HP announces dual-core Netbook and 3D laptop
While 3D laptops appeal mainly to early adopters, having one in the product lineup is a great way to show that the brand is still on the forefront of innovation. The HP Envy series targets the high-end entertainment crowd, so it's no surprise the company's first portable with a stereoscopic display should turn up in the Envy 17 3D desktop replacement. There are almost no specification details available at this time, save for the fact that the machine uses active shutter (as opposed to polarized) glasses technology. The Envy 17 3D will retail from under US$2,000 from November 2010 in Asia.
Intel's new N550 dual-core Atom chip has turned up in the business-focused Mini 5103 and consumer-grade Mini 210. However, only the latter Netbook has a confirmed date for Asia. We'll have to get back to you on whether the dual-core processor and faster DDR3 platform really makes a difference, but we can take an educated guess that multitasking, at least, should get a significant performance boost. The dual-core Mini 210 will sell for US$349 in Asia come September 2010.
The HP Envy 14 has also been given a new look. Instead of a silver chassis, the latest HP Envy 14 Beats Edition sports a matte black exterior and Beats Audio logo. There are no changes internally as the Beats Editon retains the Core-i processor and switchable ATI Mobility Radeon graphics of its predecessor. The eight-cell battery should give this notebook a pretty good battery life. The Envy 14 Beats Edition will be available in Asia from September at a starting price of US$1,249.99. The normal silver version of the Envy 14 will still continue to be in retail stores next to the Beats Edition.
While the new HP G series may not be as attention-grabbing as a 3D laptop or dual-core Netbook, its starting price of US$649 is sure to hit the right notes with Asian bargain hunters when it arrives in September. Both the 14-inch G42 and 15.6-inch G62 are style-focused. Using HP's Imprint technology, the chassis is textured and comes with a flush touchpad. The overall look is reminiscent of the Apple MacBook Pro. Color options include black, red and biscotti. A blue variant is available only in India.
Featured products
| Model name | In a nutshell |
HP Envy 17 3D |
Wow factor: Little is known about this laptop, save that it uses an active shutter 3D display.
Availability: November 2010 Price: Starts from under US$2,000 |
Wow factor: The first HP Netbook with Intel's latest N550 dual-core Atom processor.
Availability: September 2010 Price: US$349 |
|
Wow factor: A high-end entertainment thin-and-light with superior audio quality and switchable graphics.
Availability: September 2010 Price: Starts at US$1,249.99 |
|
Wow factor: An entry-level laptop range with a striking design, basic entertainment features and optional discrete graphics.
Availability: September 2010 Price: Starts at US$649 |
About the author
Tracking laptop and PC trends since 2005, Darius Chang may have been knee deep in bits and bytes but is certainly not a binary person. Under that big and soft exterior holds a marshmallow core which dotes on his god-daughters and nephew. Suspected of ADD, his interests span disparate fields such as sustainability studies, diving, sports, politics, etc. A true jack of all trades, but master of one (maybe two).
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