The HP Chromebook 14 was popular and well-received. Maybe it was because of the 14-inch screen but I think in general it was the build quality, the keyboard and the Haswell-architecture performance that did it. It was an all-round quality Chromebook. The new HP Chromebook 14 has an updated design, screen options and has switched from X86 to ARM in the processor department. Battery life is improved as a result.
Toshiba were showing off the new Chromebook 2 (CB30-B) at IFA in Berlin so I took some time to get acquainted. At an estimated 400 Euros it’s not a cheap Chromebook but it’s an interesting offering because you’ve got a Full HD 13.3-inch screen in just 1300 grams (2.9 pounds.) Like the Lenovo N20p it’s offering something a little bit different and after spending time with it I’m quite impressed. There’s a hands-on video below.
I’ll be the first to admit that I cringe a little inside when I see brand new laptops released in 2013 with 1366×768 displays. It seems like a real shame — many of these devices are beautiful machines but have a resolution that would have felt at home at least 5 years ago. For those looking for a crisp high resolution display there’s good news! The Ultrabook segment is home to at least 16 Ultrabooks with full HD 1920 x 1080p displays — in all shapes and sizes!
This video comes from GadjetJM and it’s a good overview of the new Samsung Series 7 Ultra that got launched a few days ago. This Series 7 is looking like a real powerhouse of an Ultrabook with touch and discreet graphics. Backlit keyboard, SSD and a Full HD screen of 1920×1080.
I can’t say anything more than is in the title. The Samsung Series 9 2013 Ultrabooks will get a Full HD, 1920×1080 screen soon.
That’s all the detail we heard from the live stream of the Samsung CES press conference this evening. We hope to bring you some hands-on from our good friends on the floor at CES in Las Vegas during the week.
Meanwhile, what do you think of the new Samsung Series 7 Ultra?
MSI appear to have quietly given the MSI S20 slider an airing. We first saw this back in June in a not-too-professional presentation by themselves but despite that it’s been one that has gained quite a bit of interest. Recent news highlighted a target price (yes, the good old non-committal target price!) of $799-$899.
Engadget and LesNumeriques have news for us…
Unconfirmed but appearing in the flesh on photos in China is the Lenovo Thinkpad Helix, an 11.6” Core-based Tablet with keyboard docking station in much the same style as the Lenovo Ideapad Lynx, a more consumer-focused dockable tablet built around the Intel Atom Clover Trail platform. Details are think on the ground but we’ve pulled together as much as we can for you.
There’s some confusion about the mechanism here but after looking and reading through a number of reports, we’re going to say it has a single-sided screen that can dock with the screen facing forward or backwards.
I don’t believe any of the Gen-1 Ultrabooks should be taken off the market to be replaced with Ivy Bridge models but there’s a risk that they will be if manufacturers adopt a two-prong approach with low and high-end Ivy Bridge devices. News just in via The Verge says that new Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks, the UX32A and UX32Vd, will start at $800. Does that leave any space for price drops on the UX21 and UX31?
While old stock may go for cheaper prices in Q3 we think it’s unlikely that the UX21 and UX31 will continue on the production line.
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