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While we already have the launch date confirmed as May 12, we are now beginning to see pre-orders opening up. The first to be found is coming courtesy of ExcaliberPC and the notebook is listed for $549 with an estimated availability of “Mid of May 2008,” which is just in line with the already confirmed launch date from Asus. They currently have the white model with either Linux or Windows XP available for pre-order.

The Eee PC 900, as we have already learned will feature an 8.9-inch display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, 1GB of RAM, 1.3-megapixel webcam, FingerGlide capable trackpad and built-in card reader. The Linux based version will offer 20GB total storage, and the Windows based version will have 12GB total storage. The notebook is also currently being listed with free shipping, although we are unsure if that is standard or just a limited offer.

Product [ExcaliberPC.com] Product [ExcaliberPC.com] Via [Design Aesthetic]

Fujitsu has just made available two of its flagship ultra-portable computing machines, the U810 mini notebook and the T2010 tablet PC. Both machines boast of built-in AT&T BroadbandConnect HSDPA, which simply translates to a fast wireless data connection experience for users. Individually, both machines are equipped with good features as well, here’s what you can expect on these two new Lifebook’s.

The LifeBook U810 mini-notebook brags of being the world’s smallest convertible notebook with its 5.6-inch LED backlit touchscreen display and works like a traditional notebook with its ultra-slim QWERTY keyboard or by swivelling its VSVGA Crystal View illuminated screen. It also functions as a handheld tablet PC with a touch screen for finger or pen input. Other features of this mini notebook include an Energy Star compliant 800MHz A810 Intel processor, fingerprint reader, automatic BIOS lock, integrated webcam, 1GB DDR2 400MHz SDRAM memory, 60GB hard drive and Bluetooth.

While the LifeBook T2010 convertible notebook boasts of a 12.1-inch LED backlit display and a slim 1.3-inch chassis. This notebook is packed with an Intel Core 2 Duo 7600 ultra low voltage processor, 2GB DDR2 533 MHz SDRAM memory, 120GB SATA hard drive, Wi-Fi link and Bluetooth. The T2010 is also Energy Star compliant like the U810.

Both the U810 and T2010 are available now with retail prices starting at $999 and $1,499 respectively.

Product [Fujitsu] Product [Fujitsu] Via [SlashGear]

Asus has decided to release the 8.9-inch Eee PC in the second half of April, instead of the originally planned May/June launch. This decision, which comes at the eleventh hour was due to the recent announcement of competing UMPC’s, the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC and a soon-to-be released model from Acer.

The early launch of the 8.9-inch Eee PC will mean that it will be released without the Intel Atom processor. The original launched models will will use Intel’s older-generation dual-core ULV processors, but Asus is still expected to ship its Intel Atom processor based 8.9-inch Eee PC in June. Changes in prices and the exact release date of the 8.9-inch Eee PC are yet to be confirmed.

Via [DigiTimes]

Lenovo has officially unveiled and made their ultra-portable ThinkPad X300 available for order just about a week ago. With a lot of anticipation and speculation in the lead up to this release it seems that the X300 lives up to just about everything you could have hoped for. The new ultra-portable from Lenovo, the ThinkPad X300 features a 13.3-inch LED backlit display, a 1.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB RAM, 64GB SSD, running Windows XP Professional and range in weight from 2.9 to 3.1 pounds with a variety of available connectivity options. Pricing will begin at $2,548 and go up depending on configuration.

Let’s get on with the reviews…

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While we still intend to give you a more in depth comparison of the Everex Cloudbook and Asus Eee PC in words, we thought we would take a little time to show off some side-by-side pictures of the slightly different form factors.

We did find one important item, which we share in the video below. The slow, slow boot time of the Everex Cloudbook. In full disclosure, the Eee (as mentioned in the video) was upgraded to 1GB of RAM while the Cloudbook has the stock 512MB. Aside from that both laptops are stock.

Once we have a little more hands-on with the Cloudbook we will give a follow-up (in words). In the meantime enjoy the video and pictures.

Keep reading for the video and side-by-side comparison pictures of the Everex Cloudbook and Asus Eee PC…

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Lenovo has officially added the ultra portable X300 to the lineup and made it available for order. For anyone who has been drooling over the X300 since we first caught sight of it, there will not be much surprise. As expected it will feature a 13.3-inch LED backlit display, a 1.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB RAM, 64GB SSD, running Windows XP Professional and range in weight from 2.9 to 3.1 pounds with a variety of available connectivity options.

The ultra portable X300 is currently available for order and is estimated to ship within 2-3 weeks, pricing begins at $2,548.

Product [Lenovo] Read [Business Wire]

A few more details are emerging on possible delays with the Asus Eee PC, this time it seems some of the units will be slowed due to a lack of power supplies.

“But, shipment of the brand’s hottest-selling Eee PC, a budget-price laptop, is estimated at only between 650,000 and 700,000 units for the quarter due mainly to a shortage of power supplies.”

The statement specifically mentions “power supplies” but this may be referring to the recent reports of the battery shortages. Either way, batteries or power supplies (power cords) it seems like we are going to be seeing some delays on the Eee PC. The delays could prove to be good news for at least one other notebook, the Everex Cloudbook.

Read [emsnow] Via [eeeuser.com]

We have seen plenty of good news coming from the Eee PC corner, but until now for the most part its all been favorable, Rise Security is now showing a less secure side of everyones favorite ultra-portable. They have found an issue with the version of Samba that is on the Eee PC. Taking a pre-built exploit they have found that they are easily able to root the system. While its not something that should be terribly worry some to most Eee PC owners, it is still something to take concern over. It will be interesting to see if we are going to see an update coming from Asus, until now the default OS on the Eee still has not had any updates, security or otherwise.

Possibly Rise Security said is best with their take on the Eee PC slogan; “Easy to learn, Easy to work, Easy to root.”

Read [Rise Security] Via [Engadget]

Asus has made comments that the availability of their 8G Eee PC may soon be in limited supply. Asus is having some issues with supply shortages, the problem is with the SLC (single-level cell) NAND memory and also a shortage of batteries. Due to the shortages Asus has temporarily stopped shipments of the 8G Eee to Taiwan, but expect that to be a short term solution and hope to be able to resume shipments within about 14 days. Based on the current demand for the Eee, one could imagine that when the sales are able to resume there will be a backlog and those initial shipments will have to fill those first.

Via [electronista]

A new version of the Asus Eee PC has been announced, this new model will be available in Japan only and is Linux-free. The new model will instead be running Windows XP Home Edition and will be called the 4G-X. Specs are similar to the standard 4G that we currently have and include the 7-inch 800 x 480 display, 900Mz Intel Celeron M processor, 512MB of RAM, three USB ports, SD card reader, ethernet port, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and a 0.3-megapixel webcam.

There are some other goodies included though, the 4G-X is also bundled with a 4G SDHC card, optical mouse and free access to the NTT WiFine hotspot network. The 4G-X will go on sale beginning Friday and retail for ¥50,000, which is around $468 US.

No word if or when this Windows XP version will hit the states, but don’t forget its a fairly simple process to switch your Eee over to Windows, that is provided you can follow some simple instructions.

Read [The Register]