LG is the world's
third-ranked cellular phone manufacturer, according to a recent IDC report. In August 2008, it announced the
X110, a netbook that was apparently the first to include a built-in cellular modem. As we suggested at the time, such a device could be subsidized and sold by cellular carriers just as phones are, adding, "should you ever encounter the likes of an AT&T or T-Mobile netbook, remember -- you saw it here first."
Since then, of course, subsidized netbooks have become common, and are now offered by AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, among others. In April, AT&T
rolled out four subsidized netbooks to Atlanta and Philadelphia test markets, and in May, announced that the devices were to be available nationwide by the summer. Offered for approximately $100 to $350, following $100 mail-in rebates and data service contracts, the carrier's first such device (right) were said to be Acer's
Aspire One, Dell's
Mini 9, LG's X110, and Dell's
Mini 12.
LG's X120
The LG X110 was apparently never actually available, since LG now touts the newly announced X120 (above) as "the first of its kind from LG." Introduced internationally earlier this year, the netbook will now be available at RadioShack stores for $180, when purchased with a two-year AT&T service plan, according to LG. Exclusive of taxes, the plan costs $60 per month for 5GB of data downloads, for a total of $1440 ($1,620), when the netbook's price is taken into account.
Apart form its cellular modem, the LG X120 includes standard netbook ingredients, though LG says the device's six-cell, 4400mAh battery can provide up to seven hours of operation. The device includes a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, the 945GSE chipset, and a 10.1-inch display with 1024 x 576 resolution, the company says.
LG says the X120 has 1GB of DDR2 memory, a 160GB hard disk drive, plus networking capabilities that include a 10/100 Ethernet port, 802.11b/g, and Bluetooth 2.1. Other interfaces include three uSB 2.0 ports, VGA output, a microphone input, and a headphone output, according to the company.
The X120 runs Windows XP Home but is also equipped with, in LG's words, "an innovative SmartOn interface that loads in seconds, connecting to web and photos, instant messaging and MP3 player with just the touch of a button." SmartOn is a version of
Splashtop, a lightweight Linux variant that has been offered under other names by Asus, Lenovo, and other companies.
Features and specifications listed by LG for the X120 include:
- Processor -- 1.6Ghz Intel Atom N270
- Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM (expandability not cited)
- Display -- 10.1-inch display with LED backlighting and 1024 x 576 resolution
- Webcam -- 1.3 megapixel
- Storage -- 160GB hard disk drive (5400rpm)
- Expansion -- SD/MMC/Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro slot
- Networking:
- LAN -- Ethernet
- WAN -- 3G GSM/HSDPA cellular
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g/
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
- Other I/O:
- 1 x VGA
- 3 x USB 2.0
- Microphone in and line out
- Battery type/life -- 4400mAh, six-cell battery offers up to seven hours of operation
- Dimensions -- 10.39 x 7.02 x 1.48 inches (264 x 178.5 x 37.8mm)
- Weight -- 2.77 pounds (1.26kg)
Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of product strategy and marketing for LG Mobile Phones, stated, "We created the LG X120 to allow consumers to stay connected on their own terms. The SmartOn button puts consumers seconds away from the fun stuff, such as showing off your vacation photos or picking your fantasy football line-up."
Further information According to LG, the X120 will be available at RadioShack stores in the U.S. for approximately $180 with a two-year AT&T DataConnect service agreement. An on-sale date was not specified.
More information on the LG X120 may be found on the manufacturer's website,
here.
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