OLPC 1.5 with C7 processor spotted - and played with

We've known for a long while now that the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) netbooks would be getting a VIA processor with their next upgrade. The OLPC learning club in DC has one already and they've published a video comparing it to the previous version. The OLPC 1.0 has an AMD Geode 433MHz whilst the new OLPC 1.5 model has a VIA 1GHz which operates at variable speeds (presumably depending on the application/s being run). - Liliputing If you're wondering why they use a VIA C7-M instead of a Nano, it would be because of a cost vs performance consideration. OLPC netbooks are designed for educational needs of kids in third world countries.

eNote solution on video

VIA have a released a video on YouTube which has one of their marketing peeps explaining the new eNote Turnkey solution - the one announced last week that puts a VIA 1.3GHz Nano 11.6" notebook with a Sequans Communications chip bringing WiMAX, HSDPA and EVDO to the package.

VIA's new platform delivers new screen size and WiMAX

First there was NanoBook - 7" screen and Wi-Fi. Then there was OpenBook - 8.9". Now the screen size has gone up again, to 11.6" with eNote. According to all the PR years ago when NanoBook was first launched, the platforms would continue to miniturize. In terms of what consumers have demanded, however, it's the portatibility afforded by miniturization but with a bigger screen size. This is not lost on VIA with this latest platform they are calling a "turnkey solution". The hardware specs are just an upgraded version from previous platforms:

"Powered by the 1.3GHz VIA Nano processor and the VIA VX800 digital media IGP chipset, the eNote is a slim-line, 1.3kg, 11.6" form factor design that supports WXGA screen resolutions and high performance VIA Chrome9™ DirectX™ 9.0 3D graphics. Advanced video acceleration for MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9, VC1 and DiVX video formats, a VMR capable HD video processor and 8-channel HD audio make it a feature-rich thin and light platform."

What makes it extra special is the partnership of Sequans Communications, which gives the eNote WiMAX support.

"The VIA eNote Turnkey Solution offers unrivaled broadband connectivity options though two internal modules, with the first one featuring WiFi, Bluetooth, and optional AGPS connections and the second one offering WiMAX, HSDPA, and EV-DO/W-CDMA options. Additionally, the device comes with three USB 2.0 ports, a VGA port, and audio-in/audio-out jacks as well as a 4-in-1 card reader (SD/SDIO/MMC/MS) and a 2 mega-pixel dual-headed web camera." - Press Release.

Lenovo now cheaper but offers more

Lenovo have launched a new version of their IdeaPad S12 notebook that has a VIA Nano processor. Not only that, the RAM has increased from 1GB to 2GB and the hard drive size is now 320GB instead of 160GB. And it's cheaper than the Atom version which has the smaller RAM and HDD. Does this mean that the VIA Nano processor is so much cheaper than the Atom that Lenovo were able to increase other specs? I'm not sure, but what a good deal! - Gadgetmix.

Not high marks - but cheap as!

The Sylvania Gnet 13001 is a re-hashed, re-positioned version of a netbook, once called a NanoBook, which was first available almost three years ago. Sales were confined to South East Asia but now it's available on Amazon and eBay for around $200, according to RateNetbooks.

"We have to be clear, that this laptop impresses in virtually no way other than the price. It is running a lightweight, non Windows OS and still features relatively poor performance."

That may sound harsh but it's fair. It is after all running a VIA C7-M processor, not the snappy power efficient VIA Nano. But $200 for some people makes this almost a consumable item or a toy for a child's present.

Lenovo's IdeaPad S12 with Nano out in Taiwan

Lenovo have released a version of their IdeaPad S12 with a VIA Nano processor. It's not clear yet whether it will be released outside of Taiwan.
"The Nano U2250 powered S12 with 2GB of memory should end up some 25 percent cheaper than the Intel-based version without an OS. This sounds like a pretty fair deal, as the Nano U2250 is a decent CPU and the rest of the spec will probably remain unchanged."-Fudzilla.

Larger than others

The Samsung NC20 which is usually referred to as a notebook and not a netbook, has a 12.1" screen and here's something I didn't know, the touch pad is larger than most as well.

"Another excellent feature of this laptop is that it actually has a larger touchpad compared to most of the netbooks. The full-size keyboard seems to be easy to use; however, there seem to be no quick launch buttons. This however is a common thing for most netbooks."-PCHijack.com