14 DAY TRIAL // According to recent details that have just surfaced on the Internet, computer users will be faced with a series of new ARM-based smartbooks due to be launched in the fourth quarter of this year. The new models will compete with Intel's much-anticipated Pine-Trail-based netbooks and will be available from a number of system vendors, including Acer, Foxconn Electronics, Pegatron Technology, Compal Electronics and Inventec Appliances. The upcoming wave of smartbooks will be powered by ARM-based platforms such as Qualcomm's Snapdragon or NVIDIA's much-hyped Tegra.
In a recent news-article on Digitimes, citing industry sources, Acer, Foxconn Electronics and a number of other industry players are said to be preparing the launch of a series of new ARM-based smartbooks featuring either the Snapdragon or Tegra platforms. Acer is said to have developed both ARM and Android-based devices, both of which are expected to be made available in Q4 2009.
ASUSTeK, one of the pioneers of the netbook industry, has reportedly said that it doesn’t see enough market demand for ARM-based smartbooks, for which reason the Taiwanese company doesn't plan to launch any smartbooks of its own until November or December, at the earliest.
Mobinnova is expected to start volume shipping for its 8.9-inch Tegra-powered smartbook at the end of this year, honoring orders it received from carriers in the US and Europe, the company reportedly declared. In addition, Mobinnova's plans also include an ultra-thin 8.9-inch smartbook and a 10.1-inch system, due out in the first half of 2010.
Inventec is also reported to be planning the launch of its 10-inch Rainbow smartbook, which will be built using NVIDIA's Tegra platform. The system is due out at the end of the year, with the company reportedly in talks with a number of carriers for joint marketing on the upcoming devices.