Pocketable Sony Vaio P?

The new Sony Vaio P really looks attractive, but Sony really needs to learn that you have to be careful with what you try to say in the ads these days.

That's because Sony has recently shown its Vaio P to fit in a pocket:

Something that Japanese users don't quite agree on, and quickly made their own campaign:

 

Which quickly led to things like this:

:)

Kohijinsha UMPC with integrated DVD Burner

If you've always put off the idea of owning an UMPC because you didn't want to carry an external USB DVD drive around, well... this Kohijinsha SR8KPO6S will be just the thing you've ever wanted.

Don't ask me how, but they were able to fit a DVD burner in there, keeping the same Kohijinsha form factor os their previous models.

So, if you didn't buy an Eee PC because of the lack of dvd drive, here's your nen "I want one of those" gadget.

Now, we just need to find out how much it will cost.

via [Gizmodo]

MSI Wind Hopes to Blow Eee PC Away

After Asus hitting the jackpot with the Eee PC, everyone else is racing to launch similar models.

MSI Wind is no exception, and it comes packed with a nice set of features:

• 10-inch display
• Intel Shelton'08 platform
• CPUs 1.0GHz - 1.6GHz
• 2.5-inch HDD or SSD
• 1GB RAM
• 7h battery life - allegedly

However, the Asus Eee PC is not standing still, with new models announced with up to 20GB SSD flash disk space, and the new Intel Diamondville/Atom pltaform to be introduced in May, and possibly WiMax/HSPDA options before the end of the year.

Eee PC Torture Test

If you think the small Asus Eee PC is a fragile device, you might want to check out this torture test video. One user decided to test how the Eee PC behaved under some extreme conditions. Stay tuned and check this video:

Torture Testing (shock, hot, cold) the Asus Eee PC
by ray2fr

[video]

Eee PC with larger LCDs [Pics]

And here it is: the first photos of the Eee PCs with larger LCDs.



We can see the original Eee PC on the left, with its 7" LCD screen. The 8" model is on the right, using the exact same case.

There are no images of the 8.9" model - but it's theoretically possible to use the 8.9" LCD on the original Eee PC case.

Even stranger, the 8" model has the exact same resolution of the 7" screen (800x480) meaning...



Slightly bigger screen, no extra desktop real estate that is so desperately needed in a screen with only 480 pixels of vertical resolution.
I realize this suits Asus - it can use the same interface they developed for the original Eee without modification, and the extra cost will be negligible. I expect they'll soon phase out the 7" Eee PC and release this 8" version.



On the other hand, the 8.9" LCD appears to have higher resolution, but there are no details about it. As I previously reported, there are LCD manufacturers offering these LCDs with 1280x800 resolution - and that would be excellent. But how much would Asus ask for that enhancement? That's yet to be announced.

I still hope they'll be able to somehow fit a higher resolution 8.9" LCD in the original form factor, that will make the Eee PC appealing to a much larger audience.

via [Eeepcnews]

It's Official: Eee PC will get Bigger LCDs

It's official, from no choice at all, we'll soon have a lot more screen sizes to choose from. Asus has confirmed that there will be 3 LCD sizes for the Eee PC: 7" (current size) 8", and 8.9" - at last!
We'll have to wait and see if they'll keep its "tiny" size - hope so! - or if they'll ruin it by enlarging its case.



Let's hope they don't inflate the prices insanely; it was shown that the 8.9" LCD added just $15 to $20 to its manufacturing cost - Asus should keep that in mind.

Nice to hear about the WiMax option - though it will depend on you area (in here, there's no WiMax nor is it expected any time soon.)
Let's also hope that the worldwide availability at launch works better than it did with the Eee PC, which has yet to reach a lot of European countries.

via [Engadget]

Eee PC gets WiMAX and Bigger LCD with 1280x768?

The rumors about the Asus Eee PC keep going strong, but this time some info comes from Asus itself.

Join ASUS, Intel and Sprint to learn about the state of WiMAX technology, preview next-generation mobile solutions (including the next generation EeePC) and immerse yourself in tomorrow’s wireless protocol.

So, a WiMAX enabled Eee PC is almost certain - and I'm sure thousands of users will gladly take it.

As for the bigger LCD - since it's the thing I've been "complaining" about since I first reviewed it - according to China Times:

Asustek also Eee PC, the new specifications will be listed in addition to the screen some of the current seven inches, will join the 8.9-inch screen.
(...) understood that Eee PC 7-inch panel prices about 40 US dollars, 8.9-inch panel prices about 55 to 60 US dollars to Eee PC

As you can read for yourself, 15 or 20 USD... that's all it takes to have a bigger 8.9" LCD screen (hopefully 1280x600 or 1280x720) - I just can't understand why they didn't select it right from the start..

We'll have to wait until Jan 7th to see if the WiMAX Eee PC will have this new 8.9" LCD - I hope it does; but considering the success they've been having with the current model, I wouldn't be surprised if they delayed this new model for as long as possible.

Edit: I've been digging around to find which 8.9" LCD they could use, and I found these 8.9" 1280x768. Wouldn't that be just perfect? :)

Eee PC gets Official Acessories

Asus has just revealed its line of Eee PC official accessories.

This what you'll be getting:

• a mini mouse
• headphones
• a travel charger
  
• and - perhaps more interesting - a 6 cell 7800 mAh battery that extends its autonomy to over 5h.
  

Official link [Asus]

Asus R50A - R2's Next Generation

For those who think an Eee PC isn't small enough, Asus is already preparing R2's successor.



According to Asus,

The R50A is the first UMPC that reaches the full potential of the platform. Only with the R50A do users get GPS, a webcam, 3G/ 3.5G connectivity, and full notebook functionality, making the R50A the one indispensable gadget for everyone.

Some reports indicate it will have an advanced pen/stylys with erase capability as well as left/right mouse button clicking.
As expected, inking has not been forgotten either:

With ASUS InfoPen software, users can record and edit on the R50A’s 1024 x 600 screen as easily as they could on a piece of paper

Specifications are expected to be:

• Menlow based ( 900Mhz Intel )
• 4.8″ 1024 x 600 touch screen
• Wifi, BT, 3G e 3,5G
• TV tuner
  
• GPS
• Fingerprint reader
  
• Webcam
• Speakers/Mic
• Mouse pointer and d-pad
• 160 mm x 85 mm x 20 mm
• No Keyboard
  

via [Aberto Até de Madrugada]

With all the previous experience Asus had with the R2 series, one would expect this to become one of the best UMPCs of all times.
(Don't forget Apple has chosen Asus for manufacturing their future Tablet PC, the iPad! :)