According to a leaked RadioShack ad, they will be selling a Acer Aspire One for only $99. But there is a catch you must sign a two-year data contract with AT&T of at least $60 a month. The small print also states with out the contract this computer is $500, which is way too much for an 8.9" netbook.

So if you are willing to pay the $60 a month mobile broadband Internet fee you probably can afford a nicer UMPC with out the ball and chain. If you add up the service fee for a 2-year contract it would end up costing you over $1500. So unless you need Internet everywhere you go then I suggest you wait for a real door buster deal to come around.

[via Gizmodo]

Korean Manufacturer UMID has stuffed tons of components into this tiny handheld computer. I have never seen anything quite like it. This netbook has it all but the kitchen sink in there. It's all powered by an Intel Atom processor, with 1GB RAM, and SSD storage up to 32GB. It also includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wireless Broadband (Korean), digital TV receiver, WiMAX, and HSDPA. The screen resolution is 1024x600, great for running Windows Vista, XP, or even Linux.

A stylus for the touch screen is hidden under the keyboard for easy access. The keyboard is ultra compact with tiny buttons that serve multiple functions. If you can type on Blackberry or iPhone you should have no problem. But for the rest of us with caveman thumbs we might want to stick with the mega-sized notebooks. More info to come, hopefully we will see this mini netbook in the states sometime soon.

[via Gizmodo & Aving]

As you might of already heard HP has developed a new line of mini PCs at a super low price, starting at $399. You can get one now at the HP Store. And hopefully by the beginning of next year, they will release a custom OS built for the HP Mini 1000 based off Ubuntu Linux.

Here is a Press Release from HP describing their new line of Mini Companion PCs.

HP Expands Portfolio of Mini Companion PCs

Designed for Mobility, Social Media and Fashion

News Minis geared for "information snacking"

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 29, 2008 - Following the success of its education-based mini PC introduced in April, HP today expanded its line of companion PCs with three models in the HP Mini 1000 family that address the specific needs of Internet-centric consumers, mobile professionals, always-on social media enthusiasts and fashion-forward women.

These companion PCs provide a uniquely simplified Internet experience in an ultraportable design. They share a sleek form factor - at less than 1-inch thick - with lightweight portability at 2.25 lbs, a keyboard that is 92 percent that of standard PCs, Brightview widescreen Infinity display with flush glass and LED backlight and a webcam. The HP Mini will be made available worldwide in an array of configure-to-order options.

HP quote TBD

These companion PCs are geared towards information snacking and content enjoyment versus the content creation capability found in fully functional Notebook PCs. They are a complement to HP's award-winning Notebook PC family.

The three models are as follows:

The HP Mini 1000 features a piano-black finish with HP Imprint swirl design and is powered by an Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor running Windows XP Home, making the Web, critical files and PC applications easily portable. It includes an Ethernet jack, 2 USB ports, built-in webcam and microphone. It comes with wireless connectivity (WLAN,) and 3G versions are expected to be available in December.

Configuration choices include screen size - 8.9-inch Brightview or 10.2-inch diagonal Brightview widescreen Infinity display with1024 x 600 resolution - and solid-state or mechanical hard- drive options.

The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition comes in vibrant red with a peonyflower inspired design that reflects the globally acclaimed fashion designer's Spring 2009 collection. It seeks to satisfy the highly mobile, Internet- centric fashionista woman and features a 10.2-inch diagonal Brightview widescreen Infinity display with1024 x 600 resolution.

Its design was first unveiled on the runway of Tam's Fall 2009 Fashion Week show in Battery Park in New York, although many on the scene mistook it for a purse rather than the companion PC that it is. Tam labeled it the world's first "digital clutch," and it ships with an embroidered sleeve to protect the exterior, Accidental Damage Protection service and an HP SmartFriend Calling Card good for 6 months of unlimited consultative service.

The Vivienne Tam Edition companion PC is powered by the Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor running Windows XP Home and has a 1GMm memory, making the Web, critical files and PC applications easily portable. It includes an Ethernet jack, 2 USB port, built-in webcam and microphone. It comes with wireless connectivity (WLAN,) and 3G versions are expected to be available in December.

Tam said, "The fashion-forward woman no longer has to sacrifice glamor when staying in touch with all her favorite digital content. And the flower and vibrant colors suggest good fortune, happiness and prosperity in the Chinese culture."

The HP Mini 1000 with MIE (Mobile Internet Experience) is the uniquely simple, strikingly mobile Internet companion. It delivers a seamless Internet experience out-of-the-box via an intuitive interface developed by HP that makes it easy to enjoy digital content - videos, photos, music and email - on-demand and on the go. MIE comes loaded with Instant Messaging, email and Skype, for online video chat, making it easy to enjoy social-media experiences anywhere they are connected.

The HP Mini 1000 with MIE is Linux-based and powered by an Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor. It includes an Ethernet jack, 2 USB ports, built-in webcam and microphone. It comes with wireless connectivity (WLAN.) Applications such as browsing, email, online video, are pre-loaded and run from the MIE dashboard, minimizing startup time. Favorite websites that are added to the dashboard stay live, and the task bar makes it easy to switch between programs.

Mini Accessories and Service

The HP Mini Mobile Drive gives HP Mini 1000 customers 2, 4 or 8 gigabytes of additional storage, making it simple to transport and retrieve important files, photos, music and other data. It sits flush against the HP Mini, so that is doesn't disrupt the sleek design.

An optional 6-cell Li-polymer battery will be available in January.

The HP Mini 1000 and HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition come with a free six-month subscription to HP Upline for up to three PCs. HP Upline is an easy-to-use, secure on-line service for the storage, backup, sharing and synchronization of digital content.

Pricing and availability

The HP Mini 1000 is available today in the U.S. from www.hpdirect.com with a starting price of $399.99.

The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition is expected to be available in the U.S. in mid-December via www.hpdirect.com. It - plus its designer sleeve and support offerings - is expected to be priced at a starting price of $699.99 U.S.

The HP Mini 1000 with MIE is expected to be available in the U.S. in January via www.hpdirect.com and is expected to be at a starting price of $379.99. Customers can reserve an HP Mini 1000 with MIE or HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition by calling 1-800-230-5752. For more information about the HP Mini 1000 portfolio please visit www.hp.com/xxxx

[via Gizmodo]

Coming this November Fujitsu releases the LifeBook P8020 Ultra-portable laptop. Dont let its size fool you they packed a lot of features into this notebook and it only weighs 2.9 lbs. It runs off a 1.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor and Genuine Windows Vista Business.

The LifeBook P8020 comes with 2GB of DDR3 RAM, a 120GB S-ATA Hard Drive, a dual-layer DVD burner, an Integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD video card and a 12.1-inch WXGA display. Some other great features include a fingerprint scanner, a built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam, and a multi-touch track pad. The multi-touch track pad allows two-finger pinch zoom in and out, and the circular unlimited scrolling like on many Apple products.

The Fujitsu LifeBook P8020 starting price is $1799. We will see if consumers are willing to pay so much for a notebook in our current economic crisis. You can buy one next month at the Fujitsu Direct Store.

[via Electronista]

Pictures have leaked of the Asus Eee PC 701SDX prices at a very low price of $300. Asus Eee PC's are going back to how they began by making affordable netbooks. The pictures reveal an upgraded chassis and a missing webcam (featured on the 701SD). I can do with out the webcam for a 7-inch netbook for only $300. We will have to wait to see how low Asus will go.

[via Laptopmag]

Starting today you can get the new MSI Wind U100 Notebook at Best Buy. For $399, you can have the first 10-inch laptop with an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor. Coming soon is the U120 with HDSPA, so if you want to wait it may be released by Christmas. Here is the Press Release from MSI.

MSI WIND BLOWS INTO BEST BUY

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – October 06, 2008 – MSI Computer, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, is excited to announce the MSI Wind U100 Netbook is now on sale at Best Buy locations across the country. The Wind, an acronym for "Wi-Fi Network Device," was the first 10" netbook to feature the speedy new Intel Atom™ 1.6GHz processor.

"We are excited to be able to reach our clients through this new channel," said MSI's Director of U.S. Sales Andy Tung. "By partnering with Best Buy we can introduce more people to the Wind, and meet the needs of the buyers who either don't want to purchase online or would like to touch and try out our netbook before making a decision."

Weighing in at just 2.3 lbs, MSI designed the Wind to be lightweight and ultra mobile, without sacrificing convenience or performance. The Wind features an ergonomically designed keyboard that is only 20% smaller than a full sized notebook keyboard, with the keys spaced a comfortable 0.68 inches apart.

tnkgrl Mobile has upgraded her Acer Aspire One adding bluetooth functionality.

Basically, I connected a micro USB Bluetooth module (Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR) to a 5V trace (off in standby), a nearby ground trace, and the USB signals available on the mini PCIe card slot occupied by the WiFi card. The Bluetooth module was stripped, wrapped in Kapton tape and installed under the palm rest.

Expansys have just listed the M528 with 3G, GPS, 3mp cam for just 429 UK pounds (549 Euros) and in the U.S. for $689.

Looks like the dell netbook is suffering from an identity crisis. It keeps changing his name over and over again and can't decide whether it shows his face or not. Despite all rumos, there is no real info on a launch date.

What's new is that the Dell netbook will (probably) have a 3G option at purchase time. This make it my favourite so far.

Source odontopalm.com (Brazilian translation)

Since HP Mini-Note 2133 has an Atheros chip, it opens up possibilities to use it as a portable wireless auditing device.

The Infiltrator is based on the HP 2133 Mini-Note ultra-portable laptop. The 2133 hardware platform has been modified to use an Atheros-based (AR5007) wireless card and been upgraded to 2Gb of RAM. This system boots a customized version of Kubuntu from an internal 120Gb HDD and supports encryption offload through the Padlock feature of the Via C7-M processor. The operating system has been modified to use the Wireless-Testing Linux kernel, pre-patched with everything needed to use the Aircrack-NG toolkit. All standard ACPI features are supported, including suspend-to-disk, suspend-to-ram, screen brightness, and volume control keys.

via ipwn.mobi