As is usual in the tech world, the FCC has yet again yielded the details of unreleased and unannounced gadgets. These are one netbook each by LG and Toshiba. As is required of them, both the companies have applied for the FCC’s approval for their latest netbook models. Not all details are available at the moment but it seems like both of them are headed for us in Q1 2010 and perhaps not earlier.
LG currently has its latest XNote series netbook pending approval at the FCC. The name of the model is LGX30 and it retains the slim and svelte look that LG has made the XNote brand to stand for. But look at the specs, it is obvious that LG still remains a vanity product maker when it comes to computers. They are certainly not making devices that perform well and it seems like they are rather fixated on making them look nicer instead.
The LGX30 is Atom-based and hence is already a slow customer. But I cannot understand for the life of me why they are using a Poulsbo (Atom Z series) chip for a netbook that is likely to appear in time for CES 2010. When almost every company is busy putting finishing touches on their Pinetrail netbooks, LG decides that it will use a much older generation Atom to power its latest XNote Netbook. Please note that this is not the same Ion-based LGX30.
This going to be LG’s first 11.6” netbook if this reaches the market. Other than the larger screen, it touts a 1366×768 resolution, GMA 500 graphics, WiFi, 1.3MP webcam and optional Bluetooth and HSPA modem. The touchpad apparently supports multitouch gestures like pinching. It is apparently going to ship with Windows 7, probably the Starter edition.
LG adds a touch of specialty with SSD storage but it is unknown whether SSD will be the only option for storage available during purchase. SSD may be becoming cheaper by the day but it is not all that cheap yet. Hence, netbooks usually come with really small SSDs or with with large SSDs with large price tags. But high prices are as alien to netbook buyers as the notion of locked phones in Australia.
The netbook also has the usual ports – 2 USB 2.0 ports, card reader, VGA output, LAN and audio in outs. Over all, it is a very average offering except the SSD part, which might become optional post the official launch of the device if SSD cost do not come down a lot in early next year. [read]
Next is Toshiba’s latest offering — the NB300. It will probably be an upgrade to the NB200/NB205 models, which are said to be the current Toshiba netbook models that come close to the NB300’s size. The details are extremely scanty on this one but we do know that it will come with onboard 3G thanks to Qualcomm’s Gobi2000 chipset. So we have the chance of seeing this on the rosters of wireless carriers. In fact, things have gotten so bad in the US that it is almost for sure that a device like this will barely sell unlocked and hence needs to be bundled with the carrier’s data plan contracts. So you might end up paying more but you do not have to pay a lot up front.
Although specs are not known for this netbook yet, it is expected to come with the Pinetrail Atom — the Atom N450. So, the launch is also expected to be around Q1 2010. All the netbooks that are passing through the FCC now are targeting January and February. That’s when Pinetrail will be officially announced and the manufacturers can ride the wave of hype generated by the announcements. Till then, these details will have to do. [read]
