For those who missed Razer’s marketing spiel, the Blade sports a dual-core Intel Core i7 CPU clocked at 2.8 GHz (3.5 GHz Turbo), 8 GB of 1333 MHz DDR3 memory, an LED-backlit 17.3-inch LCD display with a 16:9 ratio and a 1920 x 1080 resolution, an Nvidia GeForce GT 555M GPU for “gaming mode” with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and Optimus Technology for mobile usage.  (view Full Specs of the Razer Blade here).

The price tag?  A hefty $2799.99.

Sure the Switchblade UI touchscreen adds quite a bit of value to the package as well as the Macbook Pro like single-sheet aluminum casing but the question that remains is — is it worth the price?

For that amount of money, you might be better off getting a fully customized gaming laptop for the best gaming experience.

The Switchblade UI brings a new control paradigm to mobile gaming as it provides the user with 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys which can be mapped to functions, just like the extra buttons on a gaming mouse.  Aside from providing easier access to in-game commands, the touchscreen also supports another display mode that is automatically enabled when the user connects a mouse.

There is currently no official release date nor is the current $2799.99 final.  Razer says they will be announcing availability and pricing in the next few days.

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In terms of looks, the Razer blade is a winner, packing a workhorse inside a thin and light casing that only measures 16.81″ (Width) x 10.9″ (Depth) x 0.88″ (Height); 6.97lbs (Weight). The black exterior is sure to win you envy on your next LAN party.

Now for the all important specs. Razer has equipped the blade with a dual core i7-2640M processor, 8GB DDR3 RAM and a NVidia GT-555M with 2GB GDDR5.

Razer Blade
17.3″ full HD LED display @ 1920×1080
Intel Core i7-2640M processor 2.8GHz
Dual-core, Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
Intel Mobile Express Series 6 PCH “Cougar Point” chipset
8GB 1333MHz DDR3 memory
Intel HD Graphics 3000
NVidia GT-555M with 2GB GDDR5
Optimus Technology
HD webcam
320GB 7200rpm SATA HDD
HDMI port
1 x USB 3.0 port
2 x USB 2.0 ports
GigaBit LAN
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 3.0

Spec wise, the blade is a tad disappointing in the graphics department since Razer only equipped the 17-incher with the 555M, a mid-range GPU. Also, at $2,800, it’s a wonder that there isn’t an SSD. Still, it’s the little things that may make it the gaming laptop for you as Razer has made the blade with meticulous attention to detail like a small, custom power brick, he fully anti-ghosted keyboard and the tailored green-colored of the USB 3.0 port.

Beside the full-sized keyboard, you have the Switchblade User Interface which includes 10 dynamic keys, fully customizable keys and an LCD screen that doubles as a multitouch panel.

So why did Razer put the keyboard off-center and place the touchpad beside it? It simulates a proper mouse and keyboard setup (although if you’re placing something that require accuracy like an RTS or FPS, this thing will have you killed). Razer says that the screen will display information from the game you’re currently playing while the customizable buttons will have dynamic functions depending on what title you’re playing. This being a Razer product, it’s possible that the company will include software that’ll allow you to create your own macros, customize icons, etc. The possibilities are endless (as long as support is there).

Below is a preview video from IGN

At $2,800, it’s not something for everyone as the price is a bitter pill to swallow. Still if portable gaming is your thing (with stress on portable), the Razer Blade may just be for you. The blade is set to release in the 4th Quarter of 2011.

source Razer

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CPU :
VIA Esther ULV C7-M (1.2GHz, 400/800MHz, 128KB/128KB L2)
Nano BGA2 90nm, 3.5W~7.5W TDP
OS:
Windows Vista Premium
Chipset:
VIA VX-700
Memory:
DDR2-533, 768MB
LCD:
7” TFT-LCD WXGA, 1024×600, with LED backlight
HDD:
1.8″ with 5400 RPM,40 or 60 GB
ODD:
External optical device supported
Camera:
1.3M pixel CMOS web-cam
Wireless:
802.11 b/g
Peripherals:
Card reader:SD/MMC/SD-IO
USB 2.0: 2 ports
VGA output
DC in connector
Stylus
Expansion port(including 10/100M ethernet jack)
Battery
2 cells,3900mAh/cell, Approximated at 3 hrs

Dimension
190(W)x120.8(D)x30.3(H)mm

Weight
780g

Price and availability is still unknown though so for now, it’s Asus EEE stealing the limelight.

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Will Apple’s entry bring much needed attention into the Tablet PC? It’s a gamble. Considering how well Vista integrates with Touchscreen equipped notebooks like HP’s TX1000 and it’s family, Apple is in the limelight once again with fans waiting for them to deliver something unique or revolutionary.

No word yet on a launch date as well as final specs for the Apple Tablet PC.

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The 4G model will have 512MB and 4GB in terms of storage and will include the webcam that was scrapped from the Asian edition. Both 4G Surf and 2G Surf will also be available at lower prices and lower specs and fewer peripherals. The 2G surf is with a 2GB HDD almost certain.

Prices will go as follows:

• 4G = $400
• 4G Surf = $350
• 2G Surf = $300

Still no news on availability of the 8G but it’s expected by the Christmas seasons.
This is a huge difference especially when you consider that UK units are available for around the original price (for example, 4G units are available for about $199). I will be waiting for around two months before I place my order via a relative. If prices still don’t bend around my budget then I guess it’s time for me to bid farewell to the EEE.

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Asus finally unveiled the models in which their much awaited EEE PC will be available.

Note:V stands for integrated.

Pricing for the EEE will be as follows $199 to $399 and will be available in North America in a few weeks (I wonder when it’ll reach Asia and the Philippines though). The price variation is adjusted by storage capacity, memory and built-in webcam for the Asus EEE PC unit.

I plan on getting a 4G instead of the 8G ( unless there’s less than $40 in price variation ) since I think it’s the best of all 4 models in terms of battery life and features. If I need a boost in performance then I could add a 512 DDR2 DIMM. A 4GB will be more than enough for me on a Ubuntu distro (yes I plan to replace the pre-installed Xandros with Kubuntu 7.10 which is due today) and the development tools I plan to install. If I need a bigger storage, I’ll just drop things on to a portable HDD (a laptop HD with a converter for USB connectivity).

Update: Availability for the EEE will be October 27 for Europe and November 1 for the US. I wonder how long it’ll take before it gets to Asia.

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The whole concept started with the OLPC. They wanted a portable, durable notebook with enough features to provide multimedia and interaction and long-lasting batteries at a dirt-cheap price.

While the OLPC runs into a financial wall, other PC makers are chipping in on the booming market. Asus, Fujitsu, Lenovo, Gateway and Intel are the most well known entries into the subnotebook market with Asus’ EEE currently the most popular. Although they did not intend to do so, Asustek’s subnotebook is now the primary competitor for the OLPC with one government placing orders for 1 million units.

What’s with the subnotebook popularity?

Cost is the primary feature that makes subnotebooks so attractive. Unless you’re a gamer or a poweruser who really needs a high spec notebook to do your work/play games, a lightweight, ultra portable notebook is a likely and productive option. Much more if the price is as cheap as high-end cellphones.

Because of this, manufacturers will opt for innovative technology on their products rather than just flashy features (like an Ultra Low voltage processor, a low power screen, SSDs for storage etc) while trying to keep the price at the barest minimum. More bang for your buck right?

Durability, usability and battery-life also contribute to the subnotebook’s fame.

Many people do complain however about the low storage capacity of subnotebook, Asus’s EEE for example will max out at 4 GB. While they are vouching for storage increase, I think it’s better to keep it at a minimum. That way, ultra portable notebooks will not suffer from issues like power consumption for platter-based drives and cost for solid state drives.

Who’s to benefit from all this?

The consumers if that’s still not obvious at this point in time.

With upcoming technology like Intel’s Diamondville, units are likely to get more advanced and while maintaining a price range that people from all walks of life will appreciate. Give or take a few months, we might even see something like Dell’s Latitude XT enter this market but that’s probably wishful thinking.

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To cut costs, Asus decided to include the Xandros Linux distribution instead of Windows. It supports WiFi b/g, uses SSD for its storage and has a mutli-card reader (full specs). Even with a seeming low battery life (3 hours probably at max) I’m looking forward to owning one because of it’s extreme portability. As one of my friends described it, it’s a cross between a smartphone PDA and a laptop but definitely more attractive than both.

You can place your preorder with Asus.

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• Intel A110 processor at 800Mhz
• Intel 945GU Express chipset with onboard graphics
• Wi-Fi, Ethernet, super compact
• Fingerprint sensor
• 1 x USB 2.0 port
• CF and SD card slot
• VGA out
• 5.6″ swivel LCD touchscreen
• Dimensions: 171?133?26.5 – 32mm
• Weight: 280 grams
• Lithium Battery

It can be run on Windows XP Professional or Vista Business. I’m curious though as to how the notebook’s maximum resolution at 1024 x 600 will look like. The touch screen is a feature that’s currently found only in several high-end laptops and will be a welcome addition to the sub-notebook line.

Pricing, other specs and availability has not been announced.

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For 200 bucks what are we getting?

CPU
900MHz Celeron-M ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) 353
Chipset
Intel 910 Chipset
OS
ASUS-customized, Xandros-distro Linux OS
Memory
512MB DDR2-400 RAM
LCD
7 in TFT LCD with LED
Camera
300K Pixel
HDD
4, 8, or 16GB solid-state storage
Peripherals
Atheros AR5007EG 802.11b/g wireless LAN
3 USB 2.0 ports
MMC/SD card reader
10/100 Mbit Ethernet

Dimensions
225x165x21-35mm

Weight
Less than 2 lbs

Colors
White, Black

Spec-wise this sub-notebook is light, efficient and cheap. Asus claims that the EEE PC boots in under 15 seconds, something that skeptics like me are all clamoring to see. The device will be shipped with a heavily customized Xandros Linux distribution that uses a tab-based interface instead of a conventional desktop environment (No windows, sorry fanboys). Software bundled with the system includes OpenOffice.org, Firefox, and Skype. The strong support for Linux makes the Eee PC a compelling choice for some open-source software enthusiasts, and the low price makes it a strong contender in the education market.

For a system that hasn’t even shipped yet, the ASUS EEE PC is certainly generating its share of hype (much like the iphone and related products). Several market analysts are projecting the EEE PC will have a significant impact on the ASPs of other digital devices, all before the Eee has even launched.As part of Intel’s “world ahead” initiative, the chipmaker worked closely with Asus during the EEE PC’s design phase. Pricing is competitive with other budget mobile computers designed for the education market, including the OLPC Project’s XO laptop, and Intel’s Classmate PC. EEE PC models are expected to sell for between $199 and $349. Price variations are dependent on the SSD that’s included with the unit.

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