MSI also announced a new gaming laptop, the GX403 with a 14.1-inch screen with a resolution of 1280 x 800, boasting Intel Core 2 Duo processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M graphics card with 512MB of memory, 4GB RAM, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 4-in-1 card reader, HDMI and eSATA ports an an optional Blu-ray drive. No word on the pricing and availability as of now.

Timeline promises a battery life of more than 8hours. When in need for performance. there is this PowerSmart button that lets the laptop to use power intelligently and unleash full performance. Features include 16:9 aspect ratio, high-definition LED backlit display, HDMI port, Integrated Acer Crystal Eye webcam, Dolby sound room for 5.1 channel simulation from the stereo speakers or headphones. Connectivity options include 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N wireless, 3G WWAN and Mobile WiMAX.

All this for just $699 to $899, which is extremely cheap considering the configuration.

Specifications;

Processor and chipset    Intel® Centrino® 2 / Centrino® processor technology
- Intel® Core™2 Duo ultra low voltage processor SU9400 or  Intel® Core™2 Solo ultra low voltage processor SU3500
- Mobile Intel® GS45 Express Chipset
- Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5100 (dual-band quad-mode 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N) Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® network connection, or
- Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5150 Wi-Fi®/WiMAX™ dual-mode module,
Operating system    Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
Memory    Dual-channel DDR3 SDRAM support, Up to 4 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, upgradeable to 8 GB using two soDIMM modules (requires 64 bit Operating System)
HDD    hard disk drive up to 320GB
Storage    160/250/320/500 GB or larger hard disk drive or 80 GB SSD drive, 5-in-1 card reader, supporting Secure Digital™ (SD) Card, MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick™ (MS), Memory Stick PRO™ (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card™ (xD)
Optical Media driver    8X DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive (except model 3810T)
Display    -15.6" HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness (200-nit) Acer CineCrystal™ LED-backlit TFT LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, Super-slim design (model 5810T)
-14" HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness (200-nit) Acer CineCrystal™ LED-backlit TFT LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, Super-slim design (model 4810T)
- 13.3" HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness (200-nit) Acer CineCrystal™ LED-backlit TFT LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, Super-slim design (model 3810T)
Graphics    Mobile Intel® GS45 Express Chipset with integrated 3D graphics, featuring Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (Intel® GMA 4500MHD) with up to 1759 MB of Intel® Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0 (64 MB of dedicated video memory, Microsoft® DirectX® 10
Audio    Optimized 2nd Generation Dolby Sound Room® audio enhancement, featuring Dolby® Headphone, Dolby® Natural Bass and Dolby® Sound Space Expander, S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) support for digital speakers, MS-Sound compatible, built-in microphone
Communication  

- Acer Video Conference: Integrated Acer Crystal Eye webcam supporting
enhanced Acer PrimaLite™ technology
- WLAN: Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5100 (dual-band quad-mode 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N) Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® network connection, featuring MIMO technology, supporting Acer SignalUp™ with Nplify™ wireless technology or
- Wi-Fi®/WiMAX™* Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5150 Wi-Fi®/WiMAX™ dual-mode module, supporting Acer SignalUp™ with Nplify™ wireless technology * depending on network availability
- WWAN GTM382E module: UMTS/HSPA at 900 MHz/2100 MHz and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) upgradeable to 7.2 Mbps HSDPA and 5.7 Mbps HSUPA (for 3G models)
- WPAN: Bluetooth® 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) – on selected models - 
- LAN: Gigabit Ethernet, Wake-on-LAN ready
I/O ports    5-in-1 card reader (SD™, MMC, MS, MS PRO, xD), Three (Four on AS5810T) USB 2.0 ports, HDMI™ port with HDCP support, External display (VGA) port, Headphone/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support, Microphone-in jack
Security    BIOS user, supervisor, HDD passwords, Kensington lock slot
Power    ACPI 3.0 CPU power management standard: supports Standby and Hibernation power-saving modes, 62.16 W 5600 mAh 6-cell Li-ion battery pack: Acer PowerSmart 3-pin 65 W AC adapter, ENERGY STAR® 5.0
Special keys and controls    103-/104-/107-key keyboard, with inverted "T" cursor layout (model 5810T) – 86-/87-/91-key keyboard,, with inverted "T" cursor layout (model 3810T & 4810T), Multi-gesture touchpad pointing device supporting: 
- Circular-motion scrolling
- Pinch-action zoom
- Page flip
10 function keys, four cursor keys, two Windows® keys, hotkey controls, independent standard numeric keypad (only on AS5810T) , international language support Acer PowerSmart key, Easy-launch keys: Acer Backup, Communication®, touchpad lock, Media control keys (printed on keyboard): play/pause, stop, previous, next
Dimensions and weight    – 322 (W) x 228 (D) x 23.4/28.9 (H) mm – 1.6 kg ( 3.5 lbs.) with 6-cell battery pack (model 3810T)
- 338.4 (W) x 240 (D) x 24/28.9 (H) mm – 1.9 kg ( 4.2 lbs.) with 6-cell battery pack (model 4810T)
- 378 (W) x 259 (D) x 24.8/29.7 (H) mm – 2.4 kg ( 5.3 lbs.) with 6-cell battery pack (model 5810T)
Software    Acer Crystal Eye, Acer GridVista™, Acer GameZone, Acer Game Console, Acer Backup Manager, Acer PowerSmart Manager, Acer eRecovery Management, Adobe® Reader®, Adobe Flash Player, Google Toolbar, Google Desktop, Cyberlink® Power DVD, CyberLink® PowerDirector® trial version, McAfee® Internet Security Suite, NTI Media Maker™, Microsoft® Works 9.0 with Office Home and Student 2007 SP1 Trial, Acer 3G Connection Manager (for 3G SKU only)
Optional items    1 GB / 2 GB DDR3 1066 MHz soDIMM module, 6-cell Li-ion battery pack, Acer PowerSmart 3-pin 65 W AC adapter, External USB floppy disk drive, External USB 56K modem
Warranty    1* Year Carry In (International travellers warranty – ITW)

The basic configuration of 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo U9300, 2GB RAM, integrated Intel X4500 graphics, and a 128GB SSD(which is a standard) , all weighing just about four pounds would cost a whopping $1999.

Gallery:

Press Release:

ROUND ROCK, Texas, March 17, 2009 – Style-minded people who place a premium on precision craftsmanship and design can now add Adamo to their list of must-have items for 2009. Dell today unveiled the world’s thinnest laptop as a kick off to the new Adamo by Dell brand.

Adamo, derived from the Latin word meaning "to fall in love," will serve as a flagship in a line of products created to disrupt the personal computing space with the combination of new design, aesthetics, personalization choices and sought-after technologies.

The News:

Adamo is the pinnacle of craftsmanship and design and features:

· A chassis milled from a single piece of aluminum featuring precision detailing and a scalloped backlit keyboard

· Striking high definition edge-to-edge glass display

· Fully connected with WiFi, Bluetooth(tm) and optional integrated mobile broadband* and full complement of connectivity ports with no compromises

· Cool, quiet and robust solid state drives

· Available in Onyx and Pearl colors with a broad range of complementary accessories

· Price starting at $1999

Quotes:

"Great design needs to be timeless and evoke emotion in people", said Alex Gruzen, senior vice president of Dell’s consumer products. "While a premium computing experience was assumed for Adamo, the intent was for people to see, touch and explore Adamo and be rewarded by the select materials and craftsmanship you would expect in a fine watch."

"Dell continues to signal a commitment to design and personalization across its entire product line and has made significant strides forward in the past year," said Rob Enderle, Principal Analyst, Enderle Group. "The Adamo laptop is a showcase for this commitment and a flagship product that will draw buyers to the brand."

People who choose Adamo will be offered a unique color matched collection of Adamo by Dell branded peripherals and accessories including, in the U.S. an exclusive line of bags from TUMI. Choices will include:

· External storage option with 250GB** or 500GB** external hard drive.

· External DVD+/-RW or Blu-ray disc drive.

· 8GB** USB drive.

· Connectors and cables including DisplayPort to HDMI, DVI, and VGA.

· Adamo Premium Service (US Only):

o 24/7 access to Dell’s best trained technicians

o Consistent communication with a dedicated personal team

The Adamo by Dell brand is being supported by innovative and new approaches to marketing and promotion for Dell. Designed to challenge people’s perceptions of what a computer is, the Adamo by Dell brand was inspired by fashion, luxury brands and timeless design.

Dell has looked beyond traditional approaches to reaching computer shoppers and launched a provocative campaign featuring:

· A stylish worldwide print campaign shot by acclaimed British-based photographer Nadav Kandar and featuring high-fashion models that reinforces the "fall in love" positioning. Kander, whose work is celebrated in galleries worldwide, also shot the moving portfolio, "Obama’s People," which appeared in The New York Times Magazine earlier this year.

· AdamoByDell.com , the centerpiece of the campaign and a highly stylized site where viewers can learn about Adamo, register for updates and, beginning today, place orders. Since its launch last month, AdamoByDell.com has attracted nearly 800,000 unique visitors from around the world and more than 1 million page views.

· Artful packaging in which the product arrives "floating" in a clear box with minimal clutter – a beautiful experience for a sophisticated product.

Product Specifications:

· Intel® Core 2 Duo processors with Intel® Centrino ® technology

· DDR3 system memory

· 13.4-inch 16:9 HD display

· Draft-Wireless N

· High-performance solid state drives standard

· Bluetooth 2.1

· Mobile Broadband* option

· Up to 5+ hours of battery life (preliminary)***

· 2 USB ports, 1 USB/eSATA combo port, Display Port, RJ-45 port

· Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-bit

Available for pre-order today at www.adamobydell.com and shipping worldwide starting March 26, 2009, Adamo will be available online for purchase in 24 countries including U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, U.K. France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, ANZ, China, Honk Kong, India, Korea, Malaysia/Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia.

Both the models have identical chassis design, which is made from a combination of magnesium alloy, plastic, brushed aluminum, and genuine leather.

The Studio XPS 16 has a 16-inch 16:9 HD WLED display, 7-watt Dolby 5.1 audio with subwoofer, Intel Centrino 2 processor, and ATI Mobility Radeon 3670 graphics with 512MB memory. The XPS Studio 16 is a pure entertainment Notebook intended for watching movies, and gaming. The Screen has a Full HD 1080p display with true 16:9 aspect ratio. It has a viewing angle of 130 degrees and a response time of 8ms.

The Studio XPS 13 on the other hand has slightly less features than that of Studio XPS 16 primarily intended for work purposes, but it does deliver good video performance and is capable of Gaming as well. It comes with NVIDIA GeForce 9500M GE with Hybrid SLI technology.

Both the Dell Studio XPS 16 and Dell Studio XPS 13 laptops are now available for purchase at Dell’s website. Price starts at $1199.

The Notebook comes with either an Intel or AMD chip, a 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 or GMA 4500MHD, SATA hard drive in the capacities 160/250/320/500GB, up to 4GB of DDR2 memory, 5-in-1 card reader, DVD burner or Blu-ray Drive, and in-built speakers.

The MD Series is a budget-minded Notebook intended for the multimedia enthusiasts. Prices start at $649.99 and goes up depending on the configuration.

GATEWAY DEBUTS TWO BEST-IN-CLASS NOTEBOOK LINES

New Lines Serve Range of Mobile Customers Looking for Mobility, Style with Latest Technology, Excellent Value

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 8, 2009 – Gateway today launches two new notebook lines – the Gateway® UC Series and Gateway MD Series.

Optimized for multimedia enthusiasts on a budget, the new 15.6-inch Gateway MD Series notebook line leverages the fashion-forward style and the capabilities of the popular Gateway MC Series to deliver cinematic mobile entertainment and mainstream performance. It is available now at leading retailers. Prices for the MD Series start at $649.99; Gateway offers this model in several configurations.

The new Gateway UC Series is the company’s first notebook with a 13.3-inch widescreen display, an ideal size for those looking for maximum productivity a highly portable, streamlined design. It is available now at leading retailers. Prices start at $749.99; Gateway offers several configurations.

"These two new offerings are the result of Gateway’s focus on the needs of distinct mobile customers," said Ray Sawall, senior product marketing manager for Acer America. "These notebooks are incredibly different in terms of style and form factor, yet they both include best-in-class technology at incredible values. The entertainment and multimedia capabilities of the MD Series and the all-around mobility of the UC Series make them perfect for today’s savvy customers who know what they’re looking for in a new notebook."

Gateway MD Series – Cinematic Multimedia on a Budget

Digital media enthusiasts will appreciate the entertainment-ready MD Series with a 16:9 aspect ratio and high-definition 15.6-inch widescreen display that vibrantly delivers a first-rate viewing experience. The high-resolution 1366×768 display makes movies and digital content appear crisp and clear. Sharing video and audio externally is easy with the HDMI v1.3 media connection; it lets consumers connect to a display device for enjoying high-definition video and audio through a single connection. In addition, the line has the option for dedicated ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3650 graphics with DirectX 10 support and 512MB Confirmed Dedicated Memory for enjoying cinematic playback of games, graphics and video with 3D visual effects.

In addition, the Gateway MD Series is ready for entertainment at any time and in a range of lighting conditions. Illuminated Multimedia Touch Controls give consumers quick, easy access to their digital media and frequently-used entertainment programs. The ambient light sensor adjusts the display brightness according to the external lighting, so customers always have an excellent viewing experience.

Additional popular technologies allow customers to stay connected and be productive while on the go. The integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam lets consumers take and send video emails, voice over IP and still photos as well as enjoy live videoconferencing. Consumers can connect via 802.11a/b/g Draft-N with expanded wireless features, and all models include Gigabit Ethernet for a fast wired connection.

The premium design of the new MD Series is as impressive as its capabilities. Available in two colors, burgundy and black, the new notebook line features a sculptured design that blends materials and edges for a cohesive look and feel marked by the cover’s distinctive branding stripe flanked by silver accents. Both burgundy and black feature a textured palm rest and polished keyboard surround.

The MD Series notebook line was designed to support a range of technologies that will meet consumers’ daily entertainment and productivity needs while fitting into many budgets. The MD Series platform will offer processor technology from both Intel and AMD, including Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Athlon X2 and AMD Turion X2 processors. It can support up to 500GB of storage space and 4GB of DDR2 memory. Plus, the line was developed to support new technologies as they become more widespread, such as Blu-ray optical drives for enjoying the latest high-definition movies.

Gateway UC Series – Mobility and All-Purpose Performance

The new Gateway UC Series notebook line hits the sweet spot of mobile entertainment with an excellent pairing of a chic portable design, widescreen display and mainstream notebook performance. Gateway’s first notebook PC with a 13.3-inch widescreen display, it sports a small footprint and lightweight 5.3-pound design that is idea for travel and taking to work and class. Consumers will get the latest in wireless technology for an enhanced wireless connection with Intel® WiFi 5100 Link (dual-band quad-mode 802.11a/b/g Draft-N) WiFi or Gateway 802.11 a/g Draft-N.

Performance-ready for the highly mobile consumer that needs to remain productive, the Gateway UC Series uses either Intel Centrino 2 or Intel Centrino Processor Technology, along with an Intel Core Duo, Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Pentium processor. Customers can use the integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam to take and send video emails, voice over IP and still photos as well as enjoy live videoconferencing.

Entertainment on-the-go is fun and enjoyable thanks to the UC Series’ many features. The touch sensitive media keys provide quick access to content, and a slot-load DVD+/- with LabelFlash technology makes saving, labeling and sharing content easy. Video and other applications look bright and crisp on the UC Series’ 13.3-inch Ultrabright TFT LCD with a high 1280×800 resolution and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. It also has an HDMI connector for sharing digital media.

All of this innovation comes in a chic and elegant design featuring a glossy moonstone casing. Customers will enjoy the comfort of the black brushed aluminum keyboard surround and palm rest. Also, the UC series has a round touchpad that is ideal for the way people navigate websites and programs today. Other features such as the brushed aluminum barrel hinges, metallic trim and rounded edges and corners shows the attention to detail given to this fashionable new line.

Configurations, Price and Availability

The Gateway UC Series and MD Series are available now in several different configurations at leading retailers in the U.S. The MD Series starts at $649.99, and the UC Series starts at $749.99.

The Gateway MD7801u is equipped with Intel Centrino Processor Technology and comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz), 4GB of Dual Channel DDR2 667MHz Memory and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. The huge 500GB(1) hard drive is ready for storing massive digital media and other files. The notebook comes with an 8X Multi-Format Dual Layer DVDRW w/ DVD-RAM featuring LabelFlash Technology(2) for labeling CD and DVDs after content is saved to it. It comes with an 8-cell Lithium Ion battery and has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $799.99. The Gateway MD7818u is also now available in the same SKU as the MD7801u, but comes in a burgundy chassis. It is also priced at $799.99.

The Gateway UC7807u comes with leading-edge technology including an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz) with Intel Centrino Processor Technology, 3GB of DDR2 667MHz memory and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. It is ready for storing and sharing digital media with a large 250GB(1) hard drive and a convenient slot-load 8x DVD Super-Multi Double Layer DVD-RW with DVD-RAM. It comes with a 6-cell Lithium Ion battery and has an MSRP of $799.99.

All models come either the powerful Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit or 32-bit Edition with SP1. They also come loaded with Microsoft Works 9.0 as well as a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007.

Gateway Limited Warranty, Service and Support

The Gateway MC-Series is backed by a one year limited warranty.(3) Gateway’s commitment to quality and reliability is evident in its award-winning line of PCs as well as in its exceptional service and support programs. In addition to the company’s standard limited warranty options, its extensive online support center helps customers maximize their PC investment; it gives them easy access to customer support representatives and information on important issues such as warranties, technical issues and upgrading.(4)

About Gateway

Since its founding in 1985, Irvine, Calif.-based Gateway has been a technology pioneer, offering award-winning products and world-class service to customers worldwide. Gateway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Acer Inc., the world’s third-largest PC company. See www.gateway.com for more information.

The 17-inch MacBook Pro has a high resolution LED-backlight display with a full HD resolution of 1920×1200, measuring just 0.98-inches thin and weighing 6.6 pounds, Apple claims, this laptop is the world’s thinnest and lightest 17-inch laptop.

The base config comes with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics card with 512MB video memory, 320GB SATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, built-in iSight video camera, FireWire 800 Port, three USB 2.0 ports, Express Card Slot, glass multi-touch trackpad and illuminated Keyboard.

All this for a price of $2799.

Press Release

SAN FRANCISCO—January 6, 2009—Apple® today unveiled the new 17-inch MacBook® Pro featuring a durable and beautiful precision aluminum unibody enclosure, and a revolutionary new built-in battery that delivers up to eight hours of use and up to 1,000 recharges for more than three times the lifespan of conventional notebook batteries. The new 17-inch MacBook Pro has a high resolution LED-backlit display and the same large glass Multi-Touch™ trackpad introduced with the new MacBook family in October. In addition, the new 17-inch MacBook Pro includes state of the art NVIDIA graphics and the latest generation Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processors. As part of the industry’s greenest notebook family, the new 17-inch MacBook Pro is made of highly recyclable materials, meets stringent energy efficiency standards and is made without many of the harmful toxins found in other computers.

“We’ve developed new battery technology that is better for the user and better for the environment,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Apple’s advanced chemistry and innovative technology deliver up to eight hours of use on a full charge cycle and up to 1,000 recharges.”

Apple uses advanced chemistry, intelligent monitoring of the system and battery, and Adaptive Charging technology to create a revolutionary new notebook battery that delivers up to eight hours of wireless productivity on a single charge and up to 1,000 recharges without adding thickness, weight or cost to the MacBook Pro’s incredible design.* The longer battery lifespan equals fewer depleted batteries and less waste, which is better for the environment.

The new 17-inch MacBook Pro includes an ultra-thin, widescreen glossy 1920 x 1200 display with 78 percent more pixels than the 15-inch MacBook Pro and a 60 percent greater color gamut that delivers desktop-quality color in a notebook. The LED-backlit display has brilliant instant-on performance, uses up to 30 percent less energy and eliminates the mercury found in industry standard fluorescent tube backlights.

Measuring just 0.98-inches thin and weighing 6.6 pounds, the 17-inch MacBook Pro is the world’s thinnest and lightest 17-inch notebook. The 17-inch MacBook Pro is the most powerful Mac® notebook yet with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors available up to 2.93 GHz, up to 8GB DDR3 main memory and a graphics architecture that allows users to switch between the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor for better battery life and the powerful NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics processor for higher performance. The new 17-inch MacBook Pro includes a 320GB 5400 rpm hard drive standard with a 320GB 7200 rpm hard drive and 128GB and 256GB solid state drives as options. As with the rest of the new MacBook family, the 17-inch MacBook Pro includes a next generation, industry-standard Mini DisplayPort to connect with the new Apple LED Cinema Display featuring a 24-inch LED-backlit widescreen display with a built-in iSight® video camera, mic and speakers.

The new 17-inch MacBook Pro joins the aluminum unibody MacBook family in setting new standards for environmentally friendly notebooks with every model achieving EPEAT Gold status.** Each MacBook unibody enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. The new MacBook family meets stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements, contains no brominated flame retardants and uses internal cables and components that are PVC-free. The battery in the new 17-inch MacBook Pro provides additional environmental benefit because its extended lifespan means fewer depleted batteries resulting in less waste. Depleted batteries can be replaced for $179 which includes installation and disposal of your old battery in an environmentally responsible manner.

Pricing & Availability
The new 17-inch MacBook Pro will be shipping at the end of January and will be available through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $2,799 (US), and includes:
17-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1920 x 1200, glossy display;
2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB shared L2 cache;
1066 MHz front-side bus;
4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM;
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics with 512MB GDDR3 video memory;
320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme® 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
Gigabit Ethernet port;
built-in iSight video camera;
three USB 2.0 ports;
one FireWire® 800 port (FireWire 400 compatible);
ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard;
built-in, 95WHr lithium polymer battery; and
85 Watt MagSafe® Power Adapter.

Build-to-order options for the 17-inch MacBook Pro include a 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 8GB 1066 MHz DDR 3 memory, 320GB 7200 rpm hard drive, a 128GB or 256GB solid state drive, anti-glare display for $50 (US), Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple Remote, Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter and the AppleCare Protection Plan. 

*A properly maintained Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro battery is designed to retain 80 percent or more of its original capacity during a lifespan of up to 1,000 recharge cycles. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. For more information visit www.apple.com/macbookpro/17inch-battery.

**EPEAT is an independent organization that helps customers compare the environmental performance of notebooks and desktops. Products meeting all of the 23 required criteria and at least 75 percent of the optional criteria are recognized as EPEAT Gold products. The EPEAT program was conceived by the US EPA and is based on IEEE 1680 standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products. For more information visit www.epeat.net.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

All the three models has a true 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio displays, a multi-touch touchpad, surround sound, facial recognition technology. The laptops can be customized with up to 500 GB of storage, up to 4GB memory, optional GFX Graphics.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Y650 comes with JBL speakers and ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the screen brightness levels. The laptops measure just one inch at the thinnest point and weighs just 5.6 pounds.

Prices starts at $1199 for IdeaPad Y650, $829 for the IdeaPad Y550 and IdeaPad Y450.

Press Release:

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – January 5, 2009: Lenovo today announced the latest additions to its Idea brand of personal computers for consumers. The new PCs push the envelope in the pursuit of thinner and more stylish designs, and combine these attributes with unique features like facial recognition and high-definition entertainment technologies to give consumers a computing experience like no other. There are four new IdeaPad laptops – the IdeaPad Y650, the thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptop in its class1, the Y550 and Y430 laptops with a similar family design to the Y650, and the thinnest all-in-one desktop PC, the IdeaCentre A600. With the explosive growth of social networking, Lenovo also continues to enhance its IdeaPad S10 netbook with new instant on capability, facial recognition and easy access to Lenovo’s social networking community.

"With the launch of our global consumer Idea brand a year ago, we’ve shown the world that PC technology can be powerful and beautiful," said Liu Jun, senior vice president and president, Consumer Business Group, Lenovo. "This year, we will keep pushing the limits of good design, balancing form and function, as you’ll see exhibited in our super-thin, 16-inch laptop and all-in-one desktop. This unique blend of design and engineering sets us apart from competitors and gives consumers a new kind of entertainment and computing experience."

IdeaPad Y650, Y550, Y450 Laptops
Lenovo’s latest IdeaPad Y Series laptops deliver powerful Hi-Definition entertainment in new sizes that are smaller, thinner and lighter than the previous generation to give more choices to consumers. The three Y Series laptops – the Y650, Y550, and Y450 – share the same modern soft black design featuring an interlocked hexagon pattern on the top cover along with a discrete copper accent around the perimeter of the laptop.

Lenovo delivers its first 16-inch widescreen laptop, the IdeaPad Y650, to the distinction of being the thinnest and lightest laptop in its class1. In fact, the laptop weighs even lighter than many 15-inch laptops, providing users with an additional inch of screen space without compromising on mobility. Making use of special materials like carbon fiber, as used in the aerospace and automotive industries, Lenovo has engineered the laptop down to a slender one-inch at its thinnest point with a weight of just 5.6 pounds.

The expanded Y Series add three new 16:9 screen sizes: the 16-inch Y650, the 15.6-inch Y550, and the 14-inch Y450 laptops. The new Y Series laptops are configurable with up to 500GB of hard drive storage space and up to 4GB of DDR3 memory.

Designed for HD and Multimedia
To provide an exceptional Hi-Definition entertainment and multimedia experience, the Y Series laptops are equipped with 16:9 format glossy widescreen panels, optional latest generation NVIDIA GFX graphics for gaming and smooth HD video playback and Dolby® Home Theater™ surround sound. The IdeaPad Y650 laptop also features JBL speakers for a rich, resonate sound.

The Y Series includes the new Lenovo OneKey™ Theater software to enhance the audio and visual experience. By pressing a button, OneKey Theater gives users an easy way to adjust the PC’s display and sound effect settings. Users can switch from normal mode to movie mode on the fly to optimize the picture when watching movies or playing games. The Y Series also includes Lenovo Desktop Navigator so users can toggle between shortcuts, files and other frequently used programs just by placing their finger along the touch-sensitive slide bar. For extra convenience, users can simply use the multi-touch touchpad below the keyboard and use their fingertips to enlarge or reduce image size. Additionally, an ambient light sensor on the IdeaPad Y650 laptop automatically adjusts screen brightness based on surrounding light conditions, helping to reduce eye strain.

Lenovo has added new levels of performance to its Y Series by equipping them with the latest Intel processors as well as DDR3 memory to help applications respond more quickly under multi-tasking conditions. Now users can burn DVDs in less time, compress and open large documents more easily and enjoy smoother, more realistic gaming. Y Series laptops have several wireless connectivity options including WiFi and optional Bluetooth.

For added convenience, Lenovo’s latest VeriFace™ facial recognition technology combines Windows log-in and file encryption for logging onto the PC and for password-protecting individual files.

The new Y Series also features Lenovo’s OneKey™ Rescue System to help users to recover their data and restore critical system files after system failures, viruses and other mishaps.

Pricing and Availability4
The new IdeaPad Y650, Y550, Y450 laptops and S10 netbook will be available beginning in March. Manufacturer suggested retail pricing (MSRP) for models starts at $1,199 for the IdeaPad Y650, $829 for the IdeaPad Y550 and Y450, and $349 for the IdeaPad S10 netbook. The IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one desktop will be available beginning in April with MSRP for models starting at $999.

About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo’s business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.

1Thinnest and lightest in the 16-inch laptop screen class, including offerings from Acer, Sony, HP and Lenovo.

2Compared with competitor existing all-in-ones from Apple, HP, Dell and Sony.

3VOIP functionality requires VOIP software which is freely available for download from a wide range of 3rd party vendors

4Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.

All this for a price of 409500 Japanese Yen, i.e., $4400.

You can opt for a downgraded version with Core 2 Quad, or Core 2 Duo CPU and 500GB of HDD as well.

Acer’s latest Aspire 8930-7665 is an 18.4-inch notebook that comes packed with Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 mobile processor at 2GHz clock speed, 1066MHz FSB and 6MB of L2 Cache.

Other features include NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT 512MB Graphic Card, 18.4-inch widescreen with true 16:9 display boasting full HD resolution of 1920 x 1280, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 500GB hard drive, Blu-ray combo drive, Dolby Home Theater Sound Technology, Built-in Webcam, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity, and 6-in-one card reader.

The notebook is not exactly portable at that size and with the kind of features that it has, but it would be a perfect choice for a portable desktop.

Prices start at $1800 depending on the configuration.

The Notebook is available in blue and red colors and is priced at $999.