Lenovo is joining Dell (with its Inspiron Mini 12) and Samsung (with its NC20) in the 12 inch netbook game today with its IdeaPad S12. However, the S12 doesn’t just bite the bullet. Breaking the typical netbook mold, it is the first to pack Nvidia’s Ion platform which combines the Intel Atom processor with GeForce 9400M graphics to provide better performance.
Available in black and white, the S12 fits into the IdeaPad family sporting an identical patterned lid to the IdeaPad S10.
Lenovo will offer the S12 with two internal architectures in the U.S., one with the typical Intel Atom N270 and GMA 945 graphics and another with the Intel Atom N270 and Nvidia’s GeForce 9400 graphics. The Intel Atom S12 will be priced at $449. Upgrading to Nvidia Ion will cost an additional $50.
All models will come with a 5,400rpm 160GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, Windows XP and a six-cell battery which is rated for six hours of battery life. The S12 comes with Lenovo’s Quick Start instant-on OS and VeriFace facial recognition software.
The S12 with Atom alone will be available today. Those lusting after the S12 with Ion inside will have to wait for August.
The overall build of the notebook is solid and at 1.4-inches thick. It has 3 USB, an Express Card 34 slot , 4-in-1 card reader, VGA, mic and headphone. (The Ion version of the S12 will have an HDMI port.)
Under the lid is a 12.1-inch glossy display which, with its 1280×800 resolution, makes it much easier on the eyes than a 10-inch netbook. And thanks to the extra screen real estate, the S12 has a full-size keyboard. Underneath the keyboard is large trackpad with a single mouse button.
Comparison of the IdeaPad S10 and S12:
Specifications:
Display: 12.1 WXGA (1280 X 800) LED 200 nit, 250g
Processor: Intel Atom N270
Graphics: Intel integrated GMA 950, Nvidia ION
Memory: Up to 1GB DDR2 533 MHz
Hard Drive: Up to 160 GB SATA (160, 250, 320)
Battery Life: 3 hours with 3-cell, 6 hours with 6-cell
Weight: 1.4kg with 3 cell, 1.55kg with 6 cell
Dimensions: 292 X 216 X 22-28.9mm
Connectivity: 10/100m Ethernet, Broadcom 578M, Intel WiFi Link 5150 1X2 AGN, Intel WiFi Link 5100 1X2 AGN, Non-Intel wireless b/g, Non-Intel wireless b/g/n, Bluetooth
Other: 3 USB, 1 Expresscard slot (Intel and VIA platforms), 4-in-1 card reader, VGA, RJA45, HDMI
Software: XP Home SP3 (32 bit)
I was seriously interested until I read the August release date for the Ion version. What I'd love to see right now is ASUS/Sammy releasing a 10" netbook with Ion right now. Btw, does anyone know how the 9400M compares with the Radeon HD3450 Mobility that's equipped in ASUS' latest netbook?
Available in black and white, the S12 fits into the IdeaPad family sporting an identical patterned lid to the IdeaPad S10.
Lenovo will offer the S12 with two internal architectures in the U.S., one with the typical Intel Atom N270 and GMA 945 graphics and another with the Intel Atom N270 and Nvidia’s GeForce 9400 graphics. The Intel Atom S12 will be priced at $449. Upgrading to Nvidia Ion will cost an additional $50.
All models will come with a 5,400rpm 160GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, Windows XP and a six-cell battery which is rated for six hours of battery life. The S12 comes with Lenovo’s Quick Start instant-on OS and VeriFace facial recognition software.
The S12 with Atom alone will be available today. Those lusting after the S12 with Ion inside will have to wait for August.
The overall build of the notebook is solid and at 1.4-inches thick. It has 3 USB, an Express Card 34 slot , 4-in-1 card reader, VGA, mic and headphone. (The Ion version of the S12 will have an HDMI port.)
Under the lid is a 12.1-inch glossy display which, with its 1280×800 resolution, makes it much easier on the eyes than a 10-inch netbook. And thanks to the extra screen real estate, the S12 has a full-size keyboard. Underneath the keyboard is large trackpad with a single mouse button.
Comparison of the IdeaPad S10 and S12:
Specifications:
Display: 12.1 WXGA (1280 X 800) LED 200 nit, 250g
Processor: Intel Atom N270
Graphics: Intel integrated GMA 950, Nvidia ION
Memory: Up to 1GB DDR2 533 MHz
Hard Drive: Up to 160 GB SATA (160, 250, 320)
Battery Life: 3 hours with 3-cell, 6 hours with 6-cell
Weight: 1.4kg with 3 cell, 1.55kg with 6 cell
Dimensions: 292 X 216 X 22-28.9mm
Connectivity: 10/100m Ethernet, Broadcom 578M, Intel WiFi Link 5150 1X2 AGN, Intel WiFi Link 5100 1X2 AGN, Non-Intel wireless b/g, Non-Intel wireless b/g/n, Bluetooth
Other: 3 USB, 1 Expresscard slot (Intel and VIA platforms), 4-in-1 card reader, VGA, RJA45, HDMI
Software: XP Home SP3 (32 bit)
I was seriously interested until I read the August release date for the Ion version. What I'd love to see right now is ASUS/Sammy releasing a 10" netbook with Ion right now. Btw, does anyone know how the 9400M compares with the Radeon HD3450 Mobility that's equipped in ASUS' latest netbook?