Rumours are still doing the rounds that Apple is set to roll out a touch screen notebook that is also a book reader. If so the device could be a big hit that mirrors the success of the iPhone which has fast become the benchmark for touch screen phones say analysts.
At the CES show in Las Vegas according to Electronista in January MSI will be demonstrating a new touchscreen-enabled notebook says the company’s US sales director. Andy Tung.
He has confirmed that that both10- and 16-inch touchscreen portables will be on display however the 10-inch screen may be considered too small for tablet functionality and not be released commrcially.
He has also confirmed that MSI will launch 17-, 19- and 22-inch touchscreen notebooks.
Also slated to be released are U100 and U120 Wind netbooks, the primary difference being the addition of WiMAX and 3G connectivity to the latter. The U110 and U115 should ship towards the end of January, equipped with Atom Z530 processors. The latter sports an SSD drive in addition to a convention hard disk, and can save power by switching off the latter. A maximum 10 hours of battery life should be possible.
Another CES debut will be the aluminum, 13.3-inch U300. Though not a Wind system, the computer should extremely thin and light, according to Tung, and unusually cheap for an ultraportable notebook, less than $2,000. This may position the system as a direct competitor to Apple‘s MacBook Air, or the Toshiba R600.
