Lenovo netbook converts to capacitive tablet

By Jonathan Angel
2010-02-03

Article Rating:

/ 0

Rate This Article:

Add This Article To:

Lenovo announced pricing and availability for a netbook that converts to a multi-touch tablet. The IdeaPad S10-3t includes a capacitive touchscreen with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution, a 1.66GHz Atom N450 processor, a 160GB hard disk drive, and two Mini PCI Express slots, according to the company.

While convertible netbooks already exist, Lenovo's entry into the arena will help ratify the concept, and it has the same starting price -- $500 -- as Apple's recently announced iPad. Featuring a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor with on-chip graphics, the IdeaPad S10-3t was revealed last December via a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing, but Lenovo has now confirmed it will ship the device later this month.

Lenovo's S10-3t
(Click to enlarge)

According to Lenovo, the S10-3t (above) is operable like a standard netbook, with a full keyboard, but users can pivot its display in either direction, folding it down to create a tablet device. The 10.1 screen has 1024 x 600 resolution and employs capacitive technology, offering multi-touch support, the company adds.

Unfortunately, Lenovo's spec list for the S10-3t cites the use of Windows 7 Starter Edition, which is said to omit touchscreen support. To get around this, the company has apparently provided in-house multitouch applications, additionally throwing in DirectShare, an app that allows synchronizing the netbook with another PC. (The device has also been demonstrated running BumpTop, third-party software that provides Windows with a multi-touch-aware desktop.)

Lenovo says the S10-3t comes with 1GB of DDR2 memory, expandable to 2GB, plus a 160GB, 5400rpm hard disk drive. Also listed is 802.11b/g/n wireless networking via a Broadcom BCM4313 chip, 10/100 Ethernet, and a SD/SDHC/MMC/MS/MSPro card reader. Presumably, the device also has a webcam and USB ports, although neither of these has been confirmed by the company.

The S10-3t is available with a standard three-cell battery providing about 3.5 hours of operation, or an optional six-cell battery that's rated for about seven hours. Bluetooth is also optional, and the tablet reportedly has two Mini PCI Express slots internally, making it ready to accept optional cellular or WiMAX modems.

Xavier Lanier -- a writer for GottaBeMobile.com and Notebooks.com who also provided the video embedded at the end of this story -- says Lenovo plans to offer an upgraded version of the S10-3t that will sport a 320GB hard disk drive and a 1.86GHz Atom N470 processor. Lenovo has provided no confirmation of this, nor has the N470 been formally announced, but existence of the latter is already an open secret in the industry.

Specifications provided by Lenovo for the S10-3t include the following:

Processor -- 1.66GHz Intel Atom N470
Chipset -- NM10 I/O controller
Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM, expandable to 2GB
Display -- 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen with 1024 x 600 resolution
Camera -- n/s
Storage -- 160GB, 5400rpm hard disk drive
Expansion:
- 2 x Mini PCI Express (1 likely filled by WLAN card)
- SD/SDHC/MMC/MS/MSPro
Networking:
- LAN -- 10/100 Ethernet
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g/n
Other I/O -- USB (presumed)
Battery -- Three-cell or six-cell, with 3.5 or 7 hours of operation, respectively
Dimensions:
- 10.55 x 6.61 x 1.22 inches (268 x 168 x 31mm) with three-cell battery
- 10.55 x 6.61 x 1.45 inches (268 x 168 x 37mm) with six-cell battery
Weight:
- 2.42 pounds (1.1kg) with three-cell battery
- 2.64 pounds (1.25kg) with six-cell battery

A video preview of the IdeaPad S10-3t
Source: Notebooks.com
(click to play)
Further information

According to Lenovo, orders for the IdeaPad S10-3t are being taken now, and the device will ship within nine business days. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

Xavier Lanier's item referencing forthcoming upgrades to the device may be found on GottaBeMobile.com, here.

Related stories:

	Discuss Lenovo netbook converts to capacitive tablet

	>>> Be the FIRST to comment on this article!



	>>> More News Articles >>> More By Jonathan Angel

Email Article To Friend ♦ Print Version Of Article ♦ PDF Version Of Article

Windows XP for Embedded Applications
This white paper describes the benefits of using Windows XP when developing embedded applications.

A Manager's Guide to Selecting a Mobile Device Operating System
This white paper offers a comparative review of Microsoft Windows CE and Windows Mobile.

Visual Basic 6.0 to .NET Migration
This paper focuses on the methodology and techniques which Infosys (Microsoft Technology Center) has developed for migrating VB 6.0 Applications to .NET. Our approach ensures a smooth, cost effective, and efficient migration.

Mobile Device Security: Securing the Handheld, Securing the Enterprise
This whitepaper identifies security threats to corporate data on mobile devices and details how mobile devices can become a "backdoor" to the enterprise.

Mobile Device Security: The Eight Areas of Risk
It's common knowledge that adding mobile devices to your network increases security risks. There are multiple facets to mobile security, all of which should be paid close attention to. This E-Guide presents a more in depth look into the eight key areas of securing wireless devices.

Quality Assurance and .NET
This paper discusses best practices for functional, regression and load testing of .NET applications.

SCADA Security in Integrated Networks
As businesses leverage their SCADA systems by integrating them into the business networks, they must also assure the security of the SCADA system.

The Advantages of Small Form Factor HMI
HMIs have mutated and changed with new requirements, and they have become more flexible and capable. And while they've been doing that, they've become smaller and more useful.

9 Critical Requirements for Web Application Security
Learn why your Web applications expose dangerous security breaches and what’s required to effectively protect your Web applications and the sensitive information behind them.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

Click here for a profile of each sponsor:

PLATINUM SPONSORS
<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=msembedded;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=msembedded;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=qt-software;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.windowsfordevices/desktop;kw=qt-software;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>