11.1" netbook features hi-res screen; looks like China

Take for example the 11.1 inch 1366 x 769 pixel display. Not something we've seen on many devices classed as a netbook. Perhaps more common to what Intel describes as a CULV-filled thin and light. And to be fair it does its best to fairly thin too. The battery on the reverse side is as flat as I've ever seen. The processing power however is pure netbook; an Intel Atom N270, 1GB of DDR2, 160GB hard drive, three USBs and a card reader are familiar sounds to anyone following the netbook phenomena.

The keyboard is of a chiclet style which frequently divides opinion but apparently favors females and their long painted nails. Again, it'd not especially netbooky and points to an attempt at originality.

The porcelain design is in many ways what adds to the classier look of this PC. Add a  hi-res screen, and you have top-tier feel that few Shanzhai-built machines have really achieved so far. Perhaps the asking price is also a clue that this one is aiming higher than most of its mountain bandit brethren. 2600RMB, or approx 380 US dollars, is a fair few bob for most Chinese Mainlanders, although I see plenty of big noses rubbing their hands.

Western Opportunity Analysis:

This is surely a fine example of a product tailor-made for western markets. First off, it flies in the face of what you'd expect from a netbook. The larger 11.1" screen is fairly generous, and given the higher resolution it could be real success. The recently announced Sony Vaio W has a similarly hi-res screen at 1368 x 768, but has received wide spread criticism for its restrictive and eye-straining 10.1" from factor.

The words 'hi-resolution' and 'netbook' are two words that Intel does not want to see together. They draw the netbook line at around 10 inches, and are quite happy to keep to the good old 1,024 x 600 res too. Although a few OEMs have ventured into 720p territory, most notably Gigabyte and Dell, it remains to be seen if this will cause a fanfare at 10 inches.

So here we have it. A great looking netbook that gives consumers possibly a more balanced display configuration than most mainstream OEM products. I'm convinced it would be a success anywhere in West. Opportunity? You bet. Would Intel moan and groan? Probably. Would the Shanzhai boys look elsewhere? I think maybe VIA or Qualcomm would be all ears.

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