Fujitsu has just launched two new ultra portable laptops with 12.1-in displays in Japan,Fujitsu LOOX R/C70 and LOOX R/C50.

Fujitsu LOOX R/C70 and LOOX R/C50 feature:

• SSD hard drive for the top model LOOX R/C70 and huge storage of 320GB used in lower LOOX R/C50 laptop
• long battery life from 12.1 up to 12.6 hours
• Built-in optical drives

Each laptop features 3 USB 2.0 ports, IEEE 1394 Fire Wire Gigabit Ethernet, V.92 modem, Mini D-Sub15 pin, and other audio input and output capability SD card slot, Type2 PC Card slot and , Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n wireless LAN (R/C50 the b / g / n).

Fujitsu LOOX R/C70 comes with some slow ultra-low voltage Core 2 Duo SU9300 (1.20GHz), chip set Intel GS45 Express (built-in video capability), 2GB of RAM, SSD 128GB, and DVD Video drive. Although you have to pay about ¥280,000 (slightly over $3,000), the display is the 1280 × 800-pixel WXGA 12.1″ LCD (not LED). The laptop features Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and pre-installed Windows Vista Business (Windows XP Professional downgrade).

Fujitsu LOOX R/C50 comes with the same features you can find in the C70. The C50 costs lower price of ¥230,000 ($2,500). It differs from C70 in the terms of storage and operating system, Network and battery life. The laptop comes with 320GB HDD and runs on Vista Home Premium and lack of Bluetooth. This system offers less battery life of 12.1 hours.

Acer has launched a big screen notebook, 18.4″ Aspire 8930 ,which is set to kick notebook-based enjoyment into the high-def future with captivating Full HD video and immersive surround sound. The sensational 16:9 Acer CineCrystal™ Full HD display boasts a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution for true-to-master cinematic view. Acer CineSurround audio with six speakers inside — including the Acer Tuba CineBass booster — features optimized, 2nd Generation Dolby® Home Theater® technology, delivering movie soundtracks and sound effects just as they were intended.

The Aspire 8930 features:

• Processor – Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 / 2.53 GHz ( Dual-Core )
• RAM – 4 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) – DDR2 SDRAM ( 2 x 2 GB )
• Hard Drive – 320 GB – Serial ATA-150 – 7200 rpm
• Operating System – Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
• Screen – 18.4″ TFT 1920 x 1080 ( WUXGA ) – 24-bit (16.7 million colours) – CineCrystal
• Optical Drive – DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM / BD-ROM – integrated
• Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT – 512 MB
• Bluetooth – Yes
• Notebook Camera – Integrated – 1 Megapixel
• Warranty – 1 year warranty

The huge 18.4″ LCD boasts 24 percent more screen space than 17″, 16:10 displays as well as deep color, a fantastically wide viewing angle and the 16:9 golden aspect ratio for perfect cinematic viewing, ideal for HDTV and the latest Blu-ray Disc™ format. Discover visually superior, Full HD entertainment as it was originally created, without distorted images or black bars.

The Aspire 8930 is also the worlds first notebook to feature built-in multi-speaker True 5.1 surround sound through six speakers. Contemporary entertainment plays flawlessly via the latest and most powerful dual core processing technology, ensuring smooth playback and multitasking, even with graphics intensive multimedia applications and the NVIDIA® GeForce® 9700M GT discrete graphics card features NVIDIA® PureVideo™ for high-quality scaling and pixel calculation at resolutions up to 1080p — essential technology for the intense HD experiences delivered by the Blu-ray drive and HDTV-ready TV-tuner.

Acer is lip tied regarding the pricing and availability.

Toshiba’s new Qosmio G50 laptop runs against conventional notebook logic by not only going big, but going bigger than ever before. It follows Acer’s Gemstone 8920 through the recently broken 17-inch size barrier with an enormous 18.4-inch screen. With all that viewing area and a native resolution that exactly matches that of 1080p HD content, Toshiba is pushing the G50 as the ultimate portable movie machine.

But as it turns out, a large screen isn’t all the G50 has going for it in the cinema department. It also has some unique movie-centric hardware squirreled away within. Besides the usual CPU and GPU, the G50 sports a variant of the Cell processor used in the Sony PlayStation 3.

Toshiba complements this array of graphic niceties with the type of aural capabilities rarely found on laptops. Drawing upon technology from Harmon Kardon, the G50 gets both stereo speakers and a subwoofer packed into its shell, for a listening experience that should literally be booming. And if you would rather use the G50 as the media center for a real home theater system, it has full 5.1 channel output to power up your living room speakers, as well.

Since the processing power to play with movies runs hand and hand with the processing power to play games, Toshiba also includes an Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics card to round out the G50’s capabilities and give tired video editors something to do in their downtime (namely, blowing stuff up.) With 512MB of dedicated on-board RAM and DirectX 10 capability, the GeForce should provide plenty of brute computational power to fire up the latest games on the big screen.

Although Toshiba has released many of the most exciting specs for the G50 well ahead of its July launch date, the laptop’s most likely Achilles Heel – weight – has been curiously missing from press releases and tech specs. Based on the only other 18.4-inch machine the market, the aforementioned Aspire 8920, we would guess that the G50 would likely come in around 9 or 10 pounds. While that’s more than most people would ever want to carry, that does make it perfectly luggable in a household or office situation where a permanent desktop just won’t fly.

The G50 is set to hit the market somewhere around mid-July.

Simmtronics Semiconductors Ltd, a manufacturer of memory modules, motherboards and graphics cards has ventured into the netbook segment with the announcement of the company’s first Netbook, based on Intel Atom mobile CPU. It will be available in the Indian market this year.

This new compact and lightweight netbook is powered by the incredibly small, amazingly smart Intel Atom processor, which delivers the performance needed to enjoy popular activities like streaming videos or music, emailing, web surfing or instant messaging. Whether you are at home, traveling or hanging out at a cafe, you can take the internet on the go with you inside a convenient Netbook. Designed specifically for your mobile computing needs, it provides the power of full-sized laptop, with the latest Intel Atom processor in a compact body with a 10.2-inch screen.

It comes with Intel Atom processor N270 at 1.6 GHz core speed with 533 MHz AGTL+ front-side bus (FSB) and 2.5 watts thermal design power (TDP). Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology reduces average system power consumption. The enhanced low-power sleep states (C1E, C2E, C4E) are optimized for power by forcibly reducing the performance state of the processor when it enters a package low-power state. Designed specifically for mobile devices, it uses a brand new design structure the dynamic L2 cache sizing -that reduces electrical leakage in transistors-to conserve energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet.

Elaborating on the Netbook plans in India, Vinit Shangle, National Sales Manager, Simmtronics Semiconductors, said: “We have kept our distribution and marketing plans at a low-profile owing to ongoing economic slowdown and increasing numbers of delayed payments and defaulter cases. At present, we do not wish to invest in branding and marketing promotions. Nevertheless, whenever market corrects, we will launch full-fledged range of Netbooks, in partnership with Intel. We expect to sell 400 units of Netbooks by end of December.”

“The rationale behind our entry in Netbook is to get prepared for growing bandwidth and Wi-Max opportunities in India. Market is flooded with Netbooks and Notebook giants (HP, Dell, HCL and Lenovo); hence, counting on numbers will be difficult. Early positive acceptability, however, will decide the future course of action,” added Shangle.

Presently, Simmtronics Netbook is available in three colors: red, black and white. Priced at INR 21,999/- plus the taxes. The Netbook comes with back to bench one-year warranty. It would be made available by Dec 15, 2008 this year. Simmtronics will not be putting any additional distribution layer and continue to sell the product through its 800 peripheral selling, Direct Billing Partners (DBPs).

Medion, the mid-range laptop producer who sell great machines at surprisingly low prices, announced a media-center laptop, the Akoya P8610 at Dolby’s sound laboratories in deepest darkest Soho. It’s a whopping 18.4″ beast of a machine, with Blu-ray drive, and some awesome Dolby sound-enhancing technology.

The aforementioned 18.4″ screen runs at 1,680 x 945 resolution, which the astute among you will recognise as 16:9 aspect ratio. The Dolby audio system will happily output in 5.1 surround, or alternatively you can use the surround virtualisation filter on a stereo signal to make it sound like it’s a surround source, either on a speaker system or on headphones.

Medion is attempting to distinguish itself as more than a supplier of laptops to supermarkets using its Akoya branded products. As with the P8610, these typically have a relatively high specification so they can compete with well-known brands such as Sony while offering better value for money. In line with this ethos, the Akoya P8610 is the company’s first ever Dolby Home Theatre-certified product. Rick Munday, Medion UK’s product manager, stressed that while almost any product can be described as a Dolby Digital product, few are actually Dolby-certified or have Dolby-developed audio management features.

Dolby demonstrated the natural bass and 5.1 audio settings at its London offices yesterday, along with specific settings for expanding the audio when the integrated speaker bar is being used and for headphone use.

Feature-wise, the machine has an 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 processor, and 4GB of RAM. There’s a 320GB hard drive, and a dedicated 512MB GeForce 9600M GS graphics card, which can run in either full-on mode, or hybrid mode, depending on how much power you fancy using up.

Port-wise, it comes with 3 USB ports, an eSATA/USB port, an HDMI port, LAN and VGA. It’s got 802.11 b/g/draft-n WLAN too. There’s also a 1.3-megapixel camera, and touch-sensitive media controls. It comes with 32-bit Windows Vista, but 64-bit is supplied too, for those of you who want to take advantage of all four gigbytes of RAM. You’ll be pleased to hear that all the fancy Dolby stuff works fine on 64-bit Vista, too.

Last but not least, there’s a digital TV tuner built into the thing, so you can watch Freeview on the device. It comes with some PVR software, and you can record one program while watching another. No more fights about Eastenders vs Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

All-in-all, this is a decent multimedia laptop, and it’s only going to cost $1160. It’ll be available from next week, from Tesco Direct, Blockbuster, and medionshop.co.uk.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a market leader in consumer electronics and world leader in IT technology, lifted the lid on the most innovative addition to its ever expanding notebook range –the ultra-lightweight Samsung X360. Capable of meeting the extreme performance and connectivity needs of the new aristocrats of the mobile world, the X360 sets a completely new standard in mobile computing – offering a comprehensive set of features unlike anything of its kind on the market.

Even though it is the lightest notebook in its 13.3 inch class, weighing a miniscule 1.27 kg*, the Samsung X360 incorporates all of the extensive functionality demanded by ultra mobile and results-driven professionals. Unlike the claims of some other “light” notebooks, the X360 is fully featured without compromise, including 3 USB ports, a built-in HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connection, a 34mm express card slot and VGA output. 

 
For fast and easy transfer of documents, images, video or music it incorporates a highly flexible 7 in 1 memory card reader, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR* (Enhanced Data Rate) and super-fast 802.11n wireless technology. It also boasts an integrated digital motion camera, so it’s easy to stay in touch with colleagues or friends using video-conferencing or live messaging. But there is more, for business and home office users the X360 incorporates a 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN connection and support for Samsung P-Dock, docking station – which simplifies cabling and provides a ‘single click’ connection and easy access to a wide variety of ports.

“The X360 pushes back the boundaries of form and function to deliver real style with substance,” said HS Kim, Executive Vice President of Samsung Computer Systems Division. “It offers a tremendous reduction in size and weight but without compromising on functionality, so users have everything they need for life on the move,” Mr. Kim added.

The X360 will be available from September this year in European countries including UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, and also in Russia, China and Hong Kong. For non stop productivity on the move, the X360 incorporates a removable 6 cell battery that enables up to 10 hours continuous use – making all day mobile computing a practical reality.

Its efficient power consumption is supported by the use of Intel® Centrino® 2 Ultra Low Voltage processor technology and an innovative 13.3” WXGA (1280×800) LED screen, whose backlight technology consumes significantly less power but delivers around 33 percent improved brightness over a traditional LCD screen, so it is easier to work in a range of conditions. And with security at a premium, it even has a secure biometric fingerprint and trusted platform module authentication system to ensure that your data is always fully protected.

With its captivating craftsmanship, the X360’s Protect-O-Edge casing is built using durable magnesium alloy to provide amazing strength and superior reliability coupled with enhanced ergonomics and premium styling. And, wherever possible, Samsung uses its own components from memory, batteries and screens. This focus on manufacturing excellence means Samsung mobile computers have one of the best reliability records in the industry, lowering the total cost ownership.

The X360 also features the option of an ultra-fast and reliable 128GB Solid State Drive (SSD)*, which significantly enhances performance compared to a typical hard disk drive (HDD), with a boot time that is 25-50 percent faster and data access times that are 300 percent faster (53 MB/s) for reading and 150 percent faster (28 MB/s) for writing.

For complete peace of mind, the X360 incorporates a secure biometric fingerprint authentication system and a trusted platform module. Is compatible with Samsung’s P-Dock docking station, which simplifies cabling and provides a ‘single click’ connection and easy access to a wide variety of ports, including Serial, 5 x USB, LAN, HDMI, SIO, e-SATA and DVI (Digital Video Interface) to deliver outstanding digital image quality on large displays and projectors.

Samsung’s own certification mark (ECO), which guarantees ECO-friendly features, including removal of hazardous substances and material, optimised energy efficiency and effective material usage for a more environmentally friendly product. All this is backed up with the peace of mind that your notebook is protected by Samsung’s class leading warranty service.

Asus launched Asus Eee PC 1002HA netbook,which is apparently a bit of a cross between the Eee PC S101 and the Eee PC 1000H. The 1002HA is a little thinner and lighter than the Eee PC 1000H, but weighs more than the S101.

It takes a number of design elements from the Eee PS S101 which gives it a slightly more polished, professional look than the Eee PC 1000H. It has a super-thin 2 cell, 4200mAh battery which helps keep the computer slim.

Powered by Intel Atom 1.6GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM and 160GB hard-drive, the 1002HA has all the connectors you would typically expect, including 3 USB ports, headphone and mic jacks, a VGA output, and Ethernet cable. But because the battery doesn’t cover the hinge in the back of the computer as it does on lower end models, Asus put several of those ports on the back of the unit.

The keyboard looks like standard Eee PC fare. The right shift key is tiny and shoved to the right of the up arrow/page up key. The status LEDs appear to be at the top of the keyboard instead of down by the brushed-metal wrist panel. And the power button looks like it should be much easier to press than the tiny power button on the Eee PC 901/1000 series.

Battery life from that minimal power pack remains to seen, and could be the Eee PC 1002HA’s downfall.  Still, it’s a stylish little devil, and could find admirers among those who find the crystal-encrusted S101 a little OTT.  Best of all, though, is the price, which is estimated at around €449 in Europe ($565).

Dell.com, one of the world’s largest and busiest online destinations for consumer electronics has unveiled Dell Design Studio, an interactive gallery of original contemporary artwork commissioned exclusively for personalizing Dell StudioTM  15 and 17 laptops. The unveiling of Design Studio on Dell.com, marks an industry first and gives individuals nearly unlimited potential to turn their laptop into works of art.

The designs and art choices are quite diverse with offerings from some new and upcoming artist and caused-based art around (PRODUCT) RED. Works by Jason Bacon, Brittany Waldner, and Derek Welch, and Guillaume Wolf join images by Joseph Amedokpo, Tristan Eaton, Siobhan Gunning, Bruce Mau, and Mike Ming. Think about a rich indigo blue design populated with Asian inspired pop art or an image with a 1970’s Chevy El Camino coming out of the corner with whole bunch of other race inspired icons.  Very different to say the least.

Exploring the more than 100 creative and colorful personalization options in the Design Studio is easy and intuitive. Online shoppers in the U.S. can apply a design, change viewing angles, zoom in on details, and read an artist’s inspiration or bio with a few mouse clicks. They can also share their favorite images with friends through links to FaceBook, My Space, Stumbleupon, Twitter and Digg.
 
Dell Design Studio offers more than 100 exclusive and original works of art to express personal style for the Dell Studio 15 and Studio 17 laptops for $75. Each image is permanently tattooed into the laptop lid, making the design extremely durable. Dell’s (PRODUCT)RED artwork selection expands to 52 unique images. Each purchase of a new Dell Studio 15 or 17 laptop with a (PRODUCT)RED artwork directly contributes $20 to The Global Fund, which helps fund AIDS programs in Africa.

Several images are available in a “series” – variations of an image based on color scheme or levels of additional detail. Shoppers can select an interpretation that best reflects their unique style.

MSI announced a new model to its line of notebook, the MSI EX300. The MSI EX300 has incorporated the concept of athleticism into the modern world of notebook computer, packing it with excitement and energy. The simple and yet fluid body design adapted the idealism of “Athletic DNA” and “Mobile Technology”, making the EX300 the leader of fashionable styling. Measuring in at 303mm in length, 231mm in width, and 24-30mm in height, along with a weight of 1.9kg (including battery), EX300 is very portable for mobility users. The EX300 features the latest Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology, which uses Intel® Core™2 Duo processor and Intel® PM45 Express Chipset, to deliver innovative mobile solutions with unrivaled processor performance, stunning new HD capabilities, great wireless connectivity, and long battery life.

The EX300’s 13.3″ display is perfect for reading text large or small. It surpasses text viewing on a 12″ notebook display and is more portable than a 14″ notebook, giving you a more balanced notebook. The most advanced ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD3450 graphic card with DDR3 256MB VRAM, for a more fluid, more detailed, more realistic 3D high-definition viewing experience. Never a moment of delay to occur, feel the excitement!

Via a single cable, HDMI output connector not only enables 5Gbps data transfers, but also provides pristine transmission of high-definition digital video and digital audio up to 1080p resolution- allowing easy connection of HD enabled equipment such as HD monitor, HD TV, or HD projector for the best multimedia experience. With this impeccable video quality, the EX300 offers you the best way to enjoy your favorite movie titles and TV programs.

EX300 supports the next-generation hard drives based on the Serial ATA (SATA) 3Gb/s storage specification, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. So, this external SATA allows easily sharing and transfer of entertainment content and digital media on external devices.

The EX300 is equipped with the second generation of Dolby Surround Sound for richness in bass and the enjoyment of a home theater, offering the most realistic experience while watching movies, TV, or listening to music.

The AI Array Microphone is effective at suppressing ambient noise and reverberation. It uses a fundamentally different way to process voice, effectively forming a 3D cone shaped beam in front of the EX300. Any noise outside the beam, whether above or below, will be cancelled out. Besides, the AI Array MIC does not limit your movement when recording or communicating, allowing you to move freely.

The EX300 sets you free from cabled connections. You can easily access the Internet over high-speed Wi-Fi networks. The built-in Bluetooth V2.0+EDR allows you to simultaneously connect to various kinds of Bluetooth peripherals, including keyboards, mice, PDAs, cell phones and more with 3 times faster data transfer rates than that of previous version. Wherever you are, you always can enjoy the freedom of going online, and listening to music. Make your life more freely with wireless connectivity.

With the MSI EX300’s fingerprint reader, you’ll never again have to memorize awkward usernames and passwords to access your computer. Just lightly press your finger on the reader at the front to unlock. Through the recognition for your unique fingerprint, you can be sure that only you and no one else can use your computer.

ASUS F80S notebook is launched with the revolutionary Infusion technology. The Infusion Technology is a cutting edge manufacturing process used to produce the unique designs laptop surfaces. Being inlaid within the chassis itself, the motifs are an integral part of the entire laptop and will not fade with time. The Infusion surface also provides a new level of resilience, resisting scratches while looking sleek that the notebook is not only a trusty companion on the road; it also offers greater pleasure to work with.

Spill-proof keyboard is protected from direct exposure and users will no longer need to worry about the occasional drink spills. When the keyboard is spilled by liquid (under 50ml.), Save important files as soon as possible. Shut down the notebook right away, and then remove AC adapter and battery. Lift up the notebook and remove the liquid from the keyboard, and dry the keyboard by paper towel. An all round mobile computing workhorse based on the latest platform with advanced graphics solutions, the F80 Series is sophisticated inside-out with robustness, state-of-the-art computing technologies and unique aesthetics.

ASUS F80S features:

• LCD – 14.1″ WXGA Color Shine
• CPU – “Intel  Core 2 Duo T5750 ( 2.0G )”
• Memory – “4 GB DDR II (2+2GB)”
• HDD – “320 GB  SATA (5400rpm)”
• VGA – ATI HD 3470
• VRAM – 256MB
• Optical Drive – 8xSuper Multi-Dual
• Web Cam – 1.3 M
• WLAN – “802.11 a/b/g + BT”
• Cell – 6 Cell x 1
• Operating System  – “Vista Premium(En. /Ar. / He.)”
• Weight – “2.3 Kg with  6 Cell “
• Free Accessories – “Carry bag, Mouse”
• Warranty – 1 Years Global

With HDMI,the industry standard digital interface, a single cable will support standard, enhanced, or high-definition video and plus multi-channel digital audio while ensuring data integrity during transfers offering a smooth highway for HD contents to get from any device to your notebook for display!

The exclusive ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence technology is especially effective for human skin tones, green stretches of grass and trees and blue sky and sea. It takes PC graphics capability to the next level by enhancing depth and color intensity in real time. It further improves contrast, brightness, skin tone and color saturation for vivid image display. Incorporated with the exclusive ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Engine (activation hot key: Fn+C), the LCD presents clear and sharp images in their true vibrant colors.

With three cutting-edge technologies – LifeFrame, SmartLogon and Virtual Camera, ASUS offers you a complete solution to communicate wirelessly, making it easier for you to log on to your system, capture and edit images, and video conference with multiple parties in separate locations at the same time. Totally convenient and totally innovative – that’s the ASUS way!

The optional Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a security device on the system board that will hold computer-generated keys for encryption. It is a hardware-based solution that helps to avoid attacks by hackers looking to capture passwords and encryption keys to sensitive data. The TPM allows users to run applications securely and to make transactions and communications more trustworthy

ASUS CopyProtect prevents the unauthorized reproduction of data in the notebooks. When locked, the contents in the notebook will not be reproduced by burning a CD/DVD, transferred to a floppy disc, an external storage or network drive.