Lenovo has announced a new compact laptop, set to hit the streets this September. The IdeaPad S10 will have a 10-inch screen, weigh in at around 2 pounds, and come with Windows XP installed. With a starting price of just $399, the laptop is a logical choice for business travelers who want to keep their laptops with them.

Lenovo will actually release two different configurations of the S10. The starting model with has 512MB of memory and a 80GB hard drive for $399. For fifty dollars more you can pick up a version with 1GB of memory and a 160GB hard drive. Both versions of the laptop are going to be available in red, black, and white, and will use “advanced thermal engineering” to bring the temperature down on the bottom of the laptop and the palm rests.

The IdeaPad S10 will have a keyboard at 85% the size of your typical keyboard, which may make for some awkward times for users with larger hard, or people exceptionally accustomed to typing on their traditional machines. The laptop will have WiFi as well as an Express Card slot for optional high-speed Internet connectivity. The IdeaPad also will have a built-in web camera, 2 USB ports, and a 4 in one card reader to easily transferring music, pictures, and videos onto the device.

As someone who currently totes around their 17-inch PowerMac when they’re on business trips I’m pretty excited about the growing compact laptop market. While I have to admit I’m still a little tempted by the MacBook Air, companies like Lenovo are making comparable products available now at exceptionally reasonable prices.The IdeaPad S10 spec wise makes it look like a great entry level laptop for someone who’s looking for a portable machine to take to class with them and/or surf the web.

What do you think about portable laptops? Do you own one? Are you tempted to buy one now that they’re making more impressive machines at lower prices?

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Entry was posted on Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at 3:33 pm under Notebook.

Read more entries by Emily Price.
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