion can check if their laptop is on the list of unsupported models by checking Model Identifier via Apple Menu / About this Mac / More info / System report / Hardware Overview and comparing them with those in the list of not compatible systems above.

We can expect innovative convertible laptop designs, like on the 360-degree flip-and-fold Lenovo Yoga, scheduled for release in the second half of 2012. Also, DigiTimes says we could see sliding screens like on the Toshiba Portege M950, showcased at the CES Show last month.

Windows 7 isn’t designed with touch-screens in mind, but touch-enabled laptops could be pretty useful with upcoming Windows 8, which solves touch input shortcomings of Microsoft’s current OS. However, size and weight of convertibles are apparent disadvantage when compared to keyboard-less tablets.

This is the Archos 101 G9 ICS.

Gadget seller Dynamism today made available for pre-order the Archos 101 G9 ICS, one of the first Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich tabets. Besides Android 4.0, the Archos 101 G9 ICS sports a 10.1″ 1280×800 display, and a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU paired with 1GB RAM. Storage options include 8GB or 16GB of flash-based memory, or a traditional 250GB hard drive with a thin form factor. Archos’ new tablet has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a front 720p camera, GPS, mini HDMI port, and Micro SD card slot.

The Archos 101 G9 with built flash storage is 12.6mm thin and weighs 650g, whereas the HDD version is 3mm thicker and 100g heavier.

Images of the offered tablet suggest that it has the same chassis as the previous Android Honeycomb model we saw at the IFA show last September. It does have a kickstand, but the images unfortunatelly don’t reveal if the 101 G9 ICS has the proprietary SIM card USB stick for 3G connectivity like on the older model.

The 8GB, 16GB, and 250GB editions are priced at $330, $350, and $390, respectively, with estimated shipping time in March for Flash versions and April for the HDD model.

Note: Dynamism actually list the tablet as Archos 100 Gen9 ICS, but we think that the accurate name is 101 G9 ICS, which is in line with the old naming scheme.

Apple released today a developer version of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, revealing new features of their upcoming operating system for Mac laptops and desktops.

OS X Mountain Lion brings to Apple’s computers many features found on iOS mobile OS and relies heavily on iCloud cloud service for storing data on iCloud servers and sharing them across different devices.

• Upcoming OS X will get Messages app, for free text, image, and video messaging between people using Macs, iPads, iPhones, and iPods. Current iChat app will be dropped.
• Reminders lets users manage to do lists and provides automatic sync with Apple’s mobile devices via iCloud.
• Notes app is included for creating notes with text, images, and links and it also syncs them across the devices.
• Another important feature is iOS-like Notification Center, providing unified way to keep track on new messages, emails, calendar events, reminders, and system updates, as well as notifications from third party apps. Notifications pop up in a similar way like on iOS.
• Mountain Lion has Share Sheets, a button for sharing links, images, files, and more via email, messages, Air Drop, Twitter, Flickr, etc. using only a few clicks within any app containing the button.
• Twitter integration into OS will enable users to tweet links and photos directly from Safari, iPhoto, or Photo Booth with the new Tweet Sheet.
• Mac users will have Gaming Center on their computers with OS X ML, just like on iOS. This enables gaming in a social way across OS X and iOS devices.
• Air Play mirroring, which is already available on iPad 2 and iPhone 4S, lets users wirelessly stream content from a Mac to an external Apple TV-connected screen.
• For enhanced security, upcoming OS X will come with Gatekeeper. It will check if an third-party app is safe to install on the system.

Another thing, which may look minor, is actual name of Apple’s next OS for Macs. The OS will be called simply OS X Mountain Lion, without Mac prefix. One of the explanations for this is that Apple wants to make a bolder line between software (OS X) and hardware (Macs).

Final version of Mountain Lion 10.8 will be available in late summer 2012.

Fujitsu Laptop and Tablet Roadmap for 2012

Fujitsu has on its 2012 roadmap ultrabooks, Android tablets, and a laptop / tablet hybrid, according to a leaked slide.

In May, Fujitsu will unveil “two new ultrabooks”, followed by a “Slimbook” laptop and a “mainstream Android media tablet” in June. A “performance slate” with a detachable keyboard like on the Asus Transformer or Lenovo S2 will come in September and this could be the most interesting Fujitsu mobile computer this year. Unlike Android tablet, the slate has no green robot logo, so it could be a Windows slate with a fast Intel processor like on the Samsung Slate 7.

According to the slide, Fujitsu expects Windows 8 to arrive in Q4.

Source: Notebook Italia

One of HP EliteBook laptops.

Owners of HP Elite-branded laptops, tablets, and other Elite PCs now have a more robust technical support. Previously, they had 24/7 support by specialists dedicated to the Elite computers. This program was expanded today to include a dedicated support phone number, ability for customers to select the agent with whom they want to work, and to schedule support calls. In addition, Elite customers got support for setup and use of provided cloud storage and priorized PC repairs.

The expanded support program is available now to customers in the US as a standard service bundled with every HP Elite PC purchase. There’s no info about availability in other countries.

Besides a 12.1″ EliteBook Tablet PC, Hewlett-Packard currently has in its mobile Elite lineup the EliteBook laptops and mobile workstations with 12.5″ to 17.3″ screens. These machines are powered by Intel Core processors. Their warranties include both the Elite support and a 3 year standard parts and labor warranty.

Other HP business mobile computers – the Folio ultrabook, budget ProBook laptops and HP Slate – don’t include Elite support.

Via: ComputerWorld

The Verge discovered today that Samsung will likely unveil at the 2012 MWC a device called Galaxy Note 10.1. The name suggests that it might be a 10.1-inch tablet like the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with support for pen input like on the Galaxy Note. According to Samsung’s invitation for a MWC developer event and a commercial casting invitation, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is designed to “record, take pictures, and edit” and is aimed at segments such as education, financial planning, and art. Since both the Note and Tabs are Android devices, we can expect Google’s OS on the Note 10.1 too. If further details don’t emerge earlier, they’ll be revealed around February 27th – March 1st, when the MWC is held in Barcelona.

Samsung Series 9 NT900X3B (2nd Gen)

The second generation Samsung Series 9 ultra-thin notbooks can be ordered now in South Korea. The first available model is the 13.3″ NT900X3B-A74, which packs a Core i7-2637M CPU, 266GB solid state drive, and 4GB RAM. This higher-end configuration costs 2,666,300KRW or 2,376USD. In the US, the basic model is expected to start at $1,399.99 when it hits the market later this month.

The NT900X3B-A74 has an above-average 13.3″ anti-glare display with 1600×900 screen resolution and 400nit brightness. It sports a body made of one-piece aluminum like the current MacBooks and has a chiclet backlit keyboard. The battery is a 6-cell 40Wh one. The laptop weighs 2.5 pounds and is only a half inch thin.

Samsung’s latest Series 9 notebooks were announced last month at the CES show. Besides the 13.3-incher, they include a 15″ version.

Via: Samsung

Check out the images…

…and the promo video (click CC for subtitles).

XoticPC has started offering Carbon Fiber Modification, available on almost all laptops sold through their store.

The material used isn’t real carbon fiber, but a durable embossed graphic plastic wrap which looks like carbon fiber. The mod covers the laptop lid, screen bezel, keyboard panel, as well as hinges. Interestingly, the finish also covers the touchpad, without affecting its functionality, according to XoticPC.

The mod costs $199 and adds 7-13 business for delivery after a laptop order. Notebooks sold through XoticPC include mostly gaming systems by Asus, MSI, and Sager.

Check out how a modded Asus G74SX and Sager NP8150 look like in the gallery bellow:

This is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7-inch Tablet.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, their first tablet with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, was officially announced today. Besides ICS with TouchWiz user interface, the Galaxy Tab 2 sports a 7″ 1024×600 screen, 1GHz dual-core processor paired with 1GB RAM, 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of storage, 3MP rear and VGA front fixed-focus cameras, Bluetooth 3.0, A-GPS, and a microSD card slot. The slate is powered by a 4,000mAh battery.

Successor of the original Tab and Tab Plus is expected to hit the Market in March, with UK as the first destination where the device will be available.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 will be priced at around $450 for Wi-Fi and around $550 for 3G version in Scandinavian countries, and we expect the prices to be similar in other parts of Europe and world.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 back and profile

Source: SammyHub

Acer’s subsidiary Gateway has released their first netbook with Intel’s Cedar Trail platform. Priced at $280 at Best Buy, the Gateway LT4004u has the same price tag as the Acer Aspire One AOD270 and both are the cheapest “Cedar Trail”-based netbooks on the market.

The LT4004u packs the dual-core Atom N2600 CPU at 1.6GHz with GMA 3600 graphics, 1GB RAM, a 250GB HDD, and a 6-cell battery for up to 8 hours of operation on a single charge. Unlike the previous generation LT netbooks, the Gateway LT4004u does include HDMI output, but USB ports remained on 2.0 speed. The netbook weighs 2.65 pounds and is 1″ thin. Judging from its images, the chassis design remained unchanged when compared to the old Gateway LT series.

Besides the Gateway LT4004u, and Acer AOD270, other available Cedar Trail netbooks include HP Mini 110, and Asus 1025C.

The Asus X44H-BBR5 is the best laptop deal we found today. For only $400, the 14-inch model X44H-BBR5 packs the 2nd Gen Intel Core i3-2350M dual-core 2.3GHz processor. It’s an excelent CPU at this price point, since other $400 laptops today come with lower-end AMD Fusion, or Intel’s Celeron or Pentium chips.

The notebook comes with integrated Intel graphics empowering the 1366×768 screen, 4GB of RAM, and it has a built-in DVD burner. The main trade-offs on the Asus X44H-BBR5 is a relatively low estimated battery life of “up to 3 hours and 18 minutes” and a low hard drive space of 320GB, whereas some even cheaper laptops on the market include a 500GB HDD. Other drawbacks are a webcam with a small 0.3MP sensor and only two USB ports.

However, one of them is USB 3.0 and the laptop does have HDMI connector.

The X44H-BBR5 model is not a thin and light notebook, measuring 1.5″ in profile and weighing 5.4 pounds. It appears to have the same dark-brown color, palmrest finish, keyboard, and touchpad as the Asus K53U we reviewed recently, but the X44H sports a glossy lid.

The Asus X44H-BBR5 can be ordered now via Best Buy.

Since DigiTimes didn’t provide detailed info on the 15″ Spectre, we searched for its specs and found nothing. But, we spotted other reports from an HP’s event held yesterday in Taiwan, mentioning only the HP Envy Spectre 14 and the standard Envy 15 and showing off their images.

Some PC makers are expected to offer ultrabooks in the 15-inch form factor this year, but the only concrete announcement so far is made by Samsung. One of their Series 9 ultrabooks packs a 15″ 1600×900 screen and is expected to hit the US market on February 27th. We haven’t heard any rumor or announcement for an HP 15″ ultrabook, so we don’t expect it to hit the market, at least not anytime soon.

A screenshot of the Samsung NP700G7C-S01US product page.

The Samsung NP700G7C-S01US, a Series 7 17.3-inch laptop with 3rd Generation Intel Core processors code-named Ivy Bridge, has appeared again online and is available for pre-order.

The NP700G7C-S01US is the first known laptop model with Ivy Bridge. It showed up for the first time back in mid-January at the Best Buy store with expected shipping in “1 to 2 weeks”, but that was apparently a mistake since availability info is now removed. Back then we didn’t know that it’s a gaming laptop. This time, Samsung has published the official product page and specs for the NP700G7C “Gaming PC”, packing the 3rd Gen Intel Core i7-3610QM quad-core processor at 2.3GHz. The laptop can be pre-ordered via ABT (page removed) for $1,900, but there’s no info on exact availability date. Besides the Ivy Bridge CPU, the offered configuration packs full HD resolution, 16GB of RAM, 2TB of storage using two 1TB HDDs, a Blu-ray optical drive, and Intel Wireless Display technology. On the ABT’s site there’s no word on the GPU, but Samsung’s official specs sheet includes the Nvidia GeForce GTX 675M 2GB GDDR5 dedicated graphics.

Another similarly specced Samsung Series 7 laptop was spotted at the CES Show in January, but it’s rather a standard than gaming laptop.

Note: Product images on the official and pre-order pages are not of the NP700G7C-S01US, but of a smaller Series 7 model.

Update: ABT and Samsung have obviously put the laptop online too soon. Both companies have removed the product pages from their web sites. The Intel Ivy Bridge platform wasn’t expected to arrive before April anyway.

HP Envy 14 Spectre Series

The HP Envy 14 Spectre series, HP’s first consumer-oriented ultrabook, is now available for purchase in the US.

Outside, the Spectre has scratch-resistant Gorilla glass covering not only the 14″ thin-bezel screen, but also palmrest, touchpad and LCD lid. Inside the laptop, there are the Intel Core i5-2467M or i7-2677M ultra-low voltage processors from the current “Sandy Bridge” CPU line, as well as a 128GB or 256GB solid state drive with no HDD option, a fixed amount of 4GB of RAM, and a 4-cell battery good for “up to 9.5 hours” of operation. The display resolution is 1366×768.

The four-pound laptop is 0.8″ thin. It’s considerably thinner and lighter than the standard Envy 14 which measures 1.2″ in profile and weighs 5.5lbs but the latter packs full-voltage CPUs, dedicated graphics, an optical drive, and larger battery.

The HP ENVY 14 Spectre series starts at $1,400 at the HP Home Store. Units purchased today will ship on February 17th.