14 DAY TRIAL // Much in the same way Intel's Atom processors have enabled various companies to make their debut on the netbook market, it appears that the more recent Intel CULV platform is also letting some newcomers in on the market of personal computer systems. Such is the case with the likes of Santech, a company that has recently announced the formal introduction of its LV1 series of ultraportable computer systems. Designed on Intel's aforementioned CULV platform, the new series of laptops provides customers with a choice for a 13.3-inch model that could be a bit more affordable.
Inside the LV1 laptop, users will find a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 processor, coupled with 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, an 8-cell battery pack and a 13.3-inch display that is capable of outputting images at 1366 x 768 pixels. Designed on the Intel GS45 chipset, the new system can also be equipped with a more performance-capable Core 2 Duo SU9600 processor, which runs at a slightly higher 1.6GHz core speed and offers a dual-core architecture.
As you can expect from a CULV laptop, the LV1 is touted as being ultrathin and lightweight, with a thickness of 1.8cm and a weight of 1.65kg. With those specifications, the LV1 becomes a competitor for some of the other ultraportable laptops on the market, like Acer's Timeline. In addition, the standard 4-cell battery is said to provide an autonomy of up to 6 hours, while an 8-cell battery pack can reportedly deliver up to 12 hours of battery life.
Unfortunately, Santech's LV1 ultraportable is a bit costly for its category, with a price tag of €701 ($1,003) after taxes. This makes it €100 more expensive than one of Acer's CULV models, the Aspire 3810T, offering similar specifications. No word on when or whether it will be released worldwide.