Panasonic Updates Toughbook 19 Tablet With New Internals
Subject: Mobile | June 10, 2011 - 04:30 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: Toughbook, tablet, Panasonic, fully-rugged
Panasonic recently announced a series of upgrades to its Toughbook 19 convertible tablet, including new Intel Sandy Bridget processors, increased RAM and hard drive space, and a brighter LCD screen. After being on the market for five years, the Toughbook 19 and its ruggedized chassis is ideal for military usage or anyone needing a portable computer that is likely to be subjected to extreme operating conditions.
As the first time Panasonic has used a standard voltage Intel CPU, the upgraded Toughbook has gained decreased boot-up time and faster overall system performance compared to its predecessors. Despite the standard voltage processor, Panasonic has been able to maintain the computer’s fan-less design which is important for reliability in harsh operating conditions such as when used around water and sand. The new model comes standard with an Intel Core i5 2520M at 2.5GHz, 4GB of RAM (upgradeable to 8GB), either the 32 or 64 bit version of Windows 7 Pro, and either a 320GB 7200 RPM hard drive or a 128GB SSD (upgradeable to 256GB).
Further, an SDXC card reader, ExpressCard slot, Intel WiFi chip supporting 802.11 b/g/n, 3G, GPS, Bluetooth, and optional 4G LTE modem that will be available later this year. Numerous security features and a dual-touch touchscreen (including stylus). The new Toughbook fits into the same chassis as the older models, enabling users to upgrade the device and continue to use it with existing expansion and vehicle docks. The LCD has also receive an upgrade. The 10.1” XGA touchscreen uses Panasonic’s TransreflectivePlus technology, which features and adjustable LED backlight as well as an internal reflective layer that uses reflected sunlight to help illuminate the screen. Panasonic claims that the screen is capable of 6000 nit of brightness.
Panasonic expects that the new Toughbooks will be available in September 2011, and will start at an estimated street price of $3,349 USD from authorized retailers. A standard three-year limited parts and labor warranty. You can read more about the new rugged convertible tablets on Panasonic’s website.
ViewSonic Unveils ViewPad 10Pro, Runs Both Android And Windows 7
Subject: Mobile | May 30, 2011 - 07:39 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: viewsonic, tablet, Android, Windows 7
For those wanting the “best of both worlds” in their tablet, they are in luck. ViewSonic’s newly announced ViewPad 10Pro combines the Android and Windows 7 operating systems into a 10” tablet. Powered by an Intel Z670 Oak Trail processor at 1.5GHz, the 800g tablet is capable of playing 1080p video, and has 32GB of onboard storage to hold all that media. The IO of the tablet includes a 3G and 802.11 b/g/n WiFi radio, bluetooth 2.1, Micro SD card, USB port, charging port, 3.5mm audio jack, and HDMI out.
MSI Gearing Up For Large Computex Release
Subject: General Tech, Systems, Mobile, Shows and Expos | May 12, 2011 - 05:00 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: tablet, notebook, msi, computex
VR-Zone reports that MSI is gearing up for a large Computex showing, and will unveil 5 new mobile products to it's existing platforms.
Among the rumored launches are two tablets and three notebooks. On the tablet side of things, both a Tegra 2 and AMD Brazos powered tablet are in the works. The WindPad 100A will be powered by a Tegra 2 SoC and will run Android 2.3 in lieu of Honeycomb due to rumored hardware compatibilities. The AMD Brazos platform brings AMD's fusion processor and graphics to the mobile space. The WindPad 110W, the follow up to the Intel Atom powered 100W, will utilize the Brazos SoC running Windows 7.
As far as notebooks, the gaming lineup, C series, and X series will all see a refresh. The GT683 will be a 15" gaming notebook. The CX480 will update the C series with a rumored 14" form factor. Finally, MSI's thin and light notebook lineup will receive the X460.
VR-Zone further states that "MSI is also said to be losing interest in netbooks due to declining demand and is refocusing on its notebook products as the company is expecting a 10 to 15 percent growth in notebook shipments this year, not taking tablets into account."
Asus Eee Pad Transformer Shortage Due To High Demand
Subject: Mobile | May 7, 2011 - 08:37 AM | Tim Verry
Tagged: Transformer, tablet, asus
Many people were left without a shiny Asus Eee Pad Transformer upon launch day as Amazon and various online retailers' stocks were voraciously depleted. Even going so far as to being unable to fulfill some pre-orders for customers who wanted both the tablet and keyboard dock.
There have been many theories across the Internet regarding the reason for the tablet's supply shortage, ranging from simple unprecedented consumer demand to more complex component shortage and manufacturing quality control issues. Fortunately, Netbook News was able to get a statement from Asus' Headquarters in Taipei on the exact reason for the Transformer's low stock. They quote ASUSTek's spokesperson David Chang in stating "It really depends on the demand. The current demand surpasses our expectations by far."
The company is currently ramping up production of the hot tablet, and expects 300,000 units to be made available for purchase at the end of June this year. Rumors of component shortages and quality control issues were not confirmed by the spokesperson. The Asus spokesperson did; however, state that "If the demand continues to increase substantially then we will have to continue to ramp up production in order to fulfill our customers’ demand."
As more units start to hit the streets, will you be picking up your Asus Transformer?
Rumor: Amazon Tablet in 2011 looking more likely
Subject: General Tech, Mobile | May 4, 2011 - 02:32 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: tablet, kindle, amazon
Amazon certainly has a knack for causing a ruckus in just about any industry they step into. Their inception placed them in stiff competition with bookstores and mail-order catalogs; since then they have branched out even as far as rental computing and storage, content production and publishing, and consumer electronics.
A recently rumored OEM order to Quanta Computer, already an OEM partner of RIM and Sony, proposes that Amazon is looking to beef up their portfolio to include Tablet PCs.
Could Amazon be Kindling for a much bigger fire?
Was the wait for the PlayBook worth it?
Subject: Mobile | April 19, 2011 - 03:59 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: RIM, blackberry, playbook, tablet
It has been a long wait for the 7.6" by 5.1" BlackBerry PlayBook, smaller than some competitors but also lighter. It fully supports Adobe Flash, another benefit on top of its main competitor but Wired had trouble finding any other benefits. Check out their full review to see what they thought.
"The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is a good-looking piece of hardware.
Like the proto-humans in 2001: A Space Odyssey, you’ll be eager to touch the monolithic object’s black, buttonless visage. But once you do, things get a little more complicated."
Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:
- The BlackBerry PlayBook @ AnandTech
- RIM BlackBerry PlayBook Review @ TechReviewSource
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Review @ Hardware Secrets
- LG Optimus Pad / T-Mobile G-Slate Tablet @ Techapot
- Motorola Atrix hands-on review @ The Inquirer
- Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Smartphone Review @ t-break
- Coolermaster Storm SF-19 @ XSReviews
- Mobile CPU Comparison Guide @ TechARP
- Powermat Wireless Charging Unit & Receiving Unit Review @ eTeknix
- System76 Serval Professional Sandy Bridge @ Phoronix
- HP Pavilion g6x Review @ TechReviewSource
- GIGABYTE T1125N-CF1 11.6-inch Tablet Convertible Notebook @ Tweaktown
- Alienware M11x R3 Gaming Laptop Review @ HardwareHeaven
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