So, while everyone else is eagerly waiting for the release of Apple’s iPad, us who aren’t really convinced of the iPad’s abilities to walk on water or its promises to cure cancer are looking someplace else. Enter: Microsoft’s Courier. The Courier is being marketed as a “digital journal.” Instead of Windows 7, we’re seeing the Courier has the same software that runs Zune HD, Pink, and Windows Mobile 7 Series. It makes sense, really. The iPad uses iPhone OS because full Mac OS X will not work well for touch screen interfaces. And of course Windows 7, with all its touch-screen friendly glory, won’t even give the best user experience. Read more…

The Lenovo ThinkPad X100e is one of the best netbooks out there at the moment. Come on, how could it be not good when it’s carrying the ThinkPad brand? The 11.6 inch, 1366 x 768 pixel display, AMD Neo MV-40 single core CPU, and AT Radeon HD 3200 graphics make it one of the best choices to get when shopping for a netbook.

But it looks like Lenovo’s got something else up their sleeve. According to rumors, they’re going to make a 10-inch ThinkPad that’s going to be rocking an Intel Atom processor. From Liliputing:

It looks like Lenovo is also planning to launch a smaller version of the laptop with a 10.1 inch, 1280 x 720 pixel display. An Intel Atom N450 Pine Trail processor option also appears to be on its way. It’s not spelled out specifically, but it’s likely that the Atom CPU will be tied to the smaller screen.

While a number of reviewers have given the Lenovo ThinkPad X100e high marks for its keyboard, build quality, and overall design, it gets pretty lousy battery life for a modern ultraportable. Swapping out the AMD CPU for a low power Atom processor could go a long way to address that.

Say what you want about the ThinkPad’s looks, but I think it looks pretty neat. Seriously considering the future 10-inch ThinkPad X100e as a possible netbook purchase if my laptop proves to be too big to carry around.

One of the things I envy the most about Macbook users would be the pretty neat MagSafe power adaptors. Aside from the fact that it’s much, much easier to plug and unplug your laptop, it also keeps your Macbook safe if someone trips on the cable. And have I mentioned the fact that it also reduces wear and tear damage? So yeah, that’s the one feature I really, really like about Macs. Read more…

It seems that several ODM Taiwanese notebook manufacturers are at work developing slim laptops with frameless screens. And amazingly, we can expect the first few models to come out the second half of 2010. These manufacturers are said to be Foxconn, Quanta, Compal, Acer, and HP.

This is something I’m seriously looking forward to, because bezels on screens have always been a huge turnoff for me. On some systems, such as the Asus Eee PC 701, the bezel makes sense, since the only way to provide a reasonably large keyboard with a 7 inch screen is to pad the space on the sides of the display. But on other models, there’s no good excuse for the black bars that border the display.

According to Digitimes,

The Foxconn Group is cooperating with Chimei Innolux Corporation (CIC), the new entity to be formed by Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), Innolux Display and TPO Displays, to develop frameless models to strengthen its competitiveness in the ODM notebook segment, the sources indicated. Meanwhile, Compal Electronics is collaborating with Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) to develop frameless screens, and is expected to start shipping frameless notebook models to its major clients, including Acer, in the second half of 2010, revealed the sources.

The new frameless screens will mainly be made using Corning’s reinforced Gorilla glass, the sources indicated.

We’re not exactly clear what “frameless” means, though. I’m hoping that we get a screen that has no bezels whatsoever, with the display bleeding over to the edge of the laptop’s lid or will we get a laptop with a really thin bezel that it’s barely noticeable? I’m seriously hoping it’s the former.

I’ve always been intrigued with wireless keyboards for some reason. I can’t really put my finger on it, but the prospect of lying around the house, keyboard in tow, while watching stuff on a huge HDTV is probably part of the appeal.

Oh wait, it’s not just part of the appeal, it has everything to do with it.

Anyway, if you’re using a nettop or any other computer as a media center, the MSI Air keyboard is probably for you.

From EeePC.net:

It has a keyboard where you can enter words for search boxes and has the full complement of media keys and directional pad for controlling menus. It even has hot keys for search. What’s more, it can use motion detection so you can use it as a mouse.

The RF based device needs a USB dongle to work and weighs 0.2kg. No word on how long the battery will last but it does use 2 replaceable AA batteries and goes to standby after inactivity.

So I’m pretty much sold on this except for the AA batteries. Those things aren’t exactly known for their longevity. But then I think the MSI Air Keyboard is worth giving a try, though.

Oh, yeah, one caveat: it’s available in Germany for now- no, wait, in March. So if you do find one next month, be willing to fork over €79 (US$108) for the MSI Air Keyboard. It works for Windows and Mac OS X, by the way, so I’m sure you’re thinking that it’s worth it.