NetbookShow

Every manufacturer has come out with a variation of an existing netbook with an AMD processor rather then an Intel Atom. ASUS 1215B is a variation of the 1215 series that usually sports Nvidia Ion 2 for graphics but now has the 1.6GHz AMD E-350 dul core processor and AMD Radeon graphics.

The notebook will be available with 2GB to 4GB of RAM, 250GB to 320GB of hard drive space, and a 6 cell battery. It runs Windows 7 and features 802.11b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 3.0. Like the rest of the 1215 series it will weighs about 3.2 pounds. It will also come in the same colours we expect from the existing line in black, silver, or red.

Like other Asus notebooks, the demo model featured a number of Asus apps including the Super Hybrid Engine for underclocking and overclocking the processor. I’ll be interested in seeing how well this works with the new AMD E-350 chip.

The HP Mini 5103  may seem like the netbook that has it all — an all-metal case, 7200RPM hard drive, optional HD and touchscreen displays, an optional dual core CPU, hard drive sensor to prevent damage, and even a battery indicator built right into the battery. But you know what it doesn’t have? NVIDIA ION graphics.

Fortunately there’s always a Chinese knockoff artist willing to step up to the plate. The folks at Shanzhaiben have found a notebook that copies the basic design of the HP Mini 5103, but which replaces the Atom N455/N550 processor with a dual core 1.83GHz Intel Atom D525 chip. The knockoff also has an NVIDIA ION graphics processor. Oh yeah, it also has a DVD-RW drive.

If you’re wondering how the manufacturer made room for a disc drive — something that very few netbooks have, there’s an easy answer — this notebook may have netbook-like components, but it’s much larger than a typical netbook. I’m having a hard time getting all the details through Google Translate, but it looks like it has either an 11.6 inch, or a 14 inch display.

The notebook also has VGA and HDMI ports, a 1366 x 768 pixel display, and the usual array of USB ports and mic and headphone jacks.

Thanks to the larger display, it might be more fair to say that the notebook is an HP Elitebook knockoff rather than an HP Mini 5103, but design-wise, it really does seem to take most of its cues from the HP Mini 510x series.

The Asus Eee PC 1015PN is a 10 inch netbook with a dual core Intel Atom N550 processor and second generation NVIDIA ION graphics. A few weeks ago Asus told me it would go on sale in October, and right on cue, the folks at ExcaliberPC have put up product pages for the laptop. You can pre-order the Eee PC 1015PN for $429 in black, white, blue, or red colors.

Asus has also listed the complete specs for the netbook, including:

• 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core CPU
• NVIDIA ION N11M-PT1 graphics with 512MB RAM
• 1GB DDR3 RAM
• 250GB hard drive
• 802.11b/g/n WiFi
• Bluetooth 3.0
• VGA, HDMI, 3 USB ports, mic and headphone jacks, and an SDHC card reader
• 0.3MP camera
• 6 cell Li-ion battery (48Whr or 56Whr)
• Windows 7 Starter or Windows 7 Home Premium
• 10.3″ x 7″ x 1.4″
• 2.75 pounds

The model available for pre-order from ExcaliberPC comes with Windows 7 Starter. Interestingly, the retailer says the laptop also has a 1366 x 768 pixel HD display, which is in keeping with what Asus told me last month. But the Asus product page says the Eee PC 1015PN has a 1024 x 600 pixel screen.

Asus plans to introduce its first 10 inch netbook with NVIDIA ION graphics in October. The company is still putting the finishing touches on the US model of this laptop, but I’ve been told that it will come with either a 1.83GHz Intel Atom N475 single core processor or a 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core chip.

Physically, the laptop will look virtually identical to the Eee PC 1015PED and 1015PEM, with the same chiclet-style keyboard and matte touchpad finish. But the Eee PC 1015PN will have a high resolution, 1366 x 768 pixel display, something that’s only available on one other 10 inch Asus netbook — the Eee PC 1005PR which has a Broadcom Crystal HD video accelerator. The Eee PC 1015PN will also come with Windows 7 Home Premium instead of Windows 7 Starter.

NVIDIA offers two versions of its latest generation NVIDIA ION chip – one for nettops and laptops with 11.6 inch or larger displays, and a lower power version for 10 inch and smaller devices. The Eee PC 1015PN will ship with the lower power version which should still have enough juice to pump out 1080p HD video without breaking a sweat, but we probably shouldn’t expect the same kind of graphics performance we’ve seen from larger laptops with the latest NVIDIA ION chips.

Final pricing hasn’t been set yet, but I’d be surprised if the Eee PC 1015PN sold for less than $400. The netbook is already available for pre-order in France, where it sells for 399 Euros.

While we’re all still waiting for the ASUS Eee PC 1201HA to go official outside of Europe, Blogeee.net has gotten word that the yet to be officially announced ION powered ASUS Eee PC 1201N will be arriving in France in December intended just in time for landing under the Christmas tree. They’ve somehow gotten a hold of some promo material showing the specs for the 1201N, though it hasn’t been announced yet.

Lenovo Japan is releasing the NVidia ION powered 12.1” Lenovo S12 netbook on the 22nd October, the day Windows 7 launches. It will cost 68,800 yen ($757). The US release should be up shortly, once Lenovo announces it’s Windows 7 lineup, if earlier news is correct which was that the ION version of the S12 would ship at the end of October and retail for $550.

This Lenovo S12 features an Atom N270 processor, NVidia ION (GeForce 9400M), 12.1” 1280 x 800 display, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 1.3MP Webcam. Runs Windows 7 Home Premium.

Ports: 4-in-1 card reader, 3x USB, VGA, HDMI, audio jacks. Has a 6-cell battery good for up to 6 hours. Weighs 1.55kg / 3.4 pounds. Only available in white.