Samsung touts 'smallest' dual-core laptop

Q35 coming

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

22nd March 2006 13:08 GMT

Samsung has shown off what it claims is the world's smallest dual-core notebook, a machine it describes as "ultra-mobile" that weighs just 1.9kg and sports a 12.1in, 1280 × 800 widescreen display.

The Q35 is based on an Intel Core Duo T2700 processor connected to an Intel 945GM chipset across a 667MHz frontside bus. The machine is expected to ship with 512MB of 667MHz DDR 2 SDRAM, along with an 80GB hard drive.

samsung q35 world's smalled dual-core laptop

There's a DVD±R/RW drive on board, accessible not only through Windows XP but also the Q35's instant-on multimedia controller, AVS, which lets users play music, watch DVDs and view photos without having to boot up the operating system first. The graphics come courtesy of the chipset's integrated engine, while the laptop's HD audio system is boosted with SRS' 3D sound technology.

The Q35 has the obligatory 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi connectivity, along with Bluetooth 2.0 and, for wired networks, 10/100Mbps Ethernet. There's a six-in-one memory card reader and a PC Card slot, plus a four-pin Firewire and a pair of USB 2.0 ports for peripherals.

Samsung has squeezed all this into a 29.9 x 21.4 x 2.7-3.6cm casing. In there too is a six-cell battery, which is said to offer up to seven hours runtime.

The manufacturer is expected to offer the Q35 with lesser Core Duo and Core Solo processors, and a range of hard drive capacities. Expect to pay around £1000 for the version described above when it ships in the coming months. ®

samsung q35 world's smalled dual-core laptop