Sony has unveiled what it says is the world’s lightest notebook - at least among models with a 10-inch or larger screen.

The VAIO X Series weighs 665g, and measures 13.9 mm fully flat, about the width of a mobile phone. Sony claims the battery will last for up to to 6.5 hours of continuous use (or 16.5 hours with a an extended battery option which doubles as a stand)

Nokia today unveiled its Booklet 3G “mini-laptop”, or what most of the world would call a netbook (see above and video below).

As previously flagged, there was no killer point of differentiation.

Sure, as its name suggests, the Booklet 3G has a built-in cellular broadband radio (and wi-fi and GPS).

Apple is in a hurry to get its constantly speculated on latest portable entertainment device to shelves in time for Christmas, which will feature a touch sensitive screen up to 10 inches wide diagonally.

The interwebs are buzzing anew with reports that Apple plans to take its first plunge into the netbook market with a $US800 9.7” touch-screen device this October – just in time for Christmas.

Available in three chi-chi colours, the Vaio W series will be available in New Zealand from August. It’s price - $1299 - will put it at the very high-end of the netbook market.

Sony has been making mini-me Vaios for years, although most have only been released in Japan.

Next month, Europe, Japan and a number of other markets, including New Zealand, will get the company’s first official netbook, the Vaio W.

Take that, Google: In one of its boldest bids yet to push Windows 7’s netbook-friendliness, the 2,300 who attend the Gold Coast leg of Microsoft’s TechEd event will each go away with a free HP Mini 2140 (pictured)- which sells for around $950. As for the Auckland leg of TechEd ...

... it’s a “no”. While the Aussies are splurging on a $2 million hardware giveaway, Microsoft New Zealand’s Scott Wylie explains: