NetbookShow

MSI is still going stron releasing new netbooks even though they aren’t really upgrading their hardware. The U160DX is being launched in Japan next Friday for 33,600 yen or around $400 USD.

Its running the Intel Atom N455 with 1GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD a 10” Wide WSVGA screen, USB 2.0, WiFi BGN, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a 1.3Mpix Camera in just 1kg. For colours we’ve got a choice of gold brown or black. We do wish that MSI would take the time to upgrade their netbooks, with Cedar Trail coming to market later this year we wonder how they can still be releasing an N455 CPU on a “new” netbook, which is why there are rumors that MSI is going to be acquired by years end.

Acer is reportedly preparing to launch a new 10 inch netbook with support for Intel’s new Atom N455 and N475 processors. The biggest change is that these chips can accept DDR3 memory while all of Acer’s existing netbooks are stuck with plain ole DDR2 RAM.

The folks at Macles note that the upcoming Acer Aspire One 533 also features shiny chromed edges around the touchpad buttons and part of the lid.

DDR3 memory uses a little less power than DDR2 memory, which should help boost battery life a tiny bit. Acer says the Aspire One 533 should be good for up to 10 hours of run time. The netbook features a 10.1 inch display, Intel GMA 3150 graphics, optional Bluetooth 3.0, and either a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 or 1.83GHz Intel Atom N475 processor.

Netbooks with the new Intel Atom N455 processor will hit the market soon, according to specifications of upcoming HP and Toshiba netbook models.

The Atom N455 supports DDR3 memory instead of DDR2 used by the N450. However, both single-core CPUs run at 1.66GHz and have 512KB of L2 cache, as well as the 667MHz front side bus.

The DDR3 compatible chip is spotted in a HP Mini 210 and Toshiba NB305 netbook. The same processor will be used in the Asus Eee PC 1018P, 1016P and 1015P.

According to earlier reports, Intel is also going to release the N475, the N470’s counterpart with DDR3 support.