We saw Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform in Lenovo’s Skylight smartbook and the folks at Laptop Magazine spotted it in a tablet concept, being called a ‘snaptop’ by Qualcomm.   There’s a sort of kickstand on the back which allows you to prop the ‘snaptop’ up on a table.  Also, attached to the kickstand is a removable keyboard to be used with the tablet.

This  prototype uses Qualcomm’s ARM-based processor and offers HD video acceleration while still maintaining low power consumption.  It’s just in the concept phase of development at the moment, but you can see more photos plus a hands-on video at Laptop Magazine.

Most netbooks are currently shipped with Windows 7 Starter, but there are also some netbook specific operating systems struggling for some market share – the biggest of which are Moblin and Jolicloud.   At CES 2010 Samsung showed off their  N127 netbook running the Moblin OS.  It’s actually just a N130, with a different operating system, but it’s good to see Samsung experimenting.

Brad, from Liliputing, got to check one out in person.  Check out his video after the break.

MSI Android Tablet

MSI is showing a 10 inch capacitive touchscreen tablet.  There aren’t many details yet, but according to  Engadget it uses NVIDIA’s new Tegra 2 platform and runs Google’s Android OS.

No more details yet, and it may just be a concept machine for MSI.

Asus Eee PC T101MT 10 inch tablet

Asus is showing off their Eee PC T101MT 10″ tablet at CES 2010, which they say will finally launch this year.  The Eee PC T101MT has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N450 Pine Trail processor, and  runs Windows 7 Starter or Home Premium. The Starter version will come with 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive and the higher spec Home Premium version has an upgraded 320GB HDD and 2GB of RAM. Also included is the 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, and a 35Whr battery that Asus says is good for up to 6.5 hours of run time.

The touchscreen is a capacitative multitouch display and similiar to the screen on the existing Eee PC T91MT. Look for the T101MT to launch later this year.

Moneual MiNEW N10T Tablet Netbook

A Korean manufacturer, Monuel just announced a new tablet netbook – interesting named the MiNEW N10.  Interesting, there’s no Pinetrail inside (like most of the new stuff comign out now).  Instead you have to make do with an Atom N270 processor. 

The rest of the specs are:  a 10” 1024 x 600 display, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 1.3MP Webcam, 3400mAh li-poly battery and either Windows 7 Starter.

Not very exciting with all the new stuff coming out of CES 2010 now, but worth reporting anyway.

We got a first glimpe of HP’s new business netbook, the  HP Mini 5102, and now LaptopMag already has a review out.  The version they tested was the base model (160GB, 1GB RAM, Windows 7 Starter, 1024 x 600 display) model with a 6-cell battery.

Build quality, like the predecessing 5101 model, was excellent.   Battery life  was a staggering 10:08 hours with the 6-cell battery (only a $25 USD upgrade).

Read past the break for more observations from the review.

• Fan is a bit noisy, but the built-in speakers are good and loud.
• 7200 RPM 160 HDD improves performance
• 10:08 hours battery life
• 10:08 hours battery life (6 cell) 4:32 hours battery life with the 4 cell battery
• 2.0MP webcam is good quality esp. in low light

• 2.0MP webcam is good quality esp. in low light

• 7200 RPM 160 HDD improves performance
• 10:08 hours battery life (6-cell)
• 4:32 hours battery life (4-cell)
• 1:53 hour to charge battery to 80%, another hour for 100%
• 2.0MP webcam is good quality esp. in low light

The HP Mini 5102 is not yet available at HP Small & Medium Business.

Source: LaptopMag

Well suprise, suprise, Asus has finally brought out the long awaited Eee Keyboard at CES 2010.   If you’ve been following the news, the Eee Keyboard is a netbook integrated into a keyboard targeted at the HTPC market.

Here are the final specs: 5-inch multi-touch capacitive touch screen, Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM (single slot – not user accessible), 16GB / 32GB SSD, Windows XP and a 4-hour battery.

It’s due to be released in Feb. 2010, with pricing from $499 to $599 – apparently for real this time.

Source: PCMag via Engadget

Marvell Smartbook Prototype with Armada 510 CPU

The Armada 610 chipset with 3D and HD graphics capabilities is the latest and greatest at CES 2010 in Las Vegas, but Armada is also showing off this Smartbook like  the prototype which utilizes existing Armada 510 technology. The guys at Engadget spotted it first and this prototype has a12.1 inch display, a full sized keyboard, and the Armada 510 CPU. They described it as extremely thin – which makes me think it’s intended to fuel the Smartbook trend set to explode in 2010.

There isn’t much more information, but the manufacturer apparently intends it to be bundled with a 3G mobile broadband modem and then to sell at asubsidized price of around $200.   The word is that it will achieve a 4 hour battery life, which seems short but they say it’s the price you pay for that slim, sleek chassis.  The prototype runs Ubuntu Linux and can handle 720p HD video playback.

HP Mini 5102

More news from Lenovo today – as expected and hinted on by Qualcomm a few weeks ago, here’s their new Smartbook.  You’ll know if you’ve been keeping up with the news that a Smartbook differs from a Netbook mostly by its choice of processor.

As opposed to the netbook’s Atom processor, most Smartbooks will be powered by ARM processors, delivering much longer battery life.   Another feature of Smartbooks will be their ‘always-on’ connectivity via a mobile network data connection.

The Skylight has both of these features covered, as you can see by the specs below:

Lenovo Skylight specs:

• 10.1” HD 1280 x 720 display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 1GHz ARM II processor
• 512MB RAM
• Storage: 20GB flash storage (8GB mini-SD card / 8GB flash) + 2GB online
• 1.3MP webcam
• 2.0 pounds weight
• 10 hour battery life
• Wi-Fi and 3G WWAN
• Mono speaker (but with stereo out)
• Customized Linux OS