Toshiba and Samsung
Toshiba recently announced its first netbook offering the form of the NB100, pictured below. This smart-looking system again features the tried-and-trusted specification of a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8.9in 1,024 x 600 screen.
There's 120GB of hard-drive-based storage - more than most of the competition - and three USB ports featuring a "sleep-and-charge" technology that allows users to charge USB devices with the netbook turned off.
What stands out with the Toshiba NB100, however, is its aesthetics. Toshiba is well known for its stylish business laptops, and the NB100 is no exception. It looks far classier than many other netbooks, and it's likely to appeal to the suit-wearing user. It'll arrive in stores in October 2008, priced at £270.
Related reading: Toshiba confirms NB100 netbook, launching in October
Another big-name manufacturer to join the netbook foray in October is Samsung, and it'll do so with its NC10. This Wind-resembling netbook, pictured below, features a larger 10.2in screen - which sadly offers the same 1,024 x 600 resolution - and is available in white, piano black and metallic blue.
Though the Samsung brand may help sell the NC10, we feel it has one significant disadvantage - its lofty £370 price-tag. With the usual 1.6GHz Atom processor and 1GB of RAM, it's joining the party a little too late, and at a price-tag that's simply too high.
Related reading: Samsung confirms NC10 netbook, arrives in October
We've seen netbooks from big-name manufacturers, now onto something completely different, and a tried-and-trusted old timer.
