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Panasonic has launched a number of new Let's Note laptops in Japan, of which the most interesting is arguably R9. Let's Note R9 looks just like another 10.4 inch (1024 x 768 pixels) netbook on the outside, but it just so happens to be filled with pretty powerful hardware that you rarely see in such small devices.

Rather than the standard Intel Atom or CULV Core 2 Solo/Duo, R9 is powered by a Core i7-620UM vPro processor (dual-core, 1.06GHz, 4MB L2 cache). Via Turbo Boost, one of the cores can be overclocked to 2.13GHz. The process is fully automated, but you will only reach the 2.13GHz if the CPU is not too hot and there is enough power (that typically means the other core has to be inactive, so the benefit is greatest in applications that are only able to utilise a single core anyway).

If that is not enough for you, it is possible to upgrade to a Core i7-640UM (1.2GHz, overclock til 2.26GHz, 4MB L2 cache) processor. Other than that, Let's Note R9 has some integrated graphics, up to 4GB of DDR3 800MHz RAM, and a 500GB HDD or 128GB SSD with Windows 7 Professional (32 or 64 bit). There is not optical drive, but that should not come as much of a surprise. The device has a 3100mAh battery, which should last up to 7.5 hours. Even if that only translates into maybe 4 or 5 hours in the "real world", it is still pretty good when you consider the hardware.

When it comes to connectivity, there is both 802.11 a/b/g/draft-N WiFi and Gigabit Ethernet LAN, but also optional Bluetooth and integrated WiMax. R9 also has the standard ports like D-Sub, 2x USB 2.0, audio jacks, PC Card slot and SD/SDHC card reader.

All in all, R9 (weighing in at 0.98kg) might be a viable alternative for those who want the mobility but not low performance of a netbook. Of course it is all a matter of price in the end, and that is still unknown for this particular model.

Source: Slashgear