Zonbu, a California based company would launch their so called “eco friendly laptop”. This laptop would have 15.4” wide screen, 1.5 GHz C7-M energy saving processor, 512 MB RAM, DVD-Rom/CD-RW, built in speaker and microphone, Ethernet, WiFi, 60 GB HDD and unique data storage and warranty service.
Zonbu laptop would come loaded with an operating system manufactured by Everex, firewall and virus protection and some 20 other open-source applications. Company would provide free automatic updates to all of its software.
The unique data storage this company is offering is one of a kind as Zonbu would provide its users automatic backup facility by which they would be able to store their data on an online website which they can access from Zonbu or any other computer. Company also claims that in an event of any hardware failure they would replace the laptop for free of cost and would also send a replacement laptop the next working day when complaint is filed with the company.
All these great services would be offered under various plans. Under no commitment plan one would have to make a down payment of $479 and then $14.95 per month. Under one year commitment plan down payment would be of $379 and under two year commitment plan down payment would be $279.
This laptop has been called eco friendly laptop because it consumes way less electricity then any other laptops consumes and some also say that it consumes far less energy then a normal light bulb consumes and as of this fact this laptop also reduces CO2 emission. Company also claims that this laptop can be fully recycled which also helps in reducing the increasing E-waste which is becoming a global concern.
Some critics say that they are offering ‘too good to be true’ services and also asks company to prove that how would they assure their customers that no one would access their data which they would host on company servers which is a part of the service they are offering. This still remains an unanswered question.
In 2008, Laptops sales are expected to cross desktops sales. As in previous year 2007, laptop sales increased by 21 percent to total of 31.6 million units as compared to desktops sales which decreased by 4 percent to a total of 35 million units.
Many industry analysts are expecting that laptops sales will exceed desktop sales for the first time in history this year. IDC also expects that by 2011, laptops would represent 66 percent of corporate purchases. Also in a recent survey it was shown that 71 percent people prefer laptops then desktops.
Laptops sales are rising with increase in demand for portable devices by people from different industries and major contributor to this rise are corporate and educational industry. Some other factors which contribute to the rising sales are falling prices and technology improvement which makes laptops more preferable then desktops. Many educational institutions are also forcing its students to buy laptops no matter they need them or not.
Laptops sales have already got a major boost from “One Laptop per child” project which were mainly made for children. Company companies like Zonbu and Everest are also manufacturing low-priced laptops which can be used by professionals and business mans which would further contribute to laptops sales this year.
Via Technologies, leading low-cost laptops processors manufacturer have started shipping samples of its new processor “Isaiah” to all low-cost laptop manufacturers. Isaiah is said to be the fastest processor in the low-cost category and is expected to be launched in May or June.
Isaiah has been designed by Centaur Technology, a subsidiary of Via Technologies and will be manufactured by Fujitsu. Via technology claims that “Isaiah” is three to four times better in terms of performance as compared to any other processor in this category.
Intel, another processor giant manufacturer announced that it will also enter in the low-cost processor market very soon with its new series of processor known as “Atom”. Silverthorne” is the first processor that Intel will launch in this segment which will mark their entrance.
Intel has already tied up with a large number of low-cost laptop manufacturers. It is expected that Intel will surely give Via Technologies a tough time ahead but high officials of Via Technology are not worried about Intel entrance and say that Intel does not know much about low-cost segment and it will be hard for them to survive in this field for a long time.
Via Technology are also developing a dual core version of Isaiah, details of which will be released in coming months.
Panasonic has launched three more “rugged” models to their present 7 series toughbook notebooks. The models launched are Toughbook W7, Toughbook T7, Toughbook Y7 which are drop-proof, spill-proof and shock proof.
New toughbook models offer bonus durability without a high price tag as they comes with magnesium alloy chassis, shock mounted hard drives and LCDs. Panasonic engineers teamed up with Intel to create “Dynamic Power Performance Management Technology” in which CPU continually tune itself as per system load. These new models also have new Hybrid Cooling System which enables users to manage the fan speed based on the environment they are working in.
Toughbook W7 weighs just 3 pounds and comes with 12.2 inch anti-glare LCD, DVD drive, ultra-low voltage Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 1 GB SDRAM. It has a battery backup of approximately 7 hours which is really good for a notebook of this size. This notebook will cost $ 2,099.
The Toughbook T7 is a lightweight tablet which has a touch screen, ultra0low voltage Intel Core 2 duo Processor, 80 GB hard drive, 1 GB SD RAM and battery backup of 9 hours. This notebook will cost $ 2,099.
The Toughbook Y7 is the world’s lightest laptop which comes with 14.1 inch screen, ultra-low voltage Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1 GB SD RAM, 80 GB hard drive and a battery backup of 5 hours. This laptop will cost $2,499.
GETAC’s launched four ruggedized notebook-tablet models namely V100, M230, P470 and W130 which are water-proof, drop-proof and shock-proof and can be used in harsh environmental conditions such as wet, dusty, vibrating, extreme hot or extreme cold.
The tablet, V100 comes with 10.4 XGA LCD screen that rotates by 180 degree, Intel Yonah U2500 Core Duo ULV 1.2GHz processor, 512 MB RAM (expandable upto 2 GB), 120 GB removable HDD, Bluetooth, waterproof camera and unique fan-less design. The 10.4 inch screen can be upgraded to 12.2 inch WXGA screen, as well as optional integrated GPs, 3G and 802.11a/b/g which enable users to have wireless connectivity. 4.9 pound,, water resistant magnesium alloy case.
The M230 fully rugged notebook comes with 14 inch XGA screen, Intel Centrino Core Duo L2400 1.66 GHz processor, 2MB L2 cache and 512MB DDR2 RAM (expandable to 4GB). It also includes optional touch screen, TPM 1.2 and Kensington lock, GPS receiver and a smart card reader.
The P470 comes with 14.4 inch XGA widescreen, Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo T7400 2.16Ghz processor with 4MB L2 cache and 1GB DDR2 (expandable to 4GB) and shock-mounted 120 GB removable HDD. Security features include TPM 1.2, Kensington lock and fingerprint scanner with optional WWAN, WLAN and Bluetooth.
W130 comes with Intel Dothan 1.6 GHz processor, optional touch and sunlight readable screen and WWAN.
All of the above mentioned notebook-tablet are complaint with MIL-STD 810F and IP51 standards and are presently available through GETAC authorized resellers.
Fujitsu Siemens Lifebook S6410 is the first notebook which offers 10 hours battery life which means you don’t have to worry about recharging it when on move. It also comes with a special EcoButton which reduces the processor clock rate, display brightness and power down other laptop components that also saves a lot of energy which enable it to deliver 10 hours run time without a recharge.
Lifebook S6410 weighs just 1.7 Kg and comes with 13.3 inch widescreen, Intel Core 2 Duo processor, WLAN, Bluetooth, Intel X3100 graphic chipset, small ConfCamera, strong magnesium chassis, UMTS/HSUPA module which offers download speed upto 7.2 mbps and upload speed upto 1.4 mbps and spill proof keyword. It also have Intel turbo Memory technology which load programs faster as hard drive is accessed less frequently.
Lifebook is a part of Fujitsu Siemens computers long-term strategy who aims to make environmental sustainable PC’s and servers. Many years ago, Fujitsu Siemens Esprimo became the first PC to get “Blue Angel” environmental certification which is really tough to get. Recently, Blue Angel criteria were adjusted, making requirements tougher in terms of electric consumption, noise levels, eco friendly and recyclable materials.
After solar lamps, solar water heaters, and even solar cars and now is the time for solar laptops. Yes, you heard it right, it is indeed solar powered laptop. It is designed by a designer named, Nikola Knezevic, who might have got inspired from many such solar products described above to develop this solar laptop.
This solar laptops have got a solar panel on top half of it which is actually a foldable panel which can be opened up when there is sunlight to get it more charged when you are using it outside. It can be used to charge when you are not using it and while closed so as to you get maximum battery power whenever you want it and don’t have to depend on electricity to recharge it at all.
This is indeed a great way to protect your environment. This solar laptop has its own advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that it is much more cheaper than the regular laptops and even after the purchase the usage charges in terms of electricity is much lesser than that of the regular laptops. You don’t always have to depend on electricity for charging every time and can be used even during power failure. And above all it is environmental friendly which is the need of the hour at this very moment. With everyone talking about global warming, every one who is responsible should be taking such steps to protect our own earth for our future generation.
The disadvantages would come in terms of looks and the way we use it. It may look odd or embarrassing at times when you had to open up that solar panel in public places to get it charged while you are working. But considering you are doing a great cause for the mother earth, that could be nothing and can be ignored.
Overall, such laptops should be welcomed with both hands and be used by all, there are no two words about it.
Axiotron has launched two ModBook models which are modified version of Apple MacBook. ModBook has a revolutionary slate-style design which allows its users to draw and sketch directly on the screen. It is the only Mac-based tablet which comes with pre-installed Mac X Leopard Operating System.
Both the Axiotron ModBook’s are made with aircraft quality magnesium alloy which gives it superior structural strength. Unlike most other notebooks, ModBook has three layers of metal plating - nickel over copper and topped with chrome which provide it extra strength and scratch proof surface.
Axiotron ModBook include 13.3 inch TFT widescreen, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.1 GHz processor, 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM (expandable upto 4 GB), Intel GMA X3100 graphic chipset, 120 GB hard drive, 24x CD/DVD combo drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, 2 USB ports, Ethernet, GPS, FireWire and built in camera.
The other ModBook model has slight difference in configuration as it include Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz processor, 2 GB SD RAM (expandable upto 4 GB), 160 GB hard drive and Dual Layer DVD burner. All other configuration is the same as the first one.
ModBook is presently available only in United States and Canada with a maximum retail price of $ 2,290.
At Macworld conference & Expo in San Francisco, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs revealed the world’s slimmest notebook named Apple MacBook Air which weighs 1.36kg and is just 1.9 cm thick.
This notebook has standard 80 GB hard disk drive, 13.3 inch screen, 2 GB Ram but it does not have any CD or DVD drive. To use CD or DVD one needs to access it from another computer using its wireless connection capability. There is also an upgrade option of 64 GB solid flash-based drive instead of standard 80 GB hard disk drive.
MacBook Air is powered by one of the fastest Intel dual-core processors. Intel had to reduce the size of its processor by more then 60 percent which according to Intel chief executive Paul Otellini looked impossible in the beginning but still they managed to make this possible.
According to Jobs, MacBook Air features are inspired from Apple iPod and iPhone as this notebook uses a compact hard disk drive which is used in iPods and also it has a large multi-touch track pad that is presently used in iPhones.
Expected retail price of this master piece is $2,500 which would surely slim down one’s pocket.