Lenovo IdeaPad S10 netbook announced

Lenovo have announced their entry to the ever-growing netbook market, the IdeaPad S10.  Based on Intel’s N270 1.6GHz single-core Atom processor, the S10 has a 10.2-inch widescreen WSVGA screen with LED backlighting, up to 2GB of RAM and up to 160GB of storage thanks to a range of 5,400rpm SATA hard-drives.  The two standard configurations will both run Windows XP, and be priced from $399.

The $399 model will have 512MB of RAM and an 80GB hard-drive; a $449 version will double both RAM and storage to 1GB and 160GB respectively, and looks to be better value.  Three colors will be available – red, black and white – all in a high-gloss finish and with a 1.3-megapixel webcam.

Connectivity is better than some netbooks we’ve seen, with Lenovo managing to squeeze an Express Card slot, 4-in-1 memory card reader, WiFi b/g, 10/100 ethernet and Bluetooth into the 250.2 × 183 x 22-27.5mm frame.  In its lightest configuration the S10 weighs 1.1kg; that’s with the 3-cell battery that promises up to 3hrs use, and there will be a 6-cell battery offering double that.  The Lenovo OneKey Rescue System for recovering data after system errors or viruses is also present.

The IdeaPad S10 netbook PC will be available beginning in early October, starting at $399.