AMD today announced ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4000 series graphics, its next generation series of notebook graphics processors, bringing leading gaming and multimedia technology from the desktop to notebooks. These feature-rich graphics processors redefine mobile gaming with advanced capabilities including support for the latest Microsoft DirectX 10.1 games, a home theatre-quality HD multimedia experience, and energy-efficient features for long battery life to help users get the most out of their notebook at work, at home or at play.
The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4800 series redefines HD gaming performance with support for ATI CrossFireX technology to deliver up to one teraFLOP of performance power. ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4600 series offers a superb balance of performance and energy efficiency. Optimal for thin and light notebooks, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4300 and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4500 series provide exceptional battery life for anyone on the go.

NVIDIA is pushing the pace for graphics performance in mainstream notebooks with the announcement of the GeForce 100M Series of graphics processing units (GPUs). The NVIDIA GeForce 100M Series, which includes the GeForce G105M, the GeForce G110M and the GeForce GT 130M GPUs, meets the performance demands of today's visual computing applications. Whether you're viewing or editing photos, finding directions, playing a game, or watching a high definition movie, an NVIDIA GeForce 100M Series GPU makes your notebook run silky smooth, with amazing visuals.

The three new GeForce 100M Series GPUs each represent a significant performance increase in their respective segments. The GeForce G105M is over 55% faster than the previous NVDIA product in its segment, while the GeForce G110M is 35% faster than NVIDIA's previous mainstream GPU. The GeForce GT 130M is around 17% faster than its predecessor.

AMD today announced the availability of the AMD platform for ultrathin notebooks, enabling exceedingly thin and light OEM designs with rich entertainment capabilities at an affordable price. Previously codenamed "Yukon," the platform is based on the new AMD Athlon Neo processor, ATI Radeon X1250 integrated graphics and optional ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3410 discrete graphics and brings true HD entertainment1 to a new category of stylish notebook PCs. The AMD platform debuts within the HP Pavilion dv2 Entertainment Notebook PC ultrathin notebook, which measures less than one-inch thick and weighs less than four pounds. The HP Pavilion dv2 also comes equipped with a 12.1-inch diagonal LED BrightView display, nearly full-size keyboard, and optional external optical disc drive with Blu-ray capability.

The new Omega line will target the high-end portion of the entry level market segment and should be available sometime next year. According to the Chinese-language Apple Daily news-paper Omega notebooks will be priced between $600-$900 USD in order to complement the Eee PC lineup. Targeting the mainstream market is a relatively new strategy for Asustek since, excluding the Eee PC, they have mainly produced notebooks for the high-end market. As of right now no system specifications or pictures have been released for the Omega, although we can reasonably expect performance similar to other notebooks in $600-$900 price bracket.

ASUS, a company that is as committed to environmental conservation as it is to innovation and quality, yesterday saw its sustainable computing efforts rewarded with the conferring of the world's first EU Flower Eco Award for computers on its N50, N80, N20, and N10 notebooks. This achievement validates the eco-friendliness of ASUS' N Series notebooks, which had already been honored with prestigious EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) Gold awards in October this year. On a broader note, it is also a reflection of the growing momentum of ASUS' sustainability drive-Green ASUS-which it initiated in 2000.

Acer America, part of the world's third largest PC company, today unveiled its first WiMAX-enabled notebooks - Aspire 4930-6862 and Aspire 6930-6771 - in support of the nation's first U.S. WiMAX wireless broadband network launched by XOHM in Baltimore. Demonstrating the company's focus on delivering innovative technology solutions, the Aspire 4930-6862 and Aspire 6930-6771 are WiMAX-enabled Intel Centrino 2-based notebooks with the first-ever combined WiMAX/Wi-Fi module, previously codenamed "Echo Peak," part of the Intel WiMAX/Wi-Fi Link 5050 Series.

PC major Acer made additions to its notebook lineup, with the introduction of four new Aspire Gemstone series notebooks. It includes Aspire Gemstone 8930-6448, an 18.4" model, along with a 16" Aspire Gemstone 6930-6809, the 15.6" 5735-4624 and the 14.1" 4730-4374. The Aspire Gemstone 8930-6448 is the flagship model, it comes with a CrystalBrite TFT LCD display, with a native resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. At the heart of it, is a Core 2 Duo T9400 processor, clocked at 2.53 GHz. It includes 4 GB of memory, a 320 GB hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT graphics with 512 MB of memory. The laptop also boasts a DVD writer, a 6-in-1 card reader, a webcam, is pre-loaded with Windows Vista Ultimate and costs about US $1700.

The rest are downscale models of essentially the same design, albeit come of them not featuring a full-sized keyboard and those special media control feather-touch buttons. The 16" Gemstone 6930-6809 comes with a native screen resolution of 1366x760 pixels. It is powered by a Core 2 Duo T5800 at 2.00 GHz, with 3GB of RAM, a 320GB 5400 RPM HDD, DVD writer and Intel GMA 4500HD integrated graphics. It is priced at $700, and comes with Vista Home Premium installed. The 5735-4624 offers the same screen resolution as the 6930-6809. It features the 2 GHz T3200 processor, 2GB of RAM, 160GB 5400 RPM hard drive and integrated graphics. Windows Vista Home Premium is bundled. It sells for $550. At the very same price point, the 14.1" Gemstone 4730-4374 sports a native resolution of 1280x800 pixels, it is powered by a T3200 CPU, 2GB of RAM and a 120GB SATA hard drive.

Form following function-ASUS N Series notebooks epitomize style and productivity through smart technologies and innovative product design. Each N Series notebook comes with innovative technological developments such as the highly-efficient Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) which automatically allocates power, preserving battery life up to 35%; the built-in Express Gate operating system that allows users to access their most commonly-used programs in 8 seconds; and the SmartLogon facial recognition system that recognizes users' facial features and logs them on without requiring any manual key input.

Maximize your gaming potential with the full throttle power and portable performance of the G Series from ASUS, part of the prestigious Republic of Gamers product line-up that represents the most innovative and best performing PC solutions for gamers today. Designed for gamers from the inside out, the G Series range now includes two striking new models: the G71 (17"wide) and G50 (15.4" wide and 15.6" wide) that give you unprecedented muscle to take on all comers with a full deck of features that enables you to stay in control of the gaming action. The stunning hardcore styling is alive to the pulse on the street and the G Series is hot to the latest gaming trends - leading the way into new computer gaming frontiers.

HP today introduced three ultra-portable notebook computers, including a three-pound EliteBook, the smallest and lightest HP notebook with a built-in optical drive. Inspired by aircraft construction and designed for style-conscious mobile professionals, the HP EliteBook 2530p features the sleek and durable HP DuraCase - a brushed, anodized aluminum exterior casing combined with a magnesium alloy chassis that is engineered to pass several military-standard durability tests such as extreme temperature, dust and humidity.

Many people prefer a mouse to a touchpad but often leave the mouse behind when moving from room to room. Logitech is about to change all that with the introduction of the Logitech V550 Nano cordless laser mouse for notebooks, featuring the Clip-and-Go dock. The unobtrusive dock lets you conveniently clip the V550 mouse to your laptop - and go.

MSI Computer, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, is pleased to announce the release of the new GX620/GX720 Gaming Notebook. Winner of a Best Choice Award at COMPUTEX 2008, the GX620 's Blu-Ray player, MSI's VIVID Image Enhancement Technology, the NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT 3D graphics card and Dolby 7.1 digital surround sound capabilities guarantee the ultimate gaming or movie watching experience. This powerful notebook is housed in a sleek yet tough alloy case with strong red accents, and features user friendly quick launch touch sensors.

Dell today introduced "Studio," a new consumer product line designed for self-expression and creative living. Studio products are highly expressive and personalized - inside and out - combining aesthetics and technology into a fresh approach to hi-def mobile lifestyles.

ASUS' plans to release a desktop version of the Eeepc have been known for quite some time now. However, that's all we really did know. Now, we can confirm that at least ASUS decided to name the desktop version of their fairly successful little laptop. ASUS has decided to call it the Ebox. Said Ebox will look suspiciously like a Nintendo Wii, but will be much more like a computer. We can also confirm that the Ebox will have up to 2GB of RAM, up to 160GB of hard drive space and a slot-loaded optical drive. Current rumor has it that this machine will be powered by the diminutive Intel Diamondville motherboard family. ASUS is expected to unveil more details on the Ebox when they launch it on June 3rd at Computex 2008. It should cost somewhere in the ballpark of $200-$300USD.

Electronista writes that Lenovo has decided to cease production of the 4:3 screen ratio Thinkpad T61, withdrawing units from stores. Lenovo now offers all its mid-size notebooks, including the 3000 and IdeaPad series, only in a widescreen ratio. The change represents the end to one of the last clear holdouts from IBM's notebook offerings, which used the taller but narrower screen ratio for virtually all its ThinkPad notebooks until the brand name was handed over to Lenovo in 2005. The X61 tablet and its conventional alternative are currently the only Lenovo notebooks to still depend on a standard ratio screen and may be replaced in the future by the X200 series as part of the China-based company's move to capitalize on the success of the X300.

Toshiba's Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., announced the addition of five new models to its affordable Satellite Pro family of laptops. With a starting price of $699, the new Satellite Pro series offers the necessary business essentials for today's mobile professionals and students, including a choice of display sizes and configurations to suit a broad range of computing needs.

Ready to receive HD in all its full glory is the new ASUS M70 notebook that provides a WUXGA widescreen with 1920x1200 pixels resolution and Blu-Ray support. Combined with cutting-edge audio technologies including built-in Altec Lansing Speakers and Dolby Home Theater, the M70 is supremely suited as a digital entertainment and productivity tool. In addition to the all-rounded AV features, the M70 is the world's first notebook to offer an ample storage of 1TB (2x 500GB) that can store up to 285,000 digital photos, 25,000 songs or 120 hours of HD movies! For unparalleled high definition enjoyment, the M70 is the one and only entertainment notebook choice that is big on visual, audio and storage!

Amid the buzz of reaching a new milestone of 1 million Eee PCs sold in just 5 months after its launch, ASUS has provided yet another round of excitement with its release of the new Eee PC 900. This new generation of the ever popular PC packs in a whole range of hardware that includes a 8.9 inch widescreen, a 1.3M pixels webcam, the new innovative FingerGlide and 12GB and 20GB storage capacities for Windows and Linux platforms respectively - catering to wider consumer needs while still maintaining the "Easy to learn, work and play" concept by keeping the overall weight under 1kg.

According to Gizmodo, Lenovo will be adding some new laptops to the X series, namely the X200, X400 and X500. As with the X300, and the whole X series for that matter, these new laptops will be focused on portability. They will come with a 12-inch, 14.1-inch or 15.4-inch screen, respectively, and will all be armed with Intel's latest 45nm Penryn processors. Other features include HSDPA and EVDO, 25% improved battery life, as well as 6MB L2 cache.Lenovo's R, T, and W series should also receive a few updates, more about that after the jump.

MSI has updated its GX600 gaming laptop, introducing the GX600-Enhanced model. The new notebook features improved hardware, including a 45nm Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 processor at 2.4GHz, up to 3GB DDR2 RAM and a 320GB hard drive. The system still comes equipped with a a GeForce 8600M GT 512MB graphics processor and a 15.4" non-glare LCD, as well as MSI's Turbo Drive Engine, which allows users to increase CPU speed by as much as 20% with the touch of a button.

Dell has a semi-rugged notebook planned, dubbed the "E6400 ATG". The laptop should offer increased durability at little compromise to size and weight. It will either come with 14.1" WXGA normal or touch screen (with brightness 750cd/m2 or 650cd/m2, respectively}. The notebook will be dust-proof, shock-proof, and spill-proof to military standards.

The E6400 ATG will be an addition to Dell's line-up and will not replace the fully-rugged XFR D630.

It seems just about every company wants to jump on the subnotebook bandwagon nowadays, with MSI being the most recent addition to the list. The Wind Laptop will feature a 10" display, an Intel Shelton CPU with speeds ranging from 1.0GHz to 1.6GHz, a 2.5" HDD or SSD, 1GB RAM and a seven hour battery life, with either Linux or Windows as an OS. There is no information about when this is likely to become available, but prices are expected to be between €299 ($458) and €699 ($1072) depending on which model you go for.

Not wanting to miss out on its chance to share ASUS's surprising success, ECS is now planning an 11" competitor to the Eee PC. The G10IL will be a sub $500 notebook with three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, a VGA connection and built in HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access). So far no other hard specs such as processor speed or memory have been given, but WiFi and Bluetooth are both quite likely. Like the Eee PC there will be no built-in optical drive.

After first announcing it last April, AMD has now officially launched its Puma mobile platform, which is set to go head-to-head with Intel's Centrino platform. Puma is AMD's first attempt at a complete mobile platform and provides much stronger specifications than the company has had previously. In order to be branded as part of the Puma platform, notebooks must come with a Griffin CPU, RS780M chipset and WiFi adapter, with the option of a discrete graphics card. AMD has integrated a number of power saving features into the Puma platform, including the ability to dynamically change individual CPU core frequencies depending on processor load and PowerXpress technology, which can automatically switch from discrete external graphics to less power-hungry integrated graphics when running on batteries - without the need to reboot. Puma certified systems are expected to ship from the end of the second quarter this year, with prices ranging from around $700 to $2,500 at launch.

The Apple Air was recently pushed out into the public. The public doesn't mind it, and for those who can actually afford it, it's quite a nice laptop. It's thin, it's light, it's powerful, and it's easy to use. However, an independent firm got curious as to exactly why the Air was so expensive, so thin, and so pretty. So, they took it apart, and promptly declared it was like nothing they've ever seen, in a very bad way. Beneath the glowering surface is an ugly interior, which uses unnecessary materials, and quite possibly keeps heat trapped inside. The official statement from the investigators:

Based on the results of our teardown project, we guess Apple is not paying much attention to both workmanship of the hardware design and comprehensive cost reduction. The company seems to have focused on aspects, where its expertise lies, such as external appearance, software and user interfaces.