Laptop and Netbook Specifications

HP Pavilion dv4-1425TX (VH860PA#AKL) with Intel Core 2 Duo P8800 2.66 GHz,FSB 1066 MHz, RAM 4 GB DDR2, HDD 500 GB 5400 RPM, nVidia GeForce G 105M, 14.1 inch WXGA (1280×800)

HP Pavilion dv4-1424TX (VH859PA#AKL) with Intel Core 2 Duo P7350  2.0 GHz FSB 1066 MHz, RAM 2 GB DDR2, HDD 320GB 5400 RPM, nVidia GeForce G 105M, 14.1 inch WXGA (1280×800)

HP Pavilion dv4-1261TX (VA693PA#AKL) with Intel Core Duo T4200 2.0 GHz FSB 800 MHz, RAM 2 GB DDR2, HDD 320GB 5400 RPM, nVidia GeForce 9200M GS, 14.1 inch WXGA (1280×800

Compaq Presario CQ40-533TX (VK020PA#AKL) with Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 2.1 GHz  FSB 800 MHz, RAM 2GB DDR2, HDD 500GB 4200 RPM, nVidia GeForce G 110 M, 14.1 inch WXGA (1280×800)

Compaq Presario CQ40-532TX (VK019PA#AKL) with Intel Core 2 Duo P7550 2.26 GHz  FSB 1066 MHz, RAM 2GB DDR2, HDD 500GB 4200 RPM, nVidia GeForce G 110 M, 14.1 inch WXGA (1280×800)

Compaq Presario CQ40-527TX (VH127PA#AKL) with Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 2.1 GHz  FSB 800 MHz, RAM 2GB DDR2, HDD 250GB 4200 RPM, nVidia GeForce G 110 M, 14.1 inch WXGA (1280×800)

Compaq Presario CQ40-517TX (VH051PA#AKL) with Intel Core Duo T4300 2.1 GHz  FSB 800 MHz, RAM 2GB DDR2, HDD 250GB 4200 RPM, nVidia GeForce G 110 M, 14.1 inch WXGA (1280×800)

According to a report by Digitimes (as cited by Engadget), a section of Taiwanese manufacturers are all set to launch netbooks based on the Snapdragon and Tegra platform, as early as Q4 2009. Users will be able to see the following devices by year end:

• Acer’s Android powered netbook
• Mobinnova’s 8.9-inch élan (for US and European markets)
• Inventec’s 10-inch Tegra based smartbook called the Rainbow
• A netbook based on above platform from Asus (won’t be launched before November 09)

Although the above reports can not be confirmed and are mere speculations but it will be really nice to see such devices in the market competing against the Intel Atom powered netbooks.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform offers a great combination of processing power and battery life. In terms of connectivity it offers 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth capability, and GPS. Snapdragon-based devices are thin, ultra-portable and easy to use, with an intuitive user interface, and mobile OS. They have the capability to decode HD video, support high resolution displays, and offer improved 3D graphics.

Similarly, Nvidia’s Tegra system-on-chip with an ARM processor has been developed by NVIDIA for devices such as smartphones, PDAs, and MIDs. The Tegra integrates CPU, GPU, northbridge, southbridge, and memory controller onto a single package. This platform also provides decent performance and good battery life.

It would be interesting to see netbooks based on this platform. Earlier, we have had a glimpse of such devices at the Computex trade fair which was held earlier this year. There are a number of smartphones available in the market that run on these platforms and look quite promising, but, the performance of these processors on a netbook is yet to be seen.

Credit : notebookcheck.net

For all intents and purposes, HP’s Compaq Presario CQ60 is a pretty unremarkable laptop — but slap a $300 price tag on it like Walmart has done, a price comparable to most netbooks on the market, and that reframes the entire conversation. Computer Shopper has gotten some hands-on time with the machine, and while not spectacular, it seems to outperform Intel Atom-based machines. You’re still not gonna be able to do much more than check your email and browse the web, though, and the tradeoff for having a 15.6-inch display and DVD burner is a bulkier, less travel-friendly form factor. Still, this seems to do an apt job at filling in that gap between netbook and laptop, and we’re sure someone out there will appreciate or feeling nostalgic over that modem jack.

Credit : engadget.com

It’s sourced from Digitimes, so don’t get too worked up, but word on the street is that Intel’s no longer accepting orders for Z-series Atom chips. If you’ll remember Intel’s initial distinctions, the Z-series was for MIDs and the familiar N-series was for netbooks, but since the Z-series didn’t carry the same max hardware restrictions as the N-series, it became popular in a whole host of devices that didn’t fit the traditional mold, like the Sony VAIO P and the ASUS Eee PC T91. Of course, Intel’s got the next-gen Pine Trail Atom platform on tap, so killing the Zs might not have a huge impact in general, but it’s just one more nail in the MID coffin.

Credit : engadget.com