Daily Archives: February 6, 2012

7-inch Spark Linux Tablet – Insert Witty Amazon Kindle Fire Related Joke Here

7-inch Spark Linux Tablet – Insert Witty Amazon Kindle Fire Related Joke Here

- What runs a Linux distribution that isn’t Android and measures 7 Inches?
- Spark.

Not funny? Well, that’s what you get for even thinking about using a custom-cooked Linux distribution on your tablet computer, punk!

On the other hand, creators of the Spark don’t seem to have a problem with that, which is exactly why they’re elbow deep in the process of releasing a Linux-powered tablet.

The rig is a 7-inch capacitive touch screen measuring 800 and 480 in the important dimensions. Behind that hides 512MB of RAM for muscle, 4GB flash for storage. Of course it’s got Wi-Fi. 3G didn’t make it to the handheld, but it is going to be added along with GPS in a future release.

The device depends on a Mali 400 GPU and a 1GHz Cortex-A9 ARM CPU to run the show. You aren’t seeing things if you find the combination somewhat familiar. Computer-on-a-stick (Cotton candy for the Discworld-impaired) sports the same hardware. So does the Samsung Galaxy S II. Apart from the fact that the Spark is clocked 200 MHz below those.

And what’s the show it runs? Linux. A MeeGo spinoff, Mer + KDE Plasma Active, to be precise. Out of the box it does not run Android apps, but the curious, yet highly-advanced geek that you are will find a way to weld an Android distro on it and do it anyway.

The default operating system goes something like this:

The asking price reportedly stays at the very wallet- and customer-friendly $265 / €200 / £165. Expected time of delivery for the first batch is May at the moment, but pre-orders start in February.

via Liliputing, photo via zockah.de

Lenovo IdeaPad U300e – Tech Specs


Lenovo U300e may seem like the value version of the very similar U300s. Which it basically is. Still, a cheap Ultrabook never goes to waste, especially in a market segment, where every dollar makes a difference. And in the sub-$1,000 ultraportable market segment it does.

This article covers known specifications of the U300e. For everything else Ultrabook related there is the Knowledge base.

Update 13/02/2012: Lenovo begins selling the U300e in Singapore, consequently releases more information about the model. Exact CPU models are now known (and they’re Sandy Bridge sadly), so is pricing, availability and chassis material. Claimed battery life shrunk to 7 hours from the previous 8 hours. Weight starts from 3.48 lbs (1,580g) with 4-cell battery instead of the estimated 3 lbs (1,350g).

Processor
Intel i3-2367M | 1.40 GHz (1.4) | 2 Cores (HT) | 3 MB Cache | GB : 3,050
Intel i5-2467M | 1.60 GHz (2.3) | 2 Cores (HT) | 3 MB Cache | GB : 4,800
as per tech specs (PDF)

Memory
1GB/2GB 1066/1333 MHz DDR3 (Max. 4GB due to 1 available SO-DIMM slot)

Storage
500GB/750GB/1TB HDD (5,400/7,200rpm). 32/64 GB SSD optional

Battery
59 Wh, 4-Cell, ~7 hours

Weight
from 3.48 lbs (1,580g)

Chassis
Full aluminum-shell

Ports and Connectivity
Audio jack (audio out, mic input combo), wireless lan, RJ-45 gigabit ethernet, 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, HDMI output, bluetooth antenna installed, PCI Express mini card slot (supports Intel 1030n card)

Keyboard
“it has the same [as the U300s] aluminum chassis, comfortable keyboard and sprawling trackpad,” engadget.com

Display
13.3″ 1366×768 (>220 nits, glossy)

Availability
Available in Singapore on 13th Feb 2012. Worldwide availability soon.

Entry Point Price
SG$ 1,299 (~US$ 1,030) until March, SG$ 1,499 (~US$1,190) normally (with i5. 500GB HDD and 4GB RAM)
i3 +2GB RAM + 500GB model expected to stay under $1,000

Photo from priceinfoworld.com. Thank You!

Acer Aspire S5 Ultrabook Tech Spec

I firmly believe that Acer’s Aspire S5 can do some damage if the company doesn’t mess up too badly on the build quality. If the trench-work is where it’s supposed to be to compete with LG’s and Lenovo’s products, Acer’s S5 has the chance to become a unique player amongst Ultrabooks. Thinner than thin enough, faster than fast enough. And thunderbolt. Can’t stop loving that.

Anyway. Those of you, who are interested in technical details of the Acer Aspire S5, read on. Everyone else: I suggest you head over to the Ultrabook Knowledge Base for a wider view over the Ultrabook landscape. Specs below are not nearly final and will probably change. Let me know if you hear anything that’s not noted here.

Processor
Intel Ivy Bridge | 1.70 GHz | Unknown

Memory
4GB (8GB Max.)

Storage
Unknown – SSD

Battery
~8 hours

Weight
2.97 lbs (1,347g)

Chassis
Magnesium alloy

Ports and Connectivity
Audio jack, 802.11 wireless, 2x USB, HDMI, Thunderbolt

Keyboard
“[...] the S5 is much improved, with clickier keys and much more depth to the key wells. We’ve noticed an across-the-board improvement in key travel in several of the ultrabooks we’ve tried, which is a very welcome change.” arstechnica.com

Display
13.3″ 1366×768

Availability
Expected before Q2 2012

Entry Point Price
$1,199 est.

Photo belongs to the superb Cnet. Thank you.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13

Lenovo took a step back from U300s and Ultrabooks in general when it designed the IdeaPad Yoga 13. It is arguably the most interesting take on Intel’s Ultrabook blueprint. With a 13″ touchscreen and a keyboard that can be hidden behind the screen, Lenovo may hit the nail squarely on the head by filling a previously neglected market segment.

When does Lenovo intend to release this interesting piece of technology? No-one knows for sure, but I took the initiative and collected tech specs that are available at the moment. They may change. Probably will, too, so don’t be surprised when Yoga doesn’t turn out the way we’re expecting it to.

For the more comprehensive list of Ultrabook tech specs, see the Ultrabook Knowledge Base.

Processor
Intel Ivy Bridge | Unknown

Memory
Up to 8GB

Storage
Unknown

Battery
8 hours+

Weight
3.1 lbs (1,406g)

Chassis
Unknown + soft-touch plastic

Ports and Connectivity
audio jack, wireless, HDMI -out. Sporadic information subject to change until final release.

Keyboard
“the YOGA 13 can also be positioned with the keyboard area flat against the desk” gizmag.com
No word on keyboard quality yet.

Display
13.3″ ?

Availability
Unknown, but after Microsoft releases Windows 8

Entry Point Price
$1,199 est.

Resources :
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Yoga 13 with Windows 8: This Is the Ultrabook We Want

The photo belongs to ktbradford.com. Thank you!

HP Envy 14 (HP Spectre) Ultrabook Tech Specs

HP Envy 14 (HP Spectre) Ultrabook Tech Specs

I published the Ultrabook Knowledge Base a couple days back. That article collects tech specs of most –if not all– relevant Ultrabooks available today or in the near future. This follow-up piece focuses on the HP Envy 14 Ultrabook (or HP Spectre) to give you a better overview of this specific model.

Those of you, who would rather compare different Ultrabooks, please follow the link above.

Everyone else feel free to use data below. I made reasonably sure that information presented below meshes with reality. If it happens not to, rip my head off use the comment section below.

Processor
Intel i5-2467M | 1.60 GHz (2.3) | 2 Cores (HT) | 3 MB Cache | GB : 4,800

Memory
4GB (Max 8GB)

Storage
128GB SSD + 1 SSD slot

Battery
9 hours

Weight
3.95 lbs (1,792g)

Chassis
Scratch-resistant glass lid and palmrest, aluminum

Ports and Connectivity
Audio jack, 802.11 (presumably b/g/n) wireless + WiDi (wireless display), RJ-45 ethernet, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI output, mini Displayport, NFC

Keyboard
“Unlike so many other Ultrabooks we’ve tested, the keys feel pillowy, and are backed by a sturdy panel, to boot.” engadget.com

Display
14″ 1600×900 (gorilla glass)

Availability
To be sold in the US from 8th of February 2012

Entry Point Price
$1,400 / 1,200 GBP

Photo from golem.de. Thank you!

Samsung Series 9 Ultrabook Tech Specs (2012 Revamp)

Samsung Series 9 Ultrabook Tech Specs (2012 Revamp)

The Samsung Series 9 Ultrabook is coming. It’s in the pipelines with an estimated release date of 27th of February. With its matte 1600×900 screen and price tag just a hair under $1,400 the upcoming flagship of Ultrabooks is going to stick out of the bunch.

To order information the ‘other way around’, check out the Ultrabook Knowledge Base I compiled a few days back.

Everyone else, read away below.

Processor
Intel i5-2537M | 1.40 GHz (2.3) | 2 Cores (HT) | 3 MB Cache | GB : 4,100

Memory
4GB DDR3 (Max. 8GB)

Storage
128GB SSD

Battery
6 Hours

Weight
2.5 lbs (1,134g)

Chassis
One-piece aluminum

Ports and Connectivity
Audio jack (audio out, mic input combo), 802.11 b/g/n wireless, RJ-45 gigabit ethernet, USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, sd memory card reader, microHDMI, Bluetooth 3.0

Keyboard
“The full-chiclet keyboard is very well-sized, easy and comfortable to use and the keys are well-spaced and feel very nice and smooth. It is also backlit, [...]” ultrabookreview.com

Display
13.3″ 1600×900 (400 nit, matte)

Availability
Announced on CES 2011, to be available from 27th of February, 2012.

Entry Point Price
$1,399.99 (13.3″), $1,499.99 (15″)

The photo property of anandtech.com. Thank you!

LG Xnote Z330 Tech Specs

LG Xnote Z330 Tech Specs

LG Xnote Z330 is probably one of the most promising –and most expensive– Ultrabooks to hit the market before Q3 2012. I already covered it in the more comprehensive Ultrabook Knowledge Base. In this follow-up article you’ll find information about it in a more digestible format. If you’re looking for this particular model, that is.

If you’re more interested in how it lines up against other Ultrabooks, head over to the knowledge base above.

Processor
Intel i5-2467M | 1.60 GHz (2.3) | 2 Cores (HT) | 3 MB Cache | GB : 4,800
Intel i7-2637M | 1.70 GHz (2.8) | 2 Cores (HT) | 4 MB Cache | GB : ~5,500

Memory
4GB DDR3 (Max. Unknown)

Storage
128GB Sata-III or 256GB Sata-II

Battery
Around 6 hours

Weight
2.7 lbs (1,224g)

Chassis
Brushed metal

Ports and Connectivity
Audio jack, 802.11 b/g/n wireless, RJ-45 gigabit ethernet, USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, microSD memory card reader, HDMI output, Bluetooth 3.0

Keyboard
“The keyboard felt a little cheap if I’m honest and had the vertically squashed feel that the Toshiba Z830 has but there was good feedback.” ultrabooknews.com

Display
13.3″ 1366×768 (glossy) (with an exceptionally thin bezel around it)

Availability
Available in South Korea, no word on US distribution yet.

Entry Point Price
~$1,500

Photo from LGEPR. Thank You!

Macbook Air 13″ Tech Specs

Macbook Air 13″ Tech Specs

The 13″ Macbook Air might not be a conventional Ultrabook, but I’ve decided to include it as such in the Ultrabook Knowledge Base. That’s because Ultrabooks are arguably produced to the image of Mac Airs, making it a decent point of comparison. A blueprint if you will.

To compare different models by their specifications, please head over to the Tech Specs galore through the link above. Everyone else will find information below in the usual format.

Processor
Intel i5-2557M | 1.70 GHz (2.7) | 2 Cores (HT) | 3 MB Cache | GB : 5,700
Intel i7-2677M | 1.80 GHz (2.9) | 2 Cores (HT) | 4 MB Cache | GB : 5,800

Memory
2GB or 4GB DDR3 1333MHz (Max 4GB)

Storage
128GB/256GB SSD

Battery
7 hours

Weight
2.96 lbs (1,350g)

Chassis
One piece aluminum, “Unibody”

Ports and Connectivity
Audio jack (audio out, mic input combo), 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless, no Ethernet, 2x USB 2.0, SD memory card reader, Thunderbolt, no HDMI (adapters separately available), no VGA, Bluetooth 4.0

Keyboard
“This same keyboard is found across the entire Apple laptop line, and very few have complained about it.” PCMag.com

I used the exact same keyboard on a Macbook Pro 13″ for a couple months. I’ve always found it a very pleasant to use. Now that the Air comes with the backlit version, I can’t come up with valid complaints any.

Display
13.3″ 1440×900 (glossy)

Availability
Internationally available since 20/07/11

Entry Point Price
$1,299 / 1,099 GBP ( $1,235 / 990 GBP on Amazon at the time of the last update)

Photo from ijafri. Thank you!

Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook – Tech Specs

Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook – Tech Specs

This article gets you up to speed on the tech specs of Dell XPS 13 Ultrabooks. It is a follow-up piece to the Ultrabook Knowledge Base. If you were looking for the XPS 13 specifically, this is the place you wanted to to be. Those of you who would rather compare Ultrabooks to one another, head over through the link above for more information.

As always, information below is correct to my best knowledge. If you suspect it isn’t, raid the comment section below.

Processor
Intel i5-2467M | 1.60 GHz (2.3) | 2 Cores (HT) | 3 MB Cache | GB : 4,800
Intel i7-2637M | 1.70 GHz (2.8) | 2 Cores (HT) | 4 MB Cache | GB : ~5,500

Memory
4GB (Max. Unknown)

Storage
128GB/256GB SSD

Battery
Almost 9 hours

Weight
from 2.99 lbs (1,356g)

Chassis
Carbon-fiber body, aluminum lid

Ports and Connectivity
Audio jack, 802.11 a/b/g/n + WiDi (Wireless Display), no Ethernet, miniDisplayport (adapter to HDMI included), no VGA, Bluetooth 3.0

Keyboard
“The keyboard is nicely spaced and the keys themselves have reasonable travel given the limits of the keytray.” slashgear.com

Display
13.3″ 1366×768 (gorilla glass)

Availability
Announced at CES 2012, early January, to be available in Q1 2012

Entry Point Price
$999

Picture belongs to intomobile.com . Thank you!

Samsung Series 5 530U 14″ Ultrabook Tech Specs

This article covers the tech specs of Samsung’s Series 5 530U 14″ Ultrabook. Because everyone loves tech specs. Even if you don’t, you’ll probably find this page useful in one way or another. If you don’t, chances are you want to start with the Ultrabook Knowledge Base, where I compared most Ultrabooks by spec. It’s like this article but the other way around.

As always, comment below if something seems incorrect or odd to you. Or if you’d add something. Or want to have a chat.

Processor
Intel i5-2467M | 1.60 GHz (2.3) | 2 Cores (HT) | 3 MB Cache | GB : 4,800

Memory
4GB DDR3 1333MHz (Max 8GB)

Storage
500GB HDD + 16GB SSD Cache or 1TB HDD + 16GB SSD Cache

Battery
45.3 Wh, 6.5 hours

Weight
4.05 lbs (1,837g)

Chassis
Most probably aluminum with fiber glass bottom.

Ports and Connectivity
Audio jack (audio out, mic input combo), 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless, Rj-45 ethernet connector, 1x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, SD/MMC memory card reader, HDMI output, VGA, Bluetooth 3.0 (+VGA, -1 USB 2.0, +1 USB 3.0 compared to 530U 13″)

Keyboard
“There’s room for a full-sized keyboard, which felt good to type on in the short time we had to try it out, and the trackpad is pleasingly large.” cnet.co.uk

“As is generally the case with Samsung laptops, the keyboard seems great,” techradar.com

Display
14.0″ 1366×768 (reduced glare, glossy, 300 nits, AMD 7550M Discrete GPU)

Availability
Available since mid-January 2012. UK stock patchy.

Entry Point Price
$979.99

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