Gigabyte Netbook Features Swivel Touch Screen

Gigabyte threw up the specs on three upcoming netbooks, one of which features a cool swivel touch screen and Intel's Atom processor.

Gigabyte threw up the specs on three upcoming netbooks, one of which features a cool swivel touch screen and Intel's Atom processor.

Gigabyte's T1028, S1024, and M1022 netbooks originally made an appearance at CeBIT 2009 back in January, but haven't appeared on the Gigabyte website until just recently. All three offer Intel's Atom processor, the Mobile Intel 945GSE Express chipset+ ICH7M, Windows XP Home, embedded HSDPA support, and a 10.1-inch screen. Outside the basics, each member of the Gigabyte trio provides unique features that offer consumers a great variety, whether they're looking for something thin, or a netbook with touch screen technology.

Want something flashy? Gigabyte's M1022 BookTop (shown left) stands upright in a docking station like a Nintendo Wii console. The BookTop also sports Intel's Atom in two flavors: the N270 (1.6 GHz), or the N280 (1.66 GHz). Other BookTop features include a 92-percent full-sized keyboard, a 160 GB 2.5-inch 9.5mm SATA hard drive (5400 RPM), and a WSVGA 10.1-inch LED backlit screen capable of resolutions up to 1024x600. Gigabyte said that the memory and hard drive are easily upgradable.

The S1024 ThinNote (shown on the right), on the other hand, is the skinny offering of the trio, weighing in at a mere 890g and is 20.8mm thick. The WSVGA 10.1-inch screen's resolution isn't necessarily lower than the M1022 BookTop, but rather limited to the 16:9 aspect ratio, offering visuals at 1024x576 instead. Unfortunately, the ThinNote comes locked with the Atom N270 (1.6 GHz), however consumers will be able to choose between 60 GB and 80 GB hard drives (1.8-inch 5mm PATA @ 4200rpm).

Finally, the T1028 TouchNote (shown left) brings touch screen technology to netbooks; the 10.1-inch WSVGA screen even swivels at the base and provides resolutions up to 1024x600. When available, consumers will have a choice of Atom processors: the N270 (1.6 GHz) or the N280 (1.66 GHz). Like the BookTop, the TouchNote will provide a 92-percent full-sized keyboard, and a 160 GB 2.5-inch 9.5mm SATA hard drive (5400 RPM). According to Gigabyte, the hard drive and memory are easily upgradable on this model as well.

For now, all three netbooks are listed as "Coming Soon." An official release date--or the actual pricing for that matter--hasn't been confirmed as of yet, but the netbooks are expected to cost consumers somewhere in the $500 price range. For more details on each netbook, check out their product pages listing system memory, battery, and wireless info.