14 DAY TRIAL // Netbooks are generally seen as portable PC devices that, despite not having extraordinary performance capabilities, are appealing to end-users because of their low price and long battery life. Viliv, however, seems to have discovered the formula for netbooks that not only have a starting price of no less than $699, but they are also capable of overcoming the $1,000 barrier. Known as the S10 Blade Series, this line of devices is made up of a number of convertible touchscreen netbooks based on Intel Atom Z Series processors.
As the term convertible implies, the devices can turn into touchscreen tablet-like ones when required. All have mostly similar internal specifications, with the only differences being the processor used and the amount and type of storage. The various models can be based on either the Intel Atom Z530 1.6GHz central processing unit or the Z550 2.0 GHz CPU, while the storage space can be provided by either a 60GB hard drive or a 32GB/64GB SSD. As for the rest of the components, all models boast 1GB of RAM, a webcam, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, WiFi and a 10.3-inch, multitouch-capable display that can track up to three points simultaneously.
The netbooks somehow manage to last for about ten hours on a single battery charge, or seven hours when playing back video, but this capability might not be enough to outweigh the high price. Depending on the processor used, the amount of storage and on whether or not an HSPA modem is included, the netbooks' price tags can go as high as $1,079.
The Viliv S10 blade netbook series has seven models. The cheapest ($699) runs on the Atom Z530, has a 60GB HDD and runs Windows XP, whereas the priciest is powered by an Atom Z550 at 2GHz, has a 64GB SSD, runs Windows 7 and comes with an HSPA modem. Whether or not these convertible netbooks manage to sell even despite these steep prices remains to be seen.