The netbook will soon get a graphics boost, with a number of companies preparing to announce Nvidia ION powered models. Word is, there should be some big announcements from “key” players at Computex, the annual PC trade show in Taipei at the beginning of June. This thanks to Pocket-Lint’s man inside.

The computer uses an Intel Atom chip as standard netbooks, but uses the new graphics chip from Nvidia called ION to allow users to use more demanding applications. Users will be able to view 1080p content and play games like Spore and Portal.

The upcoming Windows 7 Starter Edition seems kinda lame when you consider that it can only run three applications at a time, but if you are using it with a netbook, it makes a little more sense. Most people use netbooks to browse the Internet and maybe check their email, with some MP3s playing in the background.

And since more applications are becoming Web-based, those applications can be stored online instead. We will be keeping an eye on Windows 7 Starter Edition to see just how well it fares. Of all the Windows 7 editions, this one is the oddest.

MSI has decided they needed to offer more options. That’s why they will be launching the Wind U123, U123H, and U123T that feature a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 CPU, a 10 inch LCD screen (1024 x 600 pixel), 1GB of RAM, up to 160GB hard drive, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, a webcam, an optional 3 cell or 6 cell battery, and Microsoft Windows XP Home OS.

These netbooks come with the Easy Face Manager function that can scan the face of the user and record reorganization through eyes, cheekbones, jaw line, and nose. The user can adjust the level of personal security identification. (up to ten facial images per person).

Rumors continue to swirl around whatever(if anything) Apple is building. Reports are that Apple has ordered 10-inch touchscreens from Taiwan. That part is looking more like fact. So the question is, will those screens end up in a netbook?

Andy Ihnatko of the Chicago Sun-Times has a slightly different and interesting theory about the device. He thinks it might be an ebook. Which makes more sense as the only real competitor they would have is Amazon.

Asus is preparing to release into retail a new Eee PC netbook. This one is called the 1000HE and it retails for around $400.

The Asus 1000HE Eee PC, available in black or blue body colors, weighs around 3.2 pounds and is powered by an Intel Atom N280 processor which draws not too much power. Battery life on this netbook is rated for around 9.5 hours, made possible in part by a special power management feature called the Super Hybrid Engine.

Archos is taking its first step into the world of laptops, announcing today its first mini laptop. It is called the Archos 10 and it prices around $400 for a three-cell battery model and $450 for a six-cell battery model.

The Archos 10 is pretty much a netbook, the latest category laptops to be garnering the attention of consumers. This particular model runs off of an Intel Atom processor and 1GB of memory. The operating system is Windows XP, 160GB of hard drive storage are available and it sports a 10.2-inch display.

HP unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show this week a new netbook PC for the on-the-go crowd. It is called the Mini 2140 and it starts pricing around $500.

The Mini 2140 is a 10.1-inch display PC built into a simple aluminum case and starting around 2.6 pounds. It sports a nearly full size QWERTY keyboard, runs off of an Intel Atom processor and has an option available to carry an 80GB solid state drive.