With the popularity of devices like the iPad and iOS and Android-based devices, the conventional wisdom says netbooks are dead. Samsung doesn’t seem to think so, as their Sliding PC 7 is now available for pre-order on Amazon…or not…
(At least it was when the source article was written. The link on Amazon appears to be non-functional as of this writing. A premature announcement, perhaps?)
The device combines the best features of a tablet and a small laptop computer. The Sliding PC has a 10-inch touchscreen with a 1366 x 768 resolution and an option for a 32/64 Gb solid-state drive. It’s powered by an Intel Atom processor codenamed “Oak Trail” that has a clock speed of 1.5 Ghz and runs Windows 7 Home Premium.
For wireless connectivity, it comes with 802.11 b, g, and n modes for mobile surfing. 3G and Wimax are supposed to be optional outputs.
The device also comes with the standard USB and HDMI outputs, so if you find the device too cramped, you can plug in your own monitor and keyboard/mouse.
The big selling point is that the Sliding PC 7 is a “netvertible.” You can slide the screen up to reveal a full-size keyboard, and slide it back to put it in tablet mode. It really looks like an attempt to split the difference between the two styles. A tablet is really handy for surfing the Web and taking simple notes. If you’re in a meeting, you can jot down the minutes or jot down reminders to yourself without putting a wall between yourself and your co-workers.
When you want to write a longer document, a keyboard is a must, especially for those who are experienced touch typists. Anyone who’s fumbled trying to write more then a few sentences on an iPhone/iPod Touch will know what I mean.
It’ll be interesting to see and feel this device in action and know that it’s not just vaporware. The Sliding PC was shown at CES in Las Vegas back in January and was scheduled to be released in March, but has been pushed back to May. Product delays are common in this industry, and it can be frustrating when you can’t get a device you’re lusting after. The reason for the delay seems to be Intel’s own struggle to get the processor used for the device out the door. I hope Samsung and Intel can get the bugs worked out so the device can hit the market.
We covered the Dell Inspiron Duo, a similar netvertible, last year. We also covered Samsung’s announcement of another tablet called Gloria.
via: Engadget and NetbookNews
