M Asad on February 11, 2010, 3:38 am

Windows 7 Netbook with Intel Core i7 Processor

Panasonic has announced a new line-up of “Let’s Go” notebooks and amongst them is a netbook “Let’s Note”, sporting the new Intel Core i7 processor. The netbook in question boasts of a 1.20GHz Intel Core i7-650UM vPro processor with a 10.4-inch (1024 x 768) display. Intel’s Atom chip is the standard stuff that is showing around all over as the driving CPU of the 10.1 inches netbooks these days like the Dell Mini and HP Mini, so to have a netbook with Core i7 is surely an amazing thing for this form factor.

The base model of the netbook packs Intel Core i7-620UM vPro processor running at 1.06GHz but you can configure it to get the top of the line version – the Core i7-650UM at 1.20GHz. This processor benefits from Intel’s Turbo boost technology that allows the speed to flex up to 2.13GHz depending on usage. It manages to include this in a chassis weighing just 0.93kg, whilst also bundling a 3100mAh battery rated to last for 7.5 hours. It also features 2GB RAM by default which is again configurable up to 4GB, 250GB HDD and Windows 7 Professional 32-bit. It also has integrated graphics, a choice between a 500GB hard drive or a 128GB SSD, along with 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, VGA output and Bluetooth. The “Let’s Note” also includes a PC Card slot, an SD / SDHC reader, two USB 2.0 ports and VGA output. WiMax is also an option.

What’s most surprising about this netbook is the battery expectancy: Panasonic claims a 7.5 hour battery life from the standard three cell 3,100mAh battery. This definitely must have something to do with the Core i7 mobile processor which is giving this netbook a very impressive battery life.

Technical Specifications:

OS: Windows 7 Professional
Processor: Core TM i7-620UM
Intel ® Smart Cache 4MB ※ 3, operating frequency 1.06GHz,
2.13GHz Intel ® Turbo boost use of technology at up to 2.13GHz
Chipset: Mobile Intel ® QM57 Express Chipset
Main memory: Standard 2GB DDR3 SDRAM (slot 1) / Up to 4GB
Video Memory: If you expand the memory up to 763MB 2GB is 1563MB (shared with main memory)
Hard Drive: 250GB (Serial ATA) ※ capacity of about 12GB left the recovery area, about 300MB used as the system area (disabled users)
Display: 10.4-inch TFT color LCD XGA (1024 × 768 dots)
External resolution: 800 × 600,1024 × 768
Wireless: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200
WLAN: IEEE802.11a (W52/W53/W56) / b / g / n compliant
LAN: 1000BASE-T / 100BASE-TX / 10BASE-T
Sound: PCM sound (24-bit stereo), Intel ® High Definition Audio compliant
Mono speaker
Card slot: PC Card (TYPEII) × 1 slot (CardBus compatible, current allowable 3.3V: 400Ma, 5V: 400mA)
× 1 SD memory card slot (SDHC Memory Card / support copyright protection technology)
Memory: Dedicated DDR3 204-pin SO-DIMM slot × 1 (1.5V/PC3-6400/DDR3 SDRAM)
I/O: RJ45
Mini D-Dub
Mic
Headphone
Keyboard: 85 compliant OADG key, key pitch of 17mm (horizontal) / 14.3mm (vertical) (except for some keys)
Wheel pad
Battery: Battery life of 7.5 hours
Charging time: 3.5 hours (power OFF), About 5 hours (Power ON)
Dimensions: Width 229mm × depth 187mm × height 29.4mm/42.5mm (front / rear)
Weight: PC unit: about 0.93kg (Included battery pack (about 0.22kg) when mounted)

This netbook is expected to hit retail shelves on February 17th, but unfortunately, it will only be available in Japan at launch. You can check out netbook reviews at TestFreaks regarding detail information and public opinion about this new product once it is launched.