The popular mini-notebook from Asus will get some competition. Taiwan’s Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) has presented its plans to built a low-cost computer with 3G support. That means the Asus Eee PC will have a tempting rival.

Besides the 3G support that enables Internet access via HSDPA and HSUPA (High Speed Downlink/Uplink Packet Access) technologies, the ECS models will feature Wi-Fi support, 56Kbps modem and Bluetooth wireless. Moreover the ECS computers will run on Intel’s Atom microprocessor paired with an Intel 945 GSE chipset. The hardware configuration includes either a regular HDD or a SSD (solid state drive) and up to 2GB of DRAM. ECS users will have the option to choose between the 8.2″ screen or the 10.2″, respectively.

The notebooks will run Microsoft Windows XP or a Linux OS. No price or availability details were revealed, but ECS has got at least a fan in my person.

via InfoWorld

This is something I wasn’t expecting but now that I found it, I think it’s a very smart marketing move. This is the new Lenovo ThinkPad X300 ad that wants to redefine the idea of “thin”. It’s obviously a way of kicking the MacBook Air in the balls when they say “The no compromise, ultraportable, 13.3″ widescreen notebook with an optiona integrated DVD drive and 3 USB ports, starting at just 2.9 lb. Everything else is hot air”.

These words are definitely going to start the fight somehow. Looking forward to Apple’s reply.

via Engadget

The Latitude XT has a great success and Dell is ready to come up with the next generation. Dell Latitude XT2 will sport the same 12.1-inch from the original XP but will work with Intel’s latest Montevina (Centrino 2) processor, both ULV (ultra low voltage) and LV types. It’s going to be packed with UMA graphics that should support Vista Aero, comes with an ultra-thin optical drive and replaces USB ports with eSATA.

The new Dell Latitude XT2 should be available from November 2008.

via Engadget

Fujitsu’s Lifebook S6510 is a ultraportable laptop that weighs 4lbs and was obviously designed for business. The main specs are :

• Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 processor running at 2.4 GHz
• 2 GB of RAM
• 14.1-inch wide-screen display
• Intel GMA X3100 graphic card
• 802.11n WiFi
• dual layer DVD+R optical drive
• built-in 1.3 megapixel camera
• 3 USB and FireWire ports, S-Video jack
• Works on Windows Vista Business
• Starting price : $2,039

Now that you see what the two grand price will get you, it’s time to know if it’s worthy, too. Here’s our review.

Fujitsu Lifebook S6510 PROs

For me when I buy a laptop or I look for one the weight is very important and I always tend to have that number as low as possible. It’s great to see that Fujitsu managed to pack a 14-inch display in just 4-lb, total weight. The secret is the use of LED backlights technology instead of fluorescent tubes that not only makes a display weight less but also thinner and consumes less power.

Another one in favor of the screen is the Fujitsu’s CrystalView technology with great colors, richer and sharper image details.

The air circulation technology that Fujitsu is great because it helped keeping the temperature around 85 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s like 30 Celsius) across the base and palm rests.

Last thing. A decent battery life, thanks to the low voltage processors and the LED display.

Fujitsu Lifebook S6510 CONs

I’ll start with the keyboard. I appreciate the fact that it’s a full-sized keyboard but the keys are not that great to use. They’re very weak, there’s no resistance when you press them. Next on the list, the speakers. Also weak and if you need to have a conference call with your partners you won’t enjoy it.

No dedicated graphics. It depends on the business. If it’s Word processing, charts and such then you probably won’t need it, but if it involves some designing you may want one.

And I will end my list with the fact that Fujitsu Lifebook S6510 doesn’t come with an internal cellular modem (cellular broadband). It’s useful if you’re traveling and need some quick Wireless, but there’s a solution: WiFi.

All in all, this sounds like a good ultraportable laptop, but I’ll have to be honest, the price is a little steep.

Dell Precission M6300 is getting a small upgrade. Since the laptop manufacturer is keen on putting Penryn processors in more and more of their products if you want to buy a Precission M6300 you now have two processor options, a 2.6 GHz Core 2 Duo (T9500) or a 2.8 GHz Core 2 Extreme (X900).

If it was a new graphics card you wanted, rest assured, there are two of them available. NVIDIA Quadro FX 3600M with 512 MB of dedicated RAM or the 1600M model with 256 MB dedicated. In terms of RAM memory it goes up to 8GB (which seems to be enough these days) divided in two 4GB DIMMs.

The standard version for the new Dell Precission M6300 starts at $1,769 and if you need a 32 or 64 GB SSD add $631 or $1,030.

Dell vie Electronista

There’s been a lot of rumors lately about Lenovo’s ThinkPad X300 but no one managed to find the real (official) price it’s going to sell for and though we’re waiting for new MacBooks today you should know that if you want to own a ThinkPad X300 it’s starting from $2,404. Here are the full specs.

Lenovo ThinkPad X300
13 inch widescreen with integrated graphics and DVDRW
Price: $2,488.80

- Intel Core 2 Duo SL7100 @ 1.2GHz, 4MB L2 and 800MHz FSB
- 13.3 WXGA+ TFT (LED backlight) 3×3 UltraConnect II
- 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
- 64 GB Solid State Drive
- Ultrathin DVD-RW
- Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG (supporting Centrino Pro)
- ThinkPad X300 Series 3 Cell LiPolymer Battery

Lenovo ThinkPad X300
13 inch widescreen with integrated graphics but no DVD-RW
Price: $2,404.80

via Gizmodo

The latest buzz in new laptop being announced is to use Intel’s newest 45nm processors, Penryn. Toshiba wouldn’t want to miss anything so they released two new models.

The first one is Toshiba Satellite A300 which apparently upgrades the older A200 and includes a 15.4-inch display, up to 2GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, two processor models Core 2 Duo T5500 (A300-124) or T8100 (A300-11I) and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Other goodies include a built-in fingerprint reader and Harman Kardon speakers. The price is $1,500 or something very similar to it.

On the other hand, the new Toshiba Satellite P300 that features a 17-inch display was a little scarce on details. It will probably come up with something similar as the A300 but there’s no price available so far.

via Engadget

LG R300 is the newest R-series laptop from LG that was quietly introduced these days and upgrades the older E300. It’s a lightweight notebook with a 13.3-inch display that is supposed to be based on Intel’s 45 nm Penryn technology and runs on a 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor. What makes it extremely fast is not only the processor but also the 3GB RAM memory that boosts performances.

LG R300 has a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphic card, features 802.11 n Wireless and Bluetooth, has a 1.3 megapixel webcam and will be sold in Germany for about $2,350. Rumors say that it will hit North America with a lower price, only $1,599.

via Electronista

This is HP Compaq 2133, the newest UMPC on the market that features a 8.9-inch WXGA display that is scratch resistant and does 1,366 x 766, has Wireless LAN and a 95% full QWERTY keyboard. Other goodies include an optional SSD and an ExpressCard/54 slot. All these are packed in a fancy aluminum case and only weighs 2.5 pounds.

I’m keen on knowing that CPU or memory the new HP 2133 is going to use but until then we’ll have to settle with those above.

For a good price I could give it a go and buy one instead of an ASUS Eee PC, but there’s no official wording so far.

Update 1: price is supposed to be $630 and date could be April.

via Engadget

As Apple announced today, the world’s thinnest notebook is now shipping. MacBook Air, which measures 0.16-inches at its thinnest point and 0.76-inches at the maximum height, has a starting price of $1,799. Pre-orders were available since Steve Jobs presented MacBook Air at MacWorld 2008. It is available through Apple’s online store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The top version could go over $3,000, depending on optional features.

About: MacBook Air sports a stunning 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen display, a full-size and backlit keyboard, a built-in iSight video camera and a spacious trackpad. MacBook Air is powered by a 1.6 GHz or 1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB L2 cache, and includes as standard features 2GB of memory, an 80GB 1.8-inch hard drive, and the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi technology and Bluetooth 2.1.

Features list for the basic model:

• 13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with 1280×800 resolution;
• 1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB L2 cache;
• 800 MHz front-side bus;
• 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM;
• 80GB hard disk drive with Sudden Motion Sensor;
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100;
• Micro-DVI port (includes Micro-DVI to VGA and Micro-DVI to DVI Adapters);
• built-in iSight video camera;
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
• one USB 2.0 port;
• one headphone port;
• multi-touch TrackPad with support for advanced multi-touch gestures including tap, scroll, pinch, rotate and swipe; and
• 45 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

Order MacBook Air here.