Hasta La Gadget!

The video above demonstrates a prototype of an Asus Eee PC netbook running Google’s open-platform mobile operating system Android. Spotted by TweakTown at the Computex conference in Taipei, the netbook is shown playing 720P high-definition video. The device is based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform, which is powered by a 1GHz processor.

Running a smartphone OS on a computer sounds peculiar, but here’s the kicker: Because the platform is designed to consume very little power, no cooling is required. That presents an opportunity to create even thinner notebooks than the ones we see today, such as the MacBook Air. And it would also substantially extend battery life.

Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist for research firm In-Stat, told Wired.com in May that he expects Google Android to receive support from netbook manufacturers. He explained that it’d be appealing for netbook companies, because they’d be able to distribute an open-source OS backed by a big brand.

Netbooks have plenty of room to grow in terms of software. Currently, the most popular OS among netbook customers is Windows XP. However, XP is several years out of date and not optimized for mobile performance. Therefore, if Google fails to win over consumers in the smartphone space with Android, perhaps it will focus on tweaking the OS for netbooks.

Sounds intriguing — a Google-powered, ultra-thin netbook that can stay awake longer than I can? I’d buy one, wouldn’t you?

See Also:

• Possible Android Netbook is Just Plain Weird
• Will Your Next Netbook Be Running Android?
• Asus Toys With Google Android For Netbook

Remember that 11.6-inch Eee PC that was rumored to surface soon? Yeah, it’s sitting in some nondescript corner of ASUS’ booth at Computex. The show doesn’t actually kick off in earnest until tomorrow, but we were able to grab the shot you see above in the meanwhile. So far, we know that the Eee PC 1101HA will feature a larger-than-usual 11.6-inch LCD, a 1,366 x 768 resolution, a battery good for “up to 11 hours” (color us skeptical), Intel’s Atom Z520 / Z530 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, three USB 2.0 sockets, a multicard reader and a case that definitely takes a note from the recently launched Seashell line. Oddly, we were led to believe that two different six-cell batteries could be offered (2220mAh and 2800mAh), presumably for different markets. At any rate, we’ll be swooping in tomorrow to snag a few more shots, so be sure to stick around — ya heard?

Filed under: Laptops

ASUS’ 11.6-inch Eee PC 1101HA comes alive at Computex originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know the Mini 1101 is the more business-centric of the new HP netbooks, but unless the company has a sudden change of heart, it looks like you’ll be getting the base configuration or nothing at all. Starting today, HP is enabling eager consumers to purchase one of the $329 machines, but the only “customization” options are external accessories and peripherals. Hit the read link to see if what’s offered fits your bill, and if not, the Mini 110 XP and Mini 110 Mi alternatives should be popping up soon.

[Thanks, Richard]

Filed under: Laptops

HP’s Mini 1101 up for order, customizations nowhere to be found originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 May 2009 13:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not that Dell’s other Mini machines aren’t perfect candidates for creating your own hackintosh, but it’s stellar to know that the outfit’s newest member is as well. After going on sale earlier this month, the Mini 10v has been procured, unboxed and dissected, all in the name of unabashed discovery. Interestingly, it seems as if the RAM slot requires that the keyboard and motherboard be lifted for access, but for even the mildly seasoned computer user, that’s absolutely nothing they can’t handle. If you’re into hardcore, uncensored splayings of newfangled netbooks, the read link is where you need to be, holmes.

[Via MyDellMini, thanks Erik]

Filed under: Laptops

Dell’s Mini 10v gets unboxed, cracked wide open, fitted with OS X originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 May 2009 02:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh look, it’s nearly time for Computex, which means it’s finally time for ECS to come out to play again. For whatever reason, it seems the aforesaid PC maker only pulls out the stakes for Taiwan’s biggest consumer electronics show, and with the doors opening early next week, we’re getting a sneak peek at what it’ll be bringing to the mix. Not surprisingly, three of the five new machines are said to be of the netbook variety, with the other two being all-in-one desktops. ‘Course, the whole lot will be humming along on Intel’s all-too-modest Atom, though we are led to believe that at least one rig will get equipped with NVIDIA’s promising Ion technology. The T10IL (shown left) is apt to steal most of the attention, boasting a thin-and-light frame that’ll look awfully similar to ASUS’ Eee PC 1008HA. The V10IL (shown right) is expected to be more of a vanilla type machine in terms of both design and specification, and the other guys are slated to be revealed at the show. You’re tense with anticipation, aren’t you?

Filed under: Laptops

ECS plans a trio of netbooks, duo of all-in-one PCs for Computex originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 May 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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