Asus has introduced F50 and F70 range of notebooks offering the users multimedia features and extensive multitasking capabilities on the move.

The ASUS F50 and F70 range of notebooks comes standard with high definition audio quality and a 16:9 Full High Definition display for high contrast rate, brightness and color saturation. An HDMI port allows users to connect their notebooks to larger external LCD displays.

The ASUS F50 and F70 range of notebooks also features the ASUS Express Gate, allowing users to boot up quickly. It also offers instantaneous access to a built-in icon-based operating system that runs commonly-used applications such as Skype, a music player, an email client and an Internet browser.

ASUS says F70SL is the world's first 17.3" notebook with 16:9 golden aspect ratio for cinematic viewing, while the dual hard disk drives providing up to 1 TB in storage space.

ASUS F50GX is currently the world's thinnest and lightest 16" notebook in the market equipped with the NVIDIA 9400M G chipset that delivers discrete graphics card performance.

There is no information on the pricing yet.

Asus now offers the stylishly redesigned Eee PC 1002HA featuring a brushed aluminum LCD cover and palm rest, allowing it to feel exceptionally solid despite its thin stature.

Powered by Intel Atom N270 processor, Eee PC 1002HA is available with both Linux and Windows XP Home edition operating systems. It features a 10” LED-backlit display (1024 x 600 pixels), a digital array microphone, 1.3 megapixel built-in webcam and a built-in 4-in-1 card reader capable of reading MMC, SD, Memory Stick and MS-PRO media formats.

In addition to its 160GB of primary storage, Eee PC 1002HA comes with an exclusive 10 GB of file-encrypted online Eee Storage that allows you to store, share and access documents and multimedia easily on the move. It offers the latest wireless technology, including support for Bluetooth and blazing-fast 802.11n wireless connectivity.

A Multi-touch touchpad provides intuitive interactions between users and their multimedia via finger motions. It also offers a F9 Fast Recovery Key providing system recovery at a single touch.

Asus claims the Eee PC 1002HA can provide users with up to 5 hours of unplugged computing time. It weighs just 1.2kg with the battery attached and measures in at only 1-inch thick, thus offering users the legendary Eee PC mobility with ease of use.

The Asus Eee PC 1002HA is now available for $499.99.

Zepto, after announcing the world's fastest 14-inch notebook with its Nox A14, is now offering 12.1-inch Notus A12 notebook.

The Notus A12 offers a screen resolution of 1,280 x 800. The heart of the system is an Intel Low Power CPU running 800MHz. It features 1GB of DDR2 RAM, an 80GB 4,200RPM SATA hard drive. It includes gigabit Ethernet, Wireless LAN 802.11 a/b/g. Operating system options include windows XP or Windows Vista.

Notus is designed to withstand accidents like the spilling of water on the keyboard. Zepto claims the 6 cell battery will last between five and ten hours of run time, depending on the usage.

The Zepto Notus A12 is priced at €1068.59 ($1,360) for the base configuration.

Link: Zepto

MSI Computer has announced its new EX300 Notebook. The EX300 features an Intel Core2 Duo Mobile Processor P7350 and Intel PM45 + ICH9-M Express Chipset to deliver unrivaled processor performance.

It also features ATI Mobility Radeon HD3450 graphic card with DDR3 256MB VRAM, to deliver a fluid and detailed movie viewing experience. It offers 13.3 inch widescreen display, 250 GB SATA hard disk drive, a built-in 3 in 1 Card Reader, 2.0 webcam, a multimedia burner drive, and finger print scanner for added security. It weighs just 4.5 pounds (with 8-cell battery).

EX300 allows internet access over high-speed 802.11 a/g/n. The built-in Bluetooth V2.0+EDR allows you to simultaneously connect to various kinds of Bluetooth peripherals.

MSI EX300 is available for $999 in fashionable Brilliant Red or Dazzling Blue options.

Link: Engadget

Dell is taking customization to the next level with Dell Design Studio. Design Studio is an interactive gallery of original contemporary artwork commissioned exclusively for personalizing Dell Studio 15 and 17 laptops.

With more than 100 creative and colorful personalization options, Design Studio provides individuals nearly unlimited potential to turn their laptop into works of art. Online shoppers in the U.S. can apply a design, change viewing angles, zoom in on details, and read an artist’s inspiration or bio with a few mouse clicks. They can also share their favorite images with friends through links to FaceBook, My Space, Stumbleupon, Twitter and Digg.

After you have found your favorite design, it can be permanently tattooed into the laptop, making the design extremely durable, at a cost of $75. For easy browsing in the gallery, personalization options are categorized by artists, colors and (PRODUCT) RED. Each purchase of a new Dell Studio 15 or 17 laptop with a (PRODUCT)RED artwork directly contributes $20 to The Global Fund, which helps fund AIDS programs in Africa.

Link: Dell

According to a survey, more than 50% of all business travellers have confidential company data on their notebook and 65% do not take any security precautions at all against loss or theft. As the number of notebooks with sensitive data being stolen is increasing rapidly in recent years, Fujitsu Siemens Computers has offered its latest security package based on the latest anti-theft technology from Intel and Computrace.

The complex anti-theft protection, that uses the security solutions SystemTrack and DataProtect, meets the increasing requirements of its customers for effective security concepts and company data protection. It will be available as an option in select ESPRIMO Mobile models and in the Lifebook T5010 and Lifebook E8420.

The users are required to register their laptops with the Computrace Customer Centre. In case of a theft or a loss, the customer can report to Computrace Customer Center directly by telephone or online, just like the loss of a credit card. While the SystemTrack tracks stolen hardware in real time and detects its location as soon as the device is connected to the Internet or Intranet, DataProtect is used for particularly sensitive data.

The support desk can access the system and save the confidential data centrally in the system or completely delete the data. If the device is returned to the customer, he can remove the protection and boot the system again using a special password.

FSC says the anti-theft protection solution will be available in selected models from the first quarter 2009.

Link: Fujitsu Siemens

HP has brought the multi-touch technology to consumer notebooks with TouchSmart tx2.

Described by HP as the industry’s first convertible notebook PC with multi-touch technology designed for consumers, TouchSmart tx2 is build upon the touch innovation developed by HP for its TouchSmart desktop PCs.

The tx2 gives customers the choice to set aside the keyboard and mouse in favor of a more natural user interface - the fingertip. The HP MediaSmart software suite on the tx2 allows users to more naturally select, organize and manipulate digital files such as photos, music, video and web content by simply touching the screen.

With the ‘capacitive multi-touch technology,’ the tx2 enables the use of gestures such as pinch, rotate, arc, flick, press and drag, and single and double tap. The convertible design with a twist hinge allows consumers to enjoy the TouchSmart in three modes: PC, display and tablet.

Hp’s tx2 is powered by the AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processor or AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor and is built on Windows Vista Home Premium. It offers a 12.1-inch diagonal BrightView LED display.

The HP TouchSmart tx2 is available for ordering in the U.S. with a starting price of $1,149.

Link: HP

Dell has expanded its Art House offerings with the unveiling of the (Product) Red artwork for the Dell Studio laptops, supporting The Global Fund’s fight against AIDS.

The artwork exemplifies the unique visions of artists passionate about fighting AIDS in Africa. The artwork is permanently infused into the Dell Studio laptop’s display back. Dell says it is extremely durable, resists scratches and won’t fade.

Customers can personalize their Studio laptop with original artwork by three artists: Joseph Amedokpo, Siobhan Gunning and Bruce Mau.

“Dell continually innovates through offering unique ways for people to pursue their passions and express their individual style,” said Michael Tatelman, vice president, Dell global consumer sales and marketing. “By bringing these amazing artist designs together with a meaningful cause and our technology, we create new opportunities for self-expression.”

The Dell Studio 15 starts at $649 and the Dell Studio 17 starts at $799. Dell’s (Product) Red portfolio also includes the new XPS One 24 desktop, the Dell V505W all-in-one printer, XPS and XPS M1530 laptops.

For each Dell (PRODUCT)RED design purchased , Dell contributes $20 to the Global Fund, helping to save lives and eliminate AIDS in Africa

Link: Dell

MSI has recently introduced its 16-inch EX623 notebook. Based on Intel Centrino 2 Processor Technology, EX623 boasts a powerful NVIDIA  Geforce 9500M GS graphic card with 512MB VRAM.

The 16:9 golden theatrical ratio display sports a 1366x768 resolution. A built-in 2.0 mega pixel webcam and an internal mic enables you to engage in real-time sharing and wireless communication.

MSI's Exclusive Cinema Pro Technology offers consumers the finest movie viewing experience. With a simple touch of the exclusive Cinema Pro button; you may immediately switch to Movie Mode. With ECO touch sensor, you can switch among the 5 different modes - Gaming mode, Movie mode, Presentation mode, Office mode, and Turbo Battery mode.

The standard 320GB hard disk drive comes pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium. EX623 is also equipped with up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, Bluetooth, WiFi b/g/n, eSATA port, stereo speakers, subwoofer, a 3-in-1 card reader, and USB 2.0 port x3.

There is no word on availability and pricing as yet.

Link: MSI

Panasonic has announced the Toughbook H1, the first fully-rugged mobile clinical assistant (MCA) designed specifically for the medical professionals. The new Toughbook H1 integrates the low power Intel Atom processor with six hour battery life, standard daylight viewable screen and integrated Gobi technology in a sealed and easily-sanitized package.

The Toughbook H1 has been designed for easy disinfection, reducing the risk of germs being spread from patient to patient. The device is the first MCA to offer a fanless design and also features a smooth surface with sealed buttons, a gapless LCD screen and no exposed ports.

The rugged H1 is MIL-STD-810F tested and is capable of withstanding three foot drops. It is water-, rain- and dust-resistance and can easily handle being repeatedly sprayed and wiped with disinfectant.

Other features include 80Gb of storage, 1GB of RAM, a 10.4-inch XGA screen that is touch sensitive, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The base H1 model is expected to start at $2,999 in the U.S. The Panasonic Toughbook H1 will be available worldwide in January 2009.

Link: Panasonic