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

AMD just made it official that their newest ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3000 series that we’ve heard to rock the desktops until now will also be available on laptops. The news was expected and AMD (NYSE:AMD) mentioned that HD 3400 and HD 3600 models already support DirectX 10.1, for the first time. The new chipsets will include PCI Express 2.0 support and will offer 1080p HD DVD and Blu-ray movies quality.

The new Radeon HD 3000 series for laptops have a nice addition using AMD’s Avivo HD Technology to free up the CPU when it’s not needed to “process”. This will lead to better power efficiency for longer battery life.

The new HD 3000 series will be used by Asus right away, while other producers will bring their laptops on the market in the first half of 2008.

I have been pleased to hear that Asus is currently developing an eco-friendly notebook. The manufacturer tries to make 50% of its parts recyclable. That’s an amazing aim considering all that junk materials used in the production process.

The laptop called Asus Ecobook has a bamboo chassis. That we can tell for sure, but neither of the specs were disclosed by the producer. It may use an Intel Core Duo 2 processor. Although we have a photo, the product could look different after many other revisions.

via SCI FI Tech