Netbooks are some of the more moddable notebooks out there and it seems Lenovo’s second generation IdeaPad S10-2 has been on the receiving end of a number of mods. The latest comes courtesy of Engadget, with the S10-2 receiving a unique LCD panel that originated from the OLPC program.
Pixel Qi’s 3Qi display is interesting in that it can alternate between a standard transmissive display and an outdoor-viewable, eInk-like high-contrast reflective mode. Not only should this outdoor viewable mode extend battery life, as it does not use the backlight, but it will greatly improve outdoor readability.
Hit the source link for the full read, but Engadget was quite happy with the results. The outdoor viewability was quite nice and power consumption went from 11 watts on the original LCD, down to 9 watts with the Pixel Qi in regular mode and even further down to 7 watts with the backlight deactivated. 43% power savings isn’t bad!
We just got word of a special, limited time deal on Lenovo’s IdeaPad S10-2. The 10-inch netbook has the standard run of netbook specs, listed below, and a free sleeve included for only $275!
This package normally runs $499 but with $150 instant savings and a $75 stackable coupon, you can get this puppy for $275 shipped plus any applicable taxes. I liked the IdeaPad S10-2 in my review, it’s about as decent as you’ll get in the 10-inch netbook range. Most everything about it is average, with an excellent keyboard and key layout as close to standard as possible.
This deal expires on November 15th or when 1,000 units have been ordered. Don’t wait on this one if you’ve been shopping for a netbook and wanted that special deal. Specs and details on how to get the deal below
Along with the new IdeaPad models, Lenovo is also sprucing up a couple of the existing ones. The CULV IdeaPad U350 and S10-2 netbook will be able to be purchased with new textures and colorful patterns.
The U350 will have new cover textures like brown lizard print, white lamb skin print and red light weave. The S10-2 netbook will have colorful new designs like pop art, violet floral, red floral, green floral, phoenix, garden, sailing and origami.
Hit the jump for the image gallery of these designs
Lenovo is now offering the faster Intel Atom N280 processor and Bluetooth on their IdeaPad S10-2 10-inch netbook, along with a fresh design.
While posting the sweet deal on Lenovo’s IdeaPad S10-2 earlier, I noticed a new configuration available. You can now get the faster N280 processor, which runs at 1.66GHz on a faster 667MHz bus, along with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
This same model also features one of the new designs we previewed yesterday, called “Nature.” You can get a look at this new design here and the interior should be white, possibly with the same design cues as the top cover.
This model is reported to ship within 11 business days and has a street price of $359. Unfortunately it is not currently eligible for any discounts, but we will post up if any become available.
Netbooks are already plenty cheap for most people shopping, with regular prices in the $400 range. Due to thin margins, you really don’t see much in the way of netbook discounts. Lenovo is bucking that trend, at least for a short while, with a $90 instant discount and a 10% off stackable coupon for their new IdeaPad S10-2 10-inch netbook.
The S10-2 is a refresh of the venerable S10, bringing a larger keyboard with improved layout and a 3rd USB 2.0 port. Unfortunately you do lose the ExpressCard34 slot, which can have a lot of utility in expanding the relatively limited netbooks.
You get the cookie-cutter standard Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB HDD, WiFi, webcam, XP Home, and 6-cell battery with the IdeaPad S10-2, but for a price quite a bit lower than most others, at least until September 14th. Details on how to take advantage of this limited time deal below
(Note: Deal is not valid on model 2957-6AU, listed on far-right at Lenovo.com)
Last week we reported that Lenovo is adding a high resolution screen option to their IdeaPad S10-2 10-inch netbook, and the guys from Netbook News got a few minutes to play with it.
Sascha from Netbook News has a standard S10-2 and high res S10-2 side by side, showing the differences in usability with the extra pixels. Having used a standard resolution netbook display, I must say the odd resolution and limited number of pixels are quite restricting in the machine’s intended purpose: browsing the web. Most websites are designed to be wider than 1024 pixels and they certainly aren’t designed for only 600 pixels of vertical height.
The high res display brings things up to 1280×720, which could make for some viewing trouble if you try to sit it too far away from you on a desk, but in your lap it should be just fine.
As a little bonus, the Netbook News crew also has some footage of some new graphic designs Lenovo is considering offering on their netbooks. These are not just various designs on the top cover, but they also spill over onto the palm rest and keyboard, making for a nice aesthetic affect. Check out the video below or hit the Netbook News website link for more.
Lenovo’s recently refreshed IdeaPad S10-2 netbook can now be found in certain parts of the world with a higher resolution 1280×720 screen, a nice step up from 1024×600.
Slashgear is reporting that the upgraded S10-2 can be found in Japan, while Lilliputing brings us word that it is in Europe as well. The upgraded 1280×720 screen is very near the resolution in 12-inch netbooks like the IdeaPad S12, and should be a welcomed addition for all netbook owners.
While 1024×600 is an okay DPI for a 10-inch screen, the resolution is not compatible with many modern websites. While the 1024 width isn’t terrible, most sites design for 1280 (including this one) and 600 pixel height is atrocious. Vertical pixel space has been dwindling for years with the switch from 4:3 displays and 10-inch netbooks take it to a whole new level.
A final tidbit mentioned by Lilliputing is that some retailers are listing an Atom N280 processor, which runs at 1.66GHz on a 667MHz Front Side Bus. Current S10-2′s available stateside have the standard N270 1.6GHz with a 533MHz FSB. This could be a typo, as information supplied by Lenovo to the public and partners has been known to be riddled with typos and mistakes.
Hopefully both of these changes will trickle out to the rest of the S10-2′s being sold worldwide, stay tuned for more details.
P.S. We will have a review of the IdeaPad S12 up this week, and one of the S10-2 not long after. In the meantime, read other posts related to the IdeaPad S12, IdeaPad S10-2, and netbooks.
It’s another glorious Friday here at LogicThinkPad HQ and I wanted to leave our faithful readers with a couple hot deals for the weekend. Without further ado:
Lenovo IdeaPad S10-2 netbook: exclusive $50 off coupon
You all likely know the slick little netbook, recently refreshed as the S10-2 with a bigger, revised keyboard, extra USB port, and even a bit less weight too. Already a pretty good deal at $349, we bring you a limited-time $50 off coupon that is good until 8/23, or 300 uses – whichever comes first.
Head over here to pick out the color of your IdeaPad S10-2, then apply the coupon code in the shopping cart with no spaces before or after: USPAUGS10
Lenovo ThinkPad T400s: 15% off coupon
I really liked the T400s in my review and have been using it a lot lately, loving it even more every day. It really is a great primary computer with an LCD with enough size, pixels, and image quality that you don’t need an external display when sitting at the desk. You also get plenty of horsepower and features in a very thin and light chassis.
Lenovo is running a nice 15% off coupon for the T400s, on top of $271-311 instant discounts, bringing the starting price for this sexy thing down to $1359. The base specs are very nice and for $40 you can step up to the fast 64GB SSD – I highly recommend it.
Core 2 Duo SP9400 2.4GHz; 14.1″ LED WXGA+; 2GB DDR3
GMA 4500MHD; Multi-touch pad, Windows Vista Business/XP Pro
Click here to choose a standard or Enhanced T400s, then apply the coupon code in the shopping cart with no spaces before or after: USPTHINKSAVINGS
Got questions about the ThinkPad T400s? Read our review, or where we compared it to the ThinkPad T400 and then the ThinkPad X301. Search the site at the top right corner or browse all posts relating to the T400s, chances are we’ve answered your question. If not, ask it in the comments!
While Lenovo indicated they will be adding integrated 3G to the S10-2 netbook later this year, that isn’t soon enough for some people. A member of Netbook Philippines forum over in, you guessed it, the Philippines hacked his IdeaPad S10-2 netbook to take an Ericsson 3G wireless card and antenna.
This should be pretty simple for most people to do, but consider that any problems resulting from this wouldn’t be covered under warranty; luckily you don’t have to dig too far into the S10-2′s chassis.
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