News

  • Home > News

        Convertible netbook has dual-core Atom, too

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Aug 26, 2010 | Comments: 1


        Gigabyte is offering a netbook that sports both Intel's new, dual-core Atom N550 processor and a swiveling display. The T1005M includes a capacitive multi-touch screen with 1366 x 768 resolution, 320GB of hard disk storage, an ExpressCard slot, and an optional HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) cellular modem, according to industry sources.

        We believe Gigabyte was the first company to ship a netbook whose screen flipped around into a tablet configuration. Its M912 (right) was released in 2008 with an 8.9-inch screen, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, and a 160GB hard disk drive. A 2009 successor, the T1028X/G, was similar, but sported a 10.1-inch screen with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, plus a slightly more powerful, 1.66GHz Atom N280.

        The company's new T1005M -- not yet formally announced, but revealed by the Australian retailer Penta Group -- looks the same as the T1028X/G (below), but steps up to Intel's new, dual-core Atom N550. Announced earlier this week, the new CPU has a 1.5GHz clock speed and an 8.5-Watt TDP, and has so far been incorporated in just one other netbook, Asus' Eee PC 1015PEM.


        Gigabyte's T-series convertible netbook

        Where the T1028X/G had a resistive touchscreen backed up by a multi-touch trackpad, the T1005M is said to include a capacitive touchscreen with its own multi-touch capabilities. Still with 1366 x 768 pixels, the device appears to feature the same "92 percent full-sized" keyboard as before.

        According to the Penta Group, the T1005M includes 2GB of DDR3 RAM -- the maximum supported by the N550 -- and a 320GB hard disk drive. It's said the device also includes an ExpressCard/34 slot and is available with an HSDPA-compatible cellular modem.

        Other more typical netbook capabilities include Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11b/g/n wireless networking, a gigabit Ethernet port, and a 1.3 megapixel webcam, according to the reseller. The device is also said to include stereo speakers an a VGA port.

        The T1028X/G had three USB 2.0 ports, like most netbooks, but the T1005M apparently offers something new. According to the Penta Group, it comes with two USB 2.0 ports, a USB 3.0 port, and a combo port that supports either USB or eSATA.

        A six-cell battery is specified, but there's no world about how long it will last. The 3.26-pound T1005M runs Windows 7 Home Premium, the Penta Group says.

        Features and specifications listed by the Penta Group for Gigabyte's T1005M include:

        • Processor -- 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550
        • Memory -- 2GB of DDR3 RAM
        • Storage -- 320GB SATA hard disk drive (2.5-inch, 5400rpm)
        • Display -- 10.1-inch capacitive multi-touch display with 1366 x 768 pixels
        • Camera -- 1.3 megapixel
        • Expansion:
          • ExpressCard/34 slot
          • MMC/SD/MS/MS Pro card reader
        • Networking:
          • LAN -- gigabit Ethernet
          • WAN -- HSDPA cellular modem (both optional)
          • WLAN -- 802.11b/g/n
          • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
        • Other I/O:
          • 1 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB/eSATA
          • audio -- microphone in, earphone out
        • Battery -- 6-cell
        • Dimensions (with battery) -- 10.4 x 8.4 x 1.62 inches (265 x 214 x 41.4mm)
        • Weight -- 3.26 pounds (1.48kg)

        A first look at Gigabyte's earlier T1028X/G
        Source: Liliputing

        Further information

        The Gigabyte T1005M does not yet appear to be shipping, but the Penta Group lists a selling price of 905 Australian dollars (about $800 U.S.). More information may be found on the seller's website, here.