For months now we talk about the upcoming arrival of smartbooks, devices hybrids between netbooks and smartphones. Today we learn that at least 20 units of these mini laptops should be introduced to the market during the first quarter of 2010.

The information has been revealed today by the president of ARM, Kim Yung-sup, the Korean E-News newspaper reported that 20 smartbooks will be launched worldwide in the next quarter. Unlike netbooks, the smartbooks are built around an ARM processor. as it was incompatible with Windows (except Windows CE), the work thus smartbooks with third party systems. We think in particular Linux, but also to the same or Google Android Google Chrome OS , according to the latest news will be released in mid-2010.

ARM processors also have the opportunity to consume less energy than Atom CPU or Neo. Consequently, the 'autonomy smartbooks is logically higher than the netbook. However, their performance will be slightly lower but with an OS other than Windows Classic, optimized for this processor type, the user should receive benefits sufficient for basic use (office, Internet ,..).

Like the netbooks, the smartbooks are oriented to mobility and thus integrate many modules normally access. Some partnerships with mobile operators could then push their sales and marketing of smartbooks at attractive prices, coupled with 3G subscriptions. We'll have more details on smartbooks at the CES 2010 that will take place from January 7 in Las Vegas.