Computer maker Albatron is working on a new Intel Atom-powered netbook with a 10.2 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display. While that makes it sound like any one of a hundred other mini-laptops on the market today, there are a few things that make this new machine different. First, it’s thin. Like, really, really thin. And second, it has one of the most interesting solutions I’ve seen for ensuring there are enough ports on a mini-laptop without cluttering the sides of the machine with ports every few millimeters.
Sascha from Netbook News.de got a chance to check out the new Albatron netbook in person, and he shot a hands-on video which you can find after the break. But here are a few of the highlights:
- The netbook features LEDs for WiFi, Bluetooth, WiMax, and 3G connectivity. That doesn’t mean all four wireless modes will be available on all units, but that’s a lot of options.
- Instead of putting the VGA and Ethernet adapters on the device, there’s a small port on the back of the netbook where you can plug in an adapter for these ports. While I’m not usually a big fan of this style of adapter, Sascha makes a case that you could just leave it on your desk while taking your netbook on the go. It also means that one side of the computer has no ports at all.
- The slim, 6 cell, 3600mAh battery sits flush with the bottom of the unit, which means it’ll be tough to develop an attractive extended battery for this netbook.
The netbook also has a 4-in-1 card reader, 2 USB ports, and a 1.8″ 80GB hard drive. and a keyboard that Sascha describes as smaller than the one on his Samsung NC10, but still usable. He also loves the texture of the touchpad.
There’s no word on pricing or availability yet, but it’s likely that Albatron will try to partner with mobile carriers to provide the netbook at subsidized prices.
It’s not that I’m talking to myself–I just address the most intelligent person present (paraphrasing Gandalf 😉
I can’t help noticing that the Albatron Slimline and Gigabyte S1024 are small and light for netbooks with 10 inch screens. Since I don’t have the complete specs on the Slimline, here’s how the Gigabyte compares to some netbooks with _8.9_ inch screens:
31.4 oz, 9.8″ x 6.7″ x 0.8″ Gigabyte S1024 (10 inch screen)
40.2 oz, 8.9″ x 6.9″ x 1.5″ Asus Eee PC 901
34.9 oz, 8.9″ x 6.7″ x 1.3″ Asus Eee PC 900A
37.7 oz, 9.1″ x 6.9″ x 1.2″ Dell Mini 9
33.5 oz, 9.8″ x 6.7″ x 1.1″ Acer Aspire One
–and one 7 inch netbook for good measure:
32.0 oz, 8.3″ x 5.5″ x 1.3″ Razorbook
Note: All of them, even the 7″ Razorbook, are thicker and heavier than the 10″ Gigabyte S1024.
I just thought this was an interesting comparison. I’d been thinking of getting a 9″ netbook, but maybe I ought to consider a small 10″.
People are saying that this weighs 2.2lb: https://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/2-2-pound-albatron-slimline-netbook-hands-on
and that it looks like a rebranded version of the Gigabyte S1024*: https://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Notebook/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=3020
The affinities are obvious, with both sporting a gold-rimmed port in the hinge which is said to be the power port:
Albatron: https://www.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/albatron_netbook.jpg
Gigabyte (click to enlarge image): https://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Notebook/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=3020
But the Gigabyte S1024 weighs 810g–only 1.8lb!
Also, the S1024 has the shorter 576 pixel screen and a 3rd USB port on its expansion giz.
*Correction: S1024, not S1040 as I said originally.
It’s nice to see a move back toward compactness. I like the narrow screen bezel and keyboard border and overall compact, utilitarian design. The metal or metal-like case is OK, but I hope they scrap the glossy finish on the inside of this preproduction model and substitute matte black.
I don’t mind the separate VGA connector, but in my region there are still motels, etc, with ethernet but no wifi, so the separate ethernet connector would be another thing to carry, lose, etc., on trips.
I don’t normally like fumbling with multiple parts connected by wires, but this might be a place to use one of those external batteries that connects via the power port, if you have a destination without a wall socket.