News Bits: Averatec 1000, VAIO and Blu-ray, Intel Wi-Max Release, European Notebook Sales

Averatec 1000 Series Ultra Portable 10.6-inch Wide Screen Notebook Announced

Averatec has broken into the ultra portable category of notebooks with a 10.6-inch widescreen laptop dubbed the 1000 series.  Weighing in at slightly over three pounds, the ultra portable 1000 Series notebooks will have a streamlined, one inch-thin, very small footprint profile and a 10.6-inch WXGA wide screen. The notebook will feature a glossy screen dubbed "AveraBrite" (yeah, another name for a glossy bright screen from another manufacturer).  The 1000 Series laptop computer features Intel Centrino Mobile Technology powered by the Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 733.  There's no price or release date on this yet, but since Averatec competes agressively on price you know it's going to be cheap -- and because of that only so well built.

Averatec 1000 Specs

• Processor: Intel(R) Centrino(TM) Mobile Technology featuring the Ultra Low Voltage Pentium(R) M processor 733 or Ultra Low Voltage Intel Celeron M processor 373
• Screen: AveraBrite(TM) 10.6-inch WXGA
• Memory: 512 MB DDR
• Hard Drive: 60 - 80GB
• Optical Drive: DVDRW Combo Drive
• Ports: Three High Speed USB 2.0 Ports (supports 1.1 & 2.0 USB devices), Type II PCMCIA/CardBus Slot, Microphone Input Jack, Headphone Output Jack, 15-pin Standard VGA Output Port, 56K Modem Port, 10/100 LAN (Network) Port, 4 in 1 memory card, reader (MC/MMC/MS/MS Pro)
• Connectivity: 802.11b/g wireless, 10/100 Mbit network LAN, 56K data/fax modem
• Size and Weight: 3.6 lbs, 10.47" x 7.97" x 1.16"
• Operating System: Windows XP Home or Pro
• Release Date and Price: none specified

More: http://www.averatec.com/notebooks/10inch.htm

Sony to Include Blu-ray and DSD in VAIO

Sony, as we would expect, will be pushing its own media format technologies via its hardware releases.  The Sony VAIO notebook line will eventually (2006/2007) include an optical drive to support Blu-ray discs, a storage means that Sony had a part in developing.  A Blu-ray disc can hold 25GB of data.  Sony will also be incorporating DSD, a core high definition audio technology for the Super Audio CD (SACD) platform that should superceded today's Compact Disc.  However, even though Sony will support DSD, they will not put Super Audio disc drives into VAIO notebooks because it requires a high end speaker system to be able to play back audio in this enhanced format.  So the DSD news is only so exciting I suppose, or why even bother would be the more negative take.

More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/14/sony_blu-ray_dsd_viao/

Intel Announces First WiMax Product

Intel Corporation today announced the availability of its first WiMAX product, providing equipment manufacturers and carriers the ability to deliver next-generation wireless broadband networks around the world.

In addition, several service providers worldwide announced plans to begin commercial WiMAX trials based on Intel silicon products later this year, giving consumers and businesses a glimpse at this emerging wireless high-speed broadband technology. Key equipment providers also announced WiMAX solutions based on Intel's product.

WiMAX, short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a standards-based wireless technology for providing high-speed, last-mile broadband connectivity to homes and businesses and for mobile wireless networks. Intel's WiMAX silicon delivers the features needed to provide cost-effective, high-speed wireless modems for homes and businesses. Initial deployments will enable delivery of broadband Internet access to remote areas not currently served by DSL or cable, and will make it possible to wirelessly connect buildings up to several miles apart. Because it is standards-based, WiMAX technology is expected to make it easier and more cost-effective for new and existing broadband users to enjoy wireless Internet access.

"As a standards-based, high-speed Internet access solution, WiMAX can provide the platform for the next generation of Internet expansion, connecting the next billion Internet users," said Scott Richardson, general manager of Intel's Broadband Wireless Division. "In addition to delivering the first flexible, highly integrated WiMAX system-on-chip, Intel has worked with a number of parties, including carriers and equipment manufacturers, to prepare the industry for the next wave of wireless technology."

It's a WiMax chipset board -- looks like any other type of board really

More: http://news.com.com/Intel+ships+wireless+broadband+chips/2100-1006_3-5674136.html?tag=nefd.top

HP, Dell Lead European Notebook Sales as 1st Quarter 2005 Beats Last Year's Q1

Notebook sales grew 30% in Europe when comparing volume sales from Q1 2005 to Q1 2004.  HP is leading the European market as it did last year, and has for a while, but the bad news for HP is they didn't grow their market share from 2004 to 2005.  Even worse, Dell grabbed 20% more market share when comparing these quarters.  Look out HP, Dell's going to start passing you on every continent.

More: http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2005/04/18/euro_sales_figs/

Sony VAIO T250 User Review

A review of the Sony VAIO T250 has been posted in the forums by InvalidUsername.  Some nice pictures of this sexy ultraportable laptop from Sony are included.

VAIO T250 Review and pics: http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15225

Fujitsu LifeBook E8000 Series Refreshed with E8020

The Fujitsu LifeBook E8000 series 15.1-inch screen notebook has been refreshed by Fujitsu and now has the Sonoma Pentium M built in.  Also new is that the hard drive is default 5400RPM, choice of integrated graphics or the dedicated ATI X600 64MB graphics card and dual layer DVDRW.

This laptop is now available from PortableOne.com