Notebook designs evolve at CES 2010

Many new netbooks are on display at CES 2010, but the main upgrade from last year's crop lies in a move to the latest versions of Intel's Atom processor.

The HP Mini 5102, pictured above, uses the new N450 or N470 Atom processors, rather than the N280 used in 2009's Mini 5101. However, the new version of HP's business-oriented netbook also adds a few new customisation options that were not available in its predecessor: namely, a touchscreen and a detachable handle.

The 1,366 x 768-pixel touchscreen is capacitive and offers multitouch input. The basic configuration for the notebook, which comes with a standard 1,024 x 600-pixel screen, the 1.66GHz Atom N450 and 1GB of RAM, will cost $399 (£250).

Some of the more intriguing devices on show are not yet on sale. Asus used CES 2010 to show off a range of concept products that go by the name of Waveface.

The Waveface Light, pictured above, is an "interface to the cloud", Asus said in a statement. The device can be used in a standard clamshell format or as a single tablet screen. According to the company, the touch-sensitive screen is "backed by a soft, flexible material".

Other Waveface concept products shown include the Casa, a widescreen display that serves as an entertainment centre and internet portal, and the Ultra, a flexible touchscreen bracelet that can provide the time as well as other information and services.