Netbooks get serious: three ExpressCard-packing portables for the road warrior

ExpressCard brings high-bandwidth (2.5Gbps) PCI Express connectivity to laptops, and allows you to connect a range of audio interfaces, hard drives, wireless broadband modems, and (if you buy an adapter) FireWire 800/eSATA devices. So far, three manufacturers have managed to squeeze an ExpressCard/34 port into their 9/10" netbooks, opening up a range of possibilities for the road warrior.

The three contenders are Apricot's PicoBook Pro, Lenovo's IdeaPad S10 and Fujitsu Siemens' Amilo Mini. Unfortunately all three are under fairly limited distribution, so be careful before you fall in love with one of these machines - you might not be able to get one locally.

Lenovo IdeaPad S10

• 10.2" WSVGA (1024x600)
• 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor
• 512MB DDR2 667MHz RAM
• 80GB HDD (5400rpm)
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• 802.11b/g WiFi
• Bluetooth
• USB 2.0 x 2
• ExpressCard/54
• Windows XP Home
• 249 x 183 x 25 mm

The IdeaPad S10 is available in the U.S. for USD$399, and expected in Australia later this month for AUD$699.

Apricot PicoBook Pro VX

• 8.9" WSVGA (1024x600)
• 1.2GHz VIA C7-M Ultra Low Voltage Processor
• 1GB DDR2 667MHz RAM
• 60GB HDD
• VIA Chrome9 Graphics
• 802.11a/b/g WiFi
• Bluetooth
• USB 2.0 x 2
• ExpressCard/34
• Windows XP Home
• 231 x 170 x 38 mm

The PicoBook Pro VX is available in the U.K. for £279.

Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Mini

• 8.9’’ WSVGA (1024x600)
• 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor
• 1GB DDR2 667 MHz RAM
• 60 GB HDD (3600rpm)
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• 802.11 b/g WiFi
• Bluetooth
• USB 2.0 x 2
• ExpressCard/34
• Windows XP Home
• 233 x 175 x 36 mm

The Amilo Mini is available in Europe for €399, and was recently announced for release in the Asia Pacific region as the Fujitsu M1010.