IFA 2008: Mitac Launches Netbook With GPS

Mio certainly wasn't the place I expected to find the latest entry into the jam packed netbook/subnotebook category but it actually turned out to be rather apt.

Officially launching under the company's parent Mitac brand is the 'MiStation' which turns out to be something of a hybrid for the two companies as it employs both their expertise to create a GPS totting netbook/subnotebook/whatever they're being called this week.

Of course this isn't entirely new, LG's (MSI-built) X110 will give users the option of GPS, but the MiStation will have it built into all models and apparently at no price premium.

Sat naviness aside, however the MiStation hits all the specifications you'd expect: 8.9in 1024 x 600 widescreen display, 1GB RAM, Intel Atom N270 (1.6GHz) CPU, standard four cell battery with six cell option, 3x USB 2.0, 3-in-1 card reader (SD, SDHC, MMC), WiFi (802.11b/g), a 1.3MP webcam, Bluetooth and SSD or HDD options.

The typical preposterously named colour choices will be there too: (Steel) black, (Magneto) red, (Rainforest) green, (Cloud) white and (Tahitian) blue. And yes, you aren't the only one thinking steel isn't black.

That said, the other key factor - the keyboard, is pretty good and Mio said the MiStation should arrive this month at a price which may slightly undercut the current opposition. You know what? I think it might do rather well...