notes from CES 2010

[haven]

Along with 100,000 other gear junkies, I attended the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. Here are my impressions.

The sub-$500 ultra-portable computer market has split in several directions. I saw netbooks, convertibles (also incorrectly called tablets, in my view), slate computers, ultralight PCs, smartbooks, smart phones and e-book readers, as well as conventional laptops.

The processors that power these computers are almost as diverse as the devices themselves.

 

[haven]

Intel N450 Pine Trail netbooks

Let's talk about Intel first. Last year's netbook computers were powered almost exclusively by Intel's Atom N270 processor. This year the N270 is obsolete. The new processor that replaces the N270 is the Atom N450, part of the Pine Trail family.

The N450 performs about at the same level as the N270. But it's much more efficient. That gives computer designers the choice of much longer runtime with the same battery, or making a lighter computer that has a smaller battery. Using less electricity means less heat produced, so N450 designs often don't need a fan.

At the show, most vendors advertised runtimes of 10 hours or more for their N450 models.

The Achilles Heel of the N450 family is its integrated graphics co-processor. The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 (GMA 3150) lacks the ability to accelerate HD video or Flash graphics. That makes the processor do all the heavy lifting, with the result that HD video drops frames and Flash web pages don't display properly.

One solution to the problem is to pair the N450 with a secondary graphics accelerator. One solution is the Broadcom Crystal HD chip, which accelerated HD video and works with Flash 10.1. This processor is packaged to be plugged into a PCI-E slot. The Crystal HD processor adds about $30 to the cost of an N450 netbook.

Nvidia offers a graphics accelerator called the Ion for the older N270 netbooks, and they plan to offer an Ion for the N450 as well. The Ion is more powerful than the Crystal HD, which helps with games and full screen 1080p HD (when output to an HD TV).

The well equipped N450 netbook includes a 10.1 inch 1024x600 display, 2 GB RAM, a 250 GB HDD, a 6 cell battery and Windows 7 Starter Edition. Expect to pay $350 to $400 for this combination today.

Prices for the N450 netbooks start at about $275, and rise to $500 or more depending on options like built-in 3G modem, GPS, screen larger than 10.1 inches, additional graphics co-processor, upgrade to Windows 7 Home Pemium, and so on.

Here's a list of the N450-equipped netbooks I saw at CES:

Acer Aspire One AO532h
N450
10.1 inch LED-backlit LCD
1 GB RAM, 160 GB drive
$299

Asus EEE 1001P
N450
10.1 inch screen
$300 = Windows XP
$350 = Windows 7

Asus EEE PC 1005P $350
N450 processor, integrated graphics
10 inch, 1024 x 600 display
1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive
6 cell battery

Dell Inspiron Mini 10
starts at $299
N450
tons of options, including Broadcom Crystal HD,
built-in GPS, integrated HD TV receiver

HP Mini 5102
N450 or N470 1.83 GHz
10 hour battery
7200 rpm HDD
metal case
optional GPS
optional capacitive multitouch screen

HP Mini 210
N450
9 hours battery life
lots of options
from $299 w/ XP

Lenovo Ideapad S10-3T convertible
N450
3 GB RAM
320 GB disk
10 inch multi-touch color LCD display
Windows 7 which version ?
$500

MSI Wind U160
N450
Windows 7 Starter
2.2 lbs

Samsung N210, N220, N150, NB30
10 inch display, 1024 x 600
NB30 ruggedized

Toshiba NB305
N450
1 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD
10.1 inch 1024 x 600 display
six cell battery up to 11 hours
Windows 7 starter
2.6 lbs
$350 and up

 

[haven]

Intel CULV processors

In addition to the Atom N450, Intel recently introduced a line of "consumer ultra low voltage" processors, or CULV. These processors generally have names that begin with the letters SU. The CULV processors have two advantages over the N450.

First, they are available packaged with two cores. The dual core models that seem to be favored by the manufacturers are the SU4100 and SU7300. Both are substantially faster (50% to 100% faster in some tests) than the N450. This makes the dual core CULV machines better for all-purpose computing, not just Internet access when on the run.

Second, the CULV processors are packaged with Intel's Graphics Media Accelerator 4500. The GMA 4500MHD plays HD video and works with Flash 10.1. So no extra graphics co-processor is necessary.

Battery life for the machines with dual core processor tend to be quite a bit less than the N450 netbooks. I expect 5 to 7 hours of battery life for these netbooks.

Manufacturers tend to package the dual core SU4100 and SU7300 in netbooks with premium features. Examples include 11.6 inch displays with 1366x768 resolution, 3 GB or 4 GB of RAM, 320 GB or 500 GB hard disk, and Windows 7 Home Premium. Options include HDMI output. Prices tend to start at $450, and go upwards to $850.

Despite the extra goodies these machines usually include, the package is not that much larger than a 10 inch netbook. The weight is not too bad, either, hovering just above 3 lbs in most cases.

Some examples of dual core CULV machines:

Asus UL30Vt
http://www.notebooks.com/2009/11/18/asus-ul30vt-offers-an-unlimited-notebook-experience/
SU7300 dual core
GMA 4500MHD
Nvidia G210M coprocessor?
5600 mAh battery
4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD
Windows 7 Home Premium
$850

Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T $550
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/07/acers-aspire-timeline-1810t-gets-the-tablet-treatment-morphs-i/
Intel CULV SU7300 dual core CPU 1.3GHz.
GMA 4500MHD chipset, which can handle up to 4GB of memory.
11.6-inch touchscreen display, 1366 x 768 resolution.
3 GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive
HDMI port to connect to HD TV

Acer 1820TPZ
http://www.liliputing.com/2009/12/a...20pt-wtouchscreen-up-for-order-in-the-uk.html
as above, with Pentium SU4100 (dual-core, 1.3GHz)
5600 mAh battery, 7 hours run timed

Dell Inspiron 11z
http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/inspiron-11z/pd.aspx?refid=inspiron-11z&cs=19&s=dhs
1.3 GHz SU4100 dual core processor
GMA 4500MHD graphics
11.6 inch display
2 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive
6 cell battery

HP TM2 tablet computer
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/hp-touchsmart-tm2-convertible-tablet-slims-down-and-spruces-up/
1.3 GHz SU7300 dual core
12.1" multi-touch color lc
4 GB RAM, 320 GB HDD
$1000

MSI X-Slim X350
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/msi-slides-out-13-4-inch-x-slim-x350-culv-laptop/
Intel SU4100 dual core processor
Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics
13.4 inch display, 1366 x 768
2 GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive
HDMI port

 

[haven]

Intel Z series processors

Intel introduced its Silverthorne processor in 2008. The Silverthorne processor was designed for small hand-held gadgets like PDAs and MIDs (mobile internet devices). These processor names begin with the letter Z. Z510 and Z530 seem to be the most popular for computer use.

Silverthorne is paired with GMA 500 graphics, which works OK with video on the small screens these gadgets use. There's a Flash 10.1 driver in development.

The low power consumption of the Z series processors first attracted manufacturers who wanted to create pocket-size computers. The small size of the device limits the size of the battery, so these pocket size computers have battery life around 5 hours. Later, netbooks with Z series processors appeared. The larger case meant more battery, so runtime lifts to 7 hours or so.

I saw several new pocket size computers using the Z series processors:

Viliv N5
http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/12/new-viliv-n5-clamshell-launching-at-ces/
Atom Z520 1.3 GHz
4.8" screen, 1024 x 600
1 GB RAM, 32 GB SSD
Windows 7 Starter
clamshell design w/ keyboard
6.8 x 3.4 x 1 inch
14.1 oz.
5 hour batt life

Umid BZ (also sold as Onkyo BX)
http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/12/long-awaited-umid-m2-umpc-appears-as-onkyo-bx-in-japan/
Atom Z520 1.3 Ghz
optical mouse pointer
possible WiMax

Fujitsu UH900
http://www.notebooks.com/2010/01/07/ces-hands-on-fujitsu-lifebook-uh900-mini-notebook/
5.6 inch 1280x800 touchscreen
Atom Z530
Windows 7 Starter
2 GB RAM, 64 GB SSD
1.2 lbs
GPS receiver and Garmin software included
$850

And I saw several netbook size models, too:

Viliv S10 Blade
http://gizmodo.com/5366440/vilivs-s...boasts-10-hours-of-battery-life-and-windows-7
super thin convertible
Atom Z530 (1.6 GHz) or Z550 (3.0 GHz)
10.1" screen 1366 x 768
32 GB SSD
7 to 8 hours battery life
2.67 lbs

Archos 9 slate computer
http://www.archos.com/products/nb/archos_9/index.html?country=dj&lang=en
$500
Atom Z510 1.1 GHz
GMA 500 graphics
9 inch, 1024 x 600 touchscreen display
1 GB RAM, 60 GB hard drive
optical mouse button
10.1 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches, 1.75 lbs
Windows 7

Asus EEE PC 1201HAB
http://www.liliputing.com/2009/12/asus-eee-pc-1201hab-reviewed-its-not-the-eee-pc-1201n.html
$329
12.1 inch 1366 x 768 display
Atom Z520 processor
GMA500 graphics, works OK with Hulu and YouTube
1 GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive
4400 mAh battery lasts about 6 hours

MSI prototype
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/331788/msi_shows_dual-screen_7-inch_10-inch_netbooks
two 10 inch screens, no keyboard

 

[haven]

ARM processors

New computers using ARM processor designs were widespread at the show. Why care about this category of computer? Because they generally are smaller, lighter and cheaper than the netbook class of computer. And they feature instant startup (well, less than 10 seconds). Just as netbooks became popular alternatives to traditional laptops last year, in 2010 the new ARM designs may take business from the netbooks.

First, a little background:
A company called ARM, Limited designed the processors used in most smart phones today. ARM licenses the designs to other companies, which add their own touches. For example, Samsung makes the ARM processor used in the iPhone.

Other manufacturers using ARM designs include Qualcomm (the Snapdragon line), Nvidia (the Tegra), Freescale (the I.MX), Marvell (the Armada), Texas Instruments (the OMAP), and others. There are new computer designs available using processors from each of these manufacturers.

The operating system of smart phones include versions of Linux (iPhone OS, Palm WebOS, Google Android, Nokia Maemo), Windows Mobile 6.5, Research In Motion Blackberry OS, and others.

Recently, the combination of Google Android OS and the ARM processor has been widely adopted by manufacturers.

Now, the computers:
Qualcomm popularized the term Smartbook to refer to netBOOK-style computers that use the processor and operating system from a SMART phone. These machines have a conventional laptop-style keyboard and separate screen. I saw three Smartbook examples at CES:

Lenovo Skylight
http://gizmodo.com/5443126/lenovo-skylight-hands-on-the-frisbee-smartbook
1 GHz Snapdragon
10.1 inch 1280 x 720 screen
all-day battery life 10 hours
UMTS data link ?
LinPlus unix?
$599?

Mobinnova Beam prototype
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/nvidia-tegra-2-powered-mobinnova-beam-hands-on/
Nvidia Tegra 2 processor
8.9 inch display

HP also showed a smartbook design using a Snapdragon processor.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/hp-mini-snapdragon-powered-android-hands-on/

Slate computers are designs that either have no physical keyboard, or have a keyboard that slides out from under the screen, like a cell phone keyboard does. These models have a single or multi touch touchscreen. There were plenty of ARM slate designs at CES:

Notion Ink tablet
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/notion-ink-adam-stripped-bare-and-our-in-depth-video-hands-on/
Tegra T20
10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 Pixel Qi display
Android OS
9.8″ x 6.3″ x 0.6″ and weighs 1.7 pounds

SMiT
http://www.pocketables.net/2010/01/smit-invading-ces-with-mid-tablets-in-tow.html
7" Android "Home Tablet"
5" MID-560 Android

C-MOTECH Mangrove
http://en.akihabaranews.com/24882/phone/c-motech-mangrove-7-inch-winmo-snapdragon-mid-wonder
7" touchscreen
Android, Snapdragon

Datawind Ubisurfer
http://www.ubisurfer.com/html/UbiSurfer_Overview.htm
7 inch 800x480 display
ARM processor
Linux
$199 includes 30 hours of EVDO access

HP Slate prototype
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/the-hp-slate/
Qualcomm Snapdragon
multitouch 10 inch screen

Dell Slate prototype
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/dell-5-inch-slate-press-pics-want-you-to-study-them/
5 inch screen, Android OS
no additional details

Paradigm Shift EMT-10AB/W
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/paradigm-shift-joins-the-tablet-crowd-with-android-based-emt-10a/
10 inch touchscreen, 1024 x 600
Marvel PX166 processor, 800 MHz
2 GB flash storage
WIFi, SD card slot
3G card optional
coming in Spring 2010
$370

Archos 5 and Archos 7 Internet Tablets were announced prior to CES.
http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_7/index.html?country=mz&lang=en

To encourage manufacturers to adopt their ARM processors, both Freescale and Nvidia showed reference designs for slate computers. Interested companies can use the design without charge.

Freescale reference design
http://www.liliputing.com/2010/01/freescale-introduces-sub-200-web-tablet-reference-design.html
7 inch tablet
I.MX ARM Cortex A8
costs as little as $140 to manufacture

Nvidia reference design
http://www.pcmag-mideast.com/2010/01/08/ces-2010-update-nvidia-showcases-tablets-tegra-2-platform/
7 inch tablet 1024 x 600
Tegra 2 processor
Android OS

Taiwanese manufacturers Compal, Pegatron, and Quanta all showed tablets using the Nvidia design. Since these companies make computers for Dell, HP, and other names consumers recognise, I think that these small slate computers will be commonplace in 6 months.

Possibly the most interesting design was the Lenovo IdeaPad U1. This machine is a conventional netbook with SU7300 dual core processor under the keyboard. The LCD display of the netbook has its own Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and battery. Once separated from the keyboard, the LCD screen can function as a slate computer.

Lenovo IdeaPad U1
http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/01/04/lenovos-u1-is-a-netbook-with-removable-tablet/
hybrid netbook/tablet
11.6 inch 1366 x768
Core 2 Duo SU7300?
Windows 7 Home Premium
Qualcomm Snapdragon
Lenovo Linux
available June 1, $999

 

[haven]

e-book readers

This CES will be remembered as the year of the e-book reader. I must have seen a dozen conventional e-book readers similar to the Kindle with 6 inch display. i expect fierce competition to lower the price of an e-book reader over the next few months.

There were a few e-book readers that stood out:

1. Spring Design Alex e-reader

This "reader" is also a general purpose computer. the Alex has two display screens. The top one is a 6 inch E-Ink display for reading books. The bottom one is a 3.5 inch color display, like an iPhone in Landscape mode. The Alex has full Internet access via WiFi or by 3G modem.

The Alex looks a lot like the Barnes and Noble Nook e-book reader. In fact, Spring Design has filed suit, claiming they showed the Alex to B&N before the Nook was developed. In a slap at B&N, the Alex is linked to the Borders e-book store!

I expect that when color E-Ink or Pixel Qi displays become available, we'll see a decline in the two-screen approach.

http://www.springdesign.com/resource/jsp/
one 3.5" color touchscreen, one 6" screen, like the Nook
Marvell ARM processor
Android OS
full web browser
Internet access via 3G
Android Market apps
drag and drop from color to E-Ink e-reader display
$400, delivery starts Feb 22

2. Entourage Edge Dualbook
The Edge has a clamshell design with dual display screens. On the left is the e-book reader screen, and on the right is an 8.9 inch color lcd with 1024x600 resolution. Price is expected to be about $500.

http://www.entourageedge.com/devices/entourage-edge.html
Dimensions: 8.25" x 10.75" by 1.0" (closed)
Weight: approx. 2.75 lbs.
Internal Memory: 4 GB (3 GB for user) up to 3000 books
E-reader File Formats: ePub, PDF
LCD Touchscreen Display Size: 1024 x 600 (10.1")
E-paper Display Size: 9.7" e-Ink®(1200 x 825), 16 shades of gray
E-paper Input: Wacom® Penabled®
Operating System: Linux with Google Android
Screen Rotation: 90 and 180 degrees
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth capability, 3G (future availability)
Battery Life: 16+ hours utilizing the e-reader screen / up to 6 hours running the LCD screen
Battery Type: Lithium-ion polymer
Mobile Modem (optional): EVDO or HSDPA
External Memory: SD card slot, 2 USB ports
Audio and Microphone Jack: 3.5 mm each. Includes internal microphone and speakers.
Audio playback: MP3, WAV, 3GPP, MP4, AMR, AAC, OGG, M4A
Video playback: 3GP, MP4, Adobe Flash Lite (H.264)
Input: Stylus input on e-paper and touchscreen. Virtual keyboard. Bluetooth and USB keyboard (optional)


3. Skiff Reader
I didn't see the Skiff Reader at CES, but I wanted to include it anyway!
It's a conventional e-book reader with limited access to the Internet,
but it is very slick. The large size will work well for newspapers and
large format magazines.

http://www.skiff.com/skiff-reader.html
1600 x 1200 11.5-inch touchscreen
174 ppi (iPhone is 160 ppi, Kindle DX 150 ppi, Droid phone 265 ppi)
thin flexible stainless steel foil by LG
greyscale only, color LCD in the future
magnesium housing
Marvell Armada 166e processor
4 GB memory (3GB available for content)
Wi-Fi and 3G via Sprint

9 inches x 
11 inches x 0.268 inches, 17.6 ounces
Li-Ion battery life: one week of average use
recharge time: 3 hours
SDHC card slot (capacity up to 32 GB)
built-in speaker with 3.5mm output jack

 

[alosix]

Going to have to reply 'sweet' to those slate netbook thingies...

And well, to stop Haven from talking to himself...

Jason

 

[cbradley]

Haven,

Thanks for posting all that information; it is really useful.

 

[haven]

I'm glad someone else finds this helpful. I'm writing this for my
own purposes, and figured somebody here might be interested, too.

I won't start to describe the developments from the TV manufacturers,
with this exception: You really need to see 3D on an HD TV. The current
crop of high definition TVs with 3D capability are very convincing. They
look better than the 3D in "Avatar." Special 3D glasses are required.

 

[chrismc]

Chip, did you get a chance to personally see the slate with the Pixel Qi display? I'm enthralled with that display panel, and I'm curious if the reality lives up to the hype.