Lenovo releasing very competitive Netbooks for October 2008
By Dean • Aug 6th, 2008 • Category: LaptopsLenovo surprisingly announced their first netbooks. Two models should be released in October, equipped with 8.9 and 10 inch displays respectively. The various configurations have yet to be determined, however, the 10 inch model should be available for around £285.
Both new netbooks using the Atom N270 1.6 GHz processor are called the “Ideapad S9” and “Ideapad S10”, where the model number corresponds to the screen size. According to Lenovo, both Netbooks with a thickness of 27.5 mm and a weight of 1.1 kilograms, are more compact than predecessor models. But it’s still unclear whether these numbers apply to models with a hard disk as well.
Lenovo promises a keyboard that is only 85 percent the size of standard laptop keyboards. This corresponds to a size of around 16.5 millimetres, the same dimensions as the Acer Aspire One keyboard.
Another special feature possessed by both Ideapads is the slot for express cards, which previously only one other deliverable notebook, the Gigabyte M912, offered. One can use UMTS cards with this slot, for example. The included touchpad with multi-touch, that can understand finger gestures, is also quite distinct. An integrated Bluetooth module is optionally available.
Both devices should be available in multiple configurations, with anything from 4 GB SSD to 160 GB hard drives and up to 1 GB of RAM. Windows XP, or a variant of Linux, is available as the operating system. Lenovo has also only made vague comments regarding the pricing: the S9 should start at £250, while the S10 will start at £280.
The 10 inch model will definitely be a bargain – if it’s also available for this price with a hard drive, just like the Medion E1210 or the MSI Wind U100. Both competing devices with 10 inch displays currently cost around £315. The Ideapads should be available in white, blue, black, pink, and red.
Tags for this article: netbook, netbooks, lenovo
