Aspire One features an 8.9″ CrystalBrite LED backlit display (resolution of 1024×600 pixels), CrystalEye webcam and 802.11b/g WiFi built-in as standard for access to available wireless networks.

Aspire One will be available with Linpus Linux Lite or Windows XP Home, and comes with 512MB or 1GB of memory respectively. There are two alternatives for data storage: a NAND flash module of 8GB or an 80GB internal HDD. In addition the Aspire One reads 5 different types of memory card.

The bundled OneMail application integrates up to five email accounts into one central inbox. Similarly, users can have multiple instant messenger accounts via a single point of access.

Available in a range of colours, the Aspire One has a RRP of $599AUD (linux version).

• Linux version weighs less than 1kg
• Windows XP version weighs 1.1kg
• Up to 3 hours battery life with standard 3-cell battery
• Up to 7 hours battery life with optional 6-cell battery

The WD Scorpio Black family of hard drives is destined for use in OEM notebook systems as well as by users who want to upgrade the speed and performance of their current notebook system. As one of the fastest and most efficient hard drives on the market, WD Scorpio Black drives combine desktop-class 7200 RPM spin speed with a SATA 3 Gb/s interface and 16 MB cache to deliver maximum notebook performance.

“In today’s busy and on-the-go lifestyle, notebook systems play an increasingly pivotal role in the home office and are relied upon to efficiently run sophisticated applications,” said Jim Morris, WD’s vice president and general manager of mobile storage. “High performance, high-capacity hard drives are a key ingredient to notebooks as system manufacturers continue to add data-hungry features that allow users to fully benefit from the latest computing technologies.”

With the introduction of its latest-generation WD Scorpio drives, WD further expands the company’s portfolio of 2.5-inch hard drives and continues to offer mobile computing and portable storage customers the same outstanding quality, reliability and performance that have earned the company a leadership position in the desktop and notebook markets.

WD Scorpio Black Exclusive Features

• IntelliSeek – IntelliSeek technology calculates optimum seek speeds to lower power consumption, noise and vibration.
• SecurePark – WD’s SecurePark technology parks the recording heads off the disk surface during spin up, spin down and when the drive is off. This ensures the recording head never touches the disk surface resulting in improved long term reliability due to less head wear, and improved shock tolerance.
• ShockGuard – WD’s ShockGuard technology protects the drive mechanics and platter surfaces from shocks during shipping and handling and in daily operation.
• Free-fall Sensor – As an added layer of protection, if the drive (or the system it’s in) is dropped while in use, WD’s free-fall sensor detects that the drive is falling and, in less than 200 milliseconds, parks the head off the disks to help prevent damage and data loss.
• WhisperDrive – WD’s exclusive WhisperDrive technology combines state-of-the-art seeking algorithms that result in one of the quietest 2.5-inch drives on the market.

Source: Western Digital

The VIA OpenBook mini-note reference design introduces a host of new innovations, including the next generation of VIA Ultra Mobile Platform, based on the VIA C7-M ULV processor and the new all-in-one VIA VX800 digital media IGP chipset. Together, this ultra compact, power efficient platform delivers richer computing and multimedia features, including a stunning 8.9″ screen and greater video playback support, in a compact and stylish clamshell form factor that weighs just 1kg.

The VIA OpenBook features a flexible internal interface for high-speed broadband wireless connectivity that provides customers with the ability to select from a choice of WiMAX, HSDPA and EV-DO/W-CDMA modules appropriate to their market. In addition, under a unique collaborative approach, the CAD files of the external panels of the reference design are offered for download under a Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 license to give customers such as OEMs, system integrators, and broadband service providers greater freedom in tailoring the look and feel of their device to meet the diverse needs of their target markets.

“The VIA OpenBook builds on the great success of the VIA NanoBook reference design launched last year, which has been widely adopted by numerous customers around the world,” commented Richard Brown, Vice President of Corporate Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Our unique open approach to case design customization and wireless connectivity flexibility, coupled with the higher levels of performance, further extends VIA’s leadership in the global mini-note market.”

“VIA is a forward thinking company that has realized that sharing enables a healthy ecosystem which helps them provide an innovative product which supports their core business,” commented Jon Phillips, Business and Community Manager for Creative Commons. “Making the actual raw CAD files available under a Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 license is a brilliant first step that clearly and legally allows others to emergently build upon VIA’s open innovation.”

The VIA OpenBook Mini-Note Reference Design

Powered by the VIA C7-M ULV processor and the VIA VX800 digital media IGP chipset, the VIA OpenBook mini-note reference design is a small, 1kg, 8.9″ mini-notebook form factor design that supports screen resolutions of up to 1024×600 and high performance VIA Chrome9â„¢ DirectXâ„¢ 9.0 3D graphics. Advanced video acceleration for MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9, VC1 and DiVX video formats, a VMR capable HD video processor and 8-channel HD audio make it a highly media rich mini-notebook platform.

The VIA OpenBook mini-note reference design offers unrivaled broadband connectivity options though two internal modules, with the first one featuring WiFi, Bluetooth, and optional AGPS connections and the second one offering a choice of WiMAX, HSDPA, or EV-DO/W-CDMA options. In addition, the VIA OpenBook also comes with three USB 2.0 ports, a VGA port, and audio-in/audio-out jacks as well as a 4-in-1 card reader (SD/SDIO/MMC/MS) and a 2 mega-pixel dual-headed web camera.

The VIA OpenBook supports a wide range of operating system environments, including Microsoft Windows Vista Basic, Microsoft Windows XP, and various Linux distributions. The device features up to 2GB DDR2 DRAM and can be equipped with a choice of hard disk drive and solid state storage options.

Featuring a 4-cell 2600mA lithium-ion battery, the VIA OpenBook delivers up to three hours of battery life and measures just 240mm(W)x175mm (D) x36.2mm (H).

For more information, file downloads, video and images of the VIA OpenBook mini-note reference design please visit the VIA OpenBook website here: www.viaopenbook.com

Source: VIA

Thanks to competitive performance and enhanced portability of today’s notebooks, opting for a notebook as a serious gaming option has become increasingly the norm; the focus is also shifting in the DIY sector. OCZ has validated a complete range of components to ensure excellent component compatibility and quick and easy configuration the notebook, allowing consumers to configure the DIY gaming notebook in a shorter period of time than it actually takes to construct a regular desktop. Catering to these new demands of enthusiasts and gamers who have found benefits and enjoyment in building personal desktops, the OCZ DIY program is setting out to provide them the advantages of building their own gaming notebooks.

“For years consumers have wanted to build their own mobile computing platforms, but the product offerings and market simply did not serve them as they did in the desktop do it yourself segment,” said Eugene Chang, Product Manager for OCZ System Solutions. “With the OCZ Do-It-Yourself Notebook initiative, OCZ empowers with the resources like validated component guides, documentation, tech support, and a warranty to allow consumers to configure and build a true gaming notebook with the exact specification that matches their unique requirements.”

OCZ intends to offer a true DIY product allowing the individual to garner similar benefits of building a desktop PC:

- Customization – User selects Operating System, CPU, memory, and HDD/SSD of choice

- Value – User can save money by purchasing components individually through sales, bundles, rebates, auctions, trades, etc. Additionally there is no mark-up for labor costs of assembling the notebook

- Craft – User sees the notebook from beginning to end and enjoys building their own notebook, savvy consumers can go one step beyond and personalize the outlook of the unit, creating a truly handcrafted notebook

OCZ’s first DIY notebook solution delivers an optimal balance of gaming performance and portability. Featuring an Intel® Coreâ„¢ 2 Duo platform, the OCZ DIY notebook can accommodate the latest CPU technology including the all-new 45nm processors. In conjunction with this state-of-the art mobile processing power, the 15.4-inch DIY notebooks come equipped with NVIDIA® GeForceâ„¢ 8600M GT high performance graphics to provide a premium mobile gaming experience that lets gamers rip through all of today’s most advanced and graphic-intensive games and applications.

OCZ’s visionary DIY initiative was inspired by enthusiasts, but created for everyone. For support unlike any other DIY mobile solution, OCZ’s program makes it easy and convenient to build your own notebook by detailing validated components, the assembling process, and offering direct online and toll-free support for true peace of mind from beginning to end. The current solution will be just one of many upcoming high performance notebooks which will be released later this year.

For more information on the OCZ DIY Notebook, please visit our product page here.