We’ve finally run across some solid-looking information about that highly-rumored portable notebook coming from Intel. The small education-targeted computer will be named 2go PC and comes with a very decent set of features including an Intel Celeron M processor and 512 MB of memory (upgradable to 1GB).

If you look close you can make out the details in the spec sheet after the jump, but to save you some eye strain some of the notable features include overall dimensions of 8.7″x7.3″x1.5″, a 9″ LCD (840×480), 40GB 4200RPM HDD, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, a SDMMC memory card reader, integrated 30fps camera and it runs Windows XP and has support for Linux.

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) is an overseas computer manufacturer which is drawing a little bit of buzz with its most recent laptop. It is known as the ECS G10IL – no word on specific pricing or availability.

The ECS G10IL offers your choice of Windows XP or Linux as the operating system, a Diamondville CPU and an Intel 945 GSE (w/o S-Video) + ICH7M chipset. It includes a 10.2- or 8.9-inch display, 1.3-megapixel integrated digital camera and built-in tri-band HSDPA and HSUPA.

Asus this week unveiled a new notebook computer with Blu-ray Disc playback ability. It is called the M50. There is not yet any specific pricing or availability.

The Asus M50 offers up a 15.4-inch display and your choice of several Intel processors including some Penryn ones. A variety of Windows Vista flavors are available as well as up to 500 GB of storage space, a hybrid TV tuner and a fingerprint scanner for security.

Acer was a little cryptic until this afternoon regarding some new cutting edge laptops it was planning to announce. We now have some information on these – the Aspire 6920 and Aspire 8920 – and the so called “High Definition” experience Acer promises these laptops will bring.

Acer has built these laptops on the backbone of its Gemstone series of designer laptops and are known by the company as Gemstone Blue. With these new models the company has definitely thrown a lot of technology and thought into them. The Aspire 8920, for example, is described as “first to market with a 18.4-inch Full HD CineCrystal LCD panel with 1920×1080 pixel resolution, 8ms response time and native 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio.”

A niche computer maker by the name of Vology is claiming today the mantle of the world’s fastest gaming laptop. While we have yet to verify that, you can at least learn a little more about the Vology Limited Edition Predator X-2 and its $4,600 price tag.

The Vology Limited Edition Predator X-2, according to Vology, is outfitted with “an Intel Core 2 Quad 2.66GHz, nVidia GeForce 8800M GTX 512MB DDR3, and 4GB of DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz.” It includes as well a full size keyboard with personalized hot keys and a 17-inch monitor.

ASUS this week slapped Windows XP officially as a pre-install onto its Eee PC product. The company also incorporated Windows Live and Microsoft Works features.

With the addition of Windows XP, ASUS said, users will have a “fuss-free” platform and a “dependable” operating environment – sure, ok (blue screen of death). Works will offer, of course, your typical word processing and spreadsheet programs, while Windows Live brings to the table online email, instant messaging and photo management.

Dell is putting its own spin on the rugged laptop design as the top tier computer manufacturer today unveiled its first fully ruggedized notebook computer. It is called the Dell Latitude XFR D630 and pricing starts at around $3,900.

The Dell Latitude XFR D630 is designed to meet military standards in areas of extreme temperatures, moisture and altitudes. It has many common components found in Dell’s regular Latitude laptops while also offering “a patent-pending thermal management system” to deliver better graphics performance.

Lenovo this week rolled out an extremely thin notebook PC which is described as being lightweight and fully functional. The Lenovo ThinkPad X300 is priced at around $2,800 starting.

DRS Tactical Systems announced today a line of portable computers which could probably just as easily survive in military situations as well as your backyard. It is called the Armor line and it consists of the C12 convertible notebook and the X10 tablet PC.

Today Apple released a much anticipated upgrade to the MacBook and the MacBook Pro, bringing new faster processors, a mult-touch track pad and the same old physical look that they had before. The most significant update is that both the MacBook and the MacBook Pro got new Intel Penryn processing chips along with a few other changes to the notebooks; some good, some not so good.

Business and education technology company Tangent has begun selling through computer manufacturer Asus a mini-notebook computer. It is called the Tangent ePC and pricing starts at around $300.

The Tangent ePC, which looks like it will sport the Asus logo on the cover, comes in a variety of colors and incorporates a seven-inch screen. Dimensions are on the small size, with the four models in this line up measuring 8.86- x 6.3 x 0.79-inches and weighing just over two pounds. These are not laptops designed for heavy business use but rather casual applications like Web browsing and word processing.

Toshiba is updating its line of X205-SLI gaming notebooks with some models offering the new Intel 45mm processors, the company said yesterday. These new models include the Satellite X205-SLI2, priced at around $2,000, and the around $2,500 X205-SLI4.

Toshiba’s new laptops, beside the new Intel processors, feature Nvidia’s SLI graphics with dual Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics processing units and dual hard drives offering a total of 320GB of ample storage space.

Toshiba announced a new pre-configured laptop today which makes use of the new Intel Penryn mobile processor. It is called the Toshiba Satellite U305-S2816 and it prices at around $1,350.

The Toshiba Satellite U305-S2816 is one of Toshiba’s first laptops to feature the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor T8100. Besides the new Intel inside, it also incorporates 2048MB of memory, a 250GB hard disk drive, a starting weight of 4.6 pounds and features a 13.3-inch diagonal widescreen display.

“And then the skies parted, the angels sang, the birds twittered and down from Apple Heaven floated the MacBook Air.”

Yes…if you hadn’t guessed it…Apple just announced the MacBook Air is now shipping. It also put out word that the expected Apple TV update to let you rent HD movies is “not quite finished.” It should be available in another week or so.

“And all were happy in the Apple World.”

Let’s say you pulled that old 40GB hard drive out of your notebook and replaced it with 160GB of storage. Ever wish you could do something else with the leftover drive, instead of throwing it away? Now you can. Just stick it in an enclosure and turn it into a portable USB hard drive.

Meritline.com has an enclosure for just $10.99 shipped (after entering coupon code HW1971413OFF, which expires 1/25). It’s compatible with all 2.5-inch IDE and SATA drives, and includes both IDE and SATA external interfaces (with cables). You also get a carrying case and a little screwdriver so you can open and close the enclosure. The drive itself is powered entirely by the interface, so you don’t have to use an AC adapter. Best of all you’re recycling and not throwing the old drive away and crapping up the environment.