The next Asus ROG gaming laptops that Asustek will be launching will feature central processors from Intel’s upcoming Ivy Bridge processor family. With Ivy Bridge gamers will get to enjoy processors that not only perform better than last years Sandy Bridge processors, but they get more power efficient chips with better integrated graphics as well.

Other than having new Ivy Bridge processors Asustek will also include NVIDIA’s upcoming GeForce GTX 670M discrete mobile graphics chip. NVIDIA hasn’t fully detailed their next gen. 600 series GPUs but we do know the new range of graphics processors will feature 28nm Kepler processors. With the 28nm Kepler chip the 600 series of GeForce GTX graphics cards should be more power efficient than the previous years Fermi graphics card which featured a 40nm sized chip.

According to scoops from Notebook Italia the first new Asus ROG gaming laptops to feature Ivy Bridge and NVIDIA’s Keplar GPU will be the 15.6-inch G55 and 17.3-inch G75. The Asus ROG G55 and G75 will feature Full HD displays that are 3D ready, and I assume both displays will run at 120Hz to make smooth 3D gaming possible.

Asustek is also said to be including 16GB of DDR3 RAM @ 1600MHz, up to 1.5TB of hard disk storage @ 7200RPM with the option for a 256GB SSD, a Blu-ray player and burner will be optional, 5.1 audio support comes built-in, the keyboard is inclined in a way to ensure comfort during long gaming sessions, there are going to be two main fans for ventilation that will feature easy-clean filters, Asustek is going to pre-install Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit in each system, and the total weight is said to be 4.3 kg (9.47 lbs.) for both the G55 and G75 laptops.

The overall design of the G55 and G75 isn’t supposed to be too different from the current crop of Asus ROG gaming laptops. Which is a good thing if you like the aggressive styling of machines like the Asus ROG G73.

Current reports indicate we should expect to see the Asus ROG G55 and G75 laptops in stores this April. That’s a long way from now, but seeing as Intel and NVIDIA aren’t exactly shipping their new products it’s impossible for Asustek to have their G55 and G75 available much sooner than April 2012.

Pricing isn’t known at this time, but taking into consideration how previous Asus ROG gaming laptops have been priced don’t expect the starting price to be lower than $1,000USD for the G55 or G75 laptops.

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Y470p laptop computer is available for order today, and for the foreseeable future, on Lenovo’s online store. The new laptop features the same design as the previous Y-series Lenovo IdeaPad laptops which were launched last year, but that’s because Lenovo has done most of the updates within the Y470p’s chassis.

For starters the new Y470p features the 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7-2670QM quad-core CPU which offers a slight performance improvement over the now old 2.00 GHz Intel Core i7-2630QM quad-core CPU. With the slightly faster CPU users of Lenovo’s new IdeaPad Y470p laptop will be able to do things like process media files faster and do all sorts of other CPU intensive work faster.

The second are of improvement for the new Y470p is in the graphics department, the updated model features AMD’s most up-to-date discrete GPU in the AMD Radeon HD 7690M. The 7690M is a part of the family of 7000 series Radeon HD graphics units that AMD will be shipping throughout 2012. Individually the 7690M will offer upper middle range performance, when you consider Lenovo’s asking price for the new Y470p the 7690M makes perfect sense.

That asking price is just $799.00 if you take advantage of limited time online coupon offers that Lenovo is supporting on their online store located here. However after the current coupons are gone the MSRP for the 2670QM and 7690M clad IdeaPad Y470p should shot up to $1,249.00.

Lenovo IdeaPad Y470p main specifications:

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Image: Lenovo

Designed for the rough hands of K-12 students the new Lenovo ThinkPad X130e ultra-portable laptop computer has finally been made available for purchase by people other than schools and organizations. As the latest X series ThinkPad computer from Lenovo is attempting to keep their tradition of offering ThinkPad quality machines at affordable prices and portable sizes for students and business people alike.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X130e starts at $429.00 if you opt for the AMD based model but if you get the Intel model your starting price is $549.00 –all prices in USD. Those prices are a bit lower than those Lenovo had told us to prepare for back in December of 2011 when the company announced the X130e laptop.

What do you get with the X130e

As we’ve detailed before the X130e features hardware that’s typical of an ultra-portable laptop that requires components that don’t demand to much battery power to operate. Lenovo has made sure that the 6 cell battery they include with the X130e can provide users with a good wireless computing experience that’s free of too many “battery power low” warnings –Lenovo estimates the max. battery performance to be 8.5 hours for the X130e.

When you configure up an AMD based X130e you have the option for getting the ultra low-power 1.3 GHz AMD E-300 dual-core APU or the more power hungry 1.65 GHz AMD Fusion E-450 dual-core APU. If you chose the E-300 you will get the AMD Radeon HD 6310 integrated graphics chip and if you get the E-450 you’ll have the more powerful AMD Radeon HD 6320M, both graphics solutions offers up DirectX 11 graphical support with discrete-class performance.

However if you choose to get an Intel powered X130e laptop you will have but one option for processors and that is the 1.4 GHz Intel Core i3-2367M ULV dual-core processor. Like the other 2nd gen. Intel Core processors the Core i3-2367M comes with a Intel HD Graphics 3000 integrated graphics processing unit.

Now no matter the model you choose you will always get at least 4GB of DDR3 (1333MHz) memory with your X130e laptop. Also the base storage option for either the AMD or Intel based models is a 250GB hard disk drive that spins at the power conscience level of 5400RPM.

The display size and resolution is also standard across the X130e line. Lenovo has gone ahead and provided an 11.6″ anti-glare LED backlit screen with an HD resolution (1366×768 pixels) and a low-light sensitive VGA Webcam integrated into it’s design.

As for connectivity you get three USB 2.0 ports (one is powered for charging phones and other things), HDMI, VGA, Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45), headphone/mic jack, a 4-in-1 memory card reader, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 3.0.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X130e also has lots of protection from drops and other accidents. This laptop features stronger hinges for the 11.6″ LCD that can withstand up to 30,000 cycles of being opened. This laptop has a rubber bumper layer around the sides of the body and the LCD has a 1.2mm thick bezel to protect against damage from drops and bumps. Finally the ports on the laptop are recessed back a bit so when you pull cords out the socket can’t get yanked out as easily either (this form of protection was put into place with kids in mind mostly).

Through Lenovo’s online store your able to order the new X130e in your choice of Black or Red cover colors. Also through Lenovo’s website you can upgrade your X130e from the base Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system to Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate if you wish to spend a hundred or more dollars for the right version of Windows 7 for your needs.

All online orders are shipping out on February 9th, 2012 according to note placed on the order page by Lenovo, but that date is only an estimate that could be adjust at anytime by Lenovo.

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Acer’s Aspire AO722

At the time of this posting the only color being offered, Charcoal Black, was out of stock online at att.com.

Is this a good deal?

How badly do you want 4G HSPA+ data for mobile internet access wherever AT&T offers coverage? That’s the main question when considering any mobile broadband equipped computer. The $40 per month to own a new laptop looks attractive but in reality you are also paying an additional $40 per month for the data that is tied to the two-year contract you must sign to qualify for that $40 price. For most this isn’t something to consider but for heavy travelers within the United States this deal could be something to consider for your mobile broadband needs.

Right now Wi-Fi access isn’t nationwide in the United States and most coffee shops today charge for access to their often slow Wi-Fi networks. If you must be connected a mobile broadband modem for your laptop or a mobile hotspot that provides you with an Internet connection through a cell network is something you’ll need.

If you want to consider purchasing the Acer Aspire One AO722 from AT&T you should know the laptop comes with the following technical specifications:

• 11.6″ HD (1366×768) LED backlit screen
• 1.00 GHz AMD C-50 APU (Dual-core) with AMD Radeon HD 6250 integrated DirectX 11 graphics
• 2GB of DDR3 RAM
• 320GB HDD (5400RPM)
• Integrated webcam and microphone
• 3x USB 2.0, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, and headphone + microphone jacks
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, HSPA+
• Up to 6 hours of battery life from the included 4400 mAh battery
• Windows 7 Home Premium and a 60-day trial for Microsoft Office 2010

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The new for 2012 HP Mini 1104 netbook. Image: HP

When you first look at the new HP Mini 1104 netbook you probably can’t tell it’s a new netbook at all, if you follow HP’s Mini line of netbooks. The general design of the HP Mini 1104 sits in-line with the design of the 2011 HP Mini netbook computers. HP isn’t looking to re-invent the wheel with the Mini 1104, they want to keep the same style that gave them some success in the declining netbook market last year.

So, what is actually new in the HP Mini 1104?

HP is introducing their very first netbook with Intel’s new Atom processors for the Cedar Trail family. The Cedar Trail family of Atom processors offers up the same low-power consumption that previous Atom chips offered but now the Intel HD graphics are much improved and the dual processing cores reach higher clock speeds for netbooks. HP is offering users more performance over the previous Intel only netbooks the company has sold.

The HP Mini 1104 comes standard with the 1.60 GHz Intel Atom N2600 dual-core processor, which is currently the slowest Cedar Trail Atom processor out of the two that Intel has released. The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3600 chip is paired up with the N2600 central processor.

However other than the Cedar Trail processor there isn’t much in the form of new technologies for the new HP Mini 1104 netbook. With the 1104 you still get a 10.1-inch 1024×600 resolution LED backlit display, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, a 320GB hard drive, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, VGA out, 3x USB 2.0, an integrated webcam, and there is a 6-cell (55 WHr) high capacity Li-Ion battery that is estimated at up to 9 hours of battery life.

Buying one

You can currently purchase the HP Mini 1104 direct from HP.com in one of two configurations. The first configuration will set you back $399.00 and include everything mentioned above. The second configuration is $469.00 and it includes everything mentioned with the exception that Bluetooth is limited to version 2.1, but you get the HP un2430 EV-DO/HSDPA Mobile Broadband card (Gobi 3000) for Internet access outside of Wi-Fi ranges.

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