UK Netbook Review

Yes, you guessed it, that crappy blue background is a tell tale sign that another new netbook has passed through the US FCC. This time it’s the Matala PC-91013 which is a clone of the ASUS Eee PC Seashell netbooks. Specs for the Matala are: 10” 1024 x 600 display, Intel Atom N450 processor, GMA 3150 graphics, up to 2GB RAM, 1.3MP webcam, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. Weighs 2.9 pounds.

You’ll remember, the Mobinnova Beam is an 8.9 inch smartbook that uses NVIDIA’s Tegra platform. NVIDIA and Mobinnova have been showing off the Beam for months, but it’s yet to hit the streets. We do know that when it ships, it will be available with either Windows CE or Google’s upcoming Android OS but up until now, we’ve only seen prototypes running Windows CE. Now Laptop Magazine’s Mark Spoonauer has spent some hands-on time with a Mobinnova Beam netbook running Google Android.

The Averatec N1200 that we took a first look at late last month gets the full review treatment form Laptop Magazine today. The model reviewed was the N1231EE1E-1 which has the following specs: Atom N450 processor, 10.1” 1024 x 600 display, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 1.3MP webcam and Windows 7 Starter.

Giada launched a bevvy of new nettops previously at CeBIT 2010, but now they’ve made their first foray into netbooks with the Viva NE200. Sadly, unlike their nettops there’s no Nvidia ION to be found here, and the NE200 is a bog standard netbook with the usual specs. Namely, a 10.1” 1024 x 600 display, Intel Atom N450 processor, GMA 3150 graphics, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, 1.3MP webcam. Weighs 1.15kg / 2.5 lbs. Usual ports: 3x USB, VGA, audio jacks.

A Taiwanese OEM (original equipment manufacturer) Quanta is working on a netbook they’re calling the QW6. I’s more than likely, since they’re an OEM, that we’ll see this rebranded when it hits retail shelves. There isn’t much to go on from the FCC listing, uncovered by Wireless Goodness, but we do know it will have HDMI and VGA ports, 3 USB ports, a 1.3MP webcam, and a touchpad that doesn’t seem to have physical left and right buttons. We’re guessing an Atom N450 and/or an N470 will be in the mix, and with HDMI out, Nvidia’s Ion graphics will likely play a part too.