Folks who are looking for a cute little portable computing device without cost being a factor might want to look at the new and improved Sony VAIO P Series. The original which was unveiled to the masses at CES a year ago comes across as a wondrous portable computing device, where it packs enough power to get basic work done on the go while maintaining a form factor that allows you to stash it in your back jeans pocket without missing a beat. Well, the VAIO P is now new and improved, and you will also be able to enjoy an array of built-in one-touch buttons which allows you to instantly access the web, adjust screen resolution and even tune-up your PC from the get go. A trackpad has been built directly into the LCD bezel for a novel way of interaction, while a mobile nav grip have also been added to make life easier than ever, letting you access content on-the-go. Sony also knows that you want to look good while using gizmos, which is why they introduced it in five vibrant new colors – electric orange, neon green, hot pink, icy white and classic black. Let’s check out its specifications and features further after the jump.

Measuring roughly the size of a business envelope and somewhat as thin as a cellphone, the VAIO P Series tips the scales at a mere 1.4 pounds, where despite its diminutive size, it will integrate full PC features and capabilities, letting you edit documents, watch online videos, and organize photos all with an ultraportable design. Of course, battery life in such a small device will not be conducive for you to work for long hours on end without a power plug nearby. Still, let it not discourage you from picking one up since you get interesting features such as these :-

• The new PC features one-touch buttons providing convenient shortcuts with just a click.
• Press the WEB button, and this Instant mode option launches directly into your browser. You can even press it when the PC is turned off and it will launch you into your web browser without a full boot through the Windows® operating system.
• The ASSIST button launches Sony’s own VAIO Care software, an easy-to-use program that lets you tune-up, maintain, update and troubleshoot the PC.
• A resolution button lets you increase or decrease screen resolution for optimal viewing.
• The P Series also boasts a unique mobile nav grip to surf the web without a mouse or keyboard. A trackpad and left- and right-click buttons are built right into the LCD bezel, providing a creative solution to navigate the web and a new way to interact with a PC.
• It features a high-resolution, 1600 x 768, LED backlit 8-inch ultra-wide display (diagonal), making it easy to view everything from entire spreadsheets to full web pages. Plus, for a more convenient way to read long web pages without all the scrolling, turn the P Series on its side to change the viewing orientation from landscape mode to portrait mode. A new array of stylish carrying cases and wireless mice are now available.
• GPS and Digital Compass
• Accelerometer sensor
• Built-in Everywair 3G
• Clear, bright, widescreen VAIO Display Plus
• Easy to use with Quick Web Access

Click here to view the embedded video.

Product Features
* 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor
* 128 GB Solid State Drive, 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM
* NVIDIA GeForce 9400M Integrated Graphics, 13.3 inch LED Display
* Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System

Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

* Hardware Platform: Mac
* Processor: 2.13 GHz Intel Core Duo
* System Bus Speed: 1066
* Number of Processors: 2
* RAM: 2000 MB
* RAM Type: DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drive

* Size: 128 GB
* Manufacturer: Portable
* Type: Serial ATA

Ports and Connectivity

* Modem: None

Power

* Rated Charge (normal use): 5 hours

Computex Taipei may be over and done with for another year, but the netbooks on display at the show just keep on surfacing, and the folks at Netbooknews.com have now provided a hands-on with one that didn’t exactly get a ton of attention earlier: the J&W Minix 811. While there’s expectedly not a ton of surprises when it comes to the specs, this one does seem to be thinner and lighter than the average netbook and, even better still, it has both a matte screen and fairly large and apparently responsive keyboard. Head on past the break for the hands-on video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Touchscreen interfaces; the delicate balance between technology and cost are slowly falling in unison and HP aims to be in the vanguard. The Touchsmart PCs have always tried to epitomize that future but the 1st gen machines weren’t exactly winners. We took the 2nd gen machines for a test drive and spoke to Randall Martin – HP’s Worldwide Director of Design for Commercial and Consumer Desktop PCs about the present and future of the Touchsmart PC line.

The meat and potatoes of the Touchsmart PC is the Touchsmart UI which overlays Windows Vista. Apps are neatly arranged in two rows; the often used ones are larger tiles on top with secondary apps below. You can rearrange them however you like. Most of the apps are right at home with your finger. Photos, videos, and music are all intuitively controlled by taps, swipes and flicks. It’s apps that require keyboard input that visibly break the whole Minority Report-esque experience. Some apps take you out of the Touchsmart UI into Windows but intelligently return when you close out of them. Good thing otherwise that quirk would be a totally annoyance.

Speaking of the Windows desktop, the touch interface works there too. Tho not as intuitive, you can open/close and move windows around. The touchscreen isn’t a capacitive touchscreen. Instead it uses camera technology to accurately pinpoint the position of your finger(s). Be it design or cost – the decision is a mistake. Sometimes it doesn’t register my finger and other times it’s hypersensitive. The key to successfully using it is to go slow and pace yourself. This isn’t the iPhone where you can wildly flick your fingers. This takes precise taps and swipes to control and manipulate.

Once you get past the whole “touch” gloss. You realize it’s a decently powered multimedia computer. You’re not going to be playing Quake or Spore on maximum settings but surfing the internet and watching HD videos are a breeze. There’s even a built-in QAM tuner for those with compatible cable. We couldn’t test this feature since we have digital optical cable but if you’re familiar with Windows Media Center, then you don’t need us to cover it here.

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to speak with HP’s head honcho of design, Randall Martin. The 2nd gen Touchsmart PCs are a huge improvement. They’re sleeker, sexier and they even look thinner. Careful attention was paid to the footprint. Minimalism was key. The face is devoid of any buttons. The keyboard and mouse are wireless without the barrage of multimedia buttons found on PC counterparts. There’s a single cable in the rear and that’s it. You turn the computer on by touching a “home” button near the bottom right of the frame. Greeted by a satisfying humm, it’s almost as if I was in some parallel universe where Mac’s were black.

The most surprisingly thing Randall told me was the loose inspiration – the idea of a messenger bag. The ubiquitous icon of storage and utilitarian function; a fitting metaphor for the computer. After all a computer is a place where one stores all their data. A place that holds the key to communicating externally with others. It’s valued and cared for. To translate those esoteric ideas. the Touchsmart sorta looks like a messenger bag. The rounded frame is bisected at the bottom right above the speaker grill – like the flap of a messenger bag. A light illuminates underneath functionally shedding light on the all black keyboard and yet the aesthetic remains clean and unobtrusive.

Perhaps the most reassuring thing was Randall’s commitment to evolving the Touchsmart line. He wants to see it thinner, cleaner, even more minimal. He wants to see more focus on the touch interface and the software behind the UI. As with any good product – if the designer can see room for improvement, then we’re all in for a treat. The HP Touchsmart PC is a good computer, don’t get me wrong. Priced around $1,500, it gives you a lot of bang for your buck but the interface is laggy. It’s not quite ready for prime time but so close. Thankfully the bells and whistles aren’t there to hide a crappy computer. Either way – be it for novel use or real computing, I think you’d be happy to come home to a piano black computer ready for your every touch and whim.

Specs:

• 22 inch LCD display with touchscreen (1680 x 1050)
• Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz processor
• 4 GB RAM
• 500 GB SATA hard drive
• SuperMulti 8x Slimslot DVD Drive
• Wireless USB module with 802/11 b/g/n PCI Wireless Mini Card
• GeForce 9300M GS 256 MB DDR2 memory
• PCI Express x1 mini-card TV tuner card
• Integrated High Definition audio
• Integrated LAN
• Memory card reader
• Wireless keyboard and mouse
• Remote Control
• Web cam
• Windows Vista Home Premium

Fujitsu Siemens is planning on releasing ‘zero-watt’ PC called Esprimo 7935 around the middle of this year. What’s so cool about this PC is the fact that it’s capable to achieve zero energy consumption when switched off. Most electronic devices still consume a very small amount of energy between 1 watt and 4 watts even when switched off or unless they’re actually unplugged. The PC also comes with a power adapter that’s 89 percent efficient and conforms to EPA’s new Energy Star 5.0 standard. The system will set you back around €600 or €700.

Asus has launched an touch-screen PC Eee Top ET1602, that offer versatile mobility and is easy to install. All one has to do is plug the power cord into a socket, and system is ready for use and it  boasts full functionality of a regular desktop PC.

Weighing 4.3 Kgs, the new Asus Eee Top ET1602 computer features a touch panel that allows users to do everything that a regular desktop allows but by simply applying direct pressure on the screen with your fingertips.

Asus Eee Top ET1602 ultra-portable PC is designed as low-cost, Internet-centric mobile computing devices also called NetBooks and is powered by 1.6 GHz Intel Atom ULV (ultra low voltage) Processor N270, specifically designed for small devices and low power consuption, while maintaining the Intel Core 2 Duo instruction set compatibility.

The Intel Atom processor N270 uses a brand new design structure that packs in 47 million transistors into a single chip sized at just 22mm (0.87 inches), and the processor uses just 2.5 watts of power which is less than 1/10th of the 35 watts used by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor.

The 1.6 GHz Atom processor N270 in Asus Eee ET1602 also includes a power-optimized front side bus of 533 MHz for faster data transfer on demanding mobile applications and a 512 KB L2 cache (which temporarily stores data).

Asus Eee Top ET1602 PC features 1-GB DDR2 667 MHz SDRAM (maximum 2-GB via a standard SO-DIMM module) and a 160-GB internal 2.5-inch SATA hard drive. There is no provision to connect CD/DVD optical drive of choice.

Asus Eee Top ET1602 PC is equipped with sharp and vibrant 15.6-inch widescreen LCD display having aspect ratio of 16:10 powered by Splendid Video Intelligence Technology which ensures that the display remains vivid and clear regardless of environmental lighting.

The Asus Eee Top ET1603 PC features a discrete ATI Mobility Radeon HD3450 graphics chipset with shared video memory enabling the system to run graphically-intensive 3D applications and games more fluidly.

Eee Top ET1602 PC also features integrated Hi-Fi speakers and SRS TruSurround HD technology which works in tandem with its built-in high fidelity speakers to deliver crystal clear audio.

Some of other features of Asus Top Eee ET1602 PC includes a integrated Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n wireless LAN connectivity for speedy and reliable Internet access, and an integrated 1.3 megapixel web camera and microphone for convenient web conferencing.

The Eee Top ET1602 PC is also ideally suited to beginners as it features icon-driven touch-and-select user interface in addition to an exclusive Easy Mode within Windows operating system that makes commonly used applications easily within streamlined and readily accessible menus.

The Asus Eee Top ET1602 PC offers several preinstalled applications including Eee Memo for writing messages on desktop stick-on with by simply using finger touches on screen. In addition, SoftStylus system enables users to input text without requiring a physical keyboard by offering handwriting recognising in addition to offering a virtual keyboard as an alternative to physical keyboard.

Surfing the Internet is also pretty simple without needing the use of a mouse and with built-in Opera Touch enhanced for touchscreen application that supports drag-and-drop functions, widgets and speed dialing feature.

Asus Eee Top ET1602 touch-screen PC also offers multimedia application viz. ‘Eee Cinema’ which is a full-featured multimedia center that enhances the user’s enjoyment of photos, videos, music and movies. The Eee Cinema application provides the ability to browse, select and play all of the user’s media by simple screen touch.

The touch-screen capable Asus Eee Top ET1602 PC sports a carrying handle, which also serves as a keyboard holder and the cooling system using what is collectively called ASUS Tranquiller Technology which utilises an unique optimized air flow design and specially designed heat dissipation materials to ensure that the system remains cool.

Ports on Asus Eee PC 904HA ultra mobile PC

• 4x USB v2.0 ports
• RJ-45 LAN Port 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Controller
• External MIC Input
• External Audio Out
• 3X Audio Ports for 5.1 Channel
• VGA Port 15 Pin D-Sub
• 2-in-1 Media Card Slot

Asus Eee Top ET1602 Touch Screen PC Features

• Intel Atom Processor N270, 1.6 GHz
• 512 KB L2 Cache, 533 MHz FSB
• Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset Mainboard
• 1-GB DDR2 SDRAM, 667 Mhz, Max. upto 2 GB maximum
• 160-GB, SATA 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• 15.6-inch 16:10 WSVGA TFT LCD Display, 1024 x 600 pixels screen resolution
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD3450 graphics chipset with shared video memory
• Integrated WiFi 802.11b/g Wireless LAN mini PCI-E connection
• Integrated 10/100 Mbit Ethernet LAN connection
• Integrated 1.3 Megapixel webcam (placed in the bezel above the LCD)
• 2-in-1 Media Card Reader, Multimedia Card (MMC), Memory stick (MS)
• 4 USB v2.0 ports
• Realtek ALC6628 Hi-Definition Audio 5.1 CODEC Hardware
• Build-in Stereo 2 stereo speaker system 4W each x 2 + SRS Premium Sound System
• Built-in Digital Array Microphone
• Microsoft Windows XP Home
• Colors: Pearl white, Pure white, and Shine Black
• Weight: 4.3 Kg with battery

Here is another unique PC case from Lian-Li. The exclusive electric blue Lin-Li PC-888s PC case features blue anodized aluminum and adopts a unique system for cooling within. The case retails for about $500 each. Just remember that it is limited edition. Only 500 units are available for purchase.

Gateway’s new all-in-one PC will be available in Taiwan very soon. This Windows XP Home-based ZX2300 boasts an 18.5-inch display screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 1366 x 768 resolution. The PC is powered by AMD Athlon 2650e processor with 1GB memory, 160GB storage, Wi-Fi, webcam, and a Lightscribe DVD burner. The Gateway ZX2300 is priced at US$530.

Toshiba  introduced their latest SSD wonder, the industry’s first 2.5” 512GB SSD, the THNS512GG8B.
We don’t have any details on the price, however, Toshiba announced that it wil displayl this almighty beast next January at the CES 2009.
TOKYO–Toshiba Corporation (Tokyo: 6502) today announced the expansion of their line up of NAND-flash-based solid state drives (SSD) with the industry’s first 2.5-inch 512-gigabyte (GB) SSD and a broad family of fast read/write SSDs based on 43 nanometer (nm) Multi-Level Cell NAND. The new drives provide a high level of performance and endurance for use in notebook computers, gaming and home entertainment systems, and will be showcased at International CES 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 8 to 11, 2009.

Toshiba will continue to promote innovations that widen the horizons of the NAND Flash market and support its continued leadership in that market. The company will spur demand for SSD in notebook PCs, netbooks and digital consumer products by enhancing its lineup, offering products with different densities and interfaces in a range of packages, while advancing device performance.

We only just learned about the HDMI upgrade to the Asus Eee Box line with the B204 and B206 models, but there’s another update coming in the B203: A Celeron instead of Atom.Liliputing is reporting via an Italian Eee PC site that the Intel C220 Celeron upgrade is pretty much the only difference between the B203 and the original Eee Box B202. The chip replaces the Intel Atom chip that currently dominates the line.

The rest is pretty standard stuff. It runs Windows XP (Asus “recommends” Vista, cha-ching!), and comes with an 80, 120 or 160GB hard drive. There’s also 4 USB ports, a flash card reader, DVI out, Ethernet port and wifi. Pricing wasn’t available, but Liliputing expects it to check in slightly lower than the Atom version.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Product Description

Redesigned with a next-generation, touch-enabled 22-inch high-definition LCD screen, the HP TouchSmart IQ506 all-in-one desktop PC is designed to fit wherever life happens: in the kitchen, family room, or living room. With one touch you can check the weather, download your e-mail, or watch your favorite TV show. It’s also designed to maximize energy, with a power-saving Intel Core 2 Duo processor and advanced power management technology, as well as material efficiency–right down to the packaging. It has a sleek piano black design with elegant espresso side-panel highlights, and the HP Ambient Light lets you set a mood–or see your keyboard in the dark.

]]> http://www.elautech.com/home-office/hp-touchsmart-pc/feed 0 http://www.elautech.com/home-office/sony-ux-micro-pc-special http://www.elautech.com/home-office/sony-ux-micro-pc-special#comments Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:16:11 +0000 Elautech http://www.elautech.com/?p=3110

Ultra-Portable Design

The VAIO® UX Micro PC is so small and lightweight you won’t believe it’s a full-functioning PC.But this remarkably compact dynamo is designed for productivity on the go. With a 4.5” wide SVGA (1024×600) display with XBRITE™ LCD technology, Intel® Core™ Solo Ultra Low Voltage CPU for fast processing, and Microsoft® XP Professional operating system on board.And because this is a full-functioning PC using the OS you already know, application user interfaces are familiar and easy to use. Advanced Wireless capabilities are built right in, and expansion is a breeze with the included port replicator.

Micro Computer, Maximum Enjoyment

Compact, lightweight and extremely portable, yet packed with digital entertainment technology. The VAIO® UX Micro PC is truly an achievement in ingenious design, incorporating years of Sony know-how to deliver a full-functioning PC that literally fits in your pocket. A 4.5” widescreen display with XBRITE™ LCD technology delivers a clean, crisp viewing surface while an Intel® Core™ Solo Ultra Low Voltage processor and Microsoft® XP Professional operating system provide the full PC usage experience you need. Also, it is ready for the next generation Windows Vista operating system.

All-in-one Mobile Entertainment

Listen to music, take pictures, and watch video anytime, anywhere. The VAIO® UX Micro PC is not only your portable computer, it’s your MP3 player, your PDA, and your digital camera all built into one device. With two built-in digital cameras, you can capture, store and share digital photos and take part in live video chats. Purchase the optional LocationFree® Player Pak and you can stream TV programming and videos through your home broadband connection to enjoy anywhere you connect your VAIO® UX Micro PC to broadband Internet.

Work and Play Wherever You Go

Stay connected and accomplish more even while you travel. Chat with friends, check your email, and surf the Internet from almost anywhere. Designed to help you connect at home or on the road, the VAIO® UX Micro PC features Sony’s original SmartWi™ technology, which seamlessly manages wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) High Speed 3G EDGE, 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN, and Bluetooth® technologies to provide you with the most convenient method of communication. You can even conduct videoconferences with the built-in camera and microphone.

Get Peace of Mind

Feel confident that your computer is secure. Whether you need to protect the confidentiality of important data or prevent damage to your hard drive, the VAIO® UX Micro PC has you covered. Conveniently protect your data from theft with the Biometric Fingerprint Sensor. Your computer’s hard drive will naturally stabilize when jilted due to the integrated G-Sensor™ HDD Shock Protection. Enjoy the convenience and confidence of owning a UX Micro PC with integrated security technologies.

Enjoy the User-Friendly Design

Access programs quickly and comfortably. Ergonomic features and intuitive controls make the VAIO® UX Micro PC fun and easy to use. Choose the input method you prefer with the integrated keyboard and stylus. VAIO® Touch Launcher and Instant Command enable fast program access, and the Biometric Fingerprint Sensor stores your passwords so you can access applications and secure web sites without having to type them. View documents, applications and media in the most convenient way since you can view in either landscape or portrait orientations. With control buttons for zooming, scrolling and a stick pointer, it’s easy to use your UX Micro PC.

Smallest, lightest full PC in the World!
•    Latest Intel Centrino Intel® Core™ Solo Processor U1400 (1.20GHz1 , 2MB L2 Cache)
•    4.5” Wide XBRITE SVGA LCD, Touch Screen (1024×600)
•    512MB PC2-3200 400MHz DDR2 SDRAM
•    30GB 4200rpm Ultra ATA Hard Drive with G-Sensor™ Shock Protection – Hard Disk Drive Protection
•    Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection (802.11a/b/g)
•    Built-In Speakers
•    Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 128MB dynamically allocated RAM/Video memory
•    Fast Ethernet 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX (RJ-45)
•    Memory Stick® Media Slot — 1 – Supports Optional Memory Stick DUO™ media with MagicGate® functionality
•    Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) accessing high speed 3G wireless EDGE Network with SmartWi™ technology
•    DVDRW. Burn DVD’s. FREE Upgrade for all bank transfer paying customers.
•    Buttons-Mouse Left, Mouse Right, Scroll, Magnify Screen (Zoom In/Out), Capture, Center Button, Wireless LAN On/Off, VAIO Touch Launcher
•    2 Built-in Cameras (front: 0.3M pixels and back: 1.3M pixels)
•    Built-in microphone
•    USB 2.0 Port
•    Microphone jack, Headphone jack
•    Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
•    110V-240V AC Adapter compatible with Voltage in the United Kingdom
•    4.5 Hours Battery Life
•    Windows XP Professional with SP2 Free Upgrade
•    1.2lbs
•    Sony 1 Year Warranty
•    Due to huge demand for this model please allow few days for shipment.
Anti-Virus and Recovery Software: Norton® Internet
Security™ 60-Day Subscription – Norton AntiVirus®,
Norton Personal Firewall, Norton Privacy Control,
Norton AntiSpam®, Norton Parental Control
TrendMicro™ Anti-Spyware (30-Day Trial)
VAIO® Recovery Wizard
VAIO® Support Central
VAIO® Security Center
VAIO® Update
Supplied Software: Microsoft® Streets & Trips
Software
InterVideo® WinDVD®
Intuit® Quicken® 2006 New User Edition (Previous
Quicken users may require additional upgrade)
Microsoft® Works 8.5
Microsoft® Office 2003 (60-Day Trial Small
Business Edition)
60-Day Trial Version of Microsoft Digital Image
Starter Edition 2006
Roxio® DigitalMedia SE
Pen Plus™
Sony® Original Software: Image Converter – PSP™
Transfer
SmartWi™ Connection Manager
SonicStage® – Digital Music
VAIO Media™ – Network File Sharing
VAIO® Touch Launcher
60-minute Trial Version of Jeopardy®
60-minute Trial Version of Wheel of Fortune®

Most people love the convenience of convergence devices these days – for an everyday example, just take out your cell phone. Chances are it doubles up as your secondary digital camera and iPod, since it comes with both music playback capability and a pretty decent lens to capture impromptu moments. As for HDTVs, well, these are still pretty exclusive in terms of functionality although Silicon Mountain Holdings, Inc. hopes to change things by unveiling both a 32″ and 42″ High Definition LCD TV that not only features an integrated Blu-ray/DVD combo player, it also has a full fledged PC running within. Talk about being high powered!

The Allio HDTV/PC can safely claim to be the first product of its kind in North America (who knows, maybe even the world?), where the flagship 42″ model comes with a built-in PVR to help you record all your favorite shows that you cannot afford to miss. Powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 processor, the rest of the specifications are equally beefy to help out in its multimedia intensive tasks, including 4GB RAM, a 1TB hard drive to store countless hours of video, as well as the 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium to help you get started. The Allio will not only come with analog and digital audio-video inputs found in most HDTVs, it even boasts wireless and wired networking capabilities with a handful of USB 2.0 ports that will further extend the experience to other computers and peripherals in your abode.

Instead of getting two TVs, the Allio’s picture-in-picture and split-screen capabilities enables multiple sources of content to operate simultaneously on a single large screen, so you can continue watching your game on the big screen while your other half catches up on her drama series. Depending on system configuration and screen size, prices start from $1,599.99 upwards, which is pretty darn reasonable considering the sheer amount of entertainment options you have at your fingertips.

When I first got a chance to use the keyboard on the iPhone, I found it quite hard to use. I mean, there’s just this tiny keypad and you have to hit the keys exactly. Not to mention that there is no tactile feedbackI don’t personally own an iPhone, but if I ever had to use one to send and receive very important emails, I would definitely want to have the BTKeyMini. The BTKeyMini is a Bluetooth keyboard designed for the iPhone as well as the iPod Touch.

With this device, you can wirelessly sync up to your Apple mobile device of choice, and have that wonderful feeing of clicking keys underneath your fingers.

As you can see, there is some sort of flap on the keyboard that is presumably there to hold the iPhone in place. I’m not certain how large this keyboard is, so I’m going to go with it being the size of an Asus Eee. That would make it easily portable if that is the case.

The only question that remains is when this product will become available. Apparently, it was announced in January, the available for pre-order in August. Any chance this will be available before Christmas? I believe the price will be approximately $92 when that happens.

We’ve read it before ad-nauseum. Cupertino is working on a tablet. Apple’s going to release a tablet. Multi touch screen patent applications prove a tablet is coming. All very tempting tidbits of information based on something seen in the wild of the world wide web. Now we can add another to the list. But this time, it’s coming from the Gray Old Lady herself – the NY Times. And it pretty much looks like an iPhone on steroids.

Seems that John Markoff at the New York Times got a phone call on the “Q.T.,” very secretive, from a guy we’ll all “Deep Throat.” Throat tells Markoff that a search engine company has confirmed details and pictures of a netbook Mac with, that can only be described as “ a display somewhere between an iPhone and a MacBook.” Sounds pretty cryptic. And this is usually where the theory begins to fall a part. But there’s one thing in it’s camp that helps a little way towards giving it the street cred it needs to be a viable piece of information …

The same thing happened just before news broke on the iPhone. Search engine traffic showing Apple and the iIPhone pointing to what became the hottest selling handset in cellphones today. Couple that with Apple’s previous patent application for a laptop sized multi-touch LCD screen, and it’s starting to sound like paydirt. Only one problem … Steve Jobs quite clearly said “we don’t know how to build a sub-$500 computer that is not a piece of junk.” I think it’s parsing his words pretty good though, as most netbooks are hovering around sub $800 prices. And he also said he’d never get into the phone biz. And look what happened.