IFAL: LG Unveils Netbook PC with Embedded 3G

LG Electronics will launch in October a netbook-class laptop PC based on Intel's Atom processor that also includes 3G wireless, it said at the IFA show in Berlin.

The X110 will include an HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access) cellular data modem that should be compatible with the newer 3G (third-generation) networks now being rolled out by most major carriers around the world. HSPA is typically capable of download speeds of several megabits per second and the latest versions of the evolving technology also offer megabit per second uploads.

In addition to 3G, the machine also supports 802.11b/g wireless LAN and has a wired Ethernet connector.

The X110 is based around the same 1.6GHz Atom processor that many of its competing devices also use and has a 10-inch WSVGA resolution (1,024 pixels by 600 pixels) screen that, if it wasn't for the 3G, would place it very close to competing netbook PCs.

LG has decided to go for a conventional hard-disk drive in the X110 and will offer models with either 80G bytes or 120G bytes of capacity. Some netbooks use faster solid-state disks based on flash memory chips but they typically offer much lower capacity.

It runs the Windows XP Home operating system.

The machine will be available in several colors including white, pink or silver. LG didn't announce the price.

Intel Shows Atom-based Computer

Intel has demonstrated prototypes of a range of low-cost 'nettops' in India that could be available in the country for as little as $114 (approx RS. 5000).

The devices, which run on Intel's new Atom processor, will be priced low, but they will not have a display, a spokeswoman for the company said today. The plan is that users will be able to use their television sets or other displays in the home with the device, she added.

The demonstration of the new devices in Delhi was part of the launch of a joint industry and government initiative, called 'Connected Indians"', which aims to increase Internet connectivity in India, so that it reaches a billion Indians.

Intel gave the initiative a "kickstart" by bringing industry, government, and other organizations together on this, but Intel does not run the programme, the spokeswoman said.

The Indian government aims to have 500 million Indians connected to the internet, with more than 100 million broadband connections, and 100 million broadband enabled devices in the field by 2012. The country has a population of over 1.13 billion people.

Internet penetration in India is currently very low. India had 4.6 million broadband subscribers at the end of July, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

Dell Launches New Laptops and Desktops

Dell has launched two new desktops and two new Vostro laptops aimed at users in South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

The two new laptops are the Vostro A860 and the A840. The former has a 15.1 inch anti-glare wide-screen while the latter has a 14.1 inch screen. Among the desktops, the A180 comes with the choice of either Intel Celeron or Core 2 Duo processors and the A100 uses the Intel Atom processor.

Dell has mentioned in its press release that these computers have been launched especially for education and small business users in countries which Dell classifies as “emerging economies.” However, apart from the “affordable” tag, the pricing is still a mystery. It does sound like Dell might finally be getting into the low-budget business PC's market in India which already has a couple of big names. This space needs watching.