LG joins mini laptop crowd

LG is the latest vendor to bring to market a mini laptop PC. The Netbook X110 is similar in size and specification to models such as the Asus Eee PC and Acer Aspire, but LG has yet to disclose a price.

Available from late October in the UK, the Netbook X110 is based on Intel's 1.6GHz Atom mobile processor with 1GB memory, 80GB hard drive and a 10in display. It will be pre-loaded with Windows XP Home edition.

However, while the Netbook will be available with integrated 3G wireless capability in some countries, the UK version – available initially through Phones 4u – will not. Instead, buyers will be offered this as an option using a USB dongle, according to LG. This is despite the company making a selling point of its suitability for mobile working.

“We know that people want to be able to access the internet in its entirety, wherever they are. Now we’re allowing them to do just that from a feature-rich device with all of the styling people have come to expect from LG,” said John Barton, LG Mobile's UK sales and marketing director.

LG said the Netbook has an 82-key full-size keyboard to make typing easier, while its weight at nearly 1.2kg is slightly heavier than some rival models. Despite this, it has only a three-cell battery pack as standard, which may imply a relatively short battery life when on the move.

The Netbook will be initially available in white or pink, with a black model to follow later.