ASUS PadFone: The Smartphone That Can Do Much More

 The always innovative Taiwanese tablet maker ASUS has revealed its latest attraction: the PadFone. This won't be just a smartphone, but a tablet and a netbook as well.

 The heart of the device is the smartphone. When released, the PadFone will contain a Qualcomm S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor and Adreno 225 GPU, and will sport a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display with a 960 x 540 resolution. Most important, however, is that the PadFone will run Android 4.0 at its release.

Other features are going to include an 8MP rear-facing camera (which will also act as the rear-facing camera when attached to the tablet dock), a WVGA front-facing camera, HDMI output, a microSD card slot, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, HSPA+, and Wi-Fi capabilities.

Users of the PadFone can take the handset and attach it to the tablet dock that has a 10.1-inch diplay with a resolution of 1280 x 800. The unit will have an optional keyboard, converting it into a netbook. The PadFone Stylus Headset will act as both a stylus and a phone receiver.

ASUS has yet to reveal the actual price of the device, but rumors swirling around may have the PadFone close to the expensive side. The company did reveal, however, that this innovative phone/tablet/netbook is expected to launch sometime in April.

Dell gets its Inspiron with Mini 10

 Dell's new Inspiron Mini 10 netbook is now available in stores across the country for AED 1,299...but is it worth your time?

To be honest, most netbooks these days all tend to come with the same specs but what sets it apart is its usability, design and whether it's the right ‘fit' for all that you need. 

 The Inspiron Mini 10 has Intel's new speedy Pine Trail processor and comes with Windows 7 Starter Edition - all the latest and best. But surprisingly, it did let me down in the beginning when I found it took approximately ten minutes just to get it set up for first time use.  Still, once loaded, I forgot about that little hiccup and instead found myself admiring the Dell Dock application on the 10.1"display.

When you think of dock style panels, you invariably end up comparing it to the MacDaddy, but I honestly think this is a great addition to Windows 7. It's customisable so you can drag and drop your favourite programmes, and easily delete the ones you don't use as often.

The keyboard is comfortable to use but the trackpad can get annoying since Dell has embedded the right and left buttons directly into it, so you'll have to press down on the trackpad area for those functions.

The netbook comes in spunky colours and I love the fact that fingerprints aren't that obvious on the cover. The textured palm rest is also a nice touch but the netbook's design mainly stands out because the entire unit is sloped (the base being bigger than the front) with the screen not sitting behind the unit but instead having it fitted on top. It might look a little odd but actually comes in handy when holding the netbook (once open) with one hand. It's one of those things you don't think you need until you see it - and then it just makes SO much sense!

The battery life doesn't quite get to 10 hours but you can easily do nine with just basic applications running so it definitely earns its travel companion badge.

Overall though, the two standout features for me have to be the Dell Dock app and the Inspiron Mini 10 cover that still manages to retain its looks regardless of how many times I obsessively trace circles on it with my fingers....