Ask Engadget: does any gaming laptop have decent battery life?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Patrick, who needs to help his brother, and also, prove his brother wrong. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“My brother is shopping for a laptop and wants long battery life, but also the ability to play games such as Minecraft on a reasonable graphics setting. His current laptop gets about two hours of battery life and he plays Minecraft at about 15 frames-per-second. The definition of ‘long battery life’ is vague, but obviously the longer, the better.”

Well, Patrick — here’s hoping the collective readership in comments can “provide” you with “some advice” for “your brother.” We’re guessing they will.

Ask Engadget: does any gaming laptop have decent battery life? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jul 2011 22:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Series 3 and new Series 9 available for pre-order at J&R

Samsung Series 3

We haven’t even seen an official announcement yet regarding Samsung’s Series 3 laptops and, already, one has popped up for pre-order at J&R. When we manhandled the 12.1-inch model at Digital Experience we were pretty impressed by the build quality, light weight, and the promise of a low price. Well, this wallet-friendly ultraportable is officially pegged at $750 with a reasonably powerful 2.3GHz Core i5, 4GB of RAM, and 500GB hard drive inside. The downtown Manhattan staple also happens to have one of those 11.6-inch Series 9s listed for $999. Sure, it only packs a 1.3GHz Core i3 and 2GB of RAM, but the 64GB SSD should compensate for some of its performance shortcomings. Besides, the price premium almost seems worth it when you feel the sub 2.4-pound weight and Duralumin body. The Series 9 should still be shipping in August, and we imagine the Series 3 will launch around the same time — right on schedule to catch the back to school scramble. More specs and the all important pre-order buttons can be found at the source links.

[Thanks, Jaydee]

Samsung Series 3 and new Series 9 available for pre-order at J&R originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Netbook News  |  sourceJ&R, (2)  | Email this | Comments

How would you change Samsung’s Series 9 laptop?

We know, Samsung already took the wind out of your “price cut!” sails, but hey — we’re pretty certain you’ve still got a few things you’d like to see changed on the altogether lovely Series 9. Sammy’s sexiest laptop to date has surely found its way into the homes of quite a few ultraportable aficionados, boasting a Core i5 chip, USB 3.0 and lovely all-in-one trackpad. ‘Course, even those enamored with the design have probably found a few chinks in the armor after a few month’s use, so we’re anxious to hear what you’d recommend Samsung do with revision B. Would you tone down the gloss? Arrange the ports any differently? Toss in a magnetic power connector? Boost the screen resolution? Voice your opinions down in comments below — it’s a free country, you know?

How would you change Samsung’s Series 9 laptop? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 22:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MacBook in short supply, stirs rumors of imminent refresh, rebirth of white plastic?

MacBook in short supply, stirs rumors of imminent refresh, rebirth of white plastic?

We’ve already seen the MacBook Pro sporting new specs, and heard rumblings of a MacBook Air refresh coming soon, and now reports of dwindling supplies of Apple’s great white hope have the internets abuzz over a possible MacBook upgrade. AppleInsider did a little digging earlier today, and found that major online retailers, including Amazon, and at least one brick and mortar store were either running low or completely out of the last of the MacBooks. A similar fate has befallen stock of the Mac mini, inviting speculation that both machines will likely pop up post-Lion. We suppose there’s also a possibility that Apple’s ready to send the old workhorse to the glue factory, but we’d prefer a happy ending.

MacBook in short supply, stirs rumors of imminent refresh, rebirth of white plastic? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 06:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista  |  sourceAppleInsider, Electronista (mini)  | Email this | Comments

Slim ASUS Eee PC X101 to hit shelves next month

ASUS Eee PC X101

That super thin Eee PC X101 that we manhandled back at Computex is just about ready to make its retail debut. Starting in July you’ll be able to pick up one of these MeeGo-running crimson clamshells for $199 or, if you’re a fan of desktop apps, Windows 7 versions (X101H) starting at $310. Inside the base model you’ll find a 1.33GHz, single-core Atom N435, a six-cell battery, and a small SSD (probably of the 16GB variety). Unfortunately, the two most important details — can it cut a cake and will it blend — remain unanswered.

Slim ASUS Eee PC X101 to hit shelves next month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Series 3 hands-on

Samsung Series 3 11.6-inch model

We were strolling around the Metropolitan Pavilion, enjoying the sights and sounds of Digital Experience, when, lo and behold, we spotted a pair of unfamiliar laptops gracing the thick black tablecloth at the Samsung booth. What you see above is just one member, the 12.1-inch model to be specific, of the as yet unannounced Series 3 line. These budget friendly lappies are anything but cheap looking or feeling. The entire lineup has followed in the footsteps of the Series 9, opting for soft brushed finishes that are, at the very least, metal-esque. Gone are the shiny plastics that made your notebook look like evidence at a crime scene. At the bottom end is a 15.6-inch model sporting a dual-core AMD A4 CPU and (oddly) a glossy display.

If you want to wipe the reflective sheen from that screen, jump up a notch to the $599 Core i3-sporting version. The 15.6 models reach all the way up to a quad-core Core i7 CPU for $819 and all the Intel varieties pack WiDi (as do the 12.5-inchers). The other sizes (11.6, 12.1, 13.3, and 14 inches) all sport the same premium finishes, solid keyboards, and pleasant touchpads, while being expected to be easy on the wallet. There are still some details to be worked out, and not all specs or prices are finalized but, while we wait for the official PR to roll in, check out our hands-on with the 12.1-inch and 15.6-inch models below.

Samsung Series 3 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer unveils Aspire Ethos laptops built to please eyes and ears in the US and Canada

We got acquainted with Acer’s new Aspire Ethos 8951G and 5951G laptops a week ago, and told you all about its hot hardware and its £999 price in the UK. Well, now these marvelous multimedia machines have journeyed across the Atlantic and brought their nifty detachable touchpads, which double as multimedia remotes, with them. The North American versions (named AS8951G and AS5951G) also pack the same 18.4-inch and 15.6-inch HD displays and USB 3.0 ports as their British counterparts. There’s Core i5 and Core i7 Sandy Bridge silicon and GeForce GT 555M graphics to give you plenty gaming grunt, and to ensure that the sounds match the visuals, both models pump out 5.1 channel surround sound. Low end audio in the AS5951G comes courtesy of a bass booster, while its big brother has a small subwoofer stuffed in its underside. So, what’s the damage to your wallet for these two black beauties? The AS5951G and AS8951G run $1,400 and $1,600, respectively, here in the States, while prices start at $1,200 and $1,500 CAD for our friends in the Great White North. Interested parties can find the full nitty gritty in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Acer unveils Aspire Ethos laptops built to please eyes and ears in the US and Canada

Acer unveils Aspire Ethos laptops built to please eyes and ears in the US and Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony updates Vaio C series with subtler shades, E models go Sandy Bridge

Sony Vaio C Series

Sony’s mainstream E and C series of laptops are getting a bit of an update with some new color options and updated processors in the case of E series. The 14-, 15.5-, and 17.3-inch Vaio E models are finally joining the Sandy Bridge brigade with second-gen Core i3 and i5s, while also adding an AMD Fusion option on the 15.5-inch version for all you Sunnyvale fans out there. The smaller members of the E family will be available in four colors (blue, pink, white, and black) while their big brother is limited to white and black. The C series is staying the same, but adding Neon Red and Thunder Blue to your selection of hues. The updated PCs will be available for pre-order on June 19th but, if you really have your heart set on that red Vaio C, you’ll have to head to select retailers like Fry’s, ABT, B&H, J&R, MicroCenter, or (wait for it…) Nebraska Furniture Mart — while you’re there, pick up a bright red sofa to match your new lappy. All the PR you can handle awaits, just after the break.

Continue reading Sony updates Vaio C series with subtler shades, E models go Sandy Bridge

Sony updates Vaio C series with subtler shades, E models go Sandy Bridge originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Series 5 Chromebook now shipping in Arctic White — Titan Silver edition still to come

Samsung Series 5 Chromebook now shipping in Arctic White -- Titan Silver edition still to come

We already knew it was coming — Samsung hasn’t been particularly shy about its teasing — but the big day has finally arrived, and the Series 5 Chromebook is now officially shipping to those eagerly awaiting the Google-powered laptop. If you weren’t among the high-end coupon clippers who snatched one up during the surprise sale at Gilt a couple of weeks ago, you can now pick up a Chromebook of your own. At least for now, however, it looks like you’ll have to settle for a white exterior — the “Titan Silver” (also known as black) edition is still in pre-order mode at both Best Buy and Amazon.

Samsung Series 5 Chromebook now shipping in Arctic White — Titan Silver edition still to come originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New LG P330 laptop has it all: brains, brawn, and beauty

LG P330

Well, look what we have here. It’s the LG P220’s big brother, the P330, and, as you can tell, good looks run in the family. Glancing at the spec sheet (after the break) it’s pretty clear this guy has been hitting the gym — there’s plenty of muscle inside in the form of an NVIDIA GT 555m. This 13.3-inch laptop isn’t just some meathead though, it’s got brains to spare thanks to a Sandy Bridge class Core i7. But, that’s not all — it’s also a sharp dresser that looks quite fetching in its magnesium and aluminum suit, and just try not to get lost staring into that beautiful IPS screen. We don’t know how much you’ll have to shell out to spend time with this svelte 3.6-pound beauty, but it should be making the retail rounds this September.

Continue reading New LG P330 laptop has it all: brains, brawn, and beauty

New LG P330 laptop has it all: brains, brawn, and beauty originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 21:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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