Are you looking for a deal for a new laptop? You don’t have to wait until Black Friday to score a new notebook at a great price, because a number of HP laptops have been slashed on Amazon for savings of up to $400.

If you have a look at the HP laptops feature page on Amazon, you’ll see that they have selected six notebooks from HP for these significant savings. For example, you can go super sleek with the HP Envy 15-3040NR 15.6-inch laptop in black and silver. It’s powered by a second generation Intel Core i7-2670QM processor and 8GB of RAM, once retailing for $1,300, but now on sale for $1,100.

Perhaps you have a smaller budget. If that’s the case, the HP Pavilion dv6-7010us has also been slashed by $200, bringing your effective price down to just $499.99. For that, you get a 15.6-inch laptop powered by an AMD Quad Core A8-4500M processor, 6GB SDRAM, and 750GB hard drive.

The biggest savings is with the HP ENVY 14-3010NR Spectre 14-Inch Ultrabook, though. That’s where you save $400 off the regular price, bringing your purchase price down to $999. Check out all of the HP laptops on sale on Amazon and take advantage of the free super saver shipping too.

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Air cooling for notebooks is cool enough, so long as you are sticking to simple processes on the machine. That’s why liquid cooling is suggested by many experts, and hard-core gamers; liquids are a whole lot more efficient when it comes to transferring heat from one place to another. We are not sure whether notebook manufacturers are working on a liquid cooling system for laptops, but the guys from Asetek have just demonstrated one.

Asetek has managed to add a prototype liquid cooling system into an Alienware M18x gaming laptop which is equipped with an Intel Core i7 running at 3.5 GHz and dual AMD Radeon HD 6990M graphics cards. This is exactly the type of notebook which needs a better cooling system.

As you may know, laptops these days coming with high-end specs have to use two or three separate cooling systems. There will be a fan and a heat sink for each CPU and GPU. Multiple systems mean that the cooling system for one part of the notebook cannot be utilized for cooling another part.

The liquid cooling system introduced by Asetek will circulate through different parts of a notebook which need cooling. This system will be more effective when compared to heat pipes and fans. According to benchmarking data, the performance of the liquid cooled notebook increased 18% to 23% and the laptop’s fans were running slower and quieter.

There are no hints regarding commercial availability, but if the system is coming, it appears like it will be available only with beefy notebooks. Hopefully, it won’t come with a hefty price tag too. Check out the video to learn more about it.

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Remember that tablet/notebook cross which was shown off by Sony at CES earlier this year? The convertible concept tablet dubbed “Hybrid” looked interesting although there was no confirmation whether the company would work on the prototype for market launch. And now a new info suggests that Sony has plans for bringing out the QWERTY-equipped slider.

In case you were out cold during CES, Sony’s hybrid tablet is Windows powered and is suspected to feature Intel’s Clover Trail Atom chip. The device is also thought to be coming equipped with a stylus for the pen input.

A print advertisement for the device, which comes to us courtesy of Pocketnow, hints that Sony might be planning to launch the device under the Vaio U brand. Although a release date is not mentioned, the poster suggests that the device might arrive with some changes.

When compared to the prototype (see below), the device in the ad does not have a stylus holder at the front of the keyboard and it appears to have a larger bezel as well. It also looks a bit thicker. And it will be awesome if it runs Windows 8, if it’s coming that is.

We will let you know when more info arrives. In the meantime, you can take a peek at a few pictures of the Hybrid prototype here.

[Image Source]

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The Octane SSD uses the standard 2.5-inch size that you find in most notebook computers. In addition to the higher capacity, this SSD also uses the new Indlinx Everest controller, which provides an “instant on” feature for up to 50% faster booting.

OCZ says that the Octane SSD will sell for somewhere between $1.10 and $1.30 per gigabyte, so a 128GB model would sell for $166. That would put the terabyte drive barely into the four figure range, so that certainly would be appropriate for the budget-minded PC builder. It’ll also be sold in 256GB and 512GB flavors.

The SSD will be available with SATA 3.0 (6Gbps) or with SATA 2.0 (3Gbps), surely with prices to match. If you go with the faster one, you can expect maximum sequential read and writes at 560MB/s and 400MB/s with 45,000 read IOPS using 4K blocks.

[OCZ]

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We saw the Samsung Series 9 at CES earlier this year. The 13-inch super-skinny laptop is supposed to rival equally slim competitors like the MacBook Air… but the MBA comes smaller than that too. So, Samsung could be countering again.

We’re now hearing word out of Seoul that Samsung is considering an 11-inch version of its Notebook 9 Series. This would really put it on par with the MacBook Air (OS concerns aside), since the super slim notebook would then be available in both 13-inch and 11-inch variants. I’d imagine that some of the specs would take a downgrade in the size reduction, but that’s to be expected.

Samsung claims an 11-inch notebook is in the works that would fit somewhere between the tablet offerings (like the Galaxy Tab) and its “true” notebook offerings. Then again, the 11-incher would start to look a little too much like a netbook (albeit at a much more expensive price that Samsung’s typical netbooks)… aside from that gorgeous brushed aluminum finish.

[Giz via WSJ]

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Toshiba‘s new Dynabook is the mood ring of laptops, its lid coated in a nano-technology-based metallic film lamination that changes colours on the go. Toshiba boasts the computer’s low environmental impact as the lid – and the rest of the laptop’s casing – contain no metals. But this also means the base looks and feels a bit cheap and plasticky.

The newest Dynabook runs Windows 7 32 or 64 bit OS with 4 to 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5-480M processor, but is only selling in Japan. For more info, check out the Dynabook website.

[EarthTimes]

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There’s a new version of the iPhone every year. There’s probably going to be a new iPad in the next few months. What about the MacBook Air? That notebook has been left largely untouched for some time, but it looks like that’s about to change. A refresh for the MBA is on the way and it’s coming with a price cut to boot.

The rumors are in. Apple is hosting a “Back to the Mac” event later this week and it is there, so we hear, that the new version of the MacBook Air will be revealed. It’ll likely rock a mostly similar design and razor-thin profile, but the price starts at $999 for the 11.6-inch model. The 13.3-incher would start at $1100.  The rumors peg it with a 2.1GHz or 2.4GHz processor (please be Core i3), NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics, 2GB base RAM (upgradeable), SSD options, thinner case design, SD card slot, two USB ports (one more than before), Mini DisplayPort, and MagSafe. They’re also claiming between eight and ten hours of battery life, compared to the five hours you’d get on the current MBA.

With these kinds of specs and that kind of price point, does Apple risk cannibalizing the regular MacBook line? The MBA won’t hurt the Pro, but the $1000-ish price point is right in line with the starting line for the regular MacBook. Unless those are getting a bump in specs too.

SOURCE: Cult of Mac, BGR

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When I hear the Panasonic Toughbook name I immediately think of those super rugged (and heavy) notebooks that police officers and other emergency personnel use out in the field. I don’t know if Panasonic wants to shed that image, but they’re certainly going smaller and lighter with the Toughbook S9.

This isn’t a briefcase-sized laptop. Instead, it’s a much smaller 12.1-inch notebook that tips the scales at a mere three pounds. That makes it the lightest laptop of its size with a built-in optical DVD drive. I like thin and light laptops as much as the next person, but Toughbook isn’t exactly the first name that comes to mind for that kind of thing. The lightweight chassis gets backed up with an Intel Core i5-520M processor, 2GB of RAM (that’s it?), and a shock-mounted 320GB hard drive. Despite being a lot lighter, the Toughbook S9 can still withstand a 2.5-foot drop and 220 pounds of pressure on its lid. The spill-resistant keyboard helps too.

Thanks largely to its added toughness, the S9 also comes with a price that’s a little tough to swallow: $2,499.

PANASONIC INTRODUCES THE TOUGHBOOK® S9 – WORLD’S LIGHTEST 12.1″ LAPTOP WITH DVD DRIVE

Ideal Road Warrior Device Features Intel® Core™ i5 Processor, 11 Hour Standard Battery and 30″ Drop Rating in 3lb Package

Secaucus, NJ, September 28, 2010 – Panasonic Solutions Company, provider of collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for government and commercial enterprises, today introduced the Panasonic Toughbook® S9, the world’s lightest 12.1″ laptop with an integrated DVD drive. Powered by the Intel® Core™ i5-520M vPro™ processor, delivering up to 11 hours of battery life with a standard battery and weighing only 3.0 pounds, the Toughbook S9 offers high performance in a lightweight and highly mobile form factor that is ideal for road warriors and mobile workers in a variety of markets. The new notebook offers exceptional durability, optional Gobi2000™ mobile broadband and a host of other features designed to maximize return on investment and reduce the total cost of ownership.

Real World Durability
In order to withstand the demands of a highly mobile work environment, the Toughbook S9 has been designed to endure drops, bumps and spills. The notebook is engineered to survive a 30″ (just over the typical height of a desk or table) drop to the base of the unit while operating. Despite its widescreen LED display, the Toughbook S9 successfully survives drops of 12″ from any angle using the MIL-STD-810G drop procedure. The unique Panasonic spill-resistant keyboard design protects against liquid spills of up to 6 ounces (200 cc), and both the lid and base of the notebook are designed to withstand more than 220 lbs (100 kg) of pressure. In addition, Panasonic’s commitment to quality-at both the component and finished goods level-results in a total of more than 500 quality checks and tests during and after production.

Embedded Wireless Connectivity
The Toughbook® S9 offers a variety of embedded wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth® 2.1 and optional Gobi2000™ mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm. Gobi simplifies complex multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments and allows mobile employees improved connectivity options while traveling at home or abroad. The Toughbook S9 will be certified on the Sprint and Verizon Wireless networks, allowing workers to stay connected at all times.

Security Options Vital for Mission-Critical Computing
The Panasonic Toughbook S9 notebook provides significant data security features including trusted platform module (TPM) security chip version 1.2, the Computrace theft protection agent in the BIOS, Intel Anti-Theft technology, a cable lock slot, password security and an optional fingerprint reader.

“Increased workforce mobility can improve efficiency and drive profit as long as the mobile device on which your business depends does not become a burden to your IT department,” said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Solutions Company. “The only way to ensure you maximize your mobile computer investment is to purchase a device with proven reliability. The Toughbook brand has an average annual failure rate in the low single digits, while most commercial-grade laptops have double digit failure rates. Not only will the new Toughbook S9 provide exceptional reliability, it will also deliver the light weight, long battery life, connectivity and performance needed to satisfy the most demanding mobile users.”

Panasonic Toughbook® S9: Select Features and Specifications
• Genuine Windows 7® (with XP downgrade option)
• Intel® Core™ i5-520M vPro™ Processor (2.4 GHz)
o Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz
o 3MB Intel Smart Cache
• 320GB shock-mounted flex-connect hard drive
• 2GB RAM (DDR3), expandable to 6GB
• 12.1″ widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800) LCD display with LED backlighting
• Anti-glare screen treatment
• Up to 11 hours of battery life with standard battery (MobileMark)
• 3.0 lbs
• DVD super multi-drive
• HDMI and VGA video outputs
• Business-rugged
o 30″ operating drop (to base only)
o 26 sides 12″ drop (non-operating)
o 220 lb compression-resistant
o Magnesium alloy case
o Spill-resistant keyboard/touchpad (protects against 6 ounces spills)
• Embedded Connectivity
o Optional integrated WWAN / Gobi2000™ mobile broadband (EV-DO and HSPA)
o Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n
o Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR (class 2)
o Gigabit Ethernet
• Optional Integrated Security Features:
o Fingerprint reader
• 11.1″ (H) x 8.3″ (W) x 0.9-1.5″ (D)

Pricing and Availability
The Panasonic Toughbook® S9 is available in the United States at an estimated street price of $2,499 from authorized Panasonic resellers and distributors.

The Toughbook S9 includes a standard three-year limited warranty.

Toughbook S9 Images & Video
A video overview of the Toughbook S9 can be found on the Toughbook brand’s YouTube channel; images of the Toughbook S9 can be found on the brand’s Flickr page, and a post discussing the importance of engineering laptops for a mobile workforce can be found on the brand’s blog – Toughbloggers.com.

Follow the Toughbook Brand
The Panasonic Toughbook brand can be followed on various social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Toughbloggers.com.

For more information on the Toughbook S9 and other Toughbook mobile computers, go to www.toughbook.com.

About Panasonic Solutions Company
Panasonic Solutions Company empowers people whose jobs depend on reliable technology. The company delivers collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for customers in government, healthcare, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises. Products and services within the company’s portfolio include Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computing solutions, projectors, professional displays (including both plasma and LCD), and HD and 3D video acquisition and production solutions. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic is known for the reliability and longevity of its products. Panasonic Solutions Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic Solutions Company’s full line of products can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at www.panasonic.com/business-solutions.

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]]> http://www.mobilemag.com/2010/09/28/going-super-light-with-panasonic-toughbook-s9-laptop/feed/ 0 http://www.mobilemag.com/2010/06/03/asus-waveface-tablet-and-phone-concepts-head-for-the-clouds/ http://www.mobilemag.com/2010/06/03/asus-waveface-tablet-and-phone-concepts-head-for-the-clouds/#comments Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:31:18 +0000 Michael Kwan http://www.mobilemag.com/?p=85043 One of the more prominent themes at this year's Computex is the push toward cloud-based computing. No matter how much storage you have on your own device, you are inherently limited by some type of capacity. By accessing the clouds, you can have virtually unlimited space to stash your stuff. And therein lies the Waveface concepts from the good people at Asus. Yes, they're well ensconced in the PC market with their motherboards, notebooks, netbooks, and so on, but they also recognize the importance of looking to the future.

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Asus Waveface Light Concept Photo: Michael Kwan

One of the more prominent themes at this year’s Computex is the push toward cloud-based computing. No matter how much storage you have on your own device, you are inherently limited by some type of capacity. By accessing the clouds, you can have virtually unlimited space to stash your stuff.  And therein lies the Waveface concepts from the good people at Asus. Yes, they’re well ensconced in the PC market with their motherboards, notebooks, netbooks, and so on, but they also recognize the importance of looking to the future.

They’re just at the conceptual stage at this point, but there are three Waveface products in all, two of which cater more to the mobile side of the equation (the third is a TV). Waveface Light is a cloud tablet that can be used in either clamshell (notebook) or full tablet mode. It features a flexible screen with no visible hinge at the bending point.

The other concept is the Waveface Ultra. Designed to be worn around the wrist, this device can be unraveled to reveal the full length of the flexible display. It could be used as a mobile phone-like device, for instance. Asus says they are open to how these products can be used and how they can be developed into different branded items. For instance, their product rep said the Waveface Light could easily be configured to work with an Asus-branded cloud just as it could be used with Chrome OS.

Asus Waveface Light and Waveface Ultra concepts Photo: Michael Kwan

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MSI SketchBook Photo: Michael Kwan

On the surface the MSI Sketch Book may look like yet another iPad tablet clone, but hidden deep inside is something quite different. Shown for the first time ever at Computex Taipei 2010, the Sketch Book is a device inching towards what we hoped the Microsoft Courier would bring us; a little bit of dual screen love anyone? Not just yet, but it’s close.

On one side of the Sketch Book we have something that looks a lot like a Wacom tablet; graphic designers with a bit of artistic expression? Perhaps just some analog note taking.  Whereas the other side offers a conventional QWERTY keyboard.  In effect, you get dual functionality with a single display. I’d say it’s pretty innovative; whether it’s useful or not is up to you to decide.

Rounding out the specs are the 12-inch WSVGA LED panel, Intel Atom processor, and Intel GMA 3150 shared graphics. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, MSI also has the “Wind Pad” to compete with the iPad a little more directly.

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