14 DAY TRIAL // VIA Technologies is trying to get our attention one more time by announcing a new range of portable computer systems that are built to meet the requirements of users looking for an ultraportable notebook PC that can deliver the performance close to that of a fully fledged notebook. With the announcement, the company claims to have introduced a new category of mobile computing devices, which it has titled NetNote. According to VIA, the new NetNote systems are a blend of the portability and affordability of a netbook PC with the performance of a notebook system, within a range of models that spans from 10.2-inch to 12.1-inch.
“NetNotes are illustrative of the type of device that is possible after artificial restrictions on screen size, resolution and connectivity are removed,” said Richard Brown, vice president of marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Light, snappy ultra mobile devices with notebook-level functionality are what consumers want and what the NetNote category of device provides.”
According to the Taiwanese company the new NetNote Turnkey systems are designed on its Surfboard NetNote Edition platforms, which provide a choice for a VIA C7-M ULV or VIA Nano processor, supporting an 800MHz FSB. These chips can be combined with VIA's VX855 media system processor, which integrates the VIA Chrome 9 graphics. The system can support up to 2GB of DDR2 memory and offers support for H.264, MPEG2, MPEG-4, WMV9, VC1 decoding acceleration, 802.11 b/g wireless connectivity and more.
VIA's NetNote systems will be available a range of form factors, from 10.2-inch to 12.1-inch, with 1024 x 600 to 1366 x 768 pixel LED screen resolutions. Connectivity options include one D-Sub port, one Ethernet RJ-45 port, two USB ports, Mic-in and headphone out, all within a system that is said to weigh under 1kg. Battery options include 3-cell and 6-cell battery packs.