Watch this video for free on GigaOM

Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

• Mobile Operators’ Strategies for Connected Devices
• Strategies for the Future of Digital Content Storage
• Company Profile: Apple

Dell Inspiron Mini 10

Sprint continues to promote its growing 4G network through the offer of two Dell notebooks that have integrated 3G and 4G connectivity. The notebooks include the 10-inch Inspiron Mini 10 Netbook and the 11.6-inch Inspiron 11z Notebook. The Mini 10 is available free ($100 mail-in rebate) to customers signing a new 2-year mobile broadband contract, while the 11z is $149.99 (same rebate) with contract.

There are two data plans available for the notebooks, including a 3G/4G plan that offers unlimited 4G and 3G with a 5 GB data cap for $59.99 monthly. This plan is similar to the existing plan for Sprint’s Overdrive wireless modem. Those not wanting 4G data speeds, or those not in an area that has coverage, can opt for a 3G-only plan with a 500 MB data cap for $39.99 per month.

Dell Inspiron 11z

Notebooks with integrated 4G are nothing new, but the dual 3G/4G connectivity bundled in these two notebooks ensures customers can make the fastest connection available in any location. The data connection will automatically tap into the faster Sprint 4G (WiMAX) network where coverage is available, or connect to the 3G (EVDO) network if 4G isn’t detected. The Sprint 3G network has much wider coverage than the 4G network, as the latter has only been rolled out in 55 cities in the U. S.

Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

• Why Google Launched App Inventor
• Rogue Devices: The Consumer Influence on Enterprise Mobility, Part 1
• Transient Apps: The Consumer Influence on Enterprise Mobility, Part 2

Getting Started

Mac owners can install Windows under Bootcamp, which is part of OS X. This creates a Windows partition that allows booting into Windows as desired. Parallels Desktop (and competitor VMWare (vmw) Fusion) offer a simpler solution. A virtual machine is created inside OS X where Windows (or other OSes) can be installed and run while OS X is running. This opens up options not available to Bootcamp users, such as dragging and dropping files between the two “systems”.

Once Parallels Desktop 6 is installed, it walks the user through the Windows installation. There are options for installing Windows from the Mac DVD drive or from an image file (ISO), which is what I used. Windows is not included with Parallels; you need your own purchased copy. The Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit) install went quickly and without issue, all in a window on my Mac OS X desktop. Once Windows was done installing (and rebooting) I sat through the long Windows Update session to add all the security updates.

Parallels has a Transporter utility for Windows users who wish to make the Windows system on the Mac mimic a Windows PC. The PC is connected to the Mac with a USB cable, and once the Transporter utility runs it copies the user’s Windows files and customizations to the virtual machine on the Mac. The new Windows system on the Mac then looks just like the Windows PC. I haven’t used this method, preferring a basic Windows installation on the Mac without transferring anything. My documents are on the Mac, and Parallels allows easy access to them on the Windows side.

The Parallels virtual machine that’s home to the Windows install is seen by the OS as a dedicated computer running that OS. Windows does not work differently this way than it does installed on a real computer. Parallels adds hooks into the Windows install that makes it easy for the OS X system to interact with the Windows side of things. It is like having two computers tightly networked together, all running on the Mac.

Parallels Desktop 6 has some new features not found in previous versions, most notably a healthy performance increase according to the developers. They claim a 40 percent improvement in both Windows boot time and system performance. I haven’t run any benchmarks, but it’s definitely faster than Parallels Desktop 5. The system has been so snappy that I was surprised to see that Parallels had allocated the Windows 7 virtual machine only 1 GB of memory. My MacBook has 4 GB of memory and a dual-core CPU and I thought about bumping the memory allocated to Windows (it’s user configurable) up to 2 GB, but performance was so good I left it at the default level.

Parallels in Use

The Windows virtual machine can be run in OS X in a Mac Window or in full-screen mode. The whole Windows desktop is in a regular Mac window in the former, and takes over the whole display in the latter. Full-screen mode is handy on setups with multiple monitors with Windows on one screen and OS X on the other. Those using Spaces on the Mac can do the same thing on single display systems and use a simple key sequence to toggle between the two OSes.

I actually prefer the third method that Parallels provides to run Window. The Coherence mode hides the Windows desktop completely, and programs run in Windows appear on the Mac desktop as a simple window. This facilitates having Windows and Mac apps on the screen side-by-side, and dragging objects between them. Parallels has an option to make Windows apps use frames just like Mac apps for those who want everything to look Mac. I prefer to have Windows apps display in a Windows frame so I can tell at a glance which OS I am dealing with. The Windows Start Menu is available on the Mac system bar at the top of the screen, and Windows programs appear as a folder in the dock.

Since the Windows virtual machine is a full implementation of the OS, everything you can do on a Windows PC can be done in Parallels on the Mac. Microsoft Office 2010 programs run very well on the Mac, and it’s handy to have access to full versions of Office without leaving the Mac environment. Outlook users will be happy with that program running on the Mac in a Windows on the desktop.

I’ve been running Parallels Desktop 6 on a unibody MacBook, not a Pro. It doesn’t have the dedicated graphics option that Pros have, but the performance has still been quite good. I’m running Windows in Coherence mode all the time, with programs running on my Mac desktop. I don’t have any issues with performance, and both OSes have played nicely together. The developers claim that Parallels Desktop 6 provides better 3-D game play than earlier versions. I haven’t tried that, but our friends at TheAppleBlog have done some testing that questions those claims.

Running Windows on the MacBook hasn’t taken an appreciable toll on the battery. There’s certainly a small hit due to having both CPUs running all the time and more memory allocated, but it’s not enough to be a concern. This makes the Parallels solution for running Windows particularly attractive to mobile professionals. I’ve covered using the iPad as a second display while traveling, and this works well with Parallels. It is quite a sight to have Windows running on the iPad next to the MacBook.

Parallels Desktop 6 will be widely available on Sept. 14, but owners of earlier versions can upgrade now for $49.99. The full version is $79.99, and there’s a special version for Windows to Mac switchers for $99.99.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub. req’d): Are You Empowering Your Mobile Work Force?

Mobile professionals love to perform multiple uses with one gadget to lighten the load on trips so this is a natural fit. The Power Hub connects to the wall outlet for power and the laptop by USB and accepts up to four devices for charging. Now you can have your iPad, smartphone and two other gadgets charging away. The Power Hub is available now from Lenovo for $74.99. Note that one of the USB ports is capable of charging a device even without the laptop being connected.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub req’d): Better Battery Life Motivates Mobile Chipmakers

The tablet segment was kick-started by the successful launch of the iPad , and will continue to grow as companies bring models based on the Android platform to market. While notebooks will remain the computers purchased by most, the tablet will begin to rival the netbook/smartbook according to these numbers. The rapid rise of the tablet will be a hot topic at our Mobilize conference later this month.

These numbers don’t address the rise of the smartphone as mobile computers, and recent figures from IDC have a whopping 270 million phones shipping this year. It’s not unreasonable to believe that today’s high-powered smartphones can impact the sales of mobile computers, particularly the netbook/smartbook segment. The mobile computer, no matter its form, has won the war with the lowly desktop.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub. req’d): Are You Empowering Your Mobile Work Force?

Lower PC sales may also partly be a result of the iPad and the coming glut of Android tablets, as netbook inventor ASUS has already warned investors. High sales of the iPad have resulted in lower PC sales, and as Android tablets are poised to appear on the market in great numbers, the impact should be even greater. These tablets use less DRAM than conventional PCs, instead using Flash RAM for the primary memory.

Samsung is one of the largest suppliers of DRAM globally. Kwon Oh-hyun, head of Samsung’s chip business, gave the warning at a conference in Taipei. He did not indicate a long-term slowdown was expected, but did state the glut is a result of the expectation of lackluster end-of-year holiday PC sales.

Sales of servers had a strong second quarter according to Intel, and Samsung is no doubt hoping that segment continues to perform well through the end of the year to minimize the affect on the DRAM market.

Image credit: Samsung

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub req’d): Better Battery Life Motivates Mobile Chipmakers

The HP Envy line gets the first 3-D model: the Envy 17 3D. This thin notebook utilizes a 17.3-inch 120 Hz display that combine with special “no setup” 3-D glasses to bring 3-D to any location. This powerhouse is configurable with up to 2 terabytes of storage, quad-core Core i7 processors and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 graphics. HP indicates that pricing for the Envy with 3-D is “to be determined” and it won’t be shipping until after the holiday season later this year.

The Envy 14 Beats Edition is aimed at the audiophile as it incorporates the Beats technology developed for HP by Dr. Dre. This notebook has a 6.5-hour battery life with 13 hours available via the optional extended battery. The Envy 14 Beats Edition will be available this fall starting at $1249, including Beats headphones.

HP has incorporated its CoolSense technology in the Pavilion dm3 to handle heat dissipation in this thin notebook. It has a 13.3-inch screen and gets a claimed 7.5 hours on a single battery charge. It is available today starting at $549.99, and has an optional backlit keyboard.

The Mini 210 is a refreshed consumer netbook that adds several colors to the existing line. HP is also offering options of a dual-core processor, a video accelerator and integrated GPS for those wanting improved performance over the standard Atom processor. The 210 will start at $329.99, available today.

The Mini 5103 takes HP’s top-of-the-line netbook and adds the Intel Atom N550 dual-core processor as standard equipment. Also new is the 10.1-inch touchscreen, available in either standard or optional HD resolutions. Pricing starts at $399.99 with availability on Sept. 17.

The HP Wireless TV Connect allows wireless streaming of 1080p video to televisions anywhere in the room. There’s a USB adapter for plugging into the notebook and a TV adapter that connects via HDMI. HP claims streaming video experiences no lag, no matter the resolution. It will be available in late October starting at $199.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub req’d): Report: The Future of Netbooks

My usage of the Boingo service has been predictable: it has gotten me online in many different coffee shops, primarily Starbucks, and in airports while traveling. The Orlando trip was no exception as I was able to use Boingo in the airport to get online and work. It even came in handy in the hotel in Orlando, as the venue was one of those charging an exorbitant rate for connectivity in the room. The hotel didn’t even have free Wi-Fi connectivity in public areas (like the lobby) as many do. To get online in the hotel would easily cost $20/day in the room and public work areas.

I was thrilled to learn that the hotel hotspots were accessible through Boingo, since I’m paying for that already. I was able to get online in the room and anywhere in the hotel through the Boingo roaming agreement. You’d think that would eliminate any doubt I had about the worth of that monthly fee for Boingo, but that’s not the case.

The Boingo plan I have is the unlimited laptop plan. It’s $9.95/month and lets me get one laptop at a time on the Boingo roaming network for as long as needed. I was able to get my MacBook on the hotel network through Boingo at no additional cost to me. The problem I ran into was with the iPad. I frequently wanted to jump online with the iPad, rather than pulling the laptop out of the bag. This is a strength of the iPad, the ability to grab it and quickly get online to check email or other stuff on the web.

Unfortunately I couldn’t do that with the Boingo plan I have as the iPad is considered a smartphone by the company. Boingo offers three plans in the U.S.: laptop (which I have); smartphone only (which includes the iPad); and a Combo plan that works with both laptops and smartphones. The Combo plan would have let me use both the laptop and iPad as needed, and even the EVO 4G if desired. The problem is this plan is $17.95/monthly, which is too much for the limited times I would use it.

The most use I get out of Boingo is in Starbucks, as I work there a lot. This alone has made the $10 I pay each month worth the price of the Boingo plan I have. On July 1 that won’t be necessary, as all U.S. Starbucks will offer the Wi-Fi connectivity for free. It’s no fault of Boingo, but I suspect I’m not the only customer wondering if it will still be worth the $10 with free connectivity in Starbucks. In my case probably not, but it’s definitely not worth the $18 for the combo plan. I find I use the iPad pretty hard while mobile, and I can’t get online with the cheaper Boingo plan anyway. That has me rethinking the value of the plan I have now.

On the trip this week I was forced to use the EVO 4G mobile hotspot capability to get the iPad online, even in my hotel room. Orlando doesn’t have a 4G network to tap into, but the Sprint 3G network was plenty fast enough. I got decent bandwidth on the iPad, so much so I quickly forgot I wasn’t on the Boingo connection. I could have shared this EVO hotspot with up to 8 devices, so in fact the Boingo connectivity wasn’t really needed. That has me seriously thinking of canceling the Boingo plan and going with free hotspots and the EVO connectivity. Note that I don’t travel outside the U.S. so this would work fine for me, as Sprint has at least 3G coverage everywhere I work and play.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub req’d): Better Battery Life Motivates Mobile Chipmakers

Acer is putting full voltage Core i3 or i5 processors coupled with either 3 or 4 GB of memory for performance. The Aspire TimelineX notebooks range in weight from 3 to 5.5 pounds for good portability given the screen size options. The 14-inch model 4820TG has discrete graphics that are switchable from video performance to power saving mode.

The TimelineX line is available at major retailers starting at $599.99.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub. req’d): To Win In the Mobile Market, Focus On Consumers

The W100 has two 7-inch touchscreens that can be used in a number of configurations. Closed it looks much like a netbook, and is about an inch thick. Opening the lid exposes two screens that can be utilitized in different fashions depending on the desired task. The clamshell configuration uses the top display for the active program, and the bottom display becomes a full QWERTY touch keyboard. The keyboard can be changed to a number of modes depending on individual preference.

The LIbretto W100 can be used in an open slate mode that puts both displays into a tablet configuration for use like the iPad. The spine of the W100 separates the two screens in this open mode. Toshiba will make a limited number of the W100 available this summer for 120,000 Yen ($1,100) from select retailers and its own web site.

The W100 is running Windows 7, not the best choice for a cutting edge tablet device. Take a look at the hands-on demo of the Libretto and notice how hard it is to touch things on the screen. That doesn’t bode well for Toshiba.

Related content on GigaOM Pro (sub. req’d): Can Anyone Compete With the iPad?

Dubbed “Share My Connection” by Sony, the feature will be available June 20 on select VAIO Y and Z notebooks. Activating 3G service with Verizon will be required to take advantage of this new feature.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub. req’d): Are You Empowering Your Mobile Work Force?

IdeaPad is Lenovo’s consumer product line and the Y560d has all of the special functionality found on this line. This includes the RapidDrive technology which uses a conventional hard drive and a solid-state disk to achieve Windows boot time of just a few seconds. The Lenovo OneKey Theater II is responsible for a rich audio-visual optimization for media consumption.

You’ll need the (included) special glasses to get the 3D affect, which will turn compatible games and movies into an immersive experience. Prices start at $1,200, but Lenovo is not detailing what that configuration includes. I suspect the 3D option will add a bit to that price. The Y560d will be available in June.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub req’d): Report: The Future of Netbooks

There is no denying that Android is the hottest ticket in town when it comes to mobile gadget platforms. It is widely known that in addition to all of the smartphones being released with Android, numerous tablets are in the process of being readied ready for market bearing the OS. While it makes perfect sense for Lenovo to choose to switch to Android for these two gadgets, it is surprising given they were both virtually ready for market with Linux.

This move to Android is particularly interesting on the U1 Hybrid, which is a dual-OS device. Lenovo showed us how the Linux slate operating system was in constant communication with the Windows 7 base. While surfing a given web site on the Linux slate, when the display was inserted back into the notebook base Windows would automatically have the same web page open in Internet Explorer. The goal was to make the two parts of the whole work as one, even though two distinct operating systems were in play.

This makes me wonder how the new Android version of the U1 will operate. Can Android be in constant communication with Windows 7 as in the demonstration with Linux? Or perhaps Lenovo is going to drop using Windows 7 in the notebook base? Maybe we’ll see a Chrome OS notebook base and an Android slate display? It is intriguing to be certain.

Engadget is now reporting that while the Skylight will likely appear in an Android version, the more interesting U1 Hybrid may never see the light of day. A statement from Lenovo refers to the U1 as a “concept”, certainly not what we were told in January.

Lenovo remains committed to working with our strategic partners to deliver innovative products in the growing mobile internet space, including the aforementioned smartphones and smartbooks, as well as exploring innovative new concepts that continue to “push-the-envelope” like the U1 hybrid PC.

Have a look at the CES video to see why these two gadgets are of interest.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub. req’d): To Win In the Mobile Market, Focus On Consumers

I have used a lot of netbooks, and have always liked the devices. You can’t get more mobility in a fully configured notebook form than on a netbook. They are light, have great battery life and will do just about anything you want to do on a notebook. All of this capability is cheap, with some netbooks going for as little as $200. There are more capable models like my favorite HP Mini 5102, but those generally cost quite a bit more. Like all electronic devices, the more you pack in one the more it costs.

Netbooks have the Atom processor in common for the most part, a good processor for the genre. They also tend to have low resolution displays (1024×600) which keeps things cheap. This combination is fine for getting work done, but it’s getting long in the tooth for me. I find myself getting frustrated at the lag that is common on netbooks, and I want to see more on the screen at once than those displays show me.

Sure there are many netbooks with higher resolution options, but that generally drives the cost up. I also find the Atom processor lags get worse when the netbook is driving more pixels on the screen. I’m not the only one who gets frustrated at waiting for something to happen on a netbook, I have observed others complaining at the wait for an action to execute.

My disappointment at the performance of the netbook is driven by using low cost notebooks that are becoming more commonly available. These notebooks are only slightly bigger than the 10-inch netbooks, yet pack a “real” processor and higher resolution display into the case. The difference in battery life provided by these “tweener” notebooks and netbooks is getting smaller in my experience, too. Throw in the fact that you can often find these notebooks at reasonable prices ($500 or less), and the purchase decision gets even tougher.

I do think the netbook is here to stay, they are always going to be cheap enough that consumers will pick them up, lag or no. I am hoping that the technology is going to advance to address my concerns, and we’ll see some cool netbooks coming along that makes things better. I’m hoping that Kevin Tofel will come back from the Netbook Summit with some great information about new netbook technology that is coming to speed these babies up.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub req’d): Better Battery Life Motivates Mobile Chipmakers

The IdeaPad Y460 is a 14.1-inch notebook that is very thin and highly mobile. Normally you don’t think of mobile in the 14-inch size, but this notebook definitely fits the description. The unit is not much bigger than the screen which keeps the size to a bare minimum, and weighs only slightly more than a 13-inch MacBook. A few special features helps make the Y460 a mobile workhorse, and powerful enough to be a full desktop replacement.

The model provided by Lenovo for review has a healthy configuration, and retails for $1,049.

• CPU: Intel Core i5,  2.4 GHz
• Memory: 4 GB
• Storage: 500GB
• Display: 14.1-inch (glossy), 1366×768 resolution
• Graphics: ATI Radeon HD5650 (1 GB) + Intel GMA (user switchable)
• Camera: low-light capable, 2 megapixel
• Optical drive: DVD recordable
• Battery: 6-cell
• Communications: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Ports: 3-USB 2.0, VGA out, HDMI, USB/eSATA, ExpressCard, LAN, multi-format card reader slot, audio in/out combo jack
• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
• Dimensions: 0.75 x 13.6 x 9.3 inches; 5.1 lbs.

The Y460 has a keyboard with standard keys, not those of the chiclet variety. The result is a keyboard that is much better than those of the ThinkPad Edge line. I like the chiclet keys of the Edge models, but this keyboard is simply wonderful to use for extended periods. I find I can type on this model as fast as possible, with few errors. I also like that the Delete/Home/End/PgUp/Dn keys are on a vertical row to the right of the Enter key.

The trackpad on the Y460 is a large one, although not excessively so. It does do multitouch, so if you prefer that you’re not left out. The two mouse buttons are big and responsive. While I have experienced problems with some IdeaPad trackpads in the past, I like this one.

The display of the Y460 is both a strength of the notebook and a source of great aggravation. The dual graphics system is comprised of the ATI Radeon HD5650 (dedicated graphics) and Intel GMA integrated graphics. This is similar to high-end notebooks such as the MacBook line, and is a wonderful solution. The Y460 handles graphics with good performance due to the Radeon, yet can offer longer battery life with the typical Intel solution. The user can manually switch between the two on the fly, depending on whether video performance or battery life is more important. It works very well, and I like the inclusion of this method on a relatively low-priced notebook.

The not so good side of this display is the glossy screen that Lenovo has used for the Y460. Normally I like glossy screens fine, although I know many absolutely hate them. That group will surely detest this screen as it is so glossy it even bothers me. It’s a shame as this is one of most vivid, bright displays on any Lenovo notebook. It seems to reflect even in lower lighted conditions, which means most of the time. It wouldn’t be enough to keep me from getting one of these, but only because I am fairly tolerant of glossy screens.

I have been using this notebook for a few days and overall I really like it. The combination of the good keyboard and large screen keeps me picking it up when I need to get some work done, over all others in Mobile Tech Manor. I like how thin and small it is while not sacrificing anything in usability. I was delighted today to discover it will even fit in my old Booq backpack, a first for a 14-inch laptop.

The 6-cell battery provided has yielded 4 – 4.5 hours on a charge with typical power management. This is not spectacular but fairly standard for such a large notebook with decent performance. Lenovo does not include the same power management found on the ThinkPad and ThinkPad Edge lines on this IdeaPad, and I really miss that.

Lenovo has done a good job with this IdeaPad notebook; this one is definitely improved over the first models I reviewed last year. It is solidly constructed and attractive, while remaining reasonably priced.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub. req’d): Are You Empowering Your Mobile Work Force?

Kevin Tofel takes a good look at empowering the mobile workforce (subscription required), and makes a good point that connectivity is the key for such a deployment. The tools provided to mobile workers are just dead weight if they can’t tap into the web, especially the corporate network, to fully leverage the technology. Mobile workers today can easily suffer no disadvantages from being out of the office, but connectivity is vital.

I remember a decade ago when I used a Palm xv PDA with an Omnisky cellular modem. This modem snapped onto the back of the Palm and turned it into a mobile communication station with full email capability. This was one of the first cellular modems available, and it opened an entire level of productivity for me never seen before. I worked for a firm based in Europe at the time, and the time difference was always an issue with those of us located in the U.S. This Palm/Omnisky combo meant I got corporate email as soon as they were sent, whether I was at home or out and about. It was a tremendous advantage, even though it was limited by today’s standards.

Today’s mobile tools are much more advanced, and as long as they can be connected to the world wirelessly they can be a full “office in a bag.” Smartphones can go a long way to keeping the mobile worker both in contact with the office and productive through interaction with the communication. Notebooks (and netbooks) can be a full office replacement for employees in the field. It is a good time to be mobile, as long as companies deploy good equipment and provide adequate training for those using it.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub. req’d): Are You Empowering Your Mobile Workforce?