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Lenovo has become the latest major manufacturer to jump into the low-cost and ultra-portable computer arena with the IdeaPad S10 netbook, a 10-inch machine running the 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor. Spec-wise, the S10 offers more of what users and reviewers have been happy with lately and it’s priced aggressively to compete with the Asus Eee PC and MSI Wind.

The system will debut in two variations, both running Windows XP, when it reaches the US market. A base configuration with 512MB of RAM and an 80GB hard disk will cost you $399, while an enhanced model with 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard disk will sell for $450. Weighing in at 2.4 pounds, the new netbook also boasts Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, an ExpressCard slot, a four-in-one card reader and a 1.3 megapixel webcam.

The mini-notebook should be hitting store shelves sometime in September, leaving Toshiba as the only top five PC maker not to either release or announce plans to release a netbook of its own.