When I think of tablets, I think of the usual suspects — Apple, Motorola, Asus, HTC, and the like. Viewsonic never really comes to mind, but that hasn’t stopped them from pushing out their own tablets and smartphones, and their VP of Business Development Mike Holstein joined us at CES to show us what the company has been up to.

First up on the agenda were two new Android tablets, the Viewpad 10e and the Viewpad e70. The bigger 10e sports a 10-inch IPS display and is surprisingly light, but it only runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Don’t expect to be blown away by its performance as it sports a single-core 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, but its $279 price aims to make up for it (whether or not it succeeds is up to you).

Despite being smaller, the E70 is arguably the more interesting of the two — it’s a 7-inch Ice Cream Sandwich-powered tablet that only costs $169. It’s no barnburner with its single-core 1GHz processor and 4GB of internal storage, but budget shoppers could do worse. That said, they could also do better for just a bit more, as the budget segment Viewsonic occupies is growing more crowded by the day.

And lest you think that Viewsonic is all about churning out low-cost tablets, Holstein also took a moment to trot out the Windows 7-powered Viewpad 10pi. It’s a far cry from their budget offerings at $849, but its Oak Trail processor, 64GB SSD, and its ability to boot into Android make it an intriguing (but iffy) option for companies looking to trick out their workforce.

Right now there’s no such thing as a 7-inch Honeycomb tablet. There isn’t one on the market. (okay, I looked, but I just know someone is going to link to one in the comments) The Viewsonic Viewpad 7x might be the first one. Pocket-Lint heard through “reliable sources” that said tablet is in the batter’s box, ready to step up to the plate at a Taipei trade conference.

The rumored tech specs aren’t that much of a surprise: dual cams, HDMI, DLNA, and of course a Tegra 2 chip running Honeycomb. All of this isn’t official just yet, but if you’re like me and don’t really dig larger tablets, you might wanna wait until this Viewsonic drops. Price? Not announced yet but Android 2.2 Viewpad 7 only runs $299. Here’s hoping the 7x is priced similarly.

ViewSonic, recently famous for making surprisingly cheap (and actually beloved) Android tablets, expects to cancel its entire netbook line.

Netbooks were an interstitial technology. They were cheap, easy to make, and seemed to perform the way users have always imagined a “third screen” device would, namely as a portable, instant-on device. However, the limitations of the desktop paradigm soon became apparent and the devices fell by the wayside. My concern? The same garbage that appeared during the netbook boom will soon overtake the tablet market.

via Digitimes

WOOT! I mean Woot has the Viewsonic G Android tablet for you and yours at the low low price of $279.99. It’s an Android 2.2 device with multi-touch and is very popular with the hacker set as you can basically tear this thing down to the bare metal and install all kinds of junk on it. Would I buy it? No. Should you if you’re trying to experiment? Sure.

Product Page

The ViewPad 10Pro is a 10″ professional tablet PC with dual boot functionality, offering a quick switch capability between Windows® 7 Professional for business use and Google Android 2.2 for personal and social entertainment.

That’s right, friends: meet the ViewPad 10Pro, an odd, Frankenstein’s Monster of a pad is like a mullet: Windows business up front, an Android 2.2 party in the back. While I agree with this, in theory, I worry that Viewsonic may be trying a bit too hard to gain traction in the tablet space.

To be fair, this is a way for Viewsonic to hedge their bets and avoids the licensing fees associated with installing an instance of something like Splashtop. However, just because it can be done, doesn’t mean it needs to be done.

Some specs from the press release:

The ViewPad 10Pro is a 10″ professional tablet PC with dual boot functionality, offering a quick switch capability between Windows® 7 Professional for business use and Google Android 2.2 for personal and social entertainment. Dual-boot enables users to access business software that only runs on Windows and investigate Android without switching completely. Many users enjoy the familiarity of Windows but want to get to know Android and configure their preferences before using it more widely. The ViewPad 10Pro is one of the first tablets to have the Intel Oak Trail processor. This, combined with support for flash 10.1 and a new interface provides an excellent navigation experience. It has a 1024×600 LED backlit capacitive multi-touch panel, is fully connected with 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and has at least six hours of battery life.

No pricing or availability, but expect our lads at MWC to check it out.

The first of the OEM garbagetablets(TM) are being recalled. Staples is pulling the Viewsonic gTablet for manufacturing defects and is “flexing” the laptop display to make it seem like the devices were never there – a very Stalin-esque way of saying these things were junk.

We received this image from a Staples employee. Sad stuff. The Viewsonic tablets haven’t even been out for very long.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: we’re going to see some of the worst junk in the world hitting the shelves in 2011 as makes scramble to release tablets. Keep your wits about you, people.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting the gTablet is the only upcoming garbage tablet. I suspect we’ll see far more of these from far more providers in the next few months.

They also released made available (it was announced a while back, I missed it) a 3D camcorder, the 3DV5. I know, I know, all camcorders are 3D. I mean this one records 3D anaglyph images using two sensors. Strange-looking thing, isn’t it! You can preview the images in 3D on the rear LCD, or watch them on your computer with the usual 3D accessories. It’s an NVIDIA-branded product, so you’d do best to stick with them.

Interestingly, the 3DV5 is only $180, which is pretty cheap for a 3D camcorder — not that there are many, but that’s about what a high-end pocket cam runs. Probably means you can’t trust the quality. What, it’s true!

[via Electronista]

The ViewPad 7, actually, isn’t much different. It has Froyo, an 800×480 screen, dual cameras, and 512MB of RAM. The usual business, and pretty much what we heard about in August. It’ll go for $479 some time this year.

Its big brother, the ViewPad 10, is a more interesting beast. Maybe. Well, it’s different, anyhow. This 10-inch, 1024×600 thing has a 1.66GHz Atom (model unspecified), a 16GB SSD, a nicer webcam, and… it runs Windows 7. And Android 1.6. Wait, what?!

Yes, this thing boots into either Android or Windows. I can’t imagine 1.6 provides a very compelling tablet experience, however — why they even included it is a mystery to me. Windows 7 might be usable, although you’ll feel the lack of storage (MicroSD helps). $629 puts it at a bit cheaper than some other Windows 7 tablets out there.

Here’s the full press release:

ViewSonic has added 3G—data and voice, mind—to the package in hopes of sweetening the deal. Combine that with the SIM slot and you ask yourself, “Is this a big phone or a tablet-plus?”

All that, built around a 600 MHz ARM processor.

It does seem to have only been announced for Europe thus far, with the only price given being “no more than £350 (just shy of $540) including VAT.”

So many tablets… it’s like that old Conan O’Brien bit, so many copper pots!

The PJD6531w runs at 1280×800, and supports up to 1080p. The fact that it runs in 120Hz means it’ll work with existing 3D tech like Nvidia’s 3D-Vision and TI’s DLP. The lamp will last up to 6,000 hours (in eco mode) and features integrated 10w speakers. MSRP on the PJD6531w is $799, and it comes with a 3 year warranty from Viewsonic.

• Off-to-Go tech allows you to shut it down and go
• Short throw gives you a 60 inch screen from 4 feet
• Only weighs 1.4 pounds
• Supports HD inputs
• MSRP: $415

Pros:

• Vibrant, crisp display; works well in low light
• Small and portable
• Short throw makes is easy to find a place to put it

Cons:

• No speakers
• Fan noise can be distracting
• Price of replacement lamps can be high

Review: While Viewsonic is mainly known for their LCD monitors and displays, they’ve actually been in the projector business for quite some time. The PJD2121 is one of their most recent entries into the portable projector market. I’m very impressed with it: it’s bright, colorful, and works great at short distances. I tried it for PC and console gaming and had no issues with it. It worked best with my Xbox360, and playing Dirt 2 on a 60-inch display was almost a religious experience.

I can definitely see this as an excellent product for a business traveler as well. The display is sharp, clear, and the 1800:1 contrast makes it work well even in a fairly bright environment. Text and graphics all display in vibrant color, and the contrast between text and the background is crisp and easy to read. I was slightly disappointed by the fact that the PJD2121 doesn’t have integrated speakers, but realistically it’s more intended for a business setting then for a gamer like myself.

Be aware that the connections are limited to SVGA 15-pin and component. No HDMI or composite devices need apply. This makes it a great projector for gaming and plugging into your laptop for a sales meeting, but not so great for a home theater setup.

Specs:

• Native Resolution: SVGA (800×600)
• Projection System: DLP
• Brightness: 400 ANSI Lumens
• Contrast Ratio: 1800:1
• Weight: 1.4 lbs
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 native, 16:9 Selectable
• Image Size: 35 to 150 inch
• Throw Ratio: 1.0:1
• Connectivity: 15-pin HD D-sub and RCA Component

The Viewsonic PJD2121 is a great little projector for $419. The bright colors make it great for watching movies, playing games, or showing that spreadsheet to a client. The projector itself is warrantied for a period of three years, but you should expect to replace the lamp after roughly 2000 hours. A replacement lamp has an MSRP of $456, however a quick search shows that you’ll be able to pick one up for about $150.

Product page: Viewsonic PJD2121

Viewsonic is launching two models now; The VOT530, and the VOT550. Both come with Windows 7 Home Premium, Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz processors and 802.11 b/g/n wifi. Both systems have six USB 2.0 ports, along with DVI, LAN, and eSATA ports on the back. The systems come with a remote standard as well.

The VOT530 PC Mini has 2GB of RAM, and a DVD drive. The VOT550, comes standard with 4GB of RAM and a Blu-ray drive. The VOT530 will be selling for $749 MSRP, and the VOT550 is expected to sell for $949. Both are available now.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

ViewSonic dove headfirst into the ultraportable notebook game yesterday, with the announcement of the “ViewBook” line of 12-, 13-, and 14-inch low voltage machines.

The 13.3-inch ViewBook 130 (pictured above) looks to compete directly with Acer’s 3810-model Timeline offerings, while the 12-inch ViewBook 120 (video below) bears a striking physical resemblance to the Lenovo S12 series.

The ViewBook line was announced in Taiwan but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that we would eventually see these machines in the U.S., since ViewSonic products are already represented reasonably well here.

The ViewBook 130 will be available in three different configurations ranging from $24,900 to $31,900 New Taiwan dollars, which is roughly $767 to $983 U.S. dollars. That’s not to say that we’d see those actual prices stateside — I’d guess they’d be lower than that in order to stay competitive, perhaps between $650 and $900 or so.

Specs for the ViewBook 130 line include:

• Intel ULV743 CPU at 1.3GHz, SU4100 at 1.3GHz, or SU7300 at 1.3GHz
• 13.3-inch screen with 1366×768 resolution
• 2GB of RAM
• 320GB hard drive
• HDMI/VGA output
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Six-cell battery good for up to 8 hours

The ViewBook 120:

• Intel SU2300 CPU at 1.3GHz
• 2GB of RAM
• 250GB hard drive
• VGA out, three USB ports
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Six-cell battery good for up to 8 hours

Pricing for the ViewBook 120 is pegged at around $22,000 New Taiwan Dollars, which is about $678 here. Again, though, that’s not to say that it’d be priced at $678 through U.S. retailers.

Not much info on the 14-inch ViewBook 140, although my guess is that it’s likely similar to the ViewBook 130 from a features standpoint.

[via NetbookNews.de (translated)]

You’ve got six models; I’ll give you the quick rundown:

VT2042: $299, 20″, 1600×900, 10:000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
VT2342: $349, 23″, 1080p, rest same as above
VT2645: $449, 26″, 1366×768… why would you do that?
VT3245: $649, 32″, 1080p, 4000:1 static contrast ratio
VT3745: $799, 37″, rest same as above
VT4280: $999, 42″, 1080p, 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio

They all have a 5ms response time, which is solid. They also feature SRS TrueSurround XT technology, which is a fancy way of saying they have an extra-nice sound bar. Even the nicest sound bar in the world would be beaten by the cheapest set of 5.1 speakers out there, so do yourself a favor and pick some up.

I’d say the best deal of these is the 32″ at $649. Unfortunately, it does have the lower contrast ratio. If you’re really wanting a new TV but don’t want to spend more than that, I’d suggest getting one that doesn’t have a sound bar, and springing for some speakers with the money you save, if possible.

[via Electronista]

The machine features an 18.5-inch LCD at 1366×768 with a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 300 cd/m2 brightness.

Packed behind the screen is a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, Windows XP Home, a 1.3-megapixel web cam, four USB slots, a 4-in-1 card reader, DVD burner, and gigabit Ethernet plus 802.11b/g wireless.

The whole package is just 1.38 inches thick and weighs about 16.5 pounds, so it ought to fit just about anywhere you’re short of desk space.

If you’re still not convinced, check out this… ahem… high-quality and wonderfully-produced promotional video. It’s truly mesmerizing.

http://blip.tv/play/grExgYv9JAA

And with that, ViewSonic wins the Balls of Steel award for today.

Full press release:

ViewSonic Ships All-in-One PC, First Model of Computer Initiative

VPC100 now shipping in the United States

WALNUT, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ViewSonic® Corp., a leading global provider of visual display and computing products, today announced the commercial availability of its VPC100 All-in-One PC at an MSRP of $599. With 20 years of display experience as a leader in desktop technology and partnerships with computing market leaders, high quality computing products are a natural extension of ViewSonic’s product offering. With its slim design (35mm thin), ease-of-use, eco-friendly design and affordability, the VPC100 is ideal for every lifestyle – from home and office settings, to call centers, libraries, school computer labs and any location where space is limited.

“When people talk about office clutter, it’s not just about paperwork. Traditional computing solutions can be expensive, unattractive and take up an entire desk,” said Jeff Volpe, vice president and general manager of ViewSonic North America. “We designed the VPC100 to overcome that ‘computer clutter’ problem with one cable ease and a clean, All-in-One design. We’re excited to bring this product to market in the US and give our channel partners and customers a solution that further merges technology and lifestyle.”

A built-in Intel® Atom 1.64GHz processor with Microsoft® Windows® XP Home provides a powerful desktop computing solution. The 18.5-inch display features a 16:9 aspect ratio LCD screen so users can experience razor-sharp images in crisp detail. Keeping eco-friendly by offering one unit instead of two (a monitor and a tower PC), the VPC100 All-in-One uses about 50% less plastic for reduced waste. Additionally, the device requires about 45% less power than a traditional computing set so users save resources and get a better ROI.

Additional features include:

• Four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for connections to peripherals
• DVD/CD Super Multi RW optical disk drive
• A 4-in-1 card reader for file transfers
• Wireless connectivity within any 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi network
• LAN network integration through the 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN connection
• An integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam for enhanced interaction with friends and co-workers
• Two built-in 2.5-watt speakers
• Full size keyboard and optical mouse included
• The VPC100 is backed up with an extended one-year limited warranty, as well as 24/7 customer support to ensure buyer satisfaction. Additional purchase details, specs and a video introduction can be found here.

ViewSonic also offers its Finch Club resellers an opportunity to benefit from specialized product training and discounts. To sign up, please visit www.finchclub.com.

For more information on ViewSonic products, please visit www.viewsonic.com or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

ViewSonic also announced the PJD6381 this morning and it, too, is a DLP projector with the one of the shortest throw ratios (0.68) on the market. Screen resolution is the same as the others, but it has 2500 ANSI lumens and a 2500:1 contrast ratio. The refresh rate is same and it also includes an RJ45 jack and will be available in August for $1249.

It was only yesterday that Viewsonic announced that they’d be dabbling in handset sales, and the rumors have already started. Cell phone gossip is becoming like celebrity gossip sans the sex tapes.

According to Digitimes’ always vague “industry sources” (whether that means someone close to the matter or some dude who bought a cellphone once, we’ll likely never know), ViewSonic is looking to OEM manufacturers in Taiwan or China to make their handsets. ViewSonic would still have a part in the development and their name would still grace the product at the end, but it’s looking a little less likely that the whole ordeal will be 100% in house.

The source also indicates a Q3 launch in China, with Europe and North America to follow.

ViewSonic might be known for their line of computer monitors, but their HDTVs aren’t too shabby. Today, they released the VT2230, a 1080p 22-inch LCD for $349. With an 8000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 16:9 aspect ratio and a 1920×1080 native resolution, the VT2230 just might bump my VX2240W out the door.

Viewing angles on the 2230 are 170º horizontal and 160º vertical, which is exactly the same as my VX2240W and that’s not good at all. Not even the 5ms response time, 300cd/m2 brightness or the built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM television tuner can make up for the horrible viewing angles on this TV. And it only has one HDMI port. But at $350, it’s a pretty good deal for a full HDTV. Maybe I should put my monitor at eye level and quit complaining.

Product Page

You’ll need a perfect storm of the following three elements in order to enjoy this bit of news:

• Must live in China
• Must like ViewSonic products
• Must want a netbook or an overwhelmingly large notebook

If you meet those criteria you might be happy to know that ViewSonic will be branching out to netbooks and notebooks, according to DigiTimes. The company is currently best-known for its LCD monitors and TVs, which are available in the US and typically carry lower-than-average price points. It’s unknown at this point in time whether or not the company will bring its portable computers here to the states.

It’ll apparently be leveraging its expertise in LCD screens to build a mammoth 22-inch notebook, which we can all agree is crazy and should be called an “all-in-one computer that folds in half” instead of a “notebook”. Whatever the case, I can’t wait to see this monster.

[via DigiTimes]

Here’s a relatively affordable full HD TV from ViewSonic. The VT2430 is a 24-inch, 1080p LCD with an ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner, 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 5ms response time, 300cd/m2 brightness, a VGA input, composite/component/S-Video inputs, and a single HDMI input. The company’s positioning the TV for “the other room,” meaning the bedroom, children’s playroom, kitchen, or office. You could use it in a small living room, though, provided you didn’t need to hook too many HDMI-based devices up to it.

MSRP is $399, but you’ll able to find it for less online ($375 at Amazon, for instance).

ViewSonic VT2430 LCD TV [ViewSonic.com]