The Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) is aiming for a $10 laptop computer. Two designs are currently under consideration: one from a final-year engineering student, and another from a researcher at the Indian Institute of Science. The public-sector company Semiconductor Complex has also shown some interest, Electronista reports.
In both of the submitted designs, according to Times of India, all components would be located on a single circuitboard. This would keep prices down and make it easier to find and repair problems. The current estimated price of a laptop is $47. The HRD hopes to push this down with mass production, shipping at least one million of these computers to people in India.
“Industry and academic representatives will meet in Bangalore later this month to further evaluate designs and encourage more proposals. In any case, one anonymous official believes it will be two years before a laptop enters production,” the reports say.
Electronista
[Source: laptoping.com ]
May 8th, 2007
Samsung Electronics has officially announced the Q1 Ultra ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) family at the Samsung Experience in New York.
“Complete with an integrated split-QWERTY keypad, mouse, and user-defined function keys, the Q1 Ultra UMPC is designed to enhance productivity, ease-of-use and portability in a range of personal and professional scenarios. With an increased battery life of 4.5 hours coupled with faster speeds, flexibility and mobile functionality, the Q1 Ultra product provides a compelling solution packed into a 1.5 pound package,” Samsung says.
The Q1 Ultra UMPC features a seven-inch touch screen that boasts resolution of 1024 x 600, the new A100 or A110 Intel Ultra Mobile Processor running at 600 or 800 MHz respectively, and a 1 GB of DDR2 system memory. The device includes integrated 802.11b/g wireless connection, Bluetooth and the factory optional 3.5G HSDPA cellular modem. Samsung’s Q1 Ultra also features a 300-pixel web-cam and dual-array microphone for video conferencing, while for video recording and taking still pictures there is built in 1.3 mega pixel camera.
The new UMPC comes with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium or with Windows XP Tablet Edition operating systems.
According to Samsung, the Q1 Ultra UMPC is available in a number of configurations, starting at $799.00 and can be purchased through a variety of retail and e-tail outlets including Best Buy, Circuit City, CDW, CompUSA, Amazon.com, NewEgg.com, Buy.com, Costco.com, Tiger Direct, PC Connection, B & H Photo and PC Mall. The Q1 Ultra UMPC is also available through distribution via Ingram Micro.
Press Release
[Source: laptoping.com ]
May 8th, 2007
After the announcement saying Apple will rid itself of all mercury-based fluorescent LCD panels by the end of 2007, the company prepares revisions of its Macbook and Macbook Pro laptop lines, which should feature eco-friendly LED backlight LCD displays.
“This week Apple seems to be making progress on its transition to LED-backlit LCD panels. Reports confirmed that AU Optronics and Chi Mei Optoelectronics all have LED-backlight LCD panels that are under review by Apple. Au Optronics and Chi Mei Optoelectronics are further down the line with Apple, having 13.3-inch and 15.4-inch panels already certified by Apple,” Daily Tech reports.
Along with lower power consumption when compared to standard LCD panels, the LED backlight powered displays are slimmer and provide colors that are more realistic.
DailyTech | DigiTimes
[Source: laptoping.com ]
May 8th, 2007
