Disney netbooks to target kids

Looks like Disney is also jumping into the netbook bandwagon which is quite unusual for this mega entertainment company. Joining forces with Taiwanese computer maker Asus, Disney plans to launch Disney-branded netbooks called "netpal", which targets kids age 6 to 12.



The Netpal will feature the usual Atom processor, WiFi, a choice of 16GB solid-state disk or 160GB normal hard drive, and be fitted with a 8.9inch display. It's expected to sport two "disney" colors - "Princess Pink" and "Magic Blue". Expect it to weigh around 1kg plus.

Disney will include customizable desktop themes such Mickey Mouse, Toy Story, WALL-E and more which kids can change to their delight.

Since the Netpal will open the kids to the world-wide-web, expect the netpal to come with parental lock system which will allow the youngsters to surf to sites or correspond via email with people approved by the parents.

Netpals will be available through retailers like Amazon and Toys-R-Us.

PC Show 2009: Netbook offers

PC Show 2009 opens June 10 until Sunday June 13 at the Suntec Convention Center, Singapore. If you're looking to buy a netbook, there isn't a better time. Check out some of these netbooks on offer.

Acer
Acer Aspire One Slim AOD250 - $S688

Asus
Asus Eee PC 1000HE - S$689, with free 8GB Thumbdrive
Asus Eee PC 1002HA - S$689, with free external optical drive
Asus Eee PC 901 (3.5G) - S$689
Asus Eee PC S101H/S101 - S$789, with free 16GB SD card
Asus Eee PC 1008HA (Seashell) - S$798, with free Targus bag

Axioo
Axioo Pico DJJ615 - S$649, with free 8GB Thumbdrive, mouse and MS Works

Benq
Benq Joybook Lite U101 - S$648, with free USB DVD writer

Fujitsu
Fujitsu M2010 - S$888 with free Think Free software, upgrade to 2GB RAM and 6-cell battery

Gateway
Gateway LT207g - S$688

Gigabyte
Gigabyte Touchnote T1028M - S$879
Gigabyte Book TOP M1022M - S$788

Lenovo
Lenovo S10-2 - S$749 with free sleeve case

LG
LG Mini X120-G - S$999 with free slip case

MSI
MSI U100 Plus - S$588, with free carry case, mouse, LCD wipes, $30 voucher, keyboard protector

Toshiba
Toshiba NB200-A101 - S$799 with free slip case

Check out the flyers below:

Asus Eee Keyboard demoed at Computex

Engadget Chinese captured the demo of the Eee Keyboard from Asus at Computex in Taiwan. This is quite a surprise for me, to see a keyboard that runs an Atom N270 processor and a standalone Windows XP accessed through a 800x480 touch screen to the right of the keyboard.

The Eee Keyboard comes in 2 flavors - wired and wireless versions. For the wired version, you just plug your monitor and mouse directly into the keyboard. The wireless version will have an internal battery that will last about 2 hours of usage, and will transmit the video to a separate receiver which the monitor is connected to.

All in all, a pretty impressive way to repackage the "netbook" concept, and definitely show a lot of promise. The keyboard will be launched in end of June sometime.

Until then, check out the video by Engadget Chinese.

Samsung NC310 landing in Singapore

The Samsung NC310/N310 is coming to Singapore. This arrival marks Samsung's return to the Singapore notebook market after they pulled out years ago.



The NC310 will offer the typical netbook specs, so there's nothing new there. Only the look and feel will be its differentiating appeal, and of course the claimed 11 hours of usage.

Expect the netbook to high the shelves in July. No pricing has been announced yet. Read the NC310 review by T3.

Acer's new business netbook - Acer Aspire ONE Pro 531

Acer introduced the Aspire One Pro 351 on Tuesday June 2nd. The new model targets the business users, even though it's essentially the same as the consumer oriented Aspire One 351, with the main difference being the storage, a built in 3G modem and Windows XP Professional.



The Aspire One Pro will weigh in at around 1.03Kg or 1.17kg depending on the battery type, and is designed to last up to 7.5 hours. The netbook will have a 89% sized keyboard and will feature a multi-gesture touchpad.

Expect it to be available for about US$580-US$660 depending on model and options.

Fujitsu M2010 reviewed

The folks at Laptop magazine have posted a new review of Fujitsu's M2010; a 10-incher with all the standard netbook frills and weighs about the same as a HP Mini 1000, but shorter than the Samsung NC10.



In this already crowded market, the Fujitsu M2010 is a really "a case of too little, too late".

While the netbook has a compact and stylish chassis and provides solid performance, its cramped keyboard and less than 2 hours of battery life hold it back. Additionally, its $449 price, which includes only a three-cell battery, is not competitive with the rest of the field. For $10 less, the Samsung N110 not only provides four times the battery life, but its keyboard is more comfortable; the same goes for the $379 ASUS Eee PC 1000HE. Until Fujitsu includes a six-cell battery standard for a lower price, we wouldn’t recommend this machine over the established netbook players.

Check out the Fujitsu M2010 review.

Toshiba NB205 gets reviewed at Laptop

Joanna Stern from Laptop gets her hands on the new Toshiba NB205, and thinks it's "one of the most stunning" she has ever seen.



The Toshiba NB205 (or Dynabook UX to some) is the successor to the poorly rated NB100. Where its predecessor got it all wrong, it seems this new incarnation got it all right.

As the reviewer concluded:

Toshiba demonstrates that being late to the game doesn’t mean you can’t get in it. The NB250 has a standout design, solid feeling chassis and stellar keyboard. While we can’t make a final call on the new netbook until we run our tests and see how long it lasts on a charge, our initial impressions have us extremely optimistic.

Check out the Toshiba NB205 review.