The first question is, “Does this qualify as a UMPC?” Not really, unless the ASUS Eee PC counts, as well. Regardless, this is one slick piece of work, and Engadget doesn’t seem to think that there is any chance this could be a fakey, either. Overall, it specs out as a smaller-than-usual HP lappy. What’s odd is the 8.9″ scratch-resistant display with a resolution of 1366×766. Not that OS really care what resolution they display at, but its not your common raster output. Sadly, we don’t know the chipset or other specs, but it does come in an anodized aluminum case and offers an optional SSD. It weighs in at 2.5 lbs. and will apparently offer Windows or Linux. I’m guessing it will price out at US$1,499. We’ll see.

written by Tyler Regas

Yes, I’m placing this one in the rumor mill. A Gizmodo tipster apparently dropped the news that Lenovo is preparing the ThinkPad X300 which will apparently give the Apple MacBook Air a run for its money. Of course, Lenovo’s (formerly IBM’s) ThinkPad line has always been developed with the enterprise use in mind, and the X series has usually delivered. Based on the leaked specs, the X300 aims to deliver, as well. 13.3″ 1440×900 LED backlit display, 2.5 pounds curb weight, dual core Merom Santa Rosa 2.0GHz CPU with an 880MHz FSB, up to 4GBs of RAM, and a 64GB SSD-HD standard. If this rolls, it will be at US$3,000. That’s my bet.

written by Tyler Regas

According to AppleInsider sources, the new MacBook Air’s battery can be replaced in around 3 minutes by a skilled technician, possibly 10 by anyone with a size-0 Philips screwdriver. Apparently you just pop off the cases bottom, unscrew the battery, and unplug it from the motherboard. Apple will be selling replacement batteries for US$129, which is an industry standard price. So, despite the lack of a battery bay door, this doesn’t seem too bad, after all.

written by Tyler Regas

UnWiredView got the drop on Nokia via this USPTO entry for what looks like a new gaming device. If its anything at all like what the illustrations are showing, even without the dorky looking and almost completely implausible handles, it will be very cool. We just have to wait to actually hear anything official about it. Feh.

written by Tyler Regas

UnWiredView has dug up FCC pics from Toshiba’s apparently upcoming Portege E910 and E920 smartphones based on Windows Mobile 6. There’s really not a lot to tell about it, but its certainly big. This also doesn’t mean that Toshiba will announce these devices for the US market. Only time will tell.

written by Tyler Regas \\ tags: mobile, rumor, wm6

Okay, kids, it just a rumor, as everything else that Apple hasn’t officially announced is, but there’s word on the street that Apple will be rolling out a new ultraportable MacBook at MacWorld in January. Jim Goldman over at CNBC says so, claiming that his contact has passed on info that very strongly suggests that the unit will be a MacBook Pro, be a mere 0.5″ thick, and (according to conflicting reports) a 12″ or 13.3″ display. The big news here is that the unit is suspected to be SSD HDD based. All this, if true, will run you around US$1,500 (if the pricing is accurate, of course).

written by Tyler Regas \\ tags: macworld, mobile, news, rumor