This is really cool and since it’s MHO that this is where netbooks of today is heading, I am adding it here.

The Courier, as it is known, is a dual screen (7” vertical each) that supports multitouch and stylus entry. the 2 screens work seamlessly and allows the users to simply flip content from one screen to the next. When not in use, the Courier can be folded like a book and resembles a Moleskine notepad with a leathery finish.

No indication on pricing right now. Go watch the demo video here.

Source: Gizmodo

The truth is out there–sort of. While there are few firm details about Office 2010–the version of Office that will succeed Office 2007 in the first half of 2010–Microsoft has finally begun discussing the roadmap for this release and the general direction it is heading. Presumably, we’ll see more ribbon-ized applications and a more customizable ribbon all around, but we’ll have to wait and see. No, it’s not much yet, but here’s what we know about Office 2010.

Q: Office 14?

A: 14 is the version number. Office 2007 was called Office 12 internally at Microsoft. The company skipped 13 for superstitious (i.e. fun) reasons.

Q: Will there be a beta test?

A: Yes, Microsoft will release a technical preview version of the Office 2010 System in the third quarter of 2009, followed by a more widespread beta release. And the Exchange 2010 Beta is already available.

Read the rest at Winsupersite

Microsoft is going to release Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Office 2007 this month, bringing a range of improvements. You may remember recently that the Service Pack was leaked; well, this article is for those who stay on the right side of law.
There is an official blog post about this on the TechNet website, revealing some of the coming tweaks and features. Here’s what they state:

Service Pack 2 for the 2007 Office System will be made available to Windows Server Update Services in April, classified as a service pack. Service Pack 2 includes some significant work, including: built-in ability to save as ODF & PDF formats, improvements to Outlook’s performance and calendar reliability, significant bug fixes for charts in core Office applications, the ability for client service packs to be removed using an uninstall tool, and a host of customer-requested improvements to the Office Server products. It is also a rollup of all fixes that have previously been released for Office 2007 products. Additional information will be posted to the Office Sustaining Engineering blog later this month.

Keep an eye out for when this will be released, although it will most likely show up in Windows Update. If that’s not the case, you can always visit Microsoft’s Download Center to get your hands on it upon release to the public.

Officials at Microsoft claim that the company in recent months has made stunning gains in the market for netbooks — low-cost laptop computers that are optimized for simple tasks like surfing the Web and e-mailing.

"It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since we first started to see netbook PCs running Windows come to market," said Brandon LeBlanc, Microsoft’s in-house Windows blogger, in a post Friday.

Citing figures from market research firm NPD, LeBlanc said Windows’ share of the U.S. netbook market has ballooned from less than 10% in the first half of 2008 to 96% as of February. "The growth of Windows on netbook PCs over the last year has been phenomenal," wrote LeBlanc. NPD defines netbooks as devices that feature a screen that is 10.2 inches or smaller and sell for less than $500.

Some versions of Windows 7, Microsoft’s next operating system, have been optimized for netbooks.

"Looking forward, we can confidently say that no matter how netbook PC hardware evolves, we’re gearing up to ensure that Windows 7 will run great on them," said LeBlanc. Microsoft is widely expected to ship Windows 7 later this year, though the company has not officially confirmed a date.

Read the rest at Informationweek.com

I love these new ads. Looking at the number of consumers at the recent IT Show who walked away with netbooks, you know the market is now very much focused on low cost, efficient, light weight machines. It is really hard to consider coughing up $4k to $5k for a laptop in this current economic climate, no matter how much you like a particular logo

I wish there is some way I can participate in this ad campaign…I know it is just an ad but imagine; You find it, you keep it! That just starts my mind wondering…

Laptop Hunters #2 - Giampaolo

Laptop Hunters #1 - Lauren