Now this looks real sexy ... an ultrabook powered by a hybrid core processor with x86/ARM support. Nice ... I want one!!

"Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 was introduced in May 2011, and the company now is readying an innovative follow-up: the ThinkPad X1 Hybrid. The 13.3-inch ThinkPad X1 Hybrid is built around Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processor and Windows 7. In addition, the ThinkPad X1 includes Gorilla Glass, Dolby Home Theater v4 audio, HDMI-out, Intel Wireless Display technology, and Rapid Charge technology that allows the notebook to reach an 80 percent charge in a quick 30 minutes.

However, the most interesting part of the laptop comes courtesy of its "Hybrid" nomenclature. The ThinkPad X1 Hybrid includes a secondary Qualcomm dual-core ARM processor and 16GB of flash storage. This Instant Media Mode (IMM) allows a user to enter an Android-based environment for multimedia playback, web browsing, and productivity work (i.e. working on documents and spreadsheets)."

Source: Dailytech

Intel's forthcoming next-gen ATOM processor aka Cedar Trail gets benchmarked by Notebook Live ... take a look at the benchmarks ... oops, they've taken it down due to NDA.

"First though, let’s have a quick look at this new processor. The N2600 is part of Intel’s new line of low-power CPUs, named Cedar Trail, and is built on 32 nm lithography. The official specs for the CPU are not yet available, but we do know that we have a dual-core CPU, with HT, clocked at 1.6 GHz. It includes Intel HD 3600 Integrated graphics running at 400 MHz, Direct X10.1 compatible (based on specs) and it should support only up to 2 GB of DDR3 RAM. As James noted in one of his comments here, it does not offer Flash hardware acceleration support, but it should be able to handle up to 1080P self-stored videos (plus, the little laptop offer an HDMI port, which supports this assumption)."

Source: Notebooklive

Press Release: RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – December 6, 2011: Lenovo announced today the ThinkPad X130e laptop, specially ruggedized for education and with the features needed to help students in grades K-12 and their schools get the most out of their PC technology. Equipped with the advanced technology expected for an educational laptop, the ThinkPad X130e comes with choices of the latest Intel or AMD processors and fast, integrated graphics as well as wireless connectivity and multimedia tools for today's digital learning. Designed to be handled by kids, the ThinkPad X130e has a reinforced and extra durable top cover, keyboard and hinges. Schools will also like its performance, reliability and customizable options including asset tags, BIOS modifications, custom imaging and a broad selection of custom colors.

"Toshiba's Portege Z830 is cheaper, lighter, and better equipped than Apple's 13" MacBook Air. Manufacturers are still trying to work out final details on pricing for Intel-based Ultrabooks, but the devices are on the way. For those that like the form-factor and weight on Apple's highly popular MacBook Air range, but can't be bothered with Apple’s pricing or OS X, Toshiba is serving up a fine alternative with the Portege Z830. 

Toshiba has worked some serious magic on the Portege Z830 as it manages to incorporate a 13.3" display (1366x768) and second generation Intel Core processors into a frame weighing in at under 2.5 pounds. Part of the low weight can be attributed to the Portege Z830's magnesium alloy body.

Although Toshiba won't tell us how fast the processors are in the Portege Z830, the specs are quite amazing. It will come with a 128GB SSD, backlit and spill-resistant keyboard, two USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, GbE port, Secure Digital reader, HDMI-out, and stereo speakers."

Source: Dailytech

"While the specs of the VAIO Z are quite commendable for a notebook in its size class, its most distinguishing feature has to be its proprietary Lightpeak port that enables it to pair up with a Power Media Dock (external GPU + optical drive).

Today, Sony has finally let us know how much of a dent the VAIO Z will put in our wallets. The VAIO Z will have a starting price of a whopping $1,969 in the U.S. (you can pre-order the VAIO Z right now at Sony's online store).

That base price will get you an Intel Core i5-2410M processor (2.3GHz/2.9GHz Turbo Boost), 4GB of DDR3 memory, 128GB SSD (64GB x 2 in RAID-0), 13.1" LED-backlit display (1600x900), Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) and the lowest end Power Media Dock (AMD Radeon HD 6650M + CD/DVD burner)."

Source: Dailytech

I want one! ... Imagine a super thin Windows PC that beat the cr@p out of the Macbook Air ... I'm 100% for it!

"Intel has released new low-voltage versions of its second-generation Core processors designed to power a new class of so-called Ultrabooks. The first Ultrabooks, from companies such as Asus, Lenovo and LG Electronics, promise to combine the performance of full-fledged Sandy Bridge systems with the portability and long battery life of ultra-thin laptops and netbooks.

The key difference between these new chips and the existing Sandy Bridge processors is that they run at slower frequencies (though they can reach much faster speeds with Turbo Boost) and have a power rating of 17 watts, compared with 35 watts for the standard Sandy Bridge processors. The three new processors–all dual-cores with the same on-die graphics–include the 1.7GHz Core i5-2557M, 1.7GHz Core i7-2637M and 1.8GHz Core i7-2677M. The Core i7 versions have a larger L3 cache and faster Turbo modes."

Source: ZDNet

Now that's a lot of laptops ... I think Acer are probably one of the most underrated laptop manufacturers in the world. Come on people, give these guys some credit. Three million notebooks for June is quite a landmark!

"Acer's notebook shipments in the retail channel are expected to surpass three million units in June and if the company's upstream partners such as Compal Electronics, Wistron and Quanta Computer all see increased shipments in the month, it will indicate that Acer has achieved a great advance in digesting its inventory and should return to its normal operation in near future, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

Acer only shipped about 1.6-1.8 million notebooks to the retail channel in April and the volume increased close to 60% on month in May; however, notebook shipments of Acer's upstream partners did not enjoy the same amount of growth in May, especially Compal, which only shipped 3.6-3.7 million notebooks including tablet PCs in both April and May. Compal even saw s shipment drop on month in May, indicating that Acer was still working of digesting its inventory."

Source: Digitimes

Sales of gaming notebooks are on the increase ... MSI have always been one of only a few manufacturers to cater for this niche market. Alienware ... watch out! MSI are right on your backside ;)

"At Computex 2011 this week, NVIDIA unveiled a new mobile GPU called the GTX 560M as the high-end mobile GPU for gamers. MSI is one of the GTX 560M GPU launch partners and has unveiled a new gaming notebook that uses the GPU.

According to AnandTech, the core clock for the GTX 560M is 775MHz (shader clock is 1550MHz) while the GDDR5 memory is running at 2.5GHz.

The notebook is the MSI GT683R and it has some nice tech inside. It has the GTX 560M GPU paired with 1.5GB of VRAM. It also runs an Intel Core i7-2630QM CPU and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for the OS. The notebook has a 15.6-inch screen with a 1080p HD resolution."

Source: Dailytech