Viewsonic launches light weight, VNB 100 and VNB 101 models

A known name in visual technology, Viewsonic, for those who have not heard of the brand, is a manufacturer of CRT monitors, projectors, plasma TVs, HDTV technology and tablet PCs. Now, they have also entered the netbook market by launching two models, VNB 100 and VNB 101. While VNB 100 is the entry level, budget model; VNB 101 is a little expensive and a high- end model. They both feature an Intel atom processor and the usual specs, with VNB 100, surprisingly offering more than VNB 101.  They both look very different from each other; of course, VNB 101 is more stylish.

VNB 100 is ultra portable netbook which is targeted at students. It sports 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 160 GB HDD and 1 GB Ram. The netbook ahs a 10.2 inch LCD display, 1.3 mega pixels webcam, and 802.11 b/g WiFi.  These netbooks will have the standard 3 USB ports, and an express card slot. Viewsonic’s VNB 100 does not offer anything new that others do not. Some ports are placed at the back of the machine and not all are at the sides. Though keyboard does not offer anything great, the track pad is Multi- touch capable.. The VNB 100 will come preloaded with Windows XP. This model will be offered in four colors; black, white, yellow and hot pink.

VNB101 will be available in black, red and champagne colors. This one has 1.66 GHz Intel N280 processor and not N270 like VNB100. Instead of three, VNB 101 has 2 USB ports and it sports a 0.3 mega pixel webcam and Bluetooth 2.1. Red, black and champagne are the colors offered for VNB 101. This model will also have a special coating to protect the netbook from spills and usually wear and tear.  The rest of the specs are the same for both the models. Both of the netbook have used the light weight, lithium polymer battery instead of the usual lithium ion battery, which is expected to give a good runtime, though the battery life has not been disclosed yet.

The high end model, i.e. VNB 101 is slimmer than VNB 100 and just weighs 1.1 kgs. as against the latter, which weighs 1.4 kgs. Initially, both these are targeted for Asia pacific markets and will be released by the month end. In Europe, both, VNB 100 and VNB101 models will be released by year end for £256 and £293 respectively.