Toshiba Corp. is refreshing its netbook lineup and is switching to more-spacious 10-in. screens with the new machines.
The UX-series netbooks are based on the N280 version of Intel Corp.'s Atom chip that the chip maker began shipping in February, and they come with 1GB of memory and a 160GB hard disk drive.
The display is a 10.1-in. LCD with 1,024-by-600-pixel resolution. Toshiba's previous Atom-based machine, the NB100, sported a similar resolution but on an 8.9-in. LCD. Many netbook vendors have been switching to the larger displays because consumers prefer them.
Battery life has also been extended in the new machines. Toshiba said the standard battery should last up to about four hours, compared with 2.9 hours for the NB100.
Despite its larger screen the new model is smaller, at 10.3 by 7.5 by 1.2 in. The computer weighs between 2.6 and 2.8 lb., depending on the configuration.
The UX-series computers will be launched in Japan on Friday and follow in other markets, although exact international launch dates have not been decided, said Toshiba. Prices for the computers range from about $606 to $707 in Japan.
