Hasta La Gadget!

According to DigiTimes, Dell has suspended shipments of the Inspiron Mini 12 — the only netbook that employs a 12-inch screen, or at least the only one that can be bought in the United States. Samsung has a 12-inch netbook floating around somewhere in Asia, but it’s running a VIA processor, and it isn’t likely to hit U.S shores anytime soon. Signs are pointing to the weaker Atom Z530 processor and the rumor of a Dell10-inch netbook taking its place, but there are also other factors that shouldn’t be overlooked….

Not that NVIDIA really needs Microsoft to give the ole thumbs-up here, but having that seal of approval may convince some currently wary manufacturers to jump in and support the Ion platform over one of those perfectly fine alternatives. As with so many other devices in the world, NVIDIA’s Ion platform is now Certified for Windows Vista, meaning that PC users could one day experience all the joys of the aforesaid OS on Ion-based rigs as low as $299. We’re told that such machines could be on the market by summer, and they’ll be positively ready to deliver smooth Blu-ray playback while supporting DirectX 10, Aero Glass, Flip3D and GPU acceleration. Bring it, we say.

Filed under: Desktops

Microsoft places stamp of approval on Vista-based Ion SFF PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How many versions of Windows 7 can a netbook run? Three, and possibly more, according to HP’s Kyle Thornton, who recently attempted to “clarify” the situation in an interview with Computerworld. Those include in the main Professional and Home Premium editions, as well as the low-end Starter edition which, among other things, is limited to running no more than three applications at a time. According to Thornton, HP has also been testing Windows 7 Ultimate on its Mini netbook line, although it apparently isn’t saying if it actually intends to offer it on future netbooks or not. But that’s not all. Thornton also says that HP “hopes” that it’ll be able to continue to offer both Windows XP and Vista Business on its business-oriented netbooks even after Windows 7 ships… and ships, and ships.

Filed under: Laptops

HP netbooks likely to run “at least” three versions of Windows 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’d be highly skeptical of this one (in fact, we actually are highly skeptical), but we’ve seen a Dell rep or two speak the truth before. To that end, we figured it prudent to pass along Sir Paul Synnott’s recent chat with an online Dell UK representative. Upon asking for more details on the future release of the Mini 10 netbook — you know, that machine that was unveiled at CES and then promptly forgotten? — he was amazingly hit back with a definitive ship date: February 27th. He was also told that the power adapter would be a “smaller one, as with the Mini 9,” and that pricing was yet to be determined. We know, it reeks of fish, but the date itself doesn’t sound all that outlandish. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see, eh?

Filed under: Laptops

Dell’s Mini 10 launching on or around February 27th? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In most industries there’s a long and sordid history of manufacturers giving cars, motorcycles, computers, and just about any other consumer product a little something extra to make sure they perform well for the media. Asus seemingly got caught doing just that to its Eee PC 900 last year, installing batteries with additional oomph for reviewers, and now we seemingly have a case of Acer following its competition’s tracks straight into a bad PR situation, saying that it “inadvertently” shipped the first batch of 10-inch Aspire One netbooks (the ones sent to reviewers) with six-cell batteries rated at 5800mAh. Most consumers, however, will receive packs rated at just 4400mAh, which should shave two or three hours from its overall battery life. Those who’ve pre-ordered may get lucky and get the larger batt, but, like some lithium-laced Cracker Jack box, there’s no way to tell what’s inside until you open the package and have a look-see. Best of luck.

Filed under: Laptops

10-inch Aspire One’s battery downgraded after reviewers have their fill originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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