NEC has released a new 12” somewhat sub-notebook called the LaVie N series. I’m pretty excited about this. The reason is that I’m thinking that 12” is the perfect size for sub-notebooks as it’s the perfect trade-off of size and performance. It’s small enough to be portable but big enough to be pretty usable. Of course, there are 12” models already on the market but most of them aren’t widescreen. Let’s face it…widescreen is the future and it’s inherently much more usable than 4:3 based screens. It also makes DVD viewing much more nice.

The new NEC LaVie N LN500/9DW has the following specifications:

- Pentium M 1.5 Ghz
- 256MB DDR PC2700 Memory Standard (2GB maximum capacity)
- 12.1” Widescreen WXGA 1280x768 “SuperShine” technology for brightness and low reflection
- Integrated Graphics using Intel Extreme Graphics 2(855GME) with up to 64MB of shared graphics.
- 802.11b/g built-in wireless
- 60GB hard disk standard
- Slot loading DVD super multi-drive (DVD-RAM, 2.4x DVD+R/RW, 4x DVD-R/RW)
- Triple memory slot (SD/MS/xD)
- 1 x PC Card slot
- 3 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1 x RJ45, 1 x RJ11
- 1 x IEEE1394 Firewire (4-pin)
- 1 x microphone input
- 1 x headphone output (also used as line output and optical minijack/SPDIF)
- 1 x s-video output
- 1 x VGA output
- Includes an optical mouse
- Includes a stand that with a charge function and a bottom cover that hides the screws and lines and makes the bottom almost all smooth and aesthetically pleasing.
- Standard battery life 4.7 hours (3 hours to fully charge battery)
- 4.4lbs (2.0kg)
- 298 x 199-202 x 37.9 (W x D x H) mm

Ok, there’s a lot to like about this notebook. One of the first thing that jumps out is the Quickstart button which allows you to use DVDs and CDs without starting Windows. Yes, that’s no typo. That’s awesome and looks to be a killer feature.

There are 3 buttons on the top that automatically control the power management abilities. So, you can configure them or leave them be with DVD/Game mode, Music Appreciation mode, and Maximum battery mode.

The screen should be pretty nice in outdoors since NEC has developed pretty good transflective properties on their LCDs. It has a 19mm keyboard pitch so it’s almost full sized keys for comfortable typing.

The system is nice and looks a lot like the Sony TR series but it has a nice Frosty Pearl White finish. It also comes in a Misty Blue Black color. So, it really is a beautiful looking system although the very close styling to the Sony TR. It looks like NEC has developed a nice system with their own touches. It should be interesting to see what other companies release in the 12” range. Hitachi has the Prius series already but we’ll have to see what the larger companies come out with…especially Sony.

For people who read Japanese - [url=http://121ware.com/product/pc/200405/lavie/lvn/strongpoint/index.html]http://121ware.com/product/pc/200405/lavie/lvn/strongpoint/index.html [/url]

And a 3-D look at the system - [url=http://121ware.com/product/pc/3d/lavie/405/l405_n1/ln1h1.html#top]http://121ware.com/product/pc/3d/lavie/405/l405_n1/ln1h1.html#top [/url]

Looks pretty nice. I wouldn’t dump the TR for this, but it’s very competitive, if a slight bit heavy. It definitely looks like the love child of the TR and the iBook. It got daddy’s physique and mommy’s milky white skin (and wallpaper).

Wow, I thought you had mistakenly posted a picture of a TR at first, I guess Sony was really onto something in its design. I’m thinking that I might get a Z-series notebook whenever Sony redesigns it, it’s actually only about .3 lbs heavier than the NEC and has even more goodies. The DVD player feature sounds like it would be really nice, and would probably eke out a little extra battery life without system overhead in the background. I’ve used an old Compaq laptop that let you play audio CDs without booting up the machine, and always thought it would be cool to have similar DVD functionality.

Pretty sweet.  Looks like the speakers are at the very front.  I like the slot loading, and what a great idea for a direct on/off for the DVD and CD.  A little heavier than I would like, as panasonic has shown they can make a 12” for around 3 lbs I believe.

Yeah, I wouldn’t give up my TR either…not yet. The only thing missing from that NEC model is integrated Bluetooth.  :wink: I just like the fact that other manufacturers are starting to get it and releasing some new designs…especially in the 12” sector. It definitely has to get Sony’s attention and Sony’s 12” model is due for a serious refresh as the V505 design (if you want to call it that) has been out for a while.

Of course, I told myself that I wouldn’t upgrade until new models based on Dothan are released. Those systems should be interesting since they bring so much more to the table than a processor bump.

Here’s hoping to a sub 3lb. new TR and a sub 4lb…unnamed 12” widescreen model from Sony. 

Speaking of new laptops, I found this mockup of a PowerBook G5 today, definitely worth a chuckle considering how hot the chips must run. 

Back to the regularly scheduled thread!

[quote author=“cellery”]Speaking of new laptops, I found this mockup of a PowerBook G5 today, definitely worth a chuckle considering how hot the chips must run. 

Back to the regularly scheduled thread!

Nice! At least is has dual burners…there should be another small port where you can bake single cookies (or that EZ Bake oven)...or stick a piece a bread for toasting.

That NEC looks real nice except that it looks a bit thick…1.5 in. compared to our TR’s which is 1.3 in.

It definitely has some very nice features.  Ok Sony, time to respond…

[quote author=“gr00vy0ne”][quote author=“cellery”]Speaking of new laptops, I found this mockup of a PowerBook G5 today, definitely worth a chuckle considering how hot the chips must run. 

Back to the regularly scheduled thread!

Nice! At least is has dual burners…there should be another small port where you can bake single cookies (or that EZ Bake oven)...or stick a piece a bread for toasting.

I thought it would be useful for storage (mouse, adapter, some DVDs, lucky rabbits foot, a cheese sandwich, etc.) :D

I don’t know if they have to respond right away and i wouldn’t be surprised if they bided their time. You have to figure that Sony’s banking on the new Dothan (aka new 0.09nm Pentium Ms) before releasing a new product. Sony’s probably not the only one who’s being hamstrung by Intel’s late shipment on these processors.

I figure that they will announce something this summer (maybe late summer) and then ship it in the fall when there will be better quantities and when it’s a higher buying season (back to school/christmas).

Of course, I wouldn’t mind seeing a new design that’s sort of a cross between the Z1 and TR. I do like the Z1 design and think they could make a smaller version of it with a widescreen. The Z1 basically does have a lot of the features that we like (integrated bluetooth, b/g, discrete graphics, faster (changeable) hard disk, faster processor, and 2GB memory max). All it needs is a widescreen, XBrite, and maybe the camera/microphone.

[quote author=“gr00vy0ne”]
Of course, I wouldn’t mind seeing a new design that’s sort of a cross between the Z1 and TR. I do like the Z1 design and think they could make a smaller version of it with a widescreen. The Z1 basically does have a lot of the features that we like (integrated bluetooth, b/g, discrete graphics, faster (changeable) hard disk, faster processor, and 2GB memory max). All it needs is a widescreen, XBrite, and maybe the camera/microphone.

I think the next 505 (W505?) will have what you just described.

Don’t forget the JOGDIAL!!!!!  :mrgreen:

Yes, shame on me…Jog Dial…and MegaBass and all the other cool Sony technology…the Motion Eye can also double as an Eye Toy and plug directly into your Playstation 2. 

I know the new NEC mentioned above isn’t in the same form factor, but would you buy it over the new Fujitzu P7000? (that is, of course, if there was no TR). :D

Was there an estimated price for the NEC?

gr00vy0ne, how does “Supershine” stack up to XBrite?  Is it the same technology with a different name?