Hasta La Gadget!

We already knew MSI’s Atom N280-powered Wind U123 netbook was grabbing placeholders at e-tailers across the web, but now we’re assured that they’re actually shipping to eager Americans. Unfortunately, the altogether more exciting U123T (which packs a TV tuner) and U123H (which includes a 3.5G HSDPA WWAN module) are still nowhere to be found, but we don’t expect ’em to be too far behind. Hop on past the break for links to all of MSI’s recommended partners, and be prepared to shell out at $350 to bring one home.

Continue reading MSI’s Wind U123 now shipping in US, U123H and U123T still on hold

Filed under: Laptops

MSI’s Wind U123 now shipping in US, U123H and U123T still on hold originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 May 2009 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve always heard that most things come in packs of three, so just as soon as some other dodgy source affirms that Hulk Hogan will actually be replacing Steve Jobs in August, we’ll be set. Shortly after seeing a 32GB iPhone placeholder over at T-Mobile Austria, we’re now staring at a comically brief report from Digitimes that pegs Wintek as the “panel module supplier for Apple’s upcoming e-book form factor netbook product.” If you’ll recall, Wintek was already independently confirmed as said panel supplier for said product back in March, but obviously Apple has remained tight-lipped on the whole netbook / tablet / e-reader thing. That said, we do find it interesting that this report clarifies that whatever’s purportedly cooking in some dark, highly guarded lab in Cupertino looks more like a tablet with a netbook-sized display rather than a conventional netbook. Whatever the case, we wouldn’t expect it at WWDC, but any Tuesday morning after that is fair game.

Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

Wintek pegged as panel supplier for rumored Apple tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 May 2009 06:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Dell said its Mini 10 TV tuner was coming this summer, well, we didn’t expect it to be so soon. The company’s dropped us a line to say we should expect to see it as a customization option starting sometime today, presumably along with the external antenna that’s needed when the signal’s low. The cost is an extra $50 and it’ll net you over-the-air ATSC — that’s the new HD format, for those who haven’t been keeping track. Additionally, a seventh color, passion purple, is being added to the library, and if your heart’s set on cherry red, you’ll be happy to know they’re now a part of the (PRODUCT) RED portfolio, meaning Dell will donate $5 to the Global Fund with each purchase. No pics of the new hue just yet, but if any of these new additions sound enticing, you might wanna hit cancel on that late-night order we caught you placing.

Filed under: Laptops

Dell adding Mini 10 TV tuner, passion purple color options today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 May 2009 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS’ Eee PC 1008HA hasn’t even had a moment to enjoy its spot in the limelight, and already the company is pushing out even more machines in the rapidly expanding Seashell range. The Eee PC 1005HA is slated to launch with Windows XP Home, a battery good for 10.5 hours (we’ll believe it when we see it) and a 160GB hard drive. There’s also 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display (1,024 x 600 resolution) and your choice of Intel’s played-out Atom N270 or N280. The rest of the innards could be guessed in your sleep: 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 0.3 or 1.3 megapixel webcam, VGA output, three USB 2.0 sockets, Ethernet, a multicard reader and audio in / out. Fans of colorful machines will appreciate the white, black, pink and blue motifs, but you’ll need to muster up a little more patience before finding out a price and release date. One more look after the break.

[Via Slashgear]

Continue reading ASUS delivers full specs on Eee PC 1005HA Seashell

Filed under: Laptops

ASUS delivers full specs on Eee PC 1005HA Seashell originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T has announced plans to offer subsidized netbooks nationwide, which include access to its 3G data network.

The company in April was testing subsidized netbooks in Atlanta and Philadelphia, and soon the devices will be offered in 2,200 AT&T stores throughout the United States, as well as through att.com.

AT&T also plans to offer additional model choices, including netbooks from Acer, Dell and Lenovo. The company has not yet specified which models.

The growth suggests that the subsidized-netbook pilot program went well for AT&T, meaning consumers are actually buying these.

We’re surprised. As I pointed out months ago, buying an AT&T-subsidized netbook for $100 requires committing to a 2-year broadband plan. The plan costs $60 per month, amounting to $1,540 over two years.

On the plus side, you do gain internet access anywhere you can get a cellphone connection. But that’s $60 per month to use the internet on one computer — an extremely limited, low-powered netbook at that, which is typically a companion device.

Why not purchase a smartphone with a tethering plan? That way you’d be able to use the internet on various computers as opposed to just one. Plus, you’d be able to simply add on to your smartphone monthly plan. The idea of another data contract on top of my two-year smartphone commitment is a huge turn-off to me.

Other than that, netbooks are cheap to begin with. On average a pretty decent netbook costs no more than $350, so why pay $100 for a netbook and agree to a $60-per-month, two-year contract?

What do you think, readers? Would you commit to one of these?

Press release [AT&T]

See Also:

• The Next Netbook Trend: Cellphone-Like Contract Deals
• The Netbook Effect: How Cheap Little Laptops Hit the Big Time
• RadioShack’s $100 NetBook Costs $1500 Over Two Years